WVmike
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I agree with this, make sure you have other things like comfortable boots, pack etc before going to other things. This thread escalated quickly lol
First pair of binoculars recommendation?
- Thread starter Wellzbells
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cgasner1
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shrapnel
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Some people are looking back, some are looking forward.
I’m looking back at what I started with all those years ago and at a time when I had kids at home and a one income household.
$1000.00 was the budget mentioned and when I was first buying binoculars, I wasn’t anywhere near that budget including adjusting for inflation.
Knowing what I know now, I would still recommend looking in the used market for that pair of Swarovski SLC binoculars that show up from time to time.
Of course Daniel Boone and Natty Bumpo killed lots of game without binoculars, but that isn’t what we are addressing here. A good pair of binoculars with a $1000.00 budget is better suited with a good pair of used glass over new lesser quality models.
I value binoculars above most anything else you hunt with other than boots…
I’m looking back at what I started with all those years ago and at a time when I had kids at home and a one income household.
$1000.00 was the budget mentioned and when I was first buying binoculars, I wasn’t anywhere near that budget including adjusting for inflation.
Knowing what I know now, I would still recommend looking in the used market for that pair of Swarovski SLC binoculars that show up from time to time.
Of course Daniel Boone and Natty Bumpo killed lots of game without binoculars, but that isn’t what we are addressing here. A good pair of binoculars with a $1000.00 budget is better suited with a good pair of used glass over new lesser quality models.
I value binoculars above most anything else you hunt with other than boots…
Khunter
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Well what did you get? Shopping for used swaros is a great approach as mentioned.
TheGrayRider
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Swaro - buy once, cry once.
redhaze
Member
That's amazing, I have the same model and am thinking I need some new glass..... lol. They still work as far as I can see....
Im currently using a used swaro spotter and demo pair of binos. Saved a bunch of $ by taking my time and waiting for the right price.
Leica is tough to beat for binos. You can save having to buy a rangefinder by buying a combo rangefinder/binos.
Leica is tough to beat for binos. You can save having to buy a rangefinder by buying a combo rangefinder/binos.
noharleyyet
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geetar
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A couple years ago I bought a pair of used SLCs for $900. No regrets except that if I run over them with the truck I can't return them for a free pair or whatever it is that makes me people love Vortex.
I typically go budget to start, identify my needs once I do the damn thing for a while, then buy to those needs. Lots of idiots with a mountain of credit card debt or daddy’s money love to tell you to buy top tier so they feel better about their poor choices. I have a pair of Vortex diamondback HD 8x42 that I picked up because I my celestron nature DX 10x42 had a fixable l, but untimely mechanical issue and I also wanted to step down magnification for better field of view and better low light performance. Achieved both with those and I’m happy for now. I got them on guidefitter for $150.
I’m hunting in OK in multiple parts of the state and out west it’s fairly big country. I never felt limited and like I’d be picking deer out of beds at 1200 yards if only I had $1000 more in glass. Maybe I would’ve, but probably not. If you’re out hunting and it’s actually big country where you’re sitting down and glassing up deer at a mile, THEN go big on optics. If you’re in the timber often as not or it turns out most of your buddies are hunting pastures or relatively small drainages where you’re not seeing anything past 800, then why spend on glass you don’t need when that money can go elsewhere? Don’t build to a fantasy beforehand, build to a need demonstrated and experienced.
cne-elk
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The most you can afford,
buy once, cry once!..They will last a lifetime
buy once, cry once!..They will last a lifetime
Very hard to rec binos for anyone else's eyes and face. I've had some optically excellent binos that were well loved by most which I did not care for at all other than glass.
I would look for what there is in your price range you can get your hands on, then ask the internet if any of those really suck for non-obvious reasons. Choose from among what's left that you can put up to your own eyeballs.
I would look for what there is in your price range you can get your hands on, then ask the internet if any of those really suck for non-obvious reasons. Choose from among what's left that you can put up to your own eyeballs.
Wes Mantooth
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NDGuy
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Picked up the Sig Zulu 16xs this year. It's an impressive setup
Khunter
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@Wellzbells Well? What did you end up purchasing after 7 pages of guys responding to your request for advice?
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SAJ-99
Well-known member
I got to look through a pair (18x I think) on a recent hunt. I really liked them. Very impressive in windy conditions and those times when you can seem to find a stable platform.
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