Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics The Big Three in Binoculars?

SLM

I haven't had any issues in that regard. I will say that they are the slightly chubby kid on the block.Also not an issue for me since I use them for my stationary glassing off a tripod. The 8X33s are much lighter and hang in my chest pack for offhand and final stalk type work.

Appreciate it. They don’t accept a stud for a tripod mount, correct?

Kowa 8x33 are damn good. Was comparing them this evening to my 8x30 slc (not quite apples to apples) and I couldn’t see a difference at last light.

Nikon EDG line was def alpha to my eyes. Their Monarch HG are very solid. Too bad their optics rep has gone to shiite.

Based on that, I’d say Meopta and Kowa for me

They are pretty spectacular especially for 1k. I don't know how they could be any better.

I got an aziak barrel clamp arca thingy for my 10.5x44 genesis. No need for a center stud.

Steiner and Docter while old testament are still in there.

Kent

Anything Vortex, Tract, Minox, Nikon, Leupold is a different lower level.

Kent

I would vote Meopta and Steiner for 4 and 5

It has been a long time since Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss were vastly better than Japanese glass. Though Japanese optics did spur them on....

Around 20 years ago I went on a hunt with an old buddy who'd recently purchased a "Big Three" 10x42, specifically for the mule deer hunt in the Missouri Breaks. He was extremely disappointed when my 10x42 from a Japanese company allowed me to see detail he couldn't. The difference wasn't huge, but it was there--as we confirmed by switching our 10x42s back and forth.

This disparity caused the Euro companies to improve, but the best Japanese glass still hangs right in there. Why wouldn't it? Optics technology is not limited to central European German-speaking countries. Which is also why Meopta has made optics for those companies, and nobody complained. It's also why some Zeiss optics have been made in Japan for over a decade.

The names of the products don't matter nearly as much as they used to.

Can't think of a post I have disagreed with more that was not posted by Bull Schitt Artist or Lil'Dick,
You must have way different eyes than me, can't imagine ever buying another Steiner optic of any kind

Some Zeiss (Terra ED series) binoculars are also made in China....Hb

Have you tried Steiner's 'Wildlife' or its predecessor, the 'Peregrine'?

I am not referring to their clarity. You won't find me complaining about the clarity of Swaros, but you will find me complaining about their ruggedness and dependability in rain, fog and extreme cold.

Correct, no stud adapter.

I use an RRS Cinch-LR Elite, which I like better than any stud I've ever used. Mine is the aluminum version, which is a bit pricey, but they also offer a cheaper polymer option.

4th place would be Meopta .

In no particular order, Meopta and Minox (Made in Germany) have been great.

StarchedCover

Agreed. When Nikon was still offering the EDG line, it hung with any of the big boys - and made in Japan.

My only binocular is a Zeiss Conquest 8x-20 and I really like it. Weighs 7 or 8 ounces , hard to beat for backpack type hunting.
The 10x42 Zeiss Conquest HD gets great reviews for a $1,000 binocular. Lots of great binos make it hard to decide without being able to see what works best for me.

That Conquest is likely the one MD referred to when talking about Zeiss' Japanese made product. SKane, agree.......the EDG is fantastic.

A dozen years Zeiss also introduced a spotting scope made in Japan. Don't know if they still offer it, but it was extremely good. The Zeiss PR person back then that Zeiss had their Japanese optics to made to their specs, which I would guess probably meant by Light Optical.

The brand bias thing has always been interesting to me Mule Deer. I had saved at one time your example about this regarding humans/wine tasting, and the bias proven by that. I'm sure we all have it to some degree, but maybe it's my age and eyesight at 62 yrs old. I enjoy comparing mid priced binos side by side on tripods with my Swaro's and Meopta HD's. Many examples of which I can't tell much difference anymore.

Someone educate me, but in the past, did the EURO mfg glass i.e. German ZEISS contain Lead, and did that add optical benefits? It seems perhaps those models were heavier, not sure if the lead component was why.

Just wondering if Regs and Laws in mfg. have stopped lead from being used in all countries, given all the 'Climate' talk around the globe.

Thanks.