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Joined: Dec 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
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All the press is about Swaro/Meopta/Zeiss, but is there any 15x+ binos worth looking at in the under $750 range?
Nikon Monarch 5's for example? Any budget priced porro's worth looking at, ala Leupold Yosemites?
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
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The new Athlon Cronus 15x56's were just announced at $699.99. If they are as good as their other Cronus series binoculars they will be great and $699.99 is a steal
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,131 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,131 Likes: 1 |
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I had a Minox 15X, that were really nice, before I switched to the Meopta. I think they were well worth the price of admission.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have the Nikon Monarch 5, 16x56, and I really like it, a good value in this price range.
I also have the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56, and a Swaro. SLC 15x56, both better, but in another step up.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Any guess as to how an Athlon would compare to the Meoptas?
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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The M5 16x56 is discontinued & what's left they want 8 bills or 9 for the 20x56 I'd pass at those prices. The Vortex Vulture HD 15x56 is still available. OP has it for 499 which comes to 449.10 after 10% off. I have one and for the price/warranty I consider it a good value. I have a M5 20x56 & like it. But, I paid several hundred less than the current asking price. Once the larger vendors sell out of discontinued wares those that are left raise their prices back to what they fetched when new on the scene. Good deal for them not so good for the buyer.
Last edited by dasundas; 12/21/18.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Any guess as to how an Athlon would compare to the Meoptas? I do not. Have not seen them yet. SHOT show if they do arrive before
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Campfire Outfitter
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Any guess as to how an Athlon would compare to the Meoptas? I do not. Have not seen them yet. SHOT show if they do arrive before Thanks. In the market for some 15s before next season.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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A couple of years ago I was ready to pull the trigger for the Swaro 15x's I went on the Cabelas site to check prices since there were points to be burned.
They were running a sale on the Vortex Kaibab HDs in 15x56 for $799. With my points they were about $500. Couldn't pass it up for good serviceable glass.
Good luck in your search, gotta be some great deals this time of year.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,234
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,234 |
MadMooner,
A buddy in Enumclaw has a rand new set of Nikon 15’s, I think they are monarch 5’s that he was wanting to sell. If interested pm me and I’ll oil you guys up.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
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Thanks Mallard! I’ll let you know.
I need to stop by a store and take a peek at them. The new Athlons look nice as well.
I’m going to sell my 10x, go back to my 8x for carry, and try 15’s on a tripod. May regret selling the 10x! Lol.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Posts: 373
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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Doug, what about the Kowa 15x56? Any idea how they stack up against the Athlons and others?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Kowa makes a 12x56, not a 15x56
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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It's a pretty good time to find some used glass as guys unload binos after the season,
Check out coueswhitetail.com, there has been a pretty steady trickle of 15's on there.
I started with used Docters, then Zeiss 15x60s, then Minox 13x, then Kaibabs and now Zeiss Conquest. Kaibab's were really good glass for the $$, just got a great deal on the Zeiss about this time of year in 2015.
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Campfire Regular
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There is a used 15x56 SLC WB set on there now for $1300.
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