Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics thinking about alpha class binocs.........best under $1k?

looking for some alpha binocs...........wanting to stay under 1k and will go used if the right deal comes along. I hunt mainly Eastern NC swamps and some fields, so low light performance is a must.........do not need a 10x for what I do. I have a pair of Steiner Pro hunters I picked up from doug a few years ago and they work well, but really want to step up performance wise. Only requirements are 8x or lower and great lowlight performance. might would even go with a pair of 32mm if they would be up to the task. Where to start(already scanned ebay for used stuff, so I kind of have a feel for pricing)

If low light performance is paramount you'll want 42mm.

Meopta Meostar or Tract Toric would be my choices if purchasing new.
With a little patience, a used Leica Ultravid, Zeiss Victory or Swarovski SLC would likely meet your budget too.

Tract Toric 8x42, Fantastic stuff.

Agree on the Tract Toric 8x42. You’ll have to spend a lot more to do better.

May I suggest a Meopta MeoStar in either 8x32 or 8x42 or the Leica Trinovid HD also either 8x32 or 8x42.
I'm in all day if you'd like to give a call to discuss what would be best for you

I snagged a swarovski 7x42 SLC for $600 off eBay a few years back. They are awesome in low light and the field of view is very good

Those optics and magnification sure would fit what you are looking for

The Zeiss Conquest HD and the Nikon Monarch HG are near the top of the mid-range models.

I have both in 10x42, and I would assume the 8x42 would be very good also.

Zeiss Conquest HD are a great buy in that price range.

Shop wound for a used set of Swarovski EL 8x32. I use these extensively and they perform excellent in low light and they will always be better than cheaper stuff that is new. You wouldn’t be disappointed with Swarovski SLC either and you could get them in 8 of 10 X 42 for that money...

Look at the Kowa 8x33 Genesis as well

The Leica Trinovid (not the new HD model - one right before that) that came out a few years ago is an amazing peice of glass that you can find for around 1k...These were 1500 retail when the were first introduced.

+1 on these. I've got and use a 7x42 SLC Swaro that I've had for many, many years. They have a very large, "picture window" view, and are really good in low light, Highly recommended if you can find a pair.

I have 2 of the Swaro 7x42 SLC that I gave to my boys. They are some of the best binoculars I have ever used. And I have owned Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, Pentax, and Nikon. They are on the heavy side. I currently use the 8.5x42 EL's just because they are lighter. If not for the weight, I might choose them over the EL's

If you find a used pair of Minox HG or BR, give them a look. You might save a few hundred dollars too.

How do the Torics compare to the Zeiss Conquest HDs and how much of an upgrade are the new Torics over the original UHDs?

Check out the Meoptas!

Have you read MD`s " Binocular Basics" on the fire home page? Interesting and informative read.

In my experience, if the objective lens is smaller than 40mm in even the highest-class glass, you'll be giving up some performance in low light. And I have used (and own) plenty of "alpha" glass in the 8x30-32 range.

Don't know if they're "alpha class", but the Vortex Viper HD 6x32's are some of the nicest 32mm bino's I've used. They're discontinued now, but can still be found. For someone that wants 8x or less and 32mm's they are a great option. I use these more than any other bino's I own.

David

My last trip to Namibia I took the Toric 8x42's. There were several other binos in camp including the Conquest HD. I prefer the Toric, as did everyone else who compared them side by side. The eyecups on the Conquest's are terrible as well. You gotta spend a lot of $$$ to get a better binocular than a Toric.