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socal · 05-21-2007, 08:34 PM

This is clearly a case of you get what you pay for. I have this pair http://www.riflescopes.com/products/..._binocular.htm

I purchased them after a lot of research. these are 8.5x43. The pair they replaced was a 12x52 (pentax) I will take these any day due to the clarity. Some people think that if the magnification is greater and the objective is large enough (let more light in) then that is better. What it actually comes down to is the coating on the lenses and how much light they pass through.

As for research, I suggest you spend some time out on the hunting forums. Hunters take their optics very sceriously. You can spend a ton of money on optics, but I would try to find the best price point in a German manufactured lens. The Germans are known for their optical quality and no one can come close. The website above has all of the viable manufactures so it is a good source to compare...

Also, if you want light weight you will want a roof prism and not a poro prism. Big difference in weight and much less bulky. But they come at a cost.

One note on the wildlife thing. If this is what you will really be doing, spend the money and you will have a much better time. When I am out glassing, I have spotted a bobcat looking right at me from more than 100 yards in tall grass. All I could see was it's head from the nose up but I spotted it. With cheap binos, you will miss a lot, I would never have seen this critter with my previous pair of Pentax even with the better magnification.

Oh, one last note. One reason it is a good idea to get a good pair, is that some of the best time to look for wildlife is during first light or dusk. These low light conditions really require a good set if optics. You don't have to go crazy, but you will get what you pay for.

05-21-2007, 08:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
socal Tilted	This is clearly a case of you get what you pay for. I have this pair http://www.riflescopes.com/products/..._binocular.htm I purchased them after a lot of research. these are 8.5x43. The pair they replaced was a 12x52 (pentax) I will take these any day due to the clarity. Some people think that if the magnification is greater and the objective is large enough (let more light in) then that is better. What it actually comes down to is the coating on the lenses and how much light they pass through. As for research, I suggest you spend some time out on the hunting forums. Hunters take their optics very sceriously. You can spend a ton of money on optics, but I would try to find the best price point in a German manufactured lens. The Germans are known for their optical quality and no one can come close. The website above has all of the viable manufactures so it is a good source to compare... Also, if you want light weight you will want a roof prism and not a poro prism. Big difference in weight and much less bulky. But they come at a cost. One note on the wildlife thing. If this is what you will really be doing, spend the money and you will have a much better time. When I am out glassing, I have spotted a bobcat looking right at me from more than 100 yards in tall grass. All I could see was it's head from the nose up but I spotted it. With cheap binos, you will miss a lot, I would never have seen this critter with my previous pair of Pentax even with the better magnification. Oh, one last note. One reason it is a good idea to get a good pair, is that some of the best time to look for wildlife is during first light or dusk. These low light conditions really require a good set if optics. You don't have to go crazy, but you will get what you pay for.