Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 8x32 binocs...which one?

Another fan of Nikon LX glass.
My 8x32s have been with me for 10 years and I have no desire for anything else.
Fantastic nocs.

I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of 8x32’s for awhile myself in that same price range. I actually bought a pair of Leupold BX-3 Mojaves last fall and returned them. They seemed great in the store but after I got them home and went through the set-up they didn’t seem that clear. I couldn’t see a significant difference between them and my 6x30 Yosemites. I liked everything about the Mojaves better but just couldn’t see keeping them for what to my eye was similar glass at $200 less.

I bought a pair of Minox from Doug 5-6 years ago. The glass is pretty good for the money but the focus wheel is too loose and every time I pull them out of my jacket to use them I have to refocus. That got old real quick so they stay in the truck now.

When I bought the Mojaves I compared them to the Nikon 7 8x30’s and Cabelas Guide Series 8x32’s. I thought the glass was similar in clarity but the Mojaves felt the best in my hand and seemed like they’d stay in focus which is kind of a pet peeve after the Minox experience.

Cabelas has the Mojaves marked down now apparently on close-out since they are coming out with a new model Tioga that replaces the BX-3s. I’m waiting to see how good the Tiogas are before popping for another pair. If they don’t seem like a significant upgrade I’ll probably go for a pair of Euro HD’s or Meoptas. I’d rather keep it under $500 but that seems like the next step and I can try them out in the store rather than ordering them not knowing what to expect.

I like my Zeiss binos. Have three of them. Victory, Conquest and Terra. Satisfied with all of them.

Don't pretend to be an expert optics but I spent 10 years or better sitting on hillsides, bluffs and knobs picking the country apart using old zeiss classics for hours on end.

Almost always had other hunters with me and we'd trade glass for awhile so I've used swavorskis, Leica etc The zeiss just fit me better ergonomically and when the lenses are cleaned properly never saw any advantage of s or l over them

We'd find a piece of a caribou or bears miles out and just compare if one binoc had advantage over the other. Not to my eyes or the hunters I had, so I was pretty happy with my zeiss

So happy I bought their ( zeiss) 10x25 compacts for sheep hunting. Meh different animal, while good optics, a pita to use ime


Fast forward 10 years later I'm hunting areas with more timber and not as great of distances so was looking for 8x

I'm also one of those guys that wants binocs in every truck I have, old Pentax in my gmc, minoltas in my taco

You just never know when you're gonna want to take a closer look at something

So did a lil research much like the op And ended up buying a set of the Theron 8x32

Like you guys wasn't expecting much for sub $200 but with kids and grandkids how could I go wrong

Man was I pleasantly surprised. Love those lil binocs

Are they swavorskis or leicas nope, but will say this when my pard dropped the dime on swavorskis he was excited as hades when they arrived

I peel outa work run over to his house and his smile is gone???? Wtf. Sun is setting and we compared his brand new swavorskis to his leupold wind rivers both 10 power and better light transmission from the leupolds

He sent the swavorskis back and got his money back

We are both tackleberry, gearhead fanatics, have dropped a ton of loot on outdoor gear

Imagine my surprise how good those lil Theron's have been for the money?

I'm going to buy at least two more of them

Decent glass for the money imo. Very decent glass I even take them hunting which when purchasing never thought I would

IMO, the Theron Wapiti LT is the best value in a 8x32.
People refuse to believe a bino at that price can be any good whatsoever.......until they try one.

You will have a very difficult time beating the Monarch 7's in the $300 range.

Two opinions I highly respect. I'm another one that like to have binos in ever vehicle (along with a few other essentials). Gonna give these a close look. Have a couple little grandsons who might be a good fit here also.

I have a 8x32 Nikon LX and a Leica BN 8x32 I will sell if any of you guys are interested.

The Nikons show some typical marks from use and the badges fell off a while back but the lenses are Excellent. Currently my truck binos. Factory case included.

The Leicas are like new, Pristine. I have the original case, box, paperwork and all factory inclusions.

If going over the OPs budget, I'll skip Nikon and look for Meopta or Cabelas Euro 8x32

1. Swaro 8x32 EL
2. Nikon 8x30 E2
3. Swaro Habicht 8x30 W

338, Cabelas euro optics? They are made by who?

Meopta

Are those the ones you're talking about ?

yes

The budget of the OP is $4-500. The Nikon 8x30 EII is very good, and meets the budget, but the others don't.

I like the Nikon porro prism types, the 8x30 EII is very good and so is the 8x32 SE. Both near the top optically
but are not waterproof, and so not for everybody.

Here is my recommendation for optics in this price range. And listed from best on down.

1. Nikon 8x30 Monarch 7
2. Cabela's 8x32 Guide Series
3. Leupold Mojave 8x32

I own the Nikon and the Cabela's, and the Leupold are much the same binocular, clones.

They are all very nice compact binoculars.

If the budget is $600 or more, then we can start with another list.

fixt......

You are a little feisty tonite. Do you have any bright ideas about binoculars ?

Or do you just use open sights ?

I have not looked thru the Monarch 7's, but own a set of Kite "lynx" 8x30's which are essentially the same binocular (as is the Maven 8x30). Nice optics and light. Just a hair big for shirt pocket.

I don't attend the Opera.

You need to get out more. I do like your hairdo.............................