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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 410
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 410 |
The one that I use these days is Zen-Ray PRIME HD with 10x. I really like it sharp image all the way to the full field of view. Brightness is also up there to compare to Euro binos. I just helped my friends get a pair from Cameraland last month
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,752
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,752 |
Zeiss Classic 7x42 or Swarovski 7x42 SLC. Depends on how I feel when I get up as to which I carry on a given day.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,845
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,845 |
I've been very well pleased with my Pentax DCF 8x43 binocular.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
Steiner 8x30 Hunter. The original ones w/ the 30yr warranty. These are not the Military/Marine model. I like the set it and forget it eyepieces which don't require further center focusing. This is particularly a huge advantage when and low light situations where focusing of it ocular is very difficult. It also allows one to quickly use the optic without worrying about focus. This size is small enough to fit in the larger pockets common on hunting coats yet, has enough magnification to really be useful. The fold (roll) down eye cups work very well with glasses; I wear glasses. For the talley, I also have a set of Steiner 8 x 30 Military Tactical B with the ranging retical (w/a 30 year warranty), Steiner 6x30 Hunter, a backup set of Steiner 8x30 Hunter. The tacticals have been my truck bino's for 15 years. I really believe that Steiner screwed up their reputation by offering so many different models with so many different coatings and so many different levels of quality. The issue of quality seems to be the biggest contributor, as many of Steiner's model names were very similar to each other. The rule of thumb used to be that their best models came with the 30 year warranty, while the lesser model came with 2, 5, and 10 year warranties. The best models also we're also the only ones with the N2 purge valves on them.
With this said, I probably would enjoy trying out some of the new fodder out there, but haven't really had the opportunity. Who am I kidding,I absolutely would. Maybe next month the grand prize of Doug's raffle will be an all expenses paid trip down to their new store for some serious optics exposure!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
You're talking my language when you mentioned some of the older model Steiner porro's. I've owned a bunch and still own these Whitetail's in 6x30 and 7x50. Not to long ago I had them sent back to Germany for a complete cleaning and reseal. ...the 6x30's and my newest 8x42 Nighthunter XP's.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,034 |
Cabelas (Meopta) 8X32 HD
Optics-Magnification-Weight-Compact Size-Value
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,913 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,913 Likes: 1 |
I can't discern one iota difference between my Leica 10x42 Ultravid or Swarovski 10x42 EL. So, I use them both.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,758
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,758 |
I can't discern one iota difference between my Leica 10x42 Ultravid or Swarovski 10x42 EL. So, I use them both. At the same time?
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,758
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,758 |
You're talking my language when you mentioned some of the older model Steiner porro's. I've owned a bunch and still own these Whitetail's in 6x30 and 7x50. Not to long ago I had them sent back to Germany for a complete cleaning and reseal. ...the 6x30's and my newest 8x42 Nighthunter XP's. I have read that the Nighthunter 8 x 30's receved great reviews. I never looked through one though.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,785
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,785 |
I have 10x43mm Pentax DCF SP really good glass. For the use I give them I can't justify (yet) the need for better glass. I am in the search for some 8x32s for a friend back in Peru, around 100$ or so... not sure what to get, but seems the mag choice I did was not wrong
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,913 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,913 Likes: 1 |
I can't discern one iota difference between my Leica 10x42 Ultravid or Swarovski 10x42 EL. So, I use them both. At the same time? One for me, one for my wife.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
Any optics freak/hunter worth his salt should own at least 7-10 bins. Plus 2-3 spotting scopes. Geez what an enabler
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,162 Likes: 3 |
My favorite is the Zeiss Victory 8x45 T* Rangefinder. I got a good deal from Doug and the gang at Cameraland here on the Fire.
I like the RF/binoc combo, saves precious time. This RF is good to 1,500-1,600 yds. depending on target contrasts with surroundings. Plenty of light transmission, fairly large binoc but not that heavy. Just a pleasure to use.
Others that don't get used that much, but great glass, Kahles 8x42 and Swaro 7x50. The Kahles are a very handy size, the Swaro great at dim light, but heavier than the Zeiss.
DF
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
I have read that the Nighthunter 8 x 30's receved great reviews. I never looked through one though.
They are surprisingly bright considering there're relatively small objective lens. As someone pointed out, they don't require any focusing adjustments once set for your eyes and this feature is indispensable when you are using your bino's in very poor light and night time viewing too. Anyone who has tried using both types of focusing systems will see what I'm talking about. The "Hunting Series" are pictured below, the first pair on the left, in the top pic.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
I have read that the Nighthunter 8 x 30's receved great reviews. I never looked through one though.
They are surprisingly bright considering there're relatively small objective lens. As someone pointed out, they don't require any focusing adjustments once set for your eyes and this feature is indispensable when you are using your bino's in very poor light and night time viewing too. Anyone who has tried using both types of focusing systems will see what I'm talking about. The "Hunting Series" are pictured below, the first pair on the left, in the top pic. Melted Diamond coating I assume
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
Their code word is "Diamond" bright but I don't think anyone would be silly enough to believe their coating formulation actually included diamond dust.
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,239
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,239 |
Steiner 8 X 30 Marine. Nice compromise size and weight, bright, and great focus system. About $200
"Put none but Americans on guard tonight." -George Washington
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 671
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 671 |
Steiner 8 X 30 Marine. Nice compromise size and weight, bright, and great focus system. About $200 Agreed. I've had mine for 12+ years, they've been beaten to hell, and still going strong.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"- Michael Scott
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
Any optics freak/hunter worth his salt should own at least 7-10 bins. Plus 2-3 spotting scopes. Geez what an enabler
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,179
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,179 |
Swaroski 15x56 Spotting Swaroski 8.5x42 EL's Deer and elk hunting 8x30 Swaroski Coyote hunting
NRA LIFE MEMBER OHA LIFE MEMBER RMEF LIFE MEMBER *MOLON LABE SKYLA*
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