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

To further clarify, how much could one expect to spend before getting a truly excellent air of binos. A pair that most people would agree fall into that "excellent" category. I see lots of people say one is good, or very nice or nice for the money or best value. Im simply curious as to what price point can one expect to buy a superb set of binos that will serve them for lifetime with no regrets.

I feel like the optic world is becoming a lot like the bow industry where things are starting to peak and we're seeing more marketing than substance with "improvements" to scopes/binos.


thoughts or comments? My old Leupy Cascades have served their purpose and Im looking to add a new pair of binos with the buy once cry one mentality.....but dont want to cry a lot

I have some kahles and cabelas/meopta ( non hd). I couldn't see myself wanting anything better than those.

Optics have improved so much over the last few years I'd say execllent starts at $500-$600

After that you get into HUGE diminishing returns i.e. 15% better costs 60% more, and so on...

Precisely want I want to avoid.

Looking at Vortex HD, Leica Trinovids both at 900.00. My reading has lead me to beleive the Trinovids are the better option.

This is same thing I've been researching for the past couple of months. I'm going to say from what I gathered it lands right around $1,000. And like you, I have pretty much settled on the Vortex Razor HD 10x42 or the Leica Trinovid 10x42. I'm just hoping I can get somewhere to look through them both and compare them side by side to make my final decision.

Yep, was reading the thread you started a while back. Im torn as Vortex has top notch CS where as it seems Leica has been spotty. It also seems as Leica may have the better glass. Being the same price doesnt help matters. Nobody around here has both. I may just order both and return one. Even if someone had both Id want a few days to evaluate in different conditions and lighting.

I'd buy some Tioga HD's and spend the rest on ammo.

When it comes to spotters and stuff I see the difference. But when it comes to rifle scopes and 8X (or below) binos I just feel you get to diminishing returns very fugking quickly.

The $400 stuff today is the $2K from 15 years ago.



Dave

Not a bad idea to just order both and use a few days and return one of them. The Vortex will have you for a few hundred bucks more. Also, I'm considering the older version of the Trinovid instead of the new ones ... if I can find them. Guys are complaining about the diopter adjustment on the newer version from what I'm gathering.

That part changes things a bit. If you want a lifetime bino then a company with a lifetime worth of continous production is a safer bet--Leupold, Swaro, Nikon..........Swaro and Nikon have always made excellent glass, sometimes Leupold does, sometimes not so much. Based on customer service Swaro or Leupold.

I've had my 7x30 and 8x30 SLCs for ~25 years, when I had them updated they were back to approaching current alpha stuff. So they have certainly been lifetime binos for me.

The other thing is so many of the asian stuff isn't really supported, those companies simply replace the binos that are under warranty--provided they have a regular warranty protocol.

Having said that, my Bushnell Custom 7x26's are 35 years old, going strong, and still very relevant for me--I use them often.

As ingwe said, we pay a lot for diminishing returns. But it's important to keep in mind we may be paying for future service of our binos from a longstanding company.

Casey

I agree Casey. Most of the stuff I buy today I end up spending more to get what is said to be the best in terms of quality as I hope to be able to pass down to one of the kids with something still usable and functional when the time comes. As pointed out before todays 5-600 optics were 2k not too long ago. Im just trying to minimize the devaluation. No sense in spending 2k today to pass down to my son in 10 years when the optics then may very well out perform for less than mine are worth. Guess its impossible to say. While Vortex has not been around for long, I see them sticking around. They are constantly improving their line and more importantly taking end user feedback into account.

I may just do that, and a few other if Im already paying the freight. I get a discount on the Vortex so they worked out to be the same.

Leica's warranty sucks, period. BTDT.

Vortex Viper HD's, Minox HG, Conquest HD's $600-$800.


All excellent. Compare carefully before you buy the new Trinovids. The older models were excellent. To my eyes (and several hunting buds) the newer Trinovids aren't as good as above.

David

This...pretty much....

Why is this the case?

Lifetime? I'd look at used swaros...

I imagine advances in technology have made it possible for multiple companies to offer superior optics driving the price down as a result.

Same as we see with rifles today. You used to have pay good money to get a sub moa rifle, now its pretty much the standard that a rifle shoot that well.

This.

My vote is with ingwe and deflave; at $400-500 I'm satisfied.

Everyone is different . I wasn't happy with a set of $400 retail binoculars for my purpose (looking for game in low light).