In your guy's opinion what $500 or less bino would be comparible to the Swarovski. Im talkin mostly about durability and longivity not so much in clarity... for instance, I had a pair of Bushnell legends... they were a disappointment they started to fog up and the lenses scratched easily and the focus knob was loose all in just a couple yrs other than that they were fine.

How about... Vortex, Vanguard,Nikon monarch7,cabelas outfitter or Meopta??

That's like asking what Fiat is comparable to a Ferrari. Lol. And who cares about durability if the view is crap?

A better question might be what is the best bino you can buy for $500? I personally would be looking for the big names (Swaro, Zeiss, Leica...) on the secondhand market and maybe stretch your budget just a little further. Binos are one of the most important pieces of equipment that you have.

Eric

I've had a set of Minox HG 8.5 x 43 for about 7 years now and I've been real happy with them. They were about $700 or so, when I bought them. I've used them extensively and I've found no faults with them.

You might also look for some used Zeiss 10 x 40 classics. They're typically around your price point.

Zeiss 10x40 classics is what came to mind for me as well. You can find them for $500'ish.

Eric

I highly doubt a $500 bino will have a crappy view .Im ok with the clairty of a $500 pair of binos that wasn't the question.

I'm leaning towards the vortex vipers. I like the warranty they have. Anyone have experience these?

They are nice glass that in no way compares to Swarovski, and I own them both.
Used alpha glass is the way to go, IMHO.

Yes. I have a 6x32 and have owned a 10x42.
While a very decent bino, they in no way compare to Swarovski in build quality or view.

I'm finding it hard to beleive that no $500 bino even comes close in durability

Ok, how about a $1000 bino. Does anything come to mind?

Seems like Meostar/ Euro HD's would get you pretty close...

If you ever get a chance, hang around a warranty repair shop that repairs bins of all makes. Ask them about materials used and internal construction,and how various bins compare. It can be enlightening.

Ok, now were getting somewhere. In your humble opinion, what $500 bino comes close to the two you just suggested

Ziggy, if I only had $500 and I were headed out hunting I would probably look at something like the Nikon Monarch 7. Gets good reviews, I've had good luck with Nikon durability. Sure, the glass won't be as good as alpha, but if you listen to some around here you'd think you should never go hunting without SwaroZeissLeica around your neck and you might as well stay home if you don't have the coin for those.

At $1K I would consider the Zeiss Conquest HD or a Cabelas Euro. Or you might find something used for $1K in the used alpha category.

Pentax 8x43 SP. Have a pair and they are every bit as good as my SLC 8x30s. The glass is amazing for the price to my eyes.

I'm probably going to get slammed for this but I have a new pair of Japanese made non e2 Bushnell elite 10x42's that I would up against anything short of the Meoptas mentioned above. I just picked a pair of vanguard endeavor ed2 8x32's as well for $199 on closeout at Cabelas and they deserve high praise as well.
Nick

Wayyyy close.

*1

over the years I have bought and traded away several pairs of more expensive optic's but keep coming back to my Zeiss 10x40 ClassiC's because to my eyes they just work great..

+1 for high-end Minox

I have a funny feeling I already know the answer. I wish I had a Swaro budget, but ain't it gonna happen anytme soon. Just curious, what do you carry, but be honest.

I had some Minox HG's that I picked up from CL a few years ago for $500. They were a really good pair of bino's for the money.

The Cabela's Euro or Meopta are built like a tank and get you a view as close to anything alpha glass IMO.

Couldn't agree more. Great stuff.

Used Swarovski. Stretch your budget to $750-800 and you're in the market. We bought my dad a set from Shrapnel a few years back and, while not "HD" or the latest and greatest, they are fantastic glass. Slightly better than the Zeiss 10x40 Classics that I own, but only because of the adjustable eyecups - view is difficult to tell any difference at all.

What size and power are you looking for? As the 8x30/32 even on the used market sell for a bit ( quite a bit) less than the 8,10x42 binos.

I would look at used Swarovski SLC's or Meopta/ Cabelas Euro as stated above, or a Pentax DCF ( so or ED). I saw that a 8x43 Pentax DCF ED went for less than $400 on eBay last week. It was new, and they are built like a tank.

There are deals to be had out there.

I'm wanting an 8x. I dont thnk Cabelas sells used and I'm gonna use Cabelas gift cards. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Vortex. The Talon HD seems like a great bino for the $$ but I could be wrong.

Ziggy,
If you're going the Cabelas route, I'd consider the Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42 before a Talon. And it'd keep some extra cheddar in your pocket.

8x what obj size ( 30/32; or 42).

Can make a big difference in price.

At least 32 but 36 would be perfect. The monarch 7 comes in a 36.

The Endeavor HD seem to be well built. Been looking at them as well. I'm starting to narrow it dwn

I was wrong it was the vanguard that comes in a 36.

I'm a big endeavor fan. Like I said earlier, Cabelas is running a smoking deal on ed2's if you can find them in a retail store. My 8x32's were new on the shelf for 199.
Nick

I bought a pair of 10x42 Zeiss Conquest HD from Doug for $720 during one of their sales. Side-by-side with EL's, I have a hard time noticing a difference in image quality. I know/suspect there is, but I haven't seen it, yet. Close behind were the Razors. Next were the Cabela's Euros, by a quite a bit in terms of brightness and sharpness (i.e. the other 3 were noticeably better than the Euros). Vipers were behind the others by a large margin.

A little hokey, but some interesting "tests" of the Zeiss...

Link

The only pair of bino's I used for over 5 years was a pair of Nikon ATB 3's. They must be close to 7-8 years old and still work fine. Bounced off a saddle horn about 20 times, been in my pickup for the last 3 years.

Doesn't help with selecting a current model bino but goes to show that a $300 pair of bino's can still be 'tough'.

And view aside they are also not equal to the solid feeling of a Swarovski.

If you want Swarovski buy the cheapest decent binos you can find and keep stashing away your gift cards. Pay cash for you boots decoys targets bullets etc and squirrel away gift cards or tax returns or bonuses or gun sale proceeds until you are there. I got my first pair at 55 years old and could kick myself for the Bushnell, Pentax, Minolta, Minox, Nikon and finally Zeiss Terras I bought and sold before i got the SLC 10x42's.

I was surprised recently by the new Leupolds in 8 power a young man was using hunting turkeys on our place. Those might be a decent fit but they aren't Swarovski. Seeing multiple fur colors on deer at 100 yards in great detail may not be necessary but it is really nice. I just wish i had them when my eyesight was better - who knows how many nice deer and elk i missed spotting.