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

Not much. Next to the Leica, the Burris unit has the best rangefinder. In a recent test in hard conditions (bright sun on pronghorns) I got consistent readings beyond 600 yards. But the entire binocular is indeed bulky and fairly heavy, and the binoculr optics aren't all that hot.

The Leupold's optics are pretty good, but many people want more than 8x32. And in my test model I couldn't get readings on antelope in sunlight beyond 350 yards--which is about where you really start needing a rangefinder.

Swarovski dropped the ball again, by bringing out yet another monocular. They just don't get rangefinders, apparently.

All of which is why most people either buy the Leica bino-rangefinder, or just a good rangefinder.

MD

Perhaps the Brunton line of binnoculars has already been discussed, if so I missed it. If not what is your opinion? I have a pair of 8x43's and I do like them but the best thing is their unconditional lifetime guarentee against anything except theft or loss. Anyway I would value your opinion if you care to respond.
Thank You

TTT

Thanks for the response. I agree without a valid test its hard to comment. Youd think Fujinon would be more forthcoming in haveing there product used and commented on. Again thank you.

I went on a search for the benos you suggested and checked several out . Isettled on a set of weaver grand slams 8.5x45 they are really nice as I am a weaver fan on scopes as well. the best part gander mountain had a last pair on sale for $299.00 they are a lot more now ... thank's john... Hubert <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hubert--

Glad they pleased you--I have been pleased with mine! Good luck hunting with 'em....

MD

Natchez had the Weavers and Remingtons on closeout sale for $100. They both came from the same factory and are a helluva value I think. A tad heavy though.
-Doc-

John,

I picked up a pair of Pentax 8X42 DCF WP a couple of years ago for about $241 after a $100 mail in rebate and have been very happy with them. My first roof prism and center focus. I thought the old I.F. Gold Ring Leupolds I had were good until I purchased these. Are the new 8X43 Pentax much better then the 8x42 DCF WP?

Also, what do you think of the 15X80 Stieners for a hunting/spotting binocular? How do they compare in price and quality to the Zeiss 15X60s?

Thanks for your reply, 2Seventy

John,
I own two pairs of old Leitz binoculars, one 7x35 & the other is a 10x40. I've been told they are pre-Leica??? I like them a lot, but am really interested in your expert opinion of them. I've never had the oportunity to really compare them against any of the really high-dollar brands, so ...are they really as good as I think they are? Just wanted to hear the true story on these. kg

2Seventy--

The 8x43 DCP SP's are only slightly better optically than the 8x42 DCF WP's. The big changes are in lighter weight, plus much harder lens coatings on the SP's.

I haven't looked through a 15x80 Steiner for a long time. Back then I was underwhelmed--but they have been making some good changes lately in other parts of their line. They also keep saying they're going to send me some new binoculars to test, but they never show up! So I cannot say.

For the price, the 15x binoc that have seemed the best deal to me in recnet years is the Minox 15x58--which is the reason I own one.

MD

Kg--

The Leitz binoculars you have are good, and were pretty much state of the art when made.

But they lack several technical advances of present-day binoculars. If you looked through some of the new ones, I believe you'd be impressed. In fact, I'd bet serious money that some of the $400-$600 binoculars made today will beat them optically.

MD

John,

Have any of the better makers ever made an IF binoc in the 8x40-50 range? I have a pair of Nikon 8x30 DIF's that have served well for 20 years but am looking to uprade and I prefer IF's. The best I can find is Zeiss 8x30's but would like a bigger exit pupil.


Thanks, Rob

Thanks for the quick reply, John. I have always wondered about the actual quality of these binoculars. I guess it's time to check out some of the newer ones! Thanks again for the fast reply!!! kg

I'm sure somebody has, but nothing new comes to mind offhand. Pentax used to make a spectacular "naval" 10x50 IF but suspect it is long discontinued.

MD

When I left active duty in the Navy the standard binocular was still the 7X50 IF, and all I used were Bausch & Lomb. If I run into any active duty sources I will enquire as to what is in use today.

jim

I talked to Pentax today and they said they discontinued IF's a couple of years ago. The 7x50PIF's are still around but they may not be the same quality as the ones you spoke of, retail was under $200.

The other model was a 10x50PIF.


Thanks, Rob

Hi John, if this question is redundant please ignore. I looked at the article and list of answers and did not see any information on the Pentax DCF 8 x 32. Have you used these? Any comments? JimmyP

no Burris binocs mentioned anywhere????? just not worth a darn????

I have a pair of Burris 10x50 Signatures. They are OK I bought them about 7 years ago through Cabela's. New ones are about $400, I think for that kind of money you can get a better binocular with sharper resolution like Minox or Pentax.
I keep the Burris binocs up at the office and they are good enough for that, but since I have become used to better ones, I wouldn' t use them again for something important like hunting.

I wish I had an office that big.