Anyone using these binoculars?

I�ve been fascinated with the Leupold gold ring switch power 10/17x42 binoculars for a couple of years, but shelling out a grand for a fascination is something I only do on rifles.

I have a chance to pick up a set manufactured in 2007 for $500, seems too good to pass up. I�ve done some searching but have found little from people actually packing them out to hunt. I know they are not the HD.

Now I hike everywhere with my binoculars and spotting scope. Lightening the load is never a bad thing. I know I�ll be losing light gathering with 42 and a 17x.

Thoughts and/or experience with these binoculars?

The only zoom binoc worth having IMO is the Leica Duovid. You can't hold 17x steady without a tripod, and the 10x view through the leupold sp's pales in comparison to a good binocs 10x view.

That high a magnification might be too much and they are going to be heavy as well.

Do a search here for switch power or dual power or zoom binoculars. I was on a thread here on 24hr and someone liked their zoom Bushnell's.

Switch Power link

I have the Leu. 7-12 switch power 32mm's. While they are excellent and all I need they are expensive. Even at half price they were in the $500 range you mentioned.

Savage,
Are your switch binocs the HD or pre-HD? I would use either a tripod or rest on 17. I use a set of 10x Nikons and can hold them steady.

I've met the guy selling the 10-17s and played with them. Optically they are far superior to my 5 year old Nikons or my brotherms new vortex.

I felt that while solidly built, they were neither large or heavy.

I have not seen the 10-17s for sale anywhere in some time. Unless I hear something to dissuade me I'll be buying them in the next day or two.

+1k

The Leica Duovid's are between $2,200 and $2,800 dollars. Do you have any idea how worthless and insulting your input is?

I�m raising four kids who want for nothing. I get to bird hunt every year, and while I�ve been dependent upon my state�s draw system in the past for big game hunting, I�m reaching a financial level that I�ll be able to start going out of state. I hunt with what was, until Mr. Forbes released his new production rifle, arguably the best production hunting rifle around.

Your suggestion that I spend four to six times as much for a pair of binoculars while looking down what I hope is a very well-manicured nose at my lowly beer budget Leopold binoculars demonstrates that you are either industry insiders who pay for nothing or trust fund brats who never had to work your way up the financial ladder.

Have a bad day.

If you don't want opinions, don't ask for opinions! Go ahead and waste your "hard earned" money on one of the biggest POS's to ever hit the market! [bleep]' crybaby!

I didn't ask for opinions about what I should get my rich daddy/boyfriend to buy me you [bleep]' Utah Phagget piece of shiete@

...with these binoculars?

You have none so [bleep] off.

First off I have owned the Leicas and used the Leupy 10-17s. The Leicas are super glass, a bit heavy at around 40 OZs but man they are nice, you get a used or demo pair in the $1400-$1200 range sometimes.

I love my Leupy 8x32 HDs, I think they were a best pair ever in binos, wished I had bought a 10x42 set as well. That being said the switch power Leupys were a SIGNIFICANT step down in optics, not even close.

If you can not afford the Leicas go with a good fixed set. Best buys are used Leupold HDS, Stiener C5s or XPS and 1st edeition Bushnell Elites with 43mm objective. All have lifetime NO bs warranties.

Spence

Yep, never had a pair of the POS in my possession. They'd be overpriced if they were free.

Sweet review for your binoculars of choice:

1.0 out of 5 stars STOP!, December 21, 2011
By MD (United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Leica 8-12x42 Duovid Binocular (Black) (Electronics)
STOP! Do not buy the Leica DUOVID 8X42 - 12X42 binoculars. An outfitter friend and I each bought a pair of these binoculars at the same time, both binoculars failed in the same manner, and Leica did not stand behind either product.
Focus does not coincide when changing between 8X42 and 12X42.
The mechanism used to change between 8X42 and 12X42 does not operate smoothly, and sometimes sticks and locks up.
The eye cups are loose and do not stay at a desired setting.
Use caution when buying a Leica product. Properly complete the warranty registration and keep your original receipt if you ever expect to request service.

http://www.amazon.com/Leica-8-12x42..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331501954&sr=8-1

The only person you gotta convince the Leupold switch powers are the Holy Grail is you. Anyone who has used them FIRST HAND already knows otherwise. And beings how you're big on ASSumptions, the Leica Duovids are not my binocular of choice, but keep guessing.

GreatStuputi,
[bleep] off already.

Just in case there is anyone around here that has used these 10/17 in the field, please let me know how they work in the middle of the day on top of a tripod overlooking some big country. Do you find yourself regretting that you didn�t bring the spotting scope or are you ok with the 10/17 switch power?

I�m new to the idea of using so called �big eyes� in place of a spotting scope, so this will be an experiment. If I like using big eyes better than a spotting scope I can step up latter.

GreatStuputi,
You have no thoughts and/or experience with these binoculars, and I doubt you have many thoughts and/or experience with anything that someone else didn't pay for, so again...[bleep] off already.

Is that you on your knees with your head thrown back, mouth wide, getting ready to suck a fat one? Are you a chick? You like three at a time, one for each hole?

yes........ They're not bad at 10x. suck at 17. tripod or not....

you may just want to lissen to the great waputster. He knows his stuff.

He may, but with delivery like that I'll just put him in the same category with BigStick/Boxer and get my advice from someone else.

So you have passed on the big eyes idea and are sticking with a spotting scope?

Thanks for your input.

Why don't you play the victim card a little more, because obviously anyone who has anything nice must've had it handed to them. Couldn't possibly be they worked three jobs and scrimped and saved for what they wanted. [bleep] crybaby!

Bullshiete! No one who has ever scrimped and saved has looked down on anything Leupold has ever produced. It may not stand up against the foreign junk you democrats love to suck on, but there's nothing wrong with anything Leupold ever made.

Kinda like cigars, beer or scotch. Your wallet may allow you to enjoy something better than what you had, but it�s a sad little man that looks down his pecker on people who still enjoyed what used to lighten up your days.

I'm still thinking your an industry aswhip who gets his shiet for free or a trust fund baby.

You're a bigger idiot than I gave you credit for. Leupold makes plenty of great products, but the Switch Power binos aren't one of them, but go ahead and flush your money.

Spence gave you some great advise. I'd suggest your re-read his post sloooowwwly so your pea-brain can comprehend it.

I never went in with the 'idea' of these to be 'big eyes'..... maybe just to be able to bump up to judge horns oncet in a while. They're really not that good, even for that. If you want big eyes, expect to pay for 'big eyes'. Sorry that's not what you wanna hear.......Don

Don, how's your "trust fund"? I'm thinking of pulling some money out of mine and retiring...

GreatWaPhuckhead,
Answer the question; are you an industry [bleep] selling a product or a trust fund douchebag?
As for Spence's advice, I am considering it. But asking for advice is deferent that asking someone to make my decision for me. I�ve got a dream. If I find myself liking high powered binoculars but find the Leupolds lacking, I�ll step up to something better and sell the Leupolds.

But you�ll still be a [bleep] who hasn�t contributed anything to my understanding other than you know how to hide behind someone else.

So, once again, [bleep] off.

Don is it? Thanks for the advice.

There's that victim card again, you just can't help it, can you?

Read this slowly and repeat several times, it'll help your comprehension skills:

I am sofa king wi todd id...I am sofa king wi todd id...I am sofa king wi todd id..

Daryll, I'm glad you have some $ to 'pull'..... Mine? I just reckon to trust that some funds will appear, someday.

The REAL bigeyes depleted whatever funds I may, or may not, have had......








And, I'd much rather pack an 80mm spotter than those ungainly bastids......

Your rambling, go get someone to adjust your meds.

400. chill, man.....it's the innernet.....

Todd \t(o)-dd\ as a boy's name is pronounced tahd. It is of Middle English origin, and the meaning of Todd is "fox". The name possibly refers to a fox hunter. It remains a dialectal word for a fox in some parts of Britain. Tod is a Scottish nickname for a clever or wily person. Hockey player Todd Bertuzzi.

?

If he is really medicated I apologize.

OK... back to the orignial question.
I've got a couple of Leica binoculars and I've played with the Leupold Gold rings in general and those 10/17X42's at least casually once. I've also owned or tested lots of other binoculars.
First of all, any Leupold Gold Ring binocular is an excellent life time warrantty binocular not limited to the original buyer. No, they aren't as good as the latest Leicas, but they aren't much less in optical performance. They and the other $1000 class stuff like the Pentax ED's and the Meopta/Cabela's Euros are really so close to the Big Three that many us question the need to spend the extra money.
However, at 17X you'll run into a problem. As the magnification increases, especially if it is done with a smaller objective binocular, the net effect is the more rapid decrease in image quality. A quick comparison between a quality 15X56 and the above Leupold will quickly show you what this is about.
That's not to say they aren't useful. But, they would, in no way, compare to something like the Leica Duovids at 15X or a Swaro 15X56.
In the end, you are the best judge of this. My advice is test them at extended distance yourself and see what you think. Compared to the cheaper Nikon zoom or their cheap 12X50's, I think you'll find they are better. But then try stacking them up against a good Pentax SP or a Pentax ED in the 12X50 size.
BTW, I've done what you are trying to do, but in a different way. I usually pack a light 6X or 8X binocular around my neck and carry a larger, more powerful binocular or spoting scope in my pack. If I'm glassing, trying to find game, a big binoicular works best. But if I'm judging heads, a spotter works better as a rule. E

400,

If you can hold the 10X still enough to use, I would get them. I have been using Nikon 7-15X35, which weigh about 31 ounces, in a bino-budy. It is very nice to be able to turn up the magnification. From my experience I had to lean against a tree or something in order to use the extra magnification.

In spite of the negitive folks here, I have found I can see the same detail with my Nikon on 15X as I can when I use the Minox 15X58 in itss tri-pod. You should get them if you like them. If they don't work out, sell them next season since you're not into them for very much.

That's what I hadta do.....

Picking them up later today. Just spent the last couple of days outside of Winslow. The kids and I spotted several groups of antelope, and this would have been the perfect couple of days to try out the new (to me) binoculars.

There is a bowl down south perfect for spotting Cues deer. I'll try and get down there in the next week or two and try these out.

They are definitely an upgrade over my old Nikons, and at 10x I can brace my elbows against my sides and hold them steady.