Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics How fancy a binocular do I really need?

agreed. i took the 6.5x out the other day when i was bored and watched the cows.

That grey market clap-trap the companies spruik irritates me, they either made them and owe warranty or they did not make them and don't owe warranty.

Many years ago I bought Brunton Eterna 10x42 for $250 out of the buy and sell, at the time they sold for ~$600 new. They agree with my eyes and I don't get fatigued looking through them for extended periods. At the price point its the best I could come up with.

JSTUART,

Apparently Leica has a reputation for not-so-sterling customer service, which is no doubt a major reason Swarovski has a bigger share of the "alpha" market. Swarovski CS wasn't so hot either 20 years ago, but they learned a lot from Leupold.

Not trying to hijack this thread but I would like to hear some opinions on a good pair of compact woods binoculars. I am looking to purchase a smaller pair of binos for woods use and leave my swarovski 10x42 ELs in the truck or for open country work. I would like to get something with quality in the ballpark of my swarovski glass but not looking to spend so much. What models should I be considering in the 7x30 range
?
thanks

The Zeiss Conquest HD 8X32 is what I just bought - pretty darn nice for $675 as a demo unit from Cameralandny.com

Sounds good, I thought about giving Doug a call next week and seeing what he recommended.
Keep the info coming guys

i bought a pair of meopta 6.5x32 from doug for woods hunting. they r excellent. built tough. very bright zero eye strain

Yep.

Years ago the Pentax WP's were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then along came the Pentax DCF SP's that were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then a short while later Minox were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then Kahles were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then Vortex Razors were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then the Zen-Ray ED's were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then the Zen-Ray ED2's were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then the Zen-Ray ED3's were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then the Zen-Ray Primes were touted as being within 5% of the alphas.

Then the.......

Then the.......

Excellent advice here - from a guy who also has the same model.

Wahputi:

I agree with you about the ZenRay optics. The shine has gone
off the next best thing going on in optics today.

It seems trying to produce a quality product in China is difficult.
Unless you have control of things, as some large mfrs. such as
Nikon or Zeiss, the slogan with many China made products is make it "just good enough".

And then when you offer a warranty you have too many coming back, you are in a pickle.

I went on dougs website and found the 6.5x32 meoptas they look like a perfect fit for a woods hunting bino.
thanks all

youll love em

Well the Conquest arrived yesterday. Wow, I mean wow - darn these are nice. From the moment you pick them up you know your dealing with quality. Put them up to your eyes and it just gets better. I think the view is even better than my old Nikon LX's which is really saying something. You would really have to be picky to find fault with the Conquest HD's. I have not really had a chance to really work them over but they just have that breath taking quality view that never gets old. Very pleased so far.

Zeiss hit a home run with the Conquest HD's. Glad they work so well for you.

centershot,

I figured you would like em.

Build quality, optical quality etc...what's not to like?

Worth every penny in my book.

Enjoy,

Leftybolt

Could not agree more leftybolt - and for the prices Cameralandny has them for - I am a happy camper.

If you are a varmint hunter, it can't be too good.

I recommend the Big Three. L, Z or S.

Gonna take a close look at these.