Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics At what price do binos become "excellent"?

A few years ago, I bought a set of Zen-Ray ED3 binos which rivaled my older Swarovski SLC. It is my opinion that by spending slightly more your gain is in build quality rather than optical performance.

Do you have to spend $2600 or more to get both? Absolutely not. I think the sweet-spot is right around $800-$1000.

If you don't wear glasses and want something really good for the money. The Cabela's euro models made by Meopta are really good, however I am snobbish and like seeing Swarovski, Leica, or Zeiss when I grab my binoculars. Just me though. Really nice binoculars are something to be proud of

Just some food for thought-

Between the two mentioned, if you're absolutely sure you're keeping them "forever" then I might consider the Razor. If not, I'd go with the Leica. (Personally, I'd go with the new/old Trinovid anyway but I digress)

If you keep an eye on what sells and what doesn't, you'll take a much bigger hit in selling a used Vortex than Leica.
And IMO, you'll need the Vortex CS before you'll need it from Leica.

I've dealt with Leica CS on two occasions and they were fabulous.

Im a closet snob. I feel if Im paying that much for binos id like the name to go with it. If anything to hold its value better than some others.

I hear what you're saying. The Trinovids are what Im considering. For me, I think they will have to be noticeably better optically for me to choose them over the the Vortex, assuming both fit my hands and face equally well.

handwerk bought two of the new/old Trinovids for his sons so I got to spend a little time with the Trinovid.
And, they're fantastic. Had I not looked, I would have sworn I was handling my Ultravid.

Excellent point, when factoring Id like to keep these for a spell, the build quality is probably more relevant than glass quality, especially by todays stanrds where the best glass today may only be the best for a few years where as build quality in most cases seems to go the other way. The old "not built like they used to be" saying.

You have to spend $1500 or more to get something better than the Tract Toric. Even then it's not much.

I hadnt even heard of them until reading a few posts here. While I get their business concept allows them to sell quality optics for less, I dont think Im ready to spend my money with such a new company. I personally didnt even consider Vortex products until a few years ago, and thats just because they have taken a strong foothold in a short amount of time. Perhaps foolish and wasteful to think this way but you know what they say about old dogs.

There are sooo many better options than Vortex....

I agree

If I was given the choice of a top dollar binocular or scope, but not both, I'd spend the $$ on the binocular, every day of the week and twice on Sunday.Far more time is spent glassing than is aiming. I like a nice scope as much as the next person, but top quality binoculars are worth every cent.

Perhaps. Better is largely subjective and ive learned over the years that questions similar to this largely involve people replying with the bran they have had experience with rather than people who have used lots of them. Not directing that towards you or anyone else specifically, mainly just t point out that i take everything with a a grain of salt and use the opinions and experiences learned here as a starting point as to which optics to consider at which time I'll get a sample of each before making my own decision. Vortex seems to come up a lot and their higher end scopes are pretty damn good so why not give them a chance.

Amen to that. Hence why im here. When my scope is performing better than my binos, its time for an upgrade

I agree and take a similar approach.

I traded into a pair of Minox HGs. I like.

Forget Vortex I've had 2 scopes and 2 bino's they all broke small fall broke bridge on kaibab 15x56 , Bumping around in back pack nocked collumation off on 10x42 viper hds. Both viper scopes would not hold zero. They are great glass for the money but terrible build quality. All 4 were fixed and sold. Only owned 1 leica 10x42 geovids never had a problem sold them to a friend and laser went bad. It cost him 500.00 to get it fixed. Swarovski is the best build and glass and all I own other than a bunch of leupold scopes. One of my brothers does have the cabelas euro and they are as good as my slc's just a little bulkier and heavier. Minox german made binoc's would be one to look at to.

Agreed. There is always something better for equal or less money.

Same reason VCR's don't cost $400.



Dave

Doug and his crew, here on the 24HCF, are very helpful and often have special deals that are really good. You could give them a call with that question.

IF you know what you're looking for, know the product, sometimes a deal can be found on E-Bay. I'd stick with those brands that have stellar CS, avoid the others. As always with used stuff, buyer beware...

I picked up used Kahles 8x45's some years back for a good price and have been very pleased. Not sure about current Kahles CS, back then it was pretty good, Swaro was their CS agent. My binocs never went back, I did have a Kahles rifle scope that required CS. Swaro did a good job.

DF