Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ask John Barsness Questions About "Best Buys In Binoculars."

I'm proud for The Campfire to have a new feature article entitled "Best Buys In Binoculars" by our own Mule Deer (John Barsness) on the Home Page . MD has graciously agreed to answer specific questions about the article here on this thread.

Go easy on him guys. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Mule Deer! This is a treat.

Rick Bin

Another great optics article by John. He does a fantastic job of explaining "how" and "why" in words we all understand and gets right to the point. Thanks Rick And John.

About your "Best Buys in Binoculars" article... (nice article BTW)....

I figure Eagle Optics must've been among those thirty tested, yet they didn't make the cut?

Birdwatcher

How do the Wind River 8x42 P1's compare with today's brands in their class?

Birdwatcher--

Nope, didn't test Eagle Optics, mostly because they have shown some reluctance to send test optics to hunting writers. I have looked at them while at trade shows, and they seem to be good glass for the price, but have not had the chance to compare them directly against others, so could not in ghood conscience include them.

This was one of the questions I anticipated, so am glad to get it out of the way quickly....

MD

John,
Just Logged in again to the "new" site and haven't read the article.
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your presence here.

The Wind River P1's are good glass, not quite as good as the ones listed, but the difference is so slight that I wouldn't spend money replacing them. I own one of the original P1's and still use it from time to time. A darn good binocular!

The new Leupold Gold Ring reviewed in the article is in another clas entirely. Of course, so the is price--but it is indeed a genuine $1000 binocular, well worth the price.

MD

What is it about the B&L (now Bushnell) Discoverer series binoculars that keeps them from making the cut? I have a pair and really like them but I've noticed in several reviews by several writers they're never mentioned.

John,
Great article, I already bought Pentax SP's based largely on your previous recommendation's and am very happy. You mentioned a while back you did and article on Rangefinders, when is it coming out?
Thanks again for answering questions.
Martin

John;
I was pleased to see the Bushnell Legend 8X32 made your list. I have recommended them to several friends on a budget looking for good glass. Dollar for dollar they'd be hard to beat.

John,
Great update to your book info. I caught a lot of flack last year when buying my 8 x 30 Zeiss Diafun's, from my bigger is better friends. After reading "Optics for the Hunter" I feel my choice was for the best for my hunting needs(especially on sale for under $300.00). Looking towards Leupolds new 12-40 x 60 spotting scope now for out west use.
Thanks again for being a voice of sensibility in this time of poor little whitetail's being shot with 375 UM's at 75 yards.
MCS

How about the Nikon 8X42 ATB's. They seem pretty clear, anthough not as clear as the Leica 10X32 BNs I also own.

Natchez has been running a closeout on "Remington" bino's. They claim BAK4 and fully coated lens. A friend bought a pair 8x42 roof prism. they sure look good for $80.
-Doc-

Excellent, excellent article.

Thank you,

Any word on Steiner Peregrine's? Their latest offering.

While the Leupold Katmai is a good binocular for the price I don't care for the pair I purchased at a conservation fundraiser. I like to have a pair of binoculars in each vehicle so this is just a spare set not for primary hunting. The optics are excellent but the eyepiece design is terrible. They are almost impossible to twist and when you do the rubber comes off. I understand that you probably cannot do a durabilty test but this would be very helpful in an evaluation. I'd have to give them a thumbs down for eyecup design.

John,

Did you get a chance to test any of the Fujinon optics?

Also, I know they are a lower end optic, but how about Barska, what are your feelings towards that brand and quality?
My buddy, just bought a pair of 15x70"s by Barska, and they seem to be alright for the price.

Also I did not see any 15x optics mentioned in the article. Is there a reason for that?
I live in Arizona, and I use 15x60 Fujinon when I hunt and guide. There are also a ton of other hunters/guides in AZ that use 15x optics either in Swarovski, Ziess or other top names.
Do you have any plans on doing a story/article on long range optics that will include 15x plus optics?

Great article! It was composed very well and it kept my attention. I look forward to reading more of your stuff online or in magazines. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us.

Enrique

I realize the advantages of a roof prism binocular for hunting, and noticed that you did say for those on a tight budget to go with porros.

However, I think this needs to be made into a much bigger point than it is. Cheapo porros beat out some of the better roofs easily in the "good looks" department for resolution and brightness, and can be had for a fraction of the price. And after using some porros recently for all my hunting and birdwatching, I have found that with the slightest care they have lasted over years now without a bobble. Of course, the better (and easily the best) porros make roofs seem dim in comparison.

I think that a good evaluation of current porro models is deserved, since even the midgrades like the Nikon Actions or Bushnell Legends can keep up with all but the best roofs, and can be had new on EBay for under $100. Even if they broke every single year, which they do not, most people could get a better view a lot quicker than saving years for high-end roofs.

I also think that binocular manufacturers produce what they think will sell, and thus porros are not "faddish" right now (except among top-end birdwatchers) because everyone has jumped on the roof bandwagon. There is little reason from an engineering perspective that a manufacturer cannot produce porros that are rugged enough for serious backcountry hunting. Invert the barrels for crying out loud, and put a tough mother-of-a-hinge on there, and make sure the lens/prisms are well-secured. They could easily produce an inverted model with 32-35mm objectives, which would be small and rugged, and give a crystal clear view for a low price. All they need is someone to demand it.

Cabela's has a very good price on discontinued B&L Discoverer porro prism binoculars. I wonder how these rate as they were in the $300 range just a few months ago.

They seem to have all the features one could want-rubber armouring, twist down eyecups, multicoating with rainguard.

I abandoned my Japanese B&L Zephyrs years ago for the roof prism Swarovski SLC. I still have one of the SLC's, but recently have rediscovered the Zephyrs, based in part on what I read from Jack O'Connor decades ago and part in a comment on buying old optics in a book called "Optics for the Hunter." I found a Rochester made 7X35 Zephyr in new condition and a 9X35 almost as good. These just amaze me.

I like them so much that I told the friend I gave the Japanese Zephyrs to that I get them back if he dies before me.

Cheers

Optics For The Hunter. Sounds vaguely familiar. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That book was written by Mr. Barsness, and is available here:

http://www.riflesandrecipes.com/

It's a must have.

Rick

How good are the Pentax porro prism binoculars, the PCF WP and WP II's? They have a hinge that appears to be as solid as a roof prism glass, and if I'm not totally mistaken, they focus internally with a lens, just like a roofer. I looked at some a year or so ago, and I do not remember seeing any external focusing arms going out to the oculars. They are JIS Class 6 waterproof, submersible to 3 meters rated, so I would think they should be considered very very waterproof. Weight is about the same as most good 8x40/8x42 roofs, so that wouldn't be much of a concern to me. I know they would be slightly bulky, but so what I am too at 40 years old <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.I've not heard much opinion on these glasses, yay or nay, so if anyone cares to elaborate, it would be interesting to read.

BTW, I have a copy of Optics for the Hunter, great reading about all things optically related to hunting.