HOOKNBULLET2
Active Member
My first alpha binocular purchase was a used set of Swarovski EL 10x42. No regrets and will never go back to b level glass again.
Best Binoculars for the money
- Thread starter Westtexean
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I didn't read through all 8 pages of this, so it may have been mentioned before, but the real question is what do you want them for? Are they simply for observation or do you want them to enhance your capability? I.e. Do you want an integrated laser range finder? Do you want integrated ballistics software?
Personally, to me it's unequivocally worth the extra $ to get something that has all 3. That said, regardless of which route you go I would be willing to spend the amount necessary to get something that won't leave you wanting later (the oft repeated buy once cry once). Right now, I use the Leica HD-B 3000. At the time, they were the best on the market. Image and range finding are excellent, onboard ballistics software work fine but are distance limited and dated (SD card). Now they are surpassed by a few including the Leica Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+ and the Vectronix Vector X. Revic BLR10b and Swaro EL Range are also worth considering. The Sig Kilo 10k Gen 1/2 doesn't have the same image fidelity but it's not a hindrance and certainly has some cool tech integration. Leica has the best warranty of the high end stuff. The only reason I am considering upgrading to any of the above is to get better on board ballistics.
The fact remains though that the image fidelity and range finding of the HDB-3000 are still fantastic, onboard ballistics are accurate and reliable out to 800, and I have a Kestrel 5700 for shots beyond 800…so still extremely convenient, useful, capability enhancing, and a relevant.
Personally, to me it's unequivocally worth the extra $ to get something that has all 3. That said, regardless of which route you go I would be willing to spend the amount necessary to get something that won't leave you wanting later (the oft repeated buy once cry once). Right now, I use the Leica HD-B 3000. At the time, they were the best on the market. Image and range finding are excellent, onboard ballistics software work fine but are distance limited and dated (SD card). Now they are surpassed by a few including the Leica Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+ and the Vectronix Vector X. Revic BLR10b and Swaro EL Range are also worth considering. The Sig Kilo 10k Gen 1/2 doesn't have the same image fidelity but it's not a hindrance and certainly has some cool tech integration. Leica has the best warranty of the high end stuff. The only reason I am considering upgrading to any of the above is to get better on board ballistics.
The fact remains though that the image fidelity and range finding of the HDB-3000 are still fantastic, onboard ballistics are accurate and reliable out to 800, and I have a Kestrel 5700 for shots beyond 800…so still extremely convenient, useful, capability enhancing, and a relevant.
yobuck
Well-Known Member
W
Or do we live (at least part of the time) in a dream world ?
Ive been long range hunting (exclusively) for more than 50 years.
Over that period of time ive had numerous optics for glassing at the longer distances.
The old cliche that says. that on a good day all optics are good, but on a bad day the better ones will be a bit better, is no doubt a very true statement.
Another true statement is that all (optics users) arent created equal either.
Put five people together on a hillside looking across a wide valley at a different hillside, and one or two of those people will find the most game.
Regardless as to what quality glasses they are using.
The others might have trouble finding them even when told exactly where they are, and thats a fact.
As for having the rangefinder or other features built into the optic, no doubt that can be a handy thing.
At least untill the time comes for the shooting part.
But you have to ask yourself if those features are worth the price difference over those without it.
Best to have what you can afford to have, then let your success tell you wether its good enough.
Do we live in a perfect world?
Or do we live (at least part of the time) in a dream world ?
Ive been long range hunting (exclusively) for more than 50 years.
Over that period of time ive had numerous optics for glassing at the longer distances.
The old cliche that says. that on a good day all optics are good, but on a bad day the better ones will be a bit better, is no doubt a very true statement.
Another true statement is that all (optics users) arent created equal either.
Put five people together on a hillside looking across a wide valley at a different hillside, and one or two of those people will find the most game.
Regardless as to what quality glasses they are using.
The others might have trouble finding them even when told exactly where they are, and thats a fact.
As for having the rangefinder or other features built into the optic, no doubt that can be a handy thing.
At least untill the time comes for the shooting part.
But you have to ask yourself if those features are worth the price difference over those without it.
Best to have what you can afford to have, then let your success tell you wether its good enough.
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Leica HD-B AB+
Best I've tested and used
Best I've tested and used
Don Rackley
Well-Known Member
For western hunting, I like my 12x Swaros. I also have a 10x pair of GPO that are VERY good.
I have not used Leica or Zeiss, but I am sure they are great
I have not used Leica or Zeiss, but I am sure they are great
Depends on your budget. For $2-300 I really like my Vortex Diamondback HDs also as a few other members mentioned. I couldn't really discern the difference between the diamondback and viper models ($4-500 range), however, I can tell a difference with the razor model but those are in the $1k range. I currently run two 12x50 diamondback HDs and they work great. I did recently pick up a 12x50 razor for a good deal and really like those too.
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Mike Matteson
Well-Known Member
Learning to pick out the flysh*t out or the pepper is what's need to be learned. I've have had some glass for 40 years and still have them. I generally use 10x50 now, with 15x60 in my day pack. I will also have a tri-pod in my pack to mount my glass on. Sure save a lot of walking, and see more.
This past deer season, I had the chance to use my nephew's Vortex Razor 12x50 UHD binoculars. I couldn't believe the clarity was so good. They can be had for around $1400.
Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
Range finding is the only way to go now days
akmtnhnt
Well-Known Member
I took my pair of 10x50 vortex razors that I've had for many years hunting as I normally do this year. New guy was hunting with us and had 10x50 swaro NLs. The animals he was able to see that i had no idea were there was staggering. He let me use the binos a whole afternoon and I **** near just chucked the vortex off a cliff it's so worthless in comparison.
Theres also a massive price difference.
Theres also a massive price difference.
my favorite glass is Zeiss victory SF 8x42 , I recently picked up the victory RF 10x42 I dont know if i will every go back to non range finding binos.
Unless you are left eye dominant, in which case the Range Finding function in those Binos are nearly useless.
Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, Kowa are priced like they are for a very good reason, they are enough better that people who use them a lot will pay the price. Used Alpha glass, even their entry level models and a couple of generations old, is still a far better idea than Nikon, Vortex et all, that cost the same new as the used Alpha glass.
You do need to try the various makes to know which suits your eyes. My eyes like Lieca, my brother sees better with Swaro and our hunting partner prefers Zeiss.
Jim’s Hunt
Well-Known Member
I am not either eye dominant but maybe slightly more left eye and have used the Vortex Fury and the Leica for NRL Hunter competition and hunting with very good success. Plus I have old Leupold individual eye focus binos and a Leica 1000 yd range finder. Still prefer range finding binos so much easier to hunt with
For those they work for, the RF binos are great. I am heavily left eye dominant, for me the Leica CRF 7x24 is the perfect answer. Very good glass, good enough that for most spot and stalk, I don't carry Binos, and great range finder. I use 10x40 HD Ultravids or a set of 8 or 12x50 power selectable Duovid Leicas for binoculars for when we are glassing for long periods of time or at low light.
If the RF Binos worked for me, I would own a set. Have tried them, Leica and Swaro, sold both.
