First pair of binoculars recommendation?

[Stone_Ice_1]

Not sure if anybody mentioned Meopta. I got tired of reading through the posturing and BS so didn't finish all the comments.

I bought a pair of Meopta Optika HD and am very happy with them. They are a quality glass without the huge price tag. Meopta of course have different levels.

Does anybody really spot more game because of the fancy expensive binoculars? I'm sure it has happened but how often would you have not spotted an animal because of your binoculars? Usually its the experience/ability of the person using them that makes the difference.

 

[LCH]

I started with toy binos as a kid, went to $30 Bushnells, then $100 Bushnells, $200 Vortex, $400 Theron Questas, $800 Leupolds, and ultimately the NL Pures.

I don't regret any of it, I bought what I could afford, and was excited and happy each step of the way. Now my kids are set up, I have a truck pair / back-up set (Questas), and I've given the Bushnells away.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Not sure if anybody mentioned Meopta. I got tired of reading through the posturing and BS so didn't finish all the comments.

I bought a pair of Meopta Optika HD and am very happy with them. They are a quality glass without the huge price tag. Meopta of course have different levels.

Does anybody really spot more game because of the fancy expensive binoculars? I'm sure it has happened but how often would you have not spotted an animal because of your binoculars? Usually its the experience/ability of the person using them that makes the difference.

For that mid-range glass, the Optika is tough to beat.

 

[MaddH]

No posturing about, just trying to help a fella out with real world experience. Everybody has a different budget and different eyes for sure. Lots of good mid level glass out there too. Shop around and find the best deal you can and go to a shop where you can put hands on and see if they really are a good fit for you

 

[elkduds]

Whatever you consider buying, take them outdoors to evaluate their optics. I take off my eyeglasses to use binoculars and spotter so eyeglass lenses aren't the limiting factor. Once I looked through some alpha Leicas a buddy had, which was revealing (p.i.); then went back to using my Pentax gameseekers, which have suited my needs and budget for 10+ years. Never felt the pull of alpha glass. The rifles have Zeiss and Leupold, no desire to better those either.

 

[MaddH]

FYI I just sold my Leupold BX-5 Santium 15x56 because I bought Swarovski 12’s NL Pure. There is a difference for sure. The 12’s are way clearer

 

[TheTone]

If I wasn’t planning to glass off a tripod and didn’t have a use for euro glass the sig stabilized are pretty sweet. I’ve thought pretty seriously about selling a couple unused binos I have to buy some for my wife

 

[NDGuy]

People saying "Buy Swaros" for your first pair of binos is nuts unless you're a multi millionaire

$1200 binos makes me a multimillonaire? I’ll have to recheck my checking account

 

[rjthehunter]

$1200 binos makes me a multimillonaire? I’ll have to recheck my checking accountView attachment 384733

Its his first pair. Why would he spend 3k on binos if he's just getting in to it? If you're just getting in to mountain biking, are you going to go drop 10k on a bike?

 

[NDGuy]

What even is this thread anymore lol

don’t get it at all. Dude has a 1kish budget and people are telling him to get Costco binoculars because they don’t need any euro glass to shoot stuff and for reasons?

 

[NDGuy]

Its his first pair. Why would he spend 3k on binos if he's just getting in to it? If you're just getting in to mountain biking, are you going to go drop 10k on a bike?

Who’s recommending 3k binos? Most people I saw in regards to Euro glass were saying to save up a few hundred more and get used ELs or SLCs? Lots of other solid options like Meopta and the Sig stabilizing binos.

 

[kansasdad]

@schmalts is a long time HuntTalk member who runs an online store (predator optics) that has access to some of the binocular companies shared on this thread. @Wellzbells when you decide which way your choices lead you, private message him for possible good deals on your purchase of new glass.

 

[MTGamecock]

don’t get it at all. Dude has a 1kish budget and people are telling him to get Costco binoculars because they don’t need any euro glass to shoot stuff and for reasons?

Since I'm the guy that mentioned Costco, I feel compelled to point out that's not what I said. I never criticized Euro glass at all. I merely mentioned it as a cheap option until the OP gets to Wyoming, actually goes out with his hunting partners, and figures out what he wants. The dude isn't even hunting this year.

This thread did teach me something, though: Some Euro glass owners sure get triggered easily.

 

[kwyeewyk]

It's a vicious cycle.

You'll never believe this but I saw Stab Your Ass With Alpha Glass open for Vicious Cycle at a house party back in 99. Good back then but way over priced now.

 

[NDGuy]

Image stabilization is the near future for binoculars. I played with Sig Zulu 6’s a few weeks ago. The stabilizer was impressive. I’m going to wait for Swaro to catch up to Sig.

Only downside is they’ll be 5k lol

I hope someone can hit the sweet spot between them and the higher end. I like the image stabilization but the glass still leaves something to be desired.

 

[rjthehunter]

Who’s recommending 3k binos? Most people I saw in regards to Euro glass were saying to save up a few hundred more and get used ELs or SLCs? Lots of other solid options like Meopta and the Sig stabilizing binos.

The buy once cry once crowd. They're not suggesting something in his budget.

 

[NoWiser]

There’s a lot of good points made in this thread from all angles. While I’d certainly recommend SLCs to anyone, I don’t necessarily regret my own journey of upgrading to them over time because, during that time, I realized that I much prefer 8x over 10x. This made my decision of which SLCs to buy much easier.

 

[NDGuy]

The buy once cry once crowd. They're not suggesting something in his budget.

Ya definitely wouldn’t tell someone to grab NLs. Used SLC or ELs can be found near budget.

 

[MaddH]

I remember many many years ago when I had a house full of kids and not much money. Saved for awhile to make my first out of state hunting trip to Wyoming for antelope. Bought me a cheap Bushnell spotting scope so I could “evaluate “ trophy bucks. On day two of the hunt the lenses fell out due to riding on the truck seat. That was pretty much the end of me buying cheap glass. I’m not saying I jumped right up to alpha glass but I did try and buy quality. Just saying. Oh and it was hard as hell to judge them antelope through my awesome Simmons binos after the spotter broke

 

[cgasner1]

@Wellzbells what kind of hunting are you wanting to do? Truck camp or backpacking? Earlier in the year or late? How much other gear are you gonna need? Before dropping a grand on glass I’d also look at a few other things you may end up needing unless you have budget for that also. A light tri pod with a good head is a pretty awesome tool. I can use mine for glass/shooting/pictures before blowing your entire wad on just one piece of equipment I’d evaluate some of the other stuff also. I’d much rather pack a 600 dollar pair of binos with a tripod that 1000 dollar pair especially if I don’t have money for a spotter yet it would amaze you how well you can see off a set of 10s on a tripod