Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Solid 15X Binocs for under $1,000?

In the market for some bigger glass for a couple of upcoming open country hunts, and would like to get something with more reach than my 10X that I usually rely on. Anything in the sub 1k range worth looking at these days? Also open to suggestions for a decent light weight tripod to go with them. Thanks

I bought a used Minox 15X58. I compared them to some Swarovski 15X56. I arbitrarily scored the Swarovski at 100. They were quite expensive. The Minox scored 97. They cost $500.

A very easy decision.

i would look for a used minox, i used the 15x56 last year, all year, they were amazing on a tripod

Care to detail your analysis and scoring system?

GregW,



The arbitrary score of 100 was so I could remember what I thought of one compared to the other. I didn't judge brightness and resolution and ergonomics and weight to come up with a score. I don't remember if one was any brighter or heavier or lighter than the other.

It's been a few years since I compared them. Both were lying on sand bags. The only thing I really remember is the slight detail resolving advantage going to the Swarovski.

An interesting thing is one of the guys preferred the Minox. Another guy couldn't see any difference.

I have had experience with several. The Minox 15x58 ED,
Docter Nobilem 15x60, and the Nikon Monarch 5 16x56.

All 3 are very good, the Minox rates behind the others,
not as sharp and quite a bit of chromatic aberration.
The Docter Nobilem is very sharp and bright, and the
Nikon Monarch is right with the Docter.

You can find any of these used in the $500-700 range.

Good luck, a mounted binocular is a great tool.

Which renders this just as irrelevant and meaningless as anything else Wrongman posts.

Grin....

Anyone who thinks a Minox and even a non-HD Swaro compare just tells us all how much they look through glass or hunt or whatever. Which renders any other results meaningless...

Greg:

The post was about optics with a budget under $1,000.

Since you are above all of that, keep your thoughts to
yourself.

Grin.....

If you have experience in this range, then offer your
opinion.

Are you bullying or is GregW?

No bullying required when it comes to ignorance and you are deciding to join Ringman on the stage...

Any Meopta or Cabelas branded 12's or 15's will be better than your big ole Doctors or your Nikon's, which are a joke by the way...

And if the OP wants to spend 300$ more, he'll get some Swaro's which will blow them all away...

Greg:

Stay on topic. And don't compare me to any other
poster on here.

I suppose we may all agree a Swaro. is better, but
don't be an azzhole.......

Good move on the Ringman separation...

grin....

I don't know if the meopta/Cabelas can be had for 1000 bucks (maybe on a sale), but the view through my brothers Cabelas euro hd15x56 is much closer to my Swaro hd 15x56 than either a minox 15x56 or a vortex kiabab 15x56 (non-hd). If your budget can stretch just a bit I'd definitely get the meopta/cabelas.

I really like a Manfrotto tripod, 290x (?), we got it at sportsmans warehouse, it's stout and stable, but lighter weight than my 190x.

I believe that leupold just came out with some 15x56 binoculars that might come in around $1000 ish once they hit the shelf. I have no idea if they are good but are at least another option

What, No 127 yard deer antler test?

a used pair of minox 15x56 for 450.00 spotted every deer and elk that a 1300.00 pair of cabelas euros spotted last year over the course of about 70 days, where the cabelas better, i really couldnt see any difference in the field on a tripod, morning or night, the other guy couldnt see a difference either, i dont know much about resolution testing ect, i looked at vortex kaibabs in the store, i think i liked the 20x over the 15x, but for the money my cheap minox will have to make do

i had 800.00 more dollars for a 2nd out of state hunt, my buddy stayed home, i harvested 2 great bucks in 2 states, my buddy one, as to that value my minox were priceless,,,

300stw,

Great thought. I need more hunting and less impressing someone with how much my optics cost.

Be careful - The more you hunt, the more you'll see the hilarity of your homemade "scoring system"...

Then you'll have to do a lot of post exiting for the past 5 years...

Money does not necessarily translate into optical performance although generally it trends that way.

I hunt and kill stuff at long distances with a $500 scope. Performance is where it's at and I buy accordingly....