I am looking for a pair of binos. I want to buy once, a durable high quality pair that will last. These would be used for hunting, on the range & on the water. I have read that a fixed magnification is better than variable, and 8x (upto 10x maximum) x 40 or 50mm is best. Also, Steiner was a popular name brand that was repeated advice. Can anyone offer more info. &/or suggestions? I figure many guys here are knowledgeable with many experienced years behind them, that is why Im asking, to avoid repeating mistakes made by others. Thank you. Dan
Steiner Military&Marine are good. I wish I would have bought them years ago and I would have save a boatload on cheap binos. Buy once, cry once.
Leica or Swarovski if you want bino’s that are sharp, wont give you eye strain if you look through them a lot, and want a nice bright image.
I wouldn’t spend that amount of coin unless I was going to be using them a lot but if you spend any good time behind optics buy the best you can afford. For just range use it doesn’t really matter as long as you can get a decent image.
They will however give you a life time of awesome optical quality. Im one of the types that would rather eat the cost, and use a product a long time to get the value out of it than buying cheap, and tossing them after a relatively short period. You can find 30 year year quality Euro bino’s that are still awesome even compared to todays 300-400 dollar sets.
Especially for hunting you want something that is going to offer enough quality to see into shadows, dusk, etc. I had a pair of leica compacts that were GREAT for fitting into a shirt pocket even.
imo,
Spent literally countless hours doing surveillance and counter surveillance professionally.
OCONUS & CONUS professionally.
The best I have used are: CANON UD w/ Image Stabilization.
I have tried Steiner (excellent, but overated) Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, Pentax, Nikon, Leupold, Kowa all good to excellent but less eye strain/fatique w/ Canon IS.
12X50 IS
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=128&modelid=8168
18X50 IS
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=128&modelid=8170
Ebay, Nex Tag or eqiuv. & Amazon have best prices.
HTH
YMMV of course…
i cannot stress how much I like my swaro 10x42 el’s…the slc’s are VERY NICE but the lighter el’s are the nutz.
My Leica Ultravid 10X42 have served me well. Bino’s with a 50mm objective is overkill. Ain’t it?
Best kept secret for premium glass on a budget: Zeiss Jena from the former DDR/East Germany.
AC
I second the vote for Leica. Very expensive but well worth it. I’ve had a pair of 8X32 BN’s for several years now and would say these are the best all-around binoc you could own. I’m at work but believe these are Trinovids, which have been superceded by the Ultravid model. The optics are crystal clear and they’re fogproof and waterproof. They are lightweight and almost approach “compact” in size.
I thought I wanted a pair of 10X40s, but the rep let met try several models and pointed out things like FOV and stability of the image and I had to agree that the 8X32 is the best all-around magnification. They even work pretty well while kayaking (I use a floatable strap) but concede that 50mm tubes would be better for general marine use. You really need to decide what you want to use these for to help decide on what size binocs you want. However, a high quality pair will give you more with a smaller size than a lesser pair with larger optics.
The Leica rep informed me that their lifetime warranty includes a one-time replacement for “any reason” to the original owner, which he stated included theft or mysterious loss.
Try as many head to head comparisons as you can.
Thanks for the info., Initially I was thinking Steiner, but now I am going to look at Leica a little closer. That warranty sound awesome. I get a good feeling when companies stand behind their products by providing exceptional warranties!
This must be something new. I know several leica owners and they have been stiffed once their ‘limited time warranty’ was over.
They make nice glass for sure but I would want to see this too good to be true offer in writing.
You may know something I don’t, however, the only cases I’m aware of that Leica stiffed the owners was when they did not send in their warranty card and these I read about on the 'net. I know this is almost an anachronism, but they apparently assign that warranty to one individual, as identifed on that card for their lifetime. I decided to assign that to my wife, as I assume (yeah, I know how that word is parsed) she will outlive me.
I hope to never have to test this warranty. It did not even come up in the discussion with the Leica rep until after I had made the purchase. He emphasized how important getting that card in within the specified time-frame was for this to be valid.
I’d be interested to hear from people who’s experience was otherwise.
A quick Google search produced this:
Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Protection Plan
Leica Camera Inc. (USA), warranties all Leica compact and full-sized Ultravid and Trinovid binoculars, Leica Televid Spotting Scopes and eyepieces, and Leica Duovid series binoculars, under its Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Protection Plan. The Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Protection Plan provides protection against manufacturer defects, functional failures, or any accidental damage to the product, including breakage, water damage, or any accident, excluding fire, theft, mysterious disappearance, deliberate damage, or any occurrence for which other insurance protection is in force. Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Protection Plan is not extended to accessories such as straps, cases, lens caps, for covered products. Specifically excluded from this warranty are Leica Geovid and Leica LRF RangeMasters or future products incorporating electronic components. By returning the product to Leica (including the piece with the identifying serial number) with a check for $35 for shipping and handling, Leica will repair or replace the product at no charge during the lifetime of the original purchaser, following acknowledgement of registration by Leica Camera, Inc. (USA).Replacement of Leica compact and full-sized Ultravid and Trinovid binoculars, Leica Televid Spotting Scopes and eyepieces, and Leica Duovid series binoculars, if required, will be with a functionally identical or like-featured product, either new or refurbished, as determined by Leica Camera, Inc. That portion of the product bearing its serial number must be included with the return. The Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Passport Plan provides protection for any that affects the optical or mechanical function of the product. Cosmetic or other signs of normal wear and tear, on any external surfaces, including lenses, are not considered as affecting optical or mechanical functions of the product. The Lifetime Sport Optics Passport Protection Plan is only valid for eligible products imported by Leica Camera, Inc. (USA) and purchased by USA residents through Authorized Leica Camera Inc. dealers such as OpticsPlanet.com.
In short, as long as you purchase from an authorized dealer like OpticsPlanet.com, Leica will support you, no matter where you are, and in the way that best balances your needs with their ability to provide the best repairs on the equipment in question, but purchasing from OpticsPlanet.com you get something very unique and special that very few companies can offer - Leica Lifetime Sport Optics Passport Plan.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leica-passport-warranty.html
This was from PlanetOptics. The two requirements that I am aware of for “Passport” protection are outlined here:1) Buying from an authorized dealer (grey market buyers beware) and 2) Registering your purchase for warranty.
Swaros rock if you’re looking to drop the $$! They’re out of my price range, but if you can afford them, I’d vote Swarovski.
For me, I tried a lot of different mid-price binocs and ended up with the 8x Leupold Cascades. For around $350, you get great glass and Japanese construction. They’re not as good as $1000 glass, but they’re better than any $400-$500 glass I tried. They did great with no fogging when going from heat/cold/heat/cold on my recent trip to Alaska.
Those type of optics will work for most people. Id only recommend spending a lot of money on optics if you are going to be using them constantly. Then the cost becomes worth it in the long run.
I’ve been down the road more than once on trying to buy good optics for a cheap price. I could have bought several of the top end binos for all the money I “saved” buying cheap crap.
I’ve been all over the world and when I was in Germany I finally decided it was time for some “high-end” glass. I ended up buying Leica and wished I would have done it years ago. I now how two different pair with one pair being the 10x42 GEVIOD Laser Rangfinder. I would probably go with the 8 power if I were to do it over. At the time I was doing a lot of long range glassing in various parts of the world but nowadays it is more shorter range and the 10 power can get “shakier”. I would do as someone else has suggested…go someplace that sells high end optics and see what looks best for YOUR eyes. Everyone is different and the Ziess, Swarovski, S&B, Leica, etc are all good. I was torn between a couple different brands until I thoroughly tested them side by side and noticed a slight better clarity with the Leica. Hence that is what I use. Oh, another issue was my need for glasses and the quick pop up/down eye piece on the Lieca was another good selling point.
WW
I don’t know the details of the complaints other than they were hot owners for spending so much coin.
I’ve been a swaro guy for 20 years and on my 3rd pair. I bought my 10x42 el’s slightly used a couple years ago and the owner’s warranty card is still in the box. I’ve never sent in one from Leupold either, nor ever had to have one checked out. Personally, I have been very lucky with glass.
To me, they know when it was built and know how to tell when one has been abused. You stand behind it or you don’t based upon the condition of it’s return. I’m biased to swaro but not sure my eyes can tell the difference between the top 3 or 4 glass makers. The guys I trust say Leica is #1 & swaro is right behind.
You have not lived until you have held some 20x60 Zeiss stabilized / gyro binos. They quit selling them in the states due to warranty is my understanding. Really amazing how well they work.