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Joined: Feb 2011
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OP
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I know that the differences get smaller and smaller the more money that you spend. Here's a "fer instance". I have a set of Zeiss Terra ED 10x32 binos that I really like. I paid around $400 for them. How much would I generally have to spend to buy appreciably better ones? I know the Kowa Genesis and Nikon Monarch HD are about $1000 and get good reviews, but is there anything in between?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Regular
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I think the question is, how good do you really need? Same with scopes.
RAVENS & WOLVES
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Campfire Outfitter
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I think that a set of Meopta Meostars or Cabelas Euro (rebranded Meopta Meostar) are the "no brainer" answer to your question. There is a set of 8X42s listed on this forum at this link: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-wts-meopta-meostar-b1-8x42#Post16387985If you are patient you can often find used Meostars in the 650 to 850 range. Obviously you wait longer for the low end of that range. I think the Meostars are the largest leap in quality for less money than any other out there. To me, and many other dolts of similar optical acuity, these are near-tier-one binocs at lower tier pricing.
_________________________________________________________________________ “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: May 2019
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Tract Toric are hard to beat for the money and can be had under 7 bills.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Regular
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Tract Toric are hard to beat for the money and can be had under 7 bills. This is the answer you seek.
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 446
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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I think that a set of Meopta Meostars or Cabelas Euro (rebranded Meopta Meostar) are the "no brainer" answer to your question. There is a set of 8X42s listed on this forum at this link: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-wts-meopta-meostar-b1-8x42#Post16387985If you are patient you can often find used Meostars in the 650 to 850 range. Obviously you wait longer for the low end of that range. I think the Meostars are the largest leap in quality for less money than any other out there. To me, and many other dolts of similar optical acuity, these are near-tier-one binocs at lower tier pricing. A couple years ago I picked up a set of MeoPro HD 10x42’s from Doug for an upcoming elk hunt. I’d done the usual research before hand and was well satisfied with the purchase. A few months after the trip I was at a gun show and spotted what I recognized as a pair of MeoStar 10x42’s. They weren’t priced but I picked them up just to check them out. The guy behind the table says “I haven’t used those in years, I’ll take $95 dollars for them”. Couldn’t get my wallet out any faster.
Last edited by Bry; 09/21/21.
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Campfire Tracker
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I know that the differences get smaller and smaller the more money that you spend. Here's a "fer instance". I have a set of Zeiss Terra ED 10x32 binos that I really like. I paid around $400 for them. How much would I generally have to spend to buy appreciably better ones? I know the Kowa Genesis and Nikon Monarch HD are about $1000 and get good reviews, but is there anything in between? You could get much better bino's for the same money by just switching to 10x42's. 32mm bino's have some issues, as others have said the 10x42 Tract Toric for under $700. much better set up than what you have now
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,856
Campfire Tracker
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OP
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The 10x32 are easier to carry for what I do. I know that going to full size binos would greatly improve things, but they'd always be back at home.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
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Tract Toric are hard to beat for the money and can be had under 7 bills. This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One would have to spend 2 to 3 times more for better
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Regular
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The 10x32 are easier to carry for what I do. I know that going to full size binos would greatly improve things, but they'd always be back at home. Prolly better just using what you have then
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,323 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,323 Likes: 9 |
You could get much better bino's for the same money by just switching to 10x42's. 32mm bino's have some issues, as others have said the 10x42 Tract Toric for under $700. much better set up than what you have now
What issues do the 32mm's have?.......
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively... Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Tract Toric are hard to beat for the money and can be had under 7 bills. This is the answer you seek. Agree, I have a pair of Toric 8x42s.
Scott
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Campfire Regular
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I went from the Terras to a 10x42 Swarovski SLC bought on eBay new from a dealer $1300 and have never regretted it. Took 6 years to make a difference but got 2 elk you couldn’t see with the Terra (son in law using them next to me). Some 8x32 Sighton blue sky for archery & football games $200 and I’m good for as long as I last. Expect I’ll spend my optics money on scopes instead.
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Joined: May 2021
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Campfire Tracker
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There was a pair of 8x30 Swarrovskis listed in the sale section for 7 or 8 hundred bucks why waste your money on Asian/Chinese junk when you can buy the best.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,263
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,263 |
There was a pair of 8x30 Swarrovskis listed in the sale section for 7 or 8 hundred bucks why waste your money on Asian/Chinese junk when you can buy the best. Learned something today. Japanese optics are junk.
Scott
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 12,162
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2001
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The 10x32 are easier to carry for what I do. I know that going to full size binos would greatly improve things, but they'd always be back at home. Then you'd probably be better off going to 8x32's. 10X combined with the 32mm objectives force a lot of optical compromises that the 8's don't have.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 629
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 629 |
First off, I do some freelance work with Meopta, zero sales if that matters? For your budget of $500, it is tough to beat the Meopta MeoPro HD 10 or 8x42 binos. I keep a pair in my truck and then move it to my UTV for impromptu scouting. A solid performer in all conditions and as with all Meopta's, clear edge to edge. Reach out to Doug and see if he can help you out? He's always been very supportive of guys who come to him through the Campfire. If you did want to step up to a grand, The MeoPro Air bino is brand new this year and is a tremendous value in quality over price.
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Joined: Feb 2018
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Campfire Regular
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There was a pair of 8x30 Swarrovskis listed in the sale section for 7 or 8 hundred bucks why waste your money on Asian/Chinese junk when you can buy the best. Learned something today. Japanese optics are junk. That makes two of us.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 590
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I got a pair of Sig 3000BDX rangefinding binocs for 850 last year. I’ve had 10x42 Torics and a pair of 500$ Leupolds in the last 5 years. The Sigs are just as good on optical quality and the rangefinder that Bluetooth’s to my phone is outstanding.
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