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

MD - thanks for the reply. After reading a couple of your articles and talking with Doug at Camerland, I decided to go with a better quality optic; spending a few more dollars in the process. I hooked up with Doug and will be testing a pair of Minox ASPH and Pentax DCF SP both in 10x42(43) configuration.

Hadn't thought of the eye strain issue because I've spent a few years squinting through cheap 8x32 glasses trying to count points while deer scouting from afar - hence my move toward 10x42's.

Thanks again.

-- BW

Remseven--

Have never done a monocular piece because they tend to come and go too fast. Every few years some company gets the bright idea to make one, then it doesn't sell and gets dropped. Zeiss made a nifty one maybe 12 years ago, but....

Lately I have been using the Leupold Compact spotting scope, a 10-20x little porro job that is very light and compact. Found out it could sub for binoculars and spotting scope under certain conditions, such as caribou hunting. But have not tried a real monocular in years.

MD

Thank you sir, may give Doug a Hi, to see what he thinks of that Brunton I mentioned.

Will check out the compact you mention to see if I can focus it one handed fairly undetected. Never thought about that one. I wear the lineless bifocs, and by the time I get binos focused for definitive view, sling strap, pack straps adjusted to get the eyepiece in the right place, the animal has done figured out I'm something that isn't supposed to be there

Got the Zeiss, and it works, but is difficult to focus one handed as the adjustent is on the eye end.

I have followed your fine writing for some years, and particularly your optics articles. I have not yet seen any review of the Eagle Optics line of binos. The Ranger Platinum series of roof prism binoculars are in my opinion one of the great bargins in 8x42 and 10x42 glass out there. Priced around $400 they will compare favorably with anyones $600 binoculars. They are definately worth a look, if you have a chance. Thanks for the great work, and all of the fine days we have spent in the field together!

Thanks!

I haven't reviewed any of the Eagle Optics line because for a while I was under the misapprehension that they didn't like hunting. (I was whispered this by the host of a dinner party, where he and I and the Eagle folks ended up at the same table. Turned out the guy was an idiot.)

I am going to be reviewing some even newer stuff brought out by the Eagle folks very soon. Just got a UPS package with three binoculars and a spotting scope last week.

MD

Mule Deer

You may have answered this question already, but here goes anyway. How do the Cabelas Euros compare to the Leupold Golden Ring binos. I hunt mostly in central and eastern Montana so do a lot of classing. Recently I compared the Leupolds to Zeiss, Swarovskis, Lieca's and Brunton. The Swarovskis and Lieca's were the best optically with the Leupolds right in there with the others. Obviousely there were no Cabelas binos at the local store.

Just a Hunter

The Cabelas Euros are right in there with the others. Their only "disadvantage" so far is that they only come in 10x42, which some people would say is not a disadvantage at all.

MD

Mule Deer, I am currently debating between a Nikon Premier in 10x42 and the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum in 10x42 or 10x50. If the Rangers are good enough, I save about $600 toward a sxs. I don't suppose either of those is among the optics you got from EO for testing, and if so when might you be wlling to venture an opinion?

Mule Deer

Thanks for your quick reply. The 10x42 are what I want. After using 8X32 Nikons for years I find they just don't work very well in open country. That may be due to inferior optics. They work well in timbered country though.

The stuff from Eagle is not Ranger Platinum, but the new Vortex. Am impressed so far, but am trying to find out the real-world price point, which as we all know affects such things!

MD

I probably missed it but what is your opinion on the Zeiss classics in 10 x40.

They're very good, of course, and tend to be rugged, something that isn't necessarily connected to optical quality. But they are not as good optically as today's top-notch binoculars, and no better than many of the others that cost less than $1000.

MD

Thanks for your reply Muledeer, I will also look at the Vortex series. The search goes on.

Thanks Mule Deer..........John

Muledeer (John),I just got a Minox 8X42 binoc . I'm not very sophisticated in the use of binoculars,having used only my Redfield 7X35 pair for years now....These Minox seem fine to me,although the Redfields did alright too.I believe the Minox are sharper and brighter than my Redfields were. Have you compared the Minox with other brands? I paid about 270 bucks for my 8X42's. Your comments would be much appreciated. Thanks for being an educated advisor, to we, who'd otherwise require many years of field testing to attain your expertise in optics.

Minox binoculars are very good, and an excellent value for the money. They employ German engineers to design stuff, which is then made in Japan, a great way to cut down costs.

MD

The Vortex appears to be another step in the Eagle house brands. If you go to the Vortex website the location listed is the same as Eagle Optics. Not a bad thing, just the facts.
Dave

I second the motion on the quality of Minox binocs, but would caution that "Minox-built" under another brand name, such as my Eagle Optics, may not be quite the same level. While advertized as "fully multi-coated," there were clearly some surfaces without coating.

Jaywalker

The Vortex line also comes in several levels of quality.

MD

Did somebody already ask about the brunton 10X32 binos?