tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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I've never taken the plunge on new, modern binoculars. All I've ever ended up using were hand-me-down stuff from the 60's or earlier technology.
What's the price for a decent pair of binoculars these days? Does Leupold have something decent in the 'well under a grand' price range?
--Tinker
-------------------- --Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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Taos
.300 member
Reged: 09/05/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Nevada, U.S.A.
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Take a look at Kahles. I bought a pair last year for about $700 and could ask for nothing better.
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Kalunga
.333 member
Reged: 16/06/06
Posts: 328
Loc: Germany
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Or consider buying a used Zeiss or Svarovski. I wanted a Zeiss 8x30 B/GA for use on safari in Africa but 1000,- Euro is a lot of money. So I bought a used one in very good condition for 340,- Euro and never regretted it. Everytime I look through it I enjoy the "best quality" optics and I know this quality will last for many many years. My advice is : don`t try to save money on hunting optics !
Kalunga
Wicked good hunting !!!
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Chasseur
.375 member
Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!
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I have some neat little Leupold poro prisms that are good for being arround $200. But they are not "great binos."
If you want arround $500 or so, I'd recomend the Pentax roof prisms.
If you want closer to $1000, I'm really happy with my Minox roof prisms, in 10x52. Try Doug at Cameraland.
-------------------- In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli
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JohnTheGreek
.300 member
Reged: 16/11/04
Posts: 167
Loc: Cairo, Egypt
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I've always thought STEINER pretty much had the market locked up when it came to "value". Tough to argue with their quality for the money...though it amazes me that this is still the case with the current exhcange rate.
Best,
John
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gatsby
.375 member
Reged: 05/09/05
Posts: 862
Loc: inland valley CA USA
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I agree with Chasseur, Pentax 8x42DCF-WP is as good as you can buy for the money (less than $400.00). I have some Zeiss 10xs but only use them on a tripod.
-------------------- "Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar
Edited by gatsby (22/07/07 03:17 AM)
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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Thanks for the comments-
Some time shortly after I posted that question, having fiddled with everything I could find locally, I chose the Pentas 8x42 DCF-WPII binocular.
They're brilliant. Can't comment on how they stack up against the 8x42 DCF-WP model as I couldn't find anyone stocking that model here in the SF Bay Area (the II model supersedes the orig issue) I can note that through the glass and in the hand, they were as good as anything else I'd handled in the 1500 buck and under price range. They're very comfortable to hold for a fairly long period of time, there's a lot of eye relief, and they're bright -- very bright -- I can see better in dim light and in the shadows with these than I can with my bare eyes.
--Tinker
-------------------- --Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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Bonde
.333 member
Reged: 16/02/06
Posts: 278
Loc: Norway
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Go loook for a tidy secondhand bino from zeiss, swarovski or kahles, and you'll get real value for money! I did, and I'm very satisfied with my Zeiss classic 10x40. I carry it around my neck everytime I go hunting, it's pretty compact for the size as well. Cost me half the retail price, was in excellent condition and will serve me well for years to come.
-------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Winston Churchill
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3sixbits
.224 member
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 41
Loc: Alaska
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I would go shop on e-bray for Leica used in the 10x42, we have more binos in this house than than law should allow. Two pairs of the Leica always get grabbed first. I had to break down and buy the wife her own pair of 8x42 Leicas. When you get a lot of company to see the wildlife, bino's become an issue along with spotting scopes.
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WVFRED
.300 member
Reged: 17/01/05
Posts: 169
Loc: Charleston WV
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I have a pair of the Minox BL series 8x42 binoculars that I bought from Doug at cameralandny for $250 and they are great for the price.
Fred
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