Which power and brand for elk binos? Thinking 8x42 or 10x42. Currently have some older Steiner predators in 8x42.

I use 8x42 SLC's. Fantastic Binos IMO. Have tried 10X but am just not steady enough and feel like I can see more with the 8X. If I need more then I bring the spotter. Can be had used for your budget (or close) if you watch the classifieds.

You Just missed a sale on tract. Their torric 10x42 is just under $700

I use 8x30 SLCs for deer hunting in the south and the 8.5x42 ELs when the distance is a bit more. For western elk, I'd want 10x, the 8s in my opinion don't have enough power for longer distances.

What kind of terrain do you anticipate hunting in? Are you going to be still hunting black timber or sitting on a ridge glassing trying to figure out how the bull on the next ridge scores? Will you also have a spotting scope?

I'm about to list a few nice pairs in classifieds - Maven B1.2 10x42, Tract Toric 8x42, Zeiss SFL 10x40 and Vortex Viper 10x42. All as new with factory boxes and stuff.

If you have any interest PM me and we can discuss price.

BBQ

Sent you a PM

drover

I’m using a set of German made Minox 10x50’s…. they are an excellent set for the money. I don’t think that any of the bigger name optics would disappoint you but since our eyes are all different you HAVE to look through them and decide for yourself. I’m of the opinion that with the quality of optics today you have a lot of good choices and don’t have to spend $2000++ for a good set of binoculars unless you want to. There is a premium that you’ll pay simply for the name which has nothing to do with how bright and clear they are.

Good luck with whatever you decide. 👍🏼

Pretty good deal on ELs right now.

Under $1000?

I've been using 10x42 SLC's. If you're mostly hunting in the timber 8x is plenty but in more open areas I like 10x. Just ordered a Tract Toric 10x42 on sale from Tract to have another binocular for my wife or son to use. Seemed like a good deal at $594. Sale just ended but there will be another, probably around Black Friday.

8x32 Meopta

Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42, best bang for the buck....and I have a cabinet full of Swaro's.

Under $1k, no Sir.

Here is a pretty good buy on Swaro 8x32s @ MidwayUSA.

Swaro EL 8X32 Demos $1599

Thanks guys. My hunting varies. Typically hunt Wyoming Bighorns, and Montana. Archery and rifle seasons. Tempted on Swaros but open to anything.

Several great choices under $1k that will allow you to see any and everything a Swaro can (and I'm a Swaro fan)....

Meopta Meostar HD
Nikon Monarch HG
GPO Passion HD
Vortex Razor HD
Conquest HD (super fast focus is a deal killer for me though)

I've personally moved on from anything Zeiss and Leica because their customer service sucks. I say this from personal experience.

I like Tract Toric binoculars they serve me well

Forgot about those jwp....they definitely belong in the mix for sure. Mine are 8x42's.

I’m a big fan of Tract glass and recommend 10x42…. IMO, you have to spend 2x to do better. This is coming from a guys who owns multiple Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss.

The meopta meostar is one of the cleanest binos Ive looked through. Owned a pair and they served me well. Compared then side by side to swaros and not one person could tell a difference. Would get my vote time and again if looking to stay under a grand

Mine are 12.5 power and 15 power. Love them

First question: Are you walking or riding on something? If you are walking, weight gets really important going up a mountain. When I hunted Colorado I didn't know enough about horses to drive one, so I walked. About the second day I said to myself that I hadn't used all 10 cartridges yesterday, so today I think that I'll only take 8. 10x25 Swarovski binos in a shirt pocket were just fine. Elk are big animals and I didn't find them as spooky as the whitetails back home. Then when I walked up on my best bull he was only 60 yards away and no binos required. Maybe I didn't do it right, but I was seeing elk every year I went out there.

I would take a look at the kowa genesis line as well.

^^^^^^^^

Call Doug at CameraLand ask him about the Gennys.
My 8X33s are spectacular optics. And light, which means they're ALWAYS on my chest.

TRACT

The Tract Toric 8x42’s I have listed leave your extra $500+ to spend on other hunting stuff!

Where are Kowas made?

Japan (genesis).

Please give a call to discuss the GPO Passion HD's and the Kowa Genesis'

Thanks Ak. Will do Doug!

I use 10X, 12x can be a little much for holding steady in field conditions.

Kowa genesis

Ordered a pair of the kowa gemesis prominar 8.5 x44 for 999.00 from Cameraland NY. Look pretty solid. Have yet to get them out...but will soon. Thanks all.

10x42's, & thank me later, as 8's are just not enough for much of what you will need them for..................the best you can find for your budget whenever you're ready to buy.

Mine are Leica's & you won't find the equivalent new for your budget, but there are lots of "as new" used around for that price if you look hard enough. Keep an eye on the classifieds here.

MM