First pair of binoculars recommendation?

[brymoore]

I’m far from rich, but I’m guessing the guys who poo poo Swarovski as just paying for the name haven’t actually used them. Same with Leica and Zeiss My SLCs are probably the best money I ever spent. Those used SLCs are far better glass than a pair of vortex for a similar price.

I bought my ELs in 2007. I had them refurbished last year with new glass for $250. Best money I have spent on hunting gear.

 

[Schaaf]

I'd go used SLC. You can find them for about 1k and they'll hold their value if you decide a couple years from now to upgrade. If you want new, you can find some good deals on the Meopta B1 Plus binos. In my opinion, they're the best bino available that isn't a Swaro NL or EL, Leica Geovid, Noctivid, or Zeiss Victory. A little bulkier than the Swaro SLC but optically indiscernible.

 

[406cowboycarpenter]

Haha yea but have you ever used Vortex Razor UHD? Bet not.

I’m far from rich, but I’m guessing the guys who poo poo Swarovski as just paying for the name haven’t actually used them. Same with Leica and Zeiss. My SLCs are probably the best money I ever spent. Those used SLCs are far better glass than a pair of vortex for a similar price.

 

[MTLabrador]

Haha yea but have you ever used Vortex Razor UHD? Bet not.

A friend has the razor HD, not the UHD, that I’ve used a lot. I don’t know why I’d pick the UHD when they’re more expensive than what I paid for my swaros. To be fair, I’m sure the UHDs are good glass.

 

[jimh406]

Look at Tract Toric. They don't do retail, but you can buy them on Amazon and return them if you don't like them. You save money since there is no middle man.

 

[Schaaf]

Haha yea but have you ever used Vortex Razor UHD? Bet not.

The Razor UHD’s use the exact same optical formula as the Sig Zulu10’s for 25% more msrp.

 

[ClearCreek]

As the title says - looking to buy my first pair of binoculars sometime here in the near future. Looking for recommendations, willing to pay a decent price but also not looking to break the bank. Any good FB groups or websites I should be looking? Is it worth buying a used pair? Thanks in advance - gearing up for the big move to WY

Where in Wyoming are you moving to?

ClearCreek

 

[Wellzbells]

Where in Wyoming are you moving to?

ClearCreek

Moving to Casper. Hopefully I will find some people to show me the ropes so I can put the binoculars to good use. Grew up deer hunting in TX…

 

[Valley1320]

The most underrated binos ever. Everyone is shocked when they look through them.

Vangaurd ED or HD 10x42

 

[kiwi hunter]

Slc 10x30 light and more than usefull, way cheaper than a 10x40.
Use a maven now but only because i lost the slcs crossing a river.
The maven have a narrow field of view, which is not easy to get used to. They are easy to pan tho.

 

[brockel]

Leica geovid rangefinding binos

 

[325 WSM]

Athlon Midas G2 are very clear & have been very durable for me. Not ridiculous price

 

[Mallardsx2]

Swaro....its the only way. I wish I had just spent the money 30 years ago and been done with it.

 

[WNC2500]

For those of you that own Swaro....worth it and why?

I have read on this forum over the last few years and hear raving reports about Swaro binos. I have been a vortex owner since I started hunting out west in 2016. I own a pair of 12x50 Razors, and a Razor 4000 rangefinder. I have been very pleased with both, and have no complaints as far as...

www.hunttalk.com

@Wellzbells, I had these same questions 4 years ago. Just a few details about my glass experiences: Started with a base model vortex and I hunt in NE MT which was not good enough glass for those distances. Then went to a Vortex Razor and it was better but still not Swaro. As many people have said, it does matter what the glass is used for. If I only hunted in timber, or in my two "home states" of NC and SC, the Razor's would have been fine. But, I don't, I hunt in the plains of NM, some mesa's in NM, and the plains of MT so Swaro was the perfect fit for me. I started with the SLC 18x56 and used them on an oryx hunt as well as a season in MT. Clarity was awesome!! But, they were heavy for on the tripod and a lot to carry. Sold them on HuntTalk (win/win) and then went to the EL 10x42. They were amazing. Then dang it, NL Pures came out. But, my point is that SLC's, EL's, or Pure's have been perfect for me, and wish that I would have made the Swarovski decision early on, and I would have saved enough to have bought them at the start.

Take your time to find the right fit and the right seller. Several people have found great deals on multiple different sites. Just be patient and you will find a set.

 

[jpc01101]

I recommend range finding Binos. Can’t overstate how handy it is having a built in rangefinder. I have the vortex Fury and they have been great for me. I may be missing something with the Swaros but I haven’t looked through them and ignorance is bliss. My Brother has had his Furys for maybe 7 years and the rangefinder went out just before a trip to Africa they got him a new pair in 2 days. Pretty impressive.

 

[TheTone]

I’ve never regretted buying my slc’s. I do get some NL envy now though

 

[WNC2500]

I’ve never regretted buying my slc’s. I do get some NL envy now though

The envy is real @TheTone
I did not believe the clarity until I tried them out, and lord have mercy.
I could tell a difference in looking miles away in NM.

 

[MaddH]

Swarovski all the way. I have 10x42 SLC,10x42 el’s and just got some 12x42 NL Pures. OMG they are amazing. I too went years buying different glass and always trying to upgrade. Spent a small fortune. Same with spotting scopes. I have a Swarovski spotter now after having Vortexand others. Vortex cannot compare. Definitely can find used ones if you take your time. Or possibly some demos

 

[Ben Lamb]

As the title says - looking to buy my first pair of binoculars sometime here in the near future. Looking for recommendations, willing to pay a decent price but also not looking to break the bank. Any good FB groups or websites I should be looking? Is it worth buying a used pair? Thanks in advance - gearing up for the big move to WY

Your best bet is to have a specific budget and then go look through some glass when you land in the 307. While we'd all like to have alpha glass, not all of us can afford that so a more reasonable option is needed.

I picked up a pair of 8x Meopta Optika's for glassing in the woods and I've been plenty happy with the clarity and light transmission. I've enjoyed those for the last year and a half.

 

[Borny1]

Sorry fellas, but the Sig Zulu 6's w/ the image stabilizing make more than the glass difference of Swaros. And they are lighter and they are way less expensive.