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Joined: Mar 2011
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 179 |
I have an older pair of Pentax SP's that have been great! I think I bought them in 2006. Would it be a big upgrade to get a pair of Vortex Viper HD's or Vangaurd Endeavor ED's? Just wondering if I would notice a big difference.
Out of the 2 binos listed which would do you think is better?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,530
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
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I also carried the SP's for many years, and they are now my "keep in the truck bins". They are good bino's.
Around 2008 I upgraded to Leica Ultravids. IMHO if your going to upgrade then UPGRADE. If the Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, Meopta class is out of your price range right now then keep using your SP's until you've saved enough to buy them.
The Viper HDs are better than the SP's optics wise, I have a little experience with them. But not enough in my honest opinion to buy them over what you have. In a few years you'll likely just want to upgrade again anyway. Just go all out this time and your done, even if you have to wait a year or two to do it.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,530
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
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Sorry, I know I didnt answer your direct question about the two binos you mentioned because I have no experience with the Vanguard. Just had a feeling where this conversation was going.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 179
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
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Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it!!
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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If your binos are DCF SP's, then you can't do any better UNLESS you go to alpha glass. They are that good. Save your money.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.
John Wayne
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,054
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Campfire Regular
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If your binos are DCF SP's, then you can't do any better UNLESS you go to alpha glass. They are that good. Save your money. Agreed. I have the 10X43 Pentax and have compared them to a lot of other glass since buying them seven or eight years ago. They don't give up a lot to any other glass and are well built which is something I'm not sure you get with the new ED binoculars costing less than $500. Other binoculars might be better but I honestly don't think there's something I missed solely because I was using the Pentax.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,873
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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If your binos are DCF SP's, then you can't do any better UNLESS you go to alpha glass. They are that good. Save your money. What he said IMHO!
Good Shooting!
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,199
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I bought some DCF SP 10x50 about 10 years ago. They are good glass. Bang for the buck, unbeatable. Customer service is good too.
A year ago, I stumbled on a too good to pass up deal on Swaro 10x50. They are amazing glass.
Save your money and jump to Swaro or Leica. The binos you're mentioning are not upgrades to the Pentax glass IMO.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 179
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OP
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All this time I thought I was missing something  Thanks everyone!!
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Joined: Oct 2008
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You may want to take a look of Doug's 10x43 ZEN ED3 demo. I had a pair of Pentax SP, then upgraded to the original ZEN ED back in 2008. It was a huge step up for me. Now the ED3 should be even better with faster focusing and dielectric coating
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 231
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Campfire Member
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Yep, i sold an 8x32 and 10x50 to someone here when I was having medical issues.
Damn fine glass.
Although I own uber stuff now I do miss them Sp's and DCF ed's!
Its a shame Pentax couldn't stay in the bizz, fine glass!
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 50,657 Likes: 2
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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All this time I thought I was missing something Thanks everyone!! Actually, I have to disagree with the masses on the Pentax. While good, I do think the glasses mentioned are significantly better. I would go with Vortex over Vanguard because of he proven CS. The Vanguard is good glass for the money though. YMMV
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Can't beat Pentax SP glass for the money...in any magnification/objective configuration.
A best bargain in optics for about ten years now...
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Joined: Dec 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Yep, i sold an 8x32 and 10x50 to someone here when I was having medical issues.
Damn fine glass.
Although I own uber stuff now I do miss them Sp's and DCF ed's!
Its a shame Pentax couldn't stay in the bizz, fine glass! I bought the DCF SP's and have been VERY pleased with the purchase. They do all I need in bino's'; the 8x32's are my turkey, bow and walking optics, the 10x50's cover everything else. Hope your health is better. Thanks.
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