Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Upper end 8x30 binos?

Picked up a Swarovski 8X30 several years ago, and never found a need for anything else.
I have a pair of Leica 10X40, I no longer use.

I had a set of SLC 8x30 that were good but I traded them and found a set of 7x30's SLC's manufactured in 2000 that are great.

There are days I do not need my 10x42 HD SLC's and the smaller 7x30's are perfect.

Yep.

The EL's didn't work for me.

LOVE the little Leicas. Won't ever be without their 8x32's.

I had the Swaro 8x30's and could not stand them. I think the Leica 8x32's are what I would buy .

+1

My intention is never to make anyone "Feels like I enter a scope commercial when I visit this forum. Maybe a pm would be more appropriate, so the rest of us don’t have to be a part of the sales pitch?"

We are here to answer whatever questions you may have.
We have stated that if you ever have a problem with a product that we carry, whether you purchased it from us or not, to give us a call and we will assist in correcting whatever the issue is.
We try our best to provide knowledge of product and customer service to all the members here.
I apologize if you feel we are just a "sales pitch"

Doug,
Thanks for your comments on optics, products and your support of the products. It is good to hear from people who have first hand knowledge of many brands and types of optics.
L&E

Nikon Monarch 7 8x30's. Run you about $350 and are excellent. Definitely give them a look before you drop 5X that much on a big name.

That's interesting, Brad. That is the highest percentage given that I have ever seen for globe effect.

Where did you get that figure?

From a German in the industry on a birding forum. Confirmed by another employee of one of the German "big 3."

In my informal polling, I think 20% is low. Most people I know personally are affected by it in varying degrees.

The Leica Noctivid hits the "sweet spot" of a flat field... it's not overly and unnaturally flat like the Swaro, while not affecting those of us sensitive to the rolling ball/globe effect.

Interesting. I was told a figure of around 5%.

Either way, they are "optimizing" now to reduce the impact so I imagine a guy should pay attention to manufactured dates with flat glass. I have had a couple 8x32 ELSV and both were great glass for myself and daughter as I have never suffered from globe effect with flat glass. The later date glass was a better example and perhaps that was related.

I prefer a bit of a curve myself...

What is the effect? What are you guys talking about? Mind you I'm just crawling out of the ignorance cave. One of the scary things about paying so much for good binos is the subjectiveness of the whole endeavor. One person things Leica-swaro-meoptas are the best, and then another guys talks about how they suck for him. I don't think either party is necessarily lying. I probably need to get somewhere where I can go hands on with a bunch of stuff.

Absolutely, try before you buy. Read about globe effect and then see if you have an issue with it by panning with them outside.

fwiw, on high dollar stuff I narrow it down to two, buy them, spend time with them (as in weeks to months unless it is stupidly obvious), and then sell one at a loss. Lose some money--no buyer remorse.

I definitely disagree with this statement. Every time I call there, I spend money <G>

Doug is good people.

FWIW, Doug is one of but four residents of New York State for whose moral character I will personally vouch. Evil Twin, DVDegeorge,and my own daughter are the others.

The man sponsors this forum, and he’s gotta ring his cash register, certainly. However, he will never do so to his customers’ detriment.

If you doubt his product knowledge, by all means feel free to call him. Just be prepared to eat crow. And he’ll not let anyone beat his deals.

FC

I've always had superb service from Doug and I live on the other side of the world from most of you guys. Good honest advice and prices.

Yep, Doug is good people in my book.

These may be a step down from top end, but they and their cousins the Mavic B3 and the Kite optics 8x30's are nice glass for the money.