Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Non alpha 'big eyes'

As the title suggests, I'm looking for some recommendations on some mid priced high powered bins.

As much as I would like to have a pair of 15x Swaros, Leicas etc, they are simply out of my price range. So if anyone would like to chip in with suggestions and recommendations re Vortex, Minox etc in the 12x-15x power range I'd be very grateful.

John

The Minox is very good. After looking through all of 'em it was my personal choice.

Mule Deer, are you talking about the new 15x56, or the older 15x58's. Thanks.

I've had the Vortex 15X56 Kaibabs for a while. They are great for the price range. You won't mistake them for Swaros but I've been very happy with mine. They come with a good tripod adapter also.

Bob

There was a recent post on this same topic. I have the Minox
15x58 ED and consider it to be a very good value.

Do a google search, "Rick Bin, Big eyes". This is a very
good review on Big Eyes binoculars. Rick is the man here at
the 24 Hour Campfire.

johnfox,

A few month ago I compared the Nikon 16X50, Nikon 12X50, Minox 15X58, Nikon 7-15X35 and the Swarovski 15X56. By looking at some power lines many miles away. There were three of us.

The Nikon 16X seemed like it showed more detail than the other; which one might expect with its 1X more. But if you moved even the slightest bit things went black. This was even with them mounted on a tri-pod.

The Nikon 12X was easy to use but lack the power of the others. They might be the best value for the money spent, but like I said, they lack magnification power. If I was to choose between these and the Nikon 7-15X35 I would take the Nikons. They are as sharp as the Minox on a line chart with both on 15X. The 12X is not in the same league for seeing the last little bit of detail.

The Minox 15X was WAY easier to use than the Nikon 16X or the Nikon 7-15X on 15X. Way easier.

The Swarovski 15X was to me the best. But barely.

If I rated the Swarovski as a 100 then the Minox was a 97. The other two Nikons were not in the running. One of the guys with me prefered the Minox to the Swarovski! The other guy couldn't tell any difference. The guy who prefered the Minox is a shooter and is used to scopes but does not use binoculars. The other guy who could not tell any difference has one eye that doesn't work very well so he could only give a one eyed evaluation.

I own the Minox 15X58 and the Nikon 7-15X35.

15x58ED

Thanks John, how do the new 15x56's compare to the 15x58ED's?

I have never tested them.

The longer I test optics the less I'm convinced this year's incredible advance makes any practical difference in finding game. But still test lots of stuff....

hi I own the 15x58ed and my brother owns the new 15x56 minox
Hunting together this year was able to look at mule deeer through both at varied distances the 58 are better in low light and show a little more detail expecially at long distances optically superior but the 56 are lighter smaller and just seemed easier to use both worked well dont think you can go wrong with either.

I have the 13x56 Minox. Excellent.

Value wise, Minox 15X58's are a great deal.......very clear and comfortable to look through.

I've got a pair I'll make a deal on if anyone needs a set.

OSD, Let me know what you have and how much. Are all 15x58 versions ED? I own the 13x56's and love them but you know how optic nuts are.

Thanks, Fred

azrancher,

I traded my Minox 13X565 for the much heavier 15X58. Both of us are delighted. He was carrying his like carry my 8X42 and I was using the 13X on a tri-pod. I can see more detail with the 15X or something further away now than I could previously.

I have no idea if mine are ED or not. They are very, very nice.

Many thanks for the responses.

I own a pair of Minox HG8x33's and they're a firm favorite for the three years or so that I've owned them. It looks like they'll be getting a big brother pretty soon.

Cheers.

The Minox 15x58 was upgraded with ED glass in 2008 so not all Minox 15x58 are the better ED version.

It will say 15x58ED on the binos.

Thanks. I just keep asking and somebody always knows the answer. Gotta love the fire.

Fred