Based on how good my Alpen Wings 8X20 compact binoculars are I ordered some Alpen Teton 10X50 for what I expect might be low light hunting in Alaska this September. I chose the 10X50 over the 10X42 for two reasons. First I figured if a little is good a lot is better so I went with the larger objective. Second, despite it being on a tri-pod most of the time, its heavier weight will help steady it. I have compared my Swarovski z5 5-25X52 to lots of scopes and the only ones to come close to it are both Nightforces. The 12-42X56 was slightly better than the 5.5-22X56 which was slightly better than my z5. But both of the Nightforces are way too heavy for this old man: Thus the beautiful Swarovski z5. With that said, I will give a little info since that's all there is.

I was at John's where my "Can you read this?" is only 72 yards away inthe shadows of the forest, but it's all I have. The sky at 7PM was totally overcast so it was like the sun had already gone behind the distant hill. After focusing the Teton 10X50 as well as I could I did the same with the z5. Then I looked at the magnifiction setting on the z5: 14X. I waited a few more minutes and checked again. By then the sun was behind the distant hill. I could still read the bottom line with the Teton but had to adjust the z5 to 17X. A couple minutes later the test was over because the 10X50's could no longer show me the bottom line.

Tomorrow I will take them to Sportsman to compare with their stuff.

A couple hours ago I compared the Alpen Teton 10X50 with Vortex Viper and Razor of the same magnification. I was allowed as long as I wanted. To make sure the binos were still I brought a sandbag with me. After taking all the time I wanted I decided the Razor is marginally better than the Teton and the Teton was slightly better than the Viper.

I am delighted with my purchase. The warranty is no fault replacement! Can't get much better than that. I guess Bushnell with their one year satisfaction if you have your receipt is better; at least in one way.

Fantastic, I just ordered four Alpine binoculars for the entire family after your review. C'mon UPS, I'm pumped...can't wait!!

Why are you worried about low light binos for a caribou hunt?

Are you putting up a riflescope against a binocular for a low-light comparison?

I realize that charts and such make for repeatable & quantifiable comparisons but for me the way the glass handle contrast, shadows etc is more important for viewing in very low light...which is not something you can do in a store...

I think it has more to do with your eyes and the particular coatings on the glass.

At least that it how it has worked for me. Comparing glass on charts definitely tells you a lot about quality of the glass but that is not how it worked out (for me) in very low light for IDing critters.

Not that I'd be overly concerned on that point hunting Alaska...

Other then weight what advantages do these bins offer? 262 FOV is way below what comparable bins offer.

prairie_goat,

Not worried at all. Since there is no restriction on time to shoot I figure I want to hunt 'til it is too dark to see.

tomk,

Am I putting a rifle scope against a binocular? No. I'm putting the best low light optic I will carry against a new toy I will possibly carry. The chart at John's is in the woods and shadows move across it all the time as the breeze moves branches. It is interesting to see how much shadows influence the magnification setting on a rifle scope.

Oldelkhunter,

Field of view was not even considered when I ordered these. I have a Nikon 7X35 with about 500 feet field of view I purchased specifically for that. They easily beat out the Zen-Ray 7X36 in the resolving detail department.

I know my 8X20s beat out my Vortex 6.5X32 in a low light test so I figured the much more expensive Teton would be even better. I guess they are.

I guess they are what? Comparing apples to apples the 10x50 Teton cannot hold a candle to most 10x50's, Again tell me why you would want a Bino that has almost 100 feet less FOV then comparable bins?

Yes, Ringman. Magnification allows you to see further in low light, so you will see more. But you must have enought exit pupil to allow them to work at all.
Many times, my Leica 8X42 binocular has shown me stuff that my 6X42 Leupold would not. But I've also seen it get too dark which stopped my Leica from working. My 6X42 rifle scope would still work. E

Oldelkhunter,



I compared them to the comparably priced Vortex and found they gave me a slightly sharper image.



If you don't mind, would you site the side by side comparisons so I can read them?



I answered that question in an earlier post. Allow me to ask you one. How much do comparable 10X50s cost that these can't hold a candle to?

It's pretty clear you have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

prairie_goat,



Your statement concerns me. If you would please let me know your concern.

Your hunt will take place in open country, on animals that move during the daylight, and will likely require a lot of walking.

Think portable, quality gear.

Thanks, prairie_goat.

Oheremicus,



I don't understand. Are you saying sometimes the bino was better and other times the scope was better?

I think what he was saying is that when he closes one eye, the scope works better.