Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics $1000 for 10 x 42?

I will not dare ask what is best, but opinions welcomed. I would like to know for $1000 and under, what do you feel is the best deal out there? Thanks for playing!

My hands are faster than my fingers, 40-42 on the objectives.

Luckily for you, there are numerous binos today that are near alpha stuff that fit your budget. My short list would be:

1. Leupold GR HD--Rugged build spectacular glass, $599 after rebate.
2. Meopta/Cabela's Euro--Ugly and tough
3. Zen Ray ED2--Glass approaching the $2k binos for $400. Reliability still ?
4. Minox HG
5. Bushnell Elite--when it was B&L people raved about it. Same bino.
6. Pentax ED
7. Nikon SE--not waterproof, there's no glass better anywhere/any price
7. Pentax SP

The Vortex Razors are pretty nice as well.

Pentax SP ED is a very good glass if you can spend close to $1000

Swaro slc's demos or lightly used or some demos/used leicas

Contact Alex Roy over at eurooptic.com he has some Swaro 10x42 SLC new without box for $1000. That's gonna be hard to beat

http://www.eurooptic.com/products/catalog.asp?vendor=used%20optics

I'd vote for $650.00 Leica 10x42 Geovids...

That's a great deal on thos slc's. I didn't see the leica geovids.

Where do you get that deal?

Think that one was tongue in cheek...

I am pretty sure there were some 10x42 Trinovids on the Classifieds for $850 - don't remember seller, but that's a lot of glass for the money if all's good on the deal.

DJ

You'd be amazed at the deals that are out there if a person is patient. In the last month or so I've seen $650.00 Leica 10x42 Geovids and $300.00 Swarovski 8x30 SLC's, used of course, but for that kind of money, who cares.

Next time you find a deal like that on 8x30's pretty please let me know. I had a pair and sold them, but would like to replace them sometime. Fairly easy to find for around 500-525.00, but that's the best price I've scene.

Hello,
Great advices ! And I have bought Alex Roy several optics and he is a very serious guy.
I should add the Swarovski Habicht Porro 10x40 W GA as one of the best deals, for around 1000 New. I have just bought an almost new one with the latest coatings and water tight guaranteed (one of the few or may be the only one Porro so guaranteed) througt e-bay for 600. Box included! And is a truly great hunting binocular. And built like they used to be build!

Regards

PH

If it were my money I would wait for a used pair of Zeiss 10x42 FLs. They can be had for about your price, have a lifetime transferable warranty, have superb optics and are very tough. I've seen 3 or 4 pairs go for $1K on ebay or a little over.

I could like the used route on one of the big three like several have suggested.

Or, I think I'd be looking hard at the Meopta Meostar for $900 or the same binoc branded Cabela's Euro Binoculars for $800.

I'd love to get my hands on a black pair of the 8x30 Swaro's for a moderate price.

How do the Vortex Razor's compare to the big 3? I have been using Pentax DCF SP's (WP)and they have been great, just looking at going to the next level. Thanks

I doubt the electronics part of the geovid would be under warranty. That's the downside.

I just bought a pair of Swarovski 10x42 EL like new in the box with blank warrany card for $1200. They were never used. They are amazing binos. I think I got a heck of a deal on these binos. You might want to think about trying to find a used but like new pair of Swaros or Leicas. I'm always seeing great deals on them.