First pair of binoculars recommendation?

[NDGuy]

People saying they’d rather have nice clothes over alpha glass are insane.

There’s a reason Vortex has a lifetime warranty. They are shit and factor in replacing a pair into their pricing.

I’ve tried almost all of recommended binos.

Grab whatever Euro glass you can afford otherwise can look at Maven, Meopta. You won’t regret it and they actually hold their value.

The newer Sig stabilizing binos are a game changer I’ll be picking up a pair.

 

[cgasner1]

The saying use to be “Buy the best glass you can afford” that’s what I would recommend without knowing your style of hunting. Personally I’d take a lower grade of glass than swaro and a good tripod. I spend my money on actual hunting and not as much the other stuff I’m taking my vortex to Alaska for the fourth time in a couple weeks. I’ll put my pile of punched tags up against 95% of the guys on here any day with my cheap glass. Don’t forget to save some money to fill the truck up so you can go hunting and don’t have to spent your fall on a hunting forum instead of actually hunting

 

[Boarmaster]

If I was getting started I would be looking on hunting forum classified ads for a used set of Swaro ELs. Older ones can be affordable. If I went that route I would only buy from a well known member of the forum. If I wasn't willing to pay the price for used swaros then I would call Camera Land and give them my need and budget and they will recommend the best bet.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Its crazy to me that this is the HT opinion on a first pair of binos. Kind of like someone here saying that a 160-170 mule deer is not good enough on a general tag. Some opinions here are far from normal.

No idea what you can afford, but if you need a pair for this upcoming season to get out and get behind some glsss, i can lend you some (vtx viper 10x) that had an msrp of 600 i think.

Shoot me a pm if youd like em. @Wellzbells

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Since you're moving to WY keep it local and buy some Mavens! I've lived and hunted all my life here without alpha glass and somehow get by just fine.

 

[MaddH]

Check out Sierra trading post. Good prices on refurbished optics like Vortex sometimes.

 

[rjthehunter]

If your budget is around $1k, then take the advice people are giving for around $1k. Like @cgasner1 said, going hunting is cooler and more important than buying $3k binos.

I'll say this, I have put Vortex Razors against Maven B.6, and I'd give the edge to Maven. They are great for the price. As close as I've seen to Swaros in terms of clarity for around the $1k price point. I have no issues spotting critters with the Maven's.

People saying "Buy Swaros" for your first pair of binos is nuts unless you're a multi millionaire and can jump from hobby to hobby before knowing if binos even fit your hunting style. I know someone who kills elk every year and carries a small set of binos in their pack and rarely uses them.

 

[cgasner1]

If your budget is around $1k, then take the advice people are giving for around $1k. Like @cgasner1 said, going hunting is cooler and more important than buying $3k binos.

I'll say this, I have put Vortex Razors against Maven B.6, and I'd give the edge to Maven. They are great for the price. As close as I've seen to Swaros in terms of clarity for around the $1k price point. I have no issues spotting critters with the Maven's.

People saying "Buy Swaros" for your first pair of binos is nuts unless you're a multi millionaire and can jump from hobby to hobby before knowing if binos even fit your hunting style. I know someone who kills elk every year and carries a small set of binos in their pack and rarely uses them.

I’m not sure why you’d buy swaros if you don’t have the ford raptor to get to camp with the bros

 

[TOGIE]

I’m not sure why you’d buy swaros if you don’t have the ford raptor to get to camp with the bros

i've been wondering if the "bUy OnCe cRy oNcE" crowd applies the logic consistently across their lives or if they see room for nuance in style, budget, needs, and preference?

i'm betting a brand spanking new ATX spotter the answer is no.

 

[cgasner1]

i've been wondering if the "bUy OnCe cRy oNcE" crowd applies the logic consistently across their lives or if they see room for nuance in style, budget, needs, and preference?

i'm betting a brand spanking new ATX spotter the answer is no.

I have a wall in my garage that’s about 2x3’ right now covered in punched tags from all across the west. When I move I’ll probably just cut the sheet rock out and patch it. A brand new hunter doesn’t know the style of how they wanna hunt or probably even how to put that glass to work properly. If the guy works an office job I can guarantee you a pair of high quality boots and mid range glass will help him way more than some alpha glass. I get you can’t kill what you can’t find but there is a hell of a lot more to that equation than a shiny hawk

 

[MaddH]

But why would you buy a pair of Vortex for $1200 when you can grab a pair of used Swarovski for $1000-1500 ?

 

[2rocky]

I guess I was just fortunate enough that my first rifle, knife, binoculars, truck, cooking stove, backpack were all hand-me-downs or secondhand. Buy what you have to to get in the game.

When it comes to binos, there is always an opportunity to upgrade. The old pair go to your wife or kids on a camping trip or are kept under the seat in the truck.
At 51, I'm still looking through Vortex, but I've been on some epic hunts. Now I don't glass for 12 hours in wide open desert for Coues, but my hunting style doesn't lend itself to that anyway.

It has taken me 20 years to build up my hunting and camping gear. You don't get everything all at once. Now I'm getting to the point where some of it is getting close to wearing out. It will be enough for someone else to get a start with for their first few hunts. The budget has to follow the desire to perform the activity. It is impossible to truly appreciate success if you haven't evolved your gear over the years to fit your needs you determined through EXPERIENCE.....

 

[Chama Grande]

What even is this thread anymore lol

 

[TOGIE]

But why would you buy a pair of Vortex for $1200 when you can grab a pair of used Swarovski for $1000-1500 ?

i'd recommend that person, especially new to the game, buy a pair of 400-600 vortex, enjoy the warranty reassurance, and put the rest of that coin into the special draw in wyoming, or some schnees, or a good pack that will make your back sing.

but that's just me. and i'm the one that recently bought used Leicas for 1500.

 

[2rocky]

My post earlier was in regards to the Buy once cry once theory. here is my thought on buying binos specifically

My friend who worked for Bass Pro would ask bino shoppers what their budget was. When they told him he would get out 2 or 3 in that price range and have them look through each one at a predetermined spot. When they picked the pair they liked best, those became the "ones to beat". He then let them look through the next price level binos and the next level lower to see if the ones they picked were STILL the ones to beat. If the higher priced ones were better but the Budget limit was rigid then the original favorites were the best option. Some people raised their budget.

It is a sales tactic, but was a true way to truly "buy the best glass you can afford".

 

[Jnasa]

@Wellzbells welcome to hunt talk. Unfortunately, this sometimes happens on threads. You get a full spectrum of responses. Sometimes egos get in the way and things get a bit off track.

sift through some of the bs and there is some good advice mixed in. Ultimately it depends on your hunt style, how much you will use the glass and what you can justify spending at this time.

Maybe you do buy a more affordable pair. That would allow you to see if you like that magnification. Then you have a back up pair or truck/loaner pair in the future. Or maybe take forkyfinder up in his offer for the fall.

Either way get out and enjoy hunting.

 

[Ben Lamb]

What even is this thread anymore lol

It's big game hunters who haven't discovered the joys of upland yet.

They get salty when they see people out enjoying themselves and not suffering, so they take it out on people who don't want to buy alpha glass.

It's a vicious cycle.

 

[Jnasa]

It's big game hunters who haven't discovered the joys of upland yet.

They get salty when they see people out enjoying themselves and not suffering, so they take it out on people who don't want to buy alpha glass.

It's a vicious cycle.

As if a discussion amongst upland hunters on best dog breeds, shot gun actions, or gauges wouldn’t be similar.

Don’t kid yourself.

 

[Forkyfinder]

It's big game hunters who haven't discovered the joys of upland yet.

Come on now. Upland guys are some of the most elitist with gear (especially shotguns) around.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Come on now. Upland guys are some of the most elitist with gear (especially shotguns) around.

My 90 year old Greifelt is less expensive than a new Seekins & Leupold VX6.

The guys who drop over 10K for a gun are mostly going to be hunting with guides on preserves.

Most upland guys measure dick by how ratty their gear is.