Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics I'm Tired of Trying Budget Bino's

I have found over the years that 10x as a walk-around bino- is a little too hard for me to hold steady as opposed to the 7x or 8x glasses and a reasonable rest is not always handy when on foot. And for me anything over 10x is demanding of a tripod if used primarily. If you regularly can “rest” a 10x in your style of general hunting, you’d be fine I’d think.

Over the years I’ve distilled my use to a Zeiss BRF (integral rangefinder) 8x45 HD for hunting on foot. They are heavy at over 30 oz but you eliminate a separate rangefinder. For-sit-and-glass hunting I use a Leica 15x56 on a tripod or a window mount if in the truck.

I’m sure there are other brands at less price that would suffice but these two at many years now have proven well worth it, especially priced as demo’s from Cameraland. I’ve really not used any other than the “Big 3” but have never been disappointed in any.

Now, scopes?..that’s another story.

Always glad to discuss optics with the members here. Please give a call

If you plan on a 12x or 15x power binox, then you WILL need a tripod.

I hunt in heavy brush. I use a Conquest HD 15x56 mounted on a tripod when on the ground, or a gorillapod 5k when elevated.

What I don't get is the "best value" or "best bang for the buck" approach a lot here have, Personally I choose what I want and then save 'til I can afford it, and if it is more than I can afford I go without 'til I can.

I have had enough of buying stuff I am not altogether happy with.

Agree with many of the opinion's above. I also own $$ Euro bino's but once I started using Nikon's MONARCH HG's that was it. It also had nothing to do with me doing freelance work with Nikon either. When I am hunting in TX,OK,KS or OR I use the best optic's I have and those are the HG's. An older guy from Maine I recently hunted with had the HG's and also loved em. When you are going to spend a grand on bino's, it's definitely worth looking through the ones you like and buying what works best for your eyes.

I smell...............................................a Pussy!

Sell all that chit and buy a used set of the Alpha's of your choice. I'm a Leica guy.

Meopta for the win!

Weare running a Weekend Meopta sale that's worth taking a look at. The Meopro 10x42 for only $399.99, the 8x32 Meopro for only $299.99

Give a call and let's discuss what would be best for you.

We also have 1 of the demo Leica Trinovid HD's left for only $799.99

+1

If you wear eyeglasses look at the zeiss 8x42 conquest, nikon 8x42 hg, or leica 8x42 hd each have adequate eye relief so you see the entire field of view.

Lol...you must not know many people with a BMW. If you own a BMW you need to set up an automatic withdrawal from your checking account with your mechanic the instant the warranty runs out.

It just depends on how you were raised. A binocular, a rifle, a four wheeler and all that stuff we talk about on here are just toys for most of us. In the grand scheme of things none of these items make much difference in our lives. I was raised that if you can’t buy something like that for cash without even thinking about it, then you can’t afford it. If you have to save, scrimp, plan, or buy it on credit, then you are better off focusing your time and energies elsewhere.

I’m not passing judgment or saying that one is better than the other...they obviously both have their merits and adherents, but that is the thinking for lots of people anyway.

By the way, I’ll spend $2k on a pair of binoculars as soon as someone can cure me of the habit of setting them on the bumper of my truck while I get out of my hunting clothes and then driving off.

I've got the 10x50 and 15x56 Swar's... I can use both pretty easily and have never used tripods. Your results may vary... I'd get the 10 power Swar's again... they get used the most unless I'm out west...

Personally, I've been quite pleased with my Weaver Grand Slam 8.5x45 binocular, I like the Super Slam ones even better, just could not afford them at the time...right now I'd go with a Super Slam or a Meopro(especially for the deal Doug has going on the Meopro right now).

Within the OP's budget, what about the Meopta Meostar vs. the Leica Trinovid HD in 8 or 10x42?

Although not quite in the same league, I have an older pair of Pentax DCF WP 10x42s I'm rather pleased with.

My next pair will likely be either the Meostars or the Trinovid in 8x42.

We have a Demo Leica Trinovid HD 10x42 for only $799.99

Years ago I decided to quit wasting money on cheap binoculars..I would do without till I saved up enough money for the best...which I thought were zeiss. After looking through both zeiss and Lica ..I walked out with Lica...that was 25 years ago and they are still good as new...
Pay now or pay later..

$29.99 Bushnell's are where it's at!

Good flick.;)