Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Which bino to buy myself for Christmas. Choosing between...

The Vortex Viper in 10x32 (any experience with this one?) or a comparable Minox.

I hunt a lot of open country, hence the 10x. I already have and use a pair of Vortex Vulture 8.5x50, which are a just a bit heavier than I like to hike around the hills and mountains.

What do you think?

Meopta B1 10x32's, a sleeper glass IMO. Very clear n bright. BTW, how are those knife sales goin?

For hunting the 10x32 is going to leave you wanting more when
it comes to brightness. They are good for daytime, but for
the first and last hour, you are going to be disappointed.
I had a 10x32, and sold it. Get a quality 10x42, that is why they outsell the 10x32 by many times.

Try before you buy, or get a return policy.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll check out the Meopta. How is it at dusk and dawn? I was kinda concerned about the brightness of the glass at twilight with a 10x32, which is part of the reason for my asking the question. Keep the suggestions coming, guys!

Kingthing0307,

Knife sales are going great! I've sold a bunch already, and I get more sales coming in on a daily basis. Yours should be on its way to you very shortly

After reading alot of reviews and asking questions here, I bought the zen-Ray 8x43 ED from Doug and received them yesterday. I compared them to my leica 8x32 Trinovids and they are brighter and I would say almost equal in clarity. I know you asked about 10X but at first impression I was impressed with the Zen-Ray.

Thanks for the feedback.

I also checked out the Meopta's- they're about double the price I'm looking to pay

I'm thinking $300-400.

Between the two. Definitely go Minox. Go to Doug(Camera Land) for a good sale price on one. He will take care of you. But before you buy ask him his opinion on the best deal for the buck that he has. He has treated me very well, and alot of other people will chime in I am sure!! Tom.

Agree with Hogghead...I would take a very hard look at Minox bins in that category. I was impressed with them.

I like my Minox a bunch, Jordan. Have not put peepers on a Vortex anything..

Which model of Minox bino are you guys having good luck with?

Jordan,

Ive got a mint pair of vortex viper 10x42 that i will sell for a great price. If you are interested shoot me a PM. They are very light for a 10x42.

Joel

OK guys, I spoke with Doug at CameraLand, and I'm most likely going to end up with the Vortex Vipers from Greenback, but I'm curious how the Minox BVII 10x42 BR stacks up to the Viper? Anybody have any experience with the 2 models in question?

Thanks!
Jordan

I believe any 10X32 is a mistake. Try using either of them from your usual field position vs. the same makes in 10X40/42 and the 10X50 models. No comparison, particularly in the eye strain department and the ability to see more detail simply because of less image shake. E

Sorry. To clarify, I'm considering the 10x42 from Greenback, and have passed on the 10x32 for the reasons you mention. Trying to figure out how the 10x42 Viper stacks up against the Minox BVII 10x42 BR...

How about the ZR ED2 10x43 or the Meopta Meopro, how to they compare to the Vortex Viper?

Wish I could help, Jordan.

I'm watching this thread and learning as I do. Good luck on your glass.

I wish binos were legally required to hunt around here. I've been in my climbing stand on some public land glassing a clearcut with my 10x50mm Nikons and saw a hunter on the other side glassing around...through his riflescope. Such a stupid practice.

Tell me about it!! I hate it when people do that. I was once in a hunting party whith 2 brothers. One brother was wearing a tan hoodie, and the other brother was "glassing" with his riflescope at what he thought was a deer, but turned out to be his brother. He carries his rifle loaded with the safety on. I reamed the heck out of that guy. I'm not sure if he'll ever recover from the emotional scarring that I verbally horse-whipped him with...

Anyways, back to the importance of me finding the right bino so I can lend my current bino to new hunters that I take out, who may not have one

Vortex Viper vs. Minox BVII vs. Meopta Meopro vs. Zen-Ray EDII

Any thoughts?

I'm a student, and don't have a lot of money, so I want to make sure I'm getting the right glass the first time. I have been offered a Vortex Viper in like-new condition for $300. If there is no significant reason to go with one of the others instead, then I'll go that route...

Minox HGs($449 @ Cameraland).

Jordan,

I own Vortex Vipers and Minox HGs; both in 8x. The Minox HGs are a couple of steps above the BV model.

IMO the Vipers are an excellent glass; just a bit lower(a tiny bit lower) on the optical quality scale than the Minox HG model and therefore definately a step up from the Minox BV.

Lots of members here post positive comments here about the Zen Rays but I have no experience behind them.

At $300 for the Viper you could do alot worse. I know if I were forced to hunt with just my Vipers for the rest of my life I wouldn't feel handicapped. They are very nice.

Leftybolt

Thanks, Lefty. I appreciate that. I'll probably just go with the Vipers then.