Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ask John Barsness Questions About "Best Buys In Binoculars."

John, Why didn't the Docter optic line take off here in the U.S. When I bought my scope I paid about $300 for it, about 700-900 less than the big name german glass at the time. The clarity and quality is second to none. I have it on finlight 6.5x55 for pronghorn,deer and black bear,so this scope has a lot of hours in the field, in all weather conditions and its always perfect. Pat

Many people have already said the same thing, some as long ago as 5+ years. But I'm afraid you'll have to keep waiting.

I brought up the subject of a revised edition of OFTH with the publisher several years ago, and he agreed that it probably was time. BUT the book was still selling well, and there were some copies left in the third printing. So it will probably have to wait until those are sold. I have no idea how many are left.

Plus, the does indeed STILL sell pretty well, despite being dated in places. This is because I wrote it primarily as a "how to compare them yourself" guide, because ANY direct comparison of optics (which some people claim they want) would be obsolete in a year or two as new models appeared.

So don't hold your breath.

Okay. That just means I'll have to go out and buy another copy since the first walked off!

It is worth a re-read; I guarantee you will find stuff in there that did not ring a bell the first time through.

jim

+1 E

It is a good book. However, I'd certainly like to see an updated revision that includes a discussion of the newer technologies.

MD

Thanks for your wonderful thread, the information in it has been most enlightening.
You mentioned you have a Minox Spotter, a friend recently purchased a Minox MD 62 W ED with the 21 - 42 eyepiece. I haven't seen it but he is having trouble with the focus on max zoom. I remember reading somewhere, someone else having a similar problem, can you shed any light on this. If it's an eye piece problem he may be able to swap it with Doug.

Thanks in advance

MD
I am new to the forum and think this information is great. Could you please tell me if you ever had a chance to review the vortex line of binoculars, specifically the viper or the razor. I read in your posts that you had some to test a while back but they have not really been brought up again. I am also looking at the cabelas euros. Is there any comparison there? Thanks and if anyone wants to chime in the comments would be welcome. Thanks. P.S. I am looking at the 10x42 models although 8x42 is not out of the question.

7miller,

It probably is an eyepiece problem. I would see if it can be swapped.

bnbrk94,

I tested a number of Vortex binoculars a couple of years ago and in general was impressed with the quality for the price. But my personal choice for best-in-class in the $800 range is the Cabela's Euro. It is simply a very fine binocular, period, not just opticaly but in every way. I have beat them up in all sorts of weather conditions and they just keep ticking.

JB,

Given the origin of the Cabela's Euro, would it be safe to think your endorsement would extend to the Meostar for those of us who prefer less than 10x in a binocular? This doesn't seem like much of a leap, but I'd hate to miss something.

mathman

JB,

Thank you for the reply. I bought the vortex razor 10x42. Great warranty and great price from doug. I appreciate the help.

Mathman,

Oh, yeah.

JB,

I posted the below question on another thread and did not get anyone to reply. Do you have any thoughts on the below question?


I was wondering how the discontinued Zeiss 15 X 60 binoculars would rate against the Swaro 15 X 56. Is one better than the other? Or could it be said one would be better under different circumstances?

I have never had the chance to look through them side-by-side, so can't say. But they are both very good, of course.

Thank you for the honest response.

Exceptional article, I have been reading and researching binoculars for awhile now. Being of the poor boy syndrom I have been trying to find a good pair for about 250.00. Well after alot of research and comments from people I settled on a pair of Olympus Magellan EXWP-I 10x42.(They have an exceptional reputation for cameras and microscopes) I know they are not the 1000.00 bino's but for me I was impressed with the clarity, clearness, crispness and fast focus, even the edge to edge clarity was good. Not everone can afford the high dollar stuff and just because it cost a 1000.00 does not mean that they are not quality. Price and name bias seems to be evrywhere today. You can get a good product for less that can preform exceptionally well. One person made a comment to me that really made me think , he stated that being such a novice to optics I would not be able to tell good glass from the bad glass.

JB
Can you comment on the optic rank, and maybe pluses and minuses, of the Leica Geovid BRF 8x42 relative to mid and high end 8x42's? The obvious motive to this question is how much am I giving up using the Geovids as opposed to high end 8x42's, so as not to carry a separate rangefinder?
Thanks. Long time appreciative reader.
Alan

You're giving up nothing. The geovids have the same top-notch optics as all Leicas.

MD,
One has to appreciate your patience on coming back again and again and answering all these questions. SO Thanks in advance.

I am contemplating purchasing a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42's . However after reading your article I see that you like the Bushnell Legends. Have you had a chance to compare the Vortex against the Legends. They are similar in price and I am looking to stay in the 10x42's. Which would you suggest?