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

MD- picked up the Leupold Yosemite 6x binos finally and as you sugested they are perfect for my 10 year old. He thought the light olive color was cool as well. Now if I can keep him a little quieter when he sees stuff while hunting.
Thanks

I asked this question a year ago but have not seen a reply. What about Brunton binocs? What is your opinion?
Thanks

I got to compare the latest 10X42 Minox-I think it was an HG, but I'm not sure - to an 8X32 Nikon LX-L last spring. The Nikon LX-L was definately better. Even at 60 ft. I could read lettering that, with the Minox, I couldn't quite. At 250 yds. the difference wasn't hard to see if I stacked them. The 52mm size may be a hair sharper than the 42mm size, but I'll bet money the Nikon LX-L will be better.
They are both way better than the Nikon Monarch 10X42 I also tested. I mean both these allowed me to read the 3rd line in the fonts I was sent by Rick. But, with the Monarch, I could only read the largest lettering which was at least 3X larger. You don't need to stack them to see the difference. It's easy to see. E

Minox 8-14X40 ED?

Mule Deer, if you have tested these, how do they compare to the Leica Duovid? Are they very bright on the higher power setting?

Thanks,

Auld Arnery

AlaskaCub (and others with Minox questions)--

Have not had the chance to test many of the latest Minox binoculars, as my contact there left and have not gotten them to send me any of the latest stuff. Got to look at them at SHOT and was impressed, but that is not a side-by-side comparison.

However, both the Nikon Premiers and Leicas are about as good as it gets optically. Have not seen anything that beats them on an overall comparison with all in their lines, and very few that match them.

JB

45--

Sorry if I missed a previous question. While Brunton in general offers good binoculars, in general my observation would be that Bruntons are not quite as good as Brunton believes they are. In other words, for the same price you can often do a little better.

JB

Mr. Barsness, what is your personal opinion of the Steiner
"Predator" binocs, particularly the "CAT" coated models?
Is that a benefit, or just an edge, or an out-and-out gimmick?

I note that Steiner used to offer rifle scopes with similarly
"CAT" coated optics, but has gotten out of that market com-
pletely, if my info is correct.

Still, at only (!) $849 from Cabela's, Steiner 10X50 CAT-
coated Predators look like a relative bargain for Naz - oops,
I mean German - glass.

Your thoughts?

Though Steiner binoculars have gotten better in recent years, I have never been that impressed with what you get for the money--especially in German optics.

The glass you speak of is simply designed to have a bias toward the red end of the spectrum. It might help some people find game, but mostly it appears to me to be a marketing gimmick.

JB

Have you tangled with Scheels brand binos?
If so I'd like your input.I am in the market and make no claims of being an expert.I looked through their 10x50 Icon hunter.I was inside a lit store peering at the xmas shoppers outside and in adjacent parking lots.I couldn't see any edge haziness,and they seemed clear to me.I did find myself fiddling with the focus knob but only when looking at distances of great desparity.Thanx in advance.

Was not 3even aware that Scheels offered their own brand. Will have to stop at one (we have several in Montana) and take a look!

JB

Thanx for the response,I'll wait.

Mule Deer, did you ever give those Eagle Optics binos a test? What did you think? As I recall they were not the Rangers, which I think are way better than the price, But I am curious none the less.

I have several a test, and also have several more in a box waiting to be tested. In general they are all very good buys for the price. I rate them highly.

John

John;

Given a budget of $350 to $500, what binoculars would you look at for a pair of "general, all-'rounders" in the 6.5x to 8.5x range? Use would be scanning fields for groundhogs, treestands early and late during deer season in hardwoods, still-hunting dark river bottoms, etc.

Which glass, and why?

Thanks,

There are a bunch of good glasses in that price range right now (and no doubt I will see more at the SHOT Show next week), but right now my pick would be the Burris Signature Supreme. Within your parameters the 8x42 would be it, but the 10x50 is about as light as most 8x42's, and would do wonderfully for your purposes, in my experience. Last I heard the retail was around $450.

If you insisted on 8.5x I would go with the 8.5x(43-44-45?) Weaver Grand Slam. Price about the same or a little less.

Both are much brighter in dim light than anything smaller, and 8.5-10x would help a lot one those groundhogs.

JB

Thanks.

Brightness is paramount, as just about anything can be used on g'hogs, but in the woods is where the most benefit is needed.

In fact, I'd give up Xs for quality, if, say a 6.5 or 7 was markedly better than an 8 or 10.

There's more to "brightness" than light transmission. Apparent brightness is partly a function of magnification, the reason for the "twilight factor" formula, which applies very well to binoculars. You'll be able to see more in dim light with an 8x or 10 with the proper objective size than a 6x or 7x.

In general, the biggest virtue of 6-7x at woods ranges is field of view. But you'll be able to see better with 8-10x. I have never had any trouble finding animals even with 10x a woods ranges.

John

MD -

Just purchased a copy of your book "Optics for the Hunter" and really appreciate the knowledge - good reference book. I'd like to see an update however; since publication, many advances in optics have occurred.

Recommendation for all readers - buy this book! You won't regret it.

Yeah, I recently talked to the publisher, and we are both thinking about an updated edition. The trouble so far is that the original has been selling pretty well since it came out! But it looks like a revision is on the horizon....

JB

Cool ! I'll be first in line. Your book was one of the very best I've ever bought. E