Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best sub 1k binoculars.....10x

We talked about the best sub 1k spotters now lets talk about the best sub 1k binoculars

10x

Used Leica 10x42 Geovids

I've yet to see a pair for sun 1k

Must not be looking in the right places. $650.00 is the best deal I've seen, but have seen several for under $1k.

The Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42.

They are very good in the mid-range. I have some better binoculars, including the Swaro. SV, and Nikon EDG, and these
are a great choice that fits the bill. I have spent some time
comparing.
Very bright and sharp.

What Farmboy said, those Zeiss are sweet. I wish I had a pair! Take a pair and look into the shadows...amazing the detail they will pick up in low light. Bang for buck, the Nikon monarch 7 is pretty darn good glass too if I were on a tighter budget.

I agree with Farmboy1 and SlimShady on the Zeiss Conquest HD, they are very good. I would also include the "Made in Germany" Minox HG line(especially the APO HG which is Minox's top end HD glass))in the mix if you can find one. I just picked one up(APO HG) at Cameraland on sale(Like new Demo unit). They are excellent!
Leftybolt

I'll cast my vote for a mint, used Leupold Gold Ring HD. $500-$600 gets a real winner.

I'll add the Steiner NightHunter XP's as well. MD/JD tested them and thought "they give up very little" to the top of the line "Big Three".

meopta 10x42

I agree on the Meopta...They are mighty hard to beat for the money....................Hb

I am going to go against the grain but I am going to add a point. The new Swaro Pocket CL 10X25 binoculars for 869.00 MAP retail but less if you search for demos will go right up against the Conquest HDs, Razors or the top Monarch nikons.
They have 6 more lenses than the older ones and I was able to get them to develop between resolution at a distance than the 10X30 CLs.

Mark my words with 17 mm of eye relief if you don't need light gathering as much these suckers are pretty hard to beat.

They really are bad to the bone.

Sincerely,
Thomas

Used Swarovski SLC

I'm looking out for a demo set of meopta 10x42 hd's

Me too. I asked Doug if he ever has them and he said no.

I agree 100%, given you can find them under $1k. Great stuff.

The Zen ED3 is just as good optically, or at least to my eyes and you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars as well.

When it comes to build quality, I'd have to say the Swaros are better.

^^^THIS^^^

Dan

A point to consider is the resale value. The Swarovski's won't depreciate much as compared to others. Kinda like buying a Honda versus a Hyundai - good vehicles both, but the Hyundai will depreciate more. If you can find a bargain with Swarovski, even 20 years from now, they won't depreciate much.

Just a point to consider.

Meopta 10x42