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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 31
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 31 |
My current "best" binoculars are Zen-Ray ED (the original ones, not the ED2 or ED3) in 8x43. I'm looking to replace them with something nicer and based on what I've looked through recently, I'm leaning towards the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42. These will be mainly for hunting in South Carolina with 400 yard max needed.
I haven't been able to compare the Zeiss side-by-side with the Zen-Ray, so I'm wondering how drastic the upgrade will be. How about in dusk/dawn situations? I know the exit pupil is better with the 8x, but I'm hoping the extra resolution of the Zeiss will overcome this (I'm mid-40s for reference).
The other binocular I have been looking at is the Swaro SLC 10x42, but I'm not sold on the difference being worth the additional $800.00 to my eyes.
Any recommendations?
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,249 |
Meopta B-1 10x42 HD. Awesome bino for the price. Goes head to head with the best of them and gives up nothing.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,167
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,167 |
Patience... I sold a pair of swaro 10-50 for $1000, bought a pair of brand new re furbished classics for 3 bills... Beyond popular belief, classics don't even begin to hang with Swarovski but will make a great truck/traveling glass.. I.e.; Hawaii etc
Ping pong balls for the win.
Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable
I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,593
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,593 |
Seems like you could get Tract for less and still have top notch. do some search on here.
All of them do something better than the 30-06, but none of them do everything as well.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,239
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,239 |
Meopta Hd is great, Toric is equally great for lots less $$$.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,203
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,203 |
I found some 10x42 Steiner Peregrines on sale a few years ago. I think I walked out the door with them for $800.
Simply awesome binos, except for the stupid ass, cheap eye cups. When my Swaro 8.5X42s froze solid, the Steiners didn't flinch. They're clearer than my Zeiss too. Not as clear as my Swaros, but much more reliable when its 20 below.
If you're patient and can find closeouts on certain premiums, that's the way to go IMO.
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 31
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 31 |
Thanks for the advice so far. I will check out the Meoptas HD. I've looked thru the standard ones and they were good, but not as good as the Conquest HD to my eyes.
In regards to the Toric, have there been any qualitative tests/comparisons done?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,041
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,041 |
Just took delivery of a Trijicon 8 x 42 HD for about $663.00 on Amazon. I believe this is a Meopta product branded by Trijicon. It is excellent. I have a hard time seeing any difference between the Trijicon and my $2300.00 Nikon EDG 10 x 42 bino, which one birding site rates as the number one Alpha glass in the world. After looking through these Trijicons, I'm starting to really question the wisdom of spending more than $700.00-800.00 on a bino (though I do have a Leia Noctivid on order.   ) Jordan
Communists: I still hate them even after they changed their name to "liberals".
____________________
My boss asked why I wasn't working. I told him I was being a democrat for Halloween.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,511
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7,511 |
I have a pair of as-new Zeiss 10x32 Victorys right at your price point listed here at the 'fire.
Why bother with the conquests or go cheap when you can have the world class brightness of the Victorys?
If these don't completely impress send them back to me...
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11401026/FS:__Zeiss_Victory_10x32_FL*T*#Post11401026
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,377 |
With that budget I'd go with Leica trinovids from Doug, a lot of bino for the money, lifetime warranty.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845 |
Conquest HD 10X42 can be found for significantly less than $1000 also. Hell, you could buy mine for $650. I am with some others in that, for that money or less, you are hard pressed to beat the Meopta HDs, in my opinion.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 802
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 802 |
Meopta HD-great but weigh the most out of any you would be considering.
Tract-Toric, Zeiss Conquest HD,Vortex Razor HD,Maven B2, Leica Trinovid (produced in the last 5 years) or the most recent HD version-all in your price range.
Personally I would look for a deal on a lightly used or new current Swarovski SLC if you end up spending near $1000.
Last edited by Timberbuck; 08/30/16.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,126
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,126 |
When my Swaro 8.5X42s froze solid, the Steiners didn't flinch. T I've been thinking about those Swaro 8.5's but I occasionally hunt Canada in late November and it can get way below zero there. How cold was it when they froze?
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,872
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,872 |
When my Swaro 8.5X42s froze solid, the Steiners didn't flinch. T I've been thinking about those Swaro 8.5's but I occasionally hunt Canada in late November and it can get way below zero there. How cold was it when they froze? The Swarovski 8.5x42 El does not freeze up, that includes all the models. They are good to go. Don't let that post stop you, they are very good, for a one and done binocular.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 43 |
I've been happy with my Meoptas. Like someone else said, the old Trinovids that are on sale now for 8-900 are a heck of a deal in my opinion.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,340
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,340 |
Meopta Hd is great, Toric is equally great for lots less $$$. Meopro or Meostar?
Don't roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,239
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,239 |
Meostar HD, same as Cabelas euro HD.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,340
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,340 |
Don't roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,004
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,004 |
Trinovid HD all the way. I went through this dilemma a few months back and am very happy with the Leicas.
Last edited by peeshooter; 08/30/16.
How do you know a Trump hater? They'll tell you.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,807
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 14,807 |
The eye doctors have us look through lenses and tell them what we see best for with!
I looked through mine again just now and the economy Nikon Action 7-35x35 vari power binocs could tell what is it the best for me from our backyard. I looked over the pond down there at about a mile and they could make out 'what is it?' better than the others.
The others are Hensoldt Wetslar Nacht Dialyt 8X56's! and Bushnell 7x35 WA's.
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