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Isn't that "assembled" part a gray area?

For example, Zeiss states that the Conquest HD is made in Germany but there are numerous posts at another forum that seem to indicate that it's actually made by Kamakura in Japan. Supposedly enough "work" is done in Germany to qualify as "made in Germany" under whatever laws they operate under.

Someone here, or maybe Rokslide, posted that many of the BX-4 and/or BX-5 have loose hinges. They were on sale at a local store so I went to check them out and sure enough the ones that I tried all had loose hinges.

Likewise Leupold has to use assembled in USA for those items that don't meet the legal definition of made in USA.

Very well could be.

This one didn’t appear to have a loose hinge at all. It didn’t feel overly tight though. The Vortex hinge took a little muscle. The biggest negative on the individual unit I sampled had a very loose diopter. I read a few reviews and that seems like the norm. Unfortunately, they don’t lock either.

Now I’m on the lookout to find a local store with some of the other options mentioned in this thread. There is another sporting goods store about an hour and a half away that has some other brands. I can use it as an opportunity to pick up some reloading components, too so that it isn’t just wasted fuel.

I called Burris today to confirm where their binoculars are made. The tech I spoke with, Ryan, said they are made in China.

Also talked with Bill at Vortex. The Vipers are made in the Philippines and the Diamondbacks are made in China. In his opinion, the Viper is about 15% better than the DB but costs over twice as much. My wife has some Viper 10x42 and loves them. I'm not that impressed and was hoping the DB wasn't made in China.

I've been watching this thread as I'm also interested in some 8x42s. Problem is, I wear glasses and nothing works as well for me as my Yosemite 6x30s. I think they are Chinese also but they sure are sharp and clear. Cheap too.

Burris must have moved production recently. Have owned 2 Sig HDs both were labeled "Made in Japan"

We are living in the golden age of optics, no doubt. I like used Swaro because they are nice to look through, and the resale value seems to remain constant.

I have a pair of Vortex Vipers that are really nice glass, zero complaints. Their resale value is worthless though.

YMMV.

338rcm,

It was Ryan told me the Signature HDs were made by Kamakura, but that was several years ago when they were first introduced.

The optics industry has been "fluid" world-wide for a long time. The first Zeiss Conquest scopes were mostly made by Meopta, but some of the internals were made by Zeiss--and the final assembly done in the USA to avoid the import duty.

But that was over 20 years ago. As far as I can determine the latest Conquests are made in Japan--though some parts (including lenses) could very well be made elsewhere.

Backroads,

Yep, Swarovskis hold onto their value very well.

Meopta's been running specials every week this month.

This is the current one. Meopro Air HD 15% off.

https://meopta.store/products/meopro-air-10x42-hd

Appreciate the link, but even at 15% off that binocular may be a bit much. They are likely phenomenal.

I would not be too concerned about the Assembled deal with Meopta. Im pretty sure a few of the Euro brands use glass sourced from Japan. Not a damn thing wrong with the glass made in Japan. Even Schott has a plant in Japan. Zeiss has used quite a bit of it in their optics.

In Shanghai too.

Go to some of the birding websites to look for reviews, those folks take their optics seriously and are probably the largest and most affluent market for binoculars; https://www.audubon.org/gear/binocular-guide

I have "used 8x30 SLCs" as well, bought new in '98, after years of use, bought 8.5x42 ELs and decided to sell the 8x30s. Sent them to Swarovski for service and they came back like new (and they didn't charge me a dime), they were so nicely done in fact that I just decided to keep them and typically use them more often than the ELs as they weigh less around my neck, 24 years strong and still my favorite binocular!

I have a couple sets of the Leupold BX2’s. My daughter and I both use them. They’ve been great for the money, and I wouldn’t hesitate to get another set.

Mine have loose hinges as well. It's the biggest issue with the Leupold Santiums. I've got old Weaver Super Slam binos a bit heavy but they are optically the equal of the Leupold Santium 5 but heavier and mechanically superior. Both the Leupold and Weaver are better optically than my Leica Trinovids for my eyes. The stuff like 3k-$4k binos are wasted on me as my eyes are fine but not keen enough to take advantage of the small gains optically in this season of life

I've looked through the Zeiss Terra ED and for 400 they are quite good.

I run Minox as my main glass and keep a pair of older Nikon Monarch's in the truck for just the purpose you are suggesting. Japanese glass that works well.....

Good luck with your search!


Frog---OUT!