Binoculars

[Jase]

I've searched the forums and there have been a couple thread on Binos, what is good and what isn't.

I'm currently using bushnell elite 4200 scopes, and I want to go a little better quality wise for my binos. (Nothing wrong with the 4200, just have a little more $$ to spend now)

I've been pointed in the direction of the Steiner range. I'll be using them for stalking, glassing for pests and on organised culls. The LGS tell me that 8-10 magnification is where I should be looking at, but haven't mentioned anything about the objective sizes.

What do you guys think. My limit is about $800 bucks or just a tad less if I can get something decent. I can't afford swaros or the high end zeiss, so something mid ground will have to do. For the money, are Steiner as good as I'll get or are there other brands I can look at.

Jase

[Tezza]

Steiner make good bino's and you can't go wrong with them. If you do go Steiner, recommend you get the predator c5's. Other binos around that price that I don't have any personal experience with but have heard good things about are the Minox range, Meopta range, Leupold Mojaves, Vortex Vipers, Nikon Monarchs, Burris Signatures.

I love my Steiners, for general hunting I use mine more than my Leicas as they do a good job and I don't mind if the get a bit bashed around. Check out Optics Planet below for their prices on binos. They're an American mob, but you'll probably be able to get yourself a decent pair of binos for alot cheaper than you can here in Australia

http://www.opticsplanet.net/steiner-predator-c5-10x42-waterproof-binoculars-250.html

[topcat]

I was directed to birdwatching forums as they are fussy about binos.I ended up buying pentax 10x43 dcf sp from adorama.com in their end of year sale for $560 au delivered, and I am very happy so far.They were compared favourably to zeiss, swaro,etc

[BenEast]

leupold mojaves or vixen aTrecks. anything that has a reputable name and is rated well, and feels confortable should be good. most large optic makers are getting more even every day! just shop around and find a good buy

[Brendan Mc]

Geez that put's my $25 Simmons from Cabellas to shame, but I can see the bullet hits on the steel rams out at 500m with ease, my bino's are allways being borrowed for people to spot with, I would say thay are as clear as the bushnell 6500 elite I have on my rifle.

Edit to add link

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=720912&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=c656dd69ac1070557f548eed69e2ac2e&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat105591780%3Bcat105675480%3Bcat105676380&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

Edited May 9, 2011 by Brendan Mc