Author Topic: Leoupold, Nikon, or Pentax binoculars? (Read 740 times)

rockymtn eagle · « **on:** June 18, 2005, 07:19:29 PM »

OK, a friend of mine convinced me to go above my $100 limit on binoculars. It'll be awhile but I'll scrape & save to get a good product the first time.

I've tried & like these 3 binos.
Leupold Windriver
Nikon Monarch or
Pentax DCF HRII

Any advice with any of these binos are appreciated. They all seem really good to me (but what do I know, I'm a rookie) Are there others that I should consider that are in the 200-300 range? Last but not least, what is the warranty info for these products?

Thanks for all your help.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2005, 07:33:38 PM »

Two that I'd recommend to anyone is Bushnell Legend 8x42 and Bushnell Discoverer 7x42. I have the Discoverer 7x42 under the B&L banner and love them. I bought my son the Legend 8x42 for Christmas. After three deer seasons with my binos I can say the rain guard really does work.

Butler · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2005, 11:17:54 AM »

I checked quite a few out myself and went with the bushnell legend 8x42 and am very happy with them..Great eye relief when wearing glasses or sunglasses as well and very clear..the 8x32 was nice as well..Suited my eyes much better than the steiners did..Worth a hard look..I posted on many sites to find out what people liked and am glad I did as they pointed me wisely towards the japanese made legends...Good luck with what you get,these are night and day better than my old cheaper bushnells and perhaps one of the best purchases I have made for hunting..

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2005, 12:32:02 PM »

Go with a Bushnell Legend, they are really a far better binocular than the price indicates. The old Leupold 10x40 pre wind river was one fine binocular too but the newer wind river's I've seen are not it's equal.

PEPAW · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2005, 06:44:48 AM »

Are you talking about roof or poro?

I have a set of Wind River 10 x 50's. I think for the money they are good binocs. I have compared them to several others and for everyday, rough use, they are great.

Get a good crooked horn strap and the weight is not a problem.

pepaw

centershot · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2005, 08:56:49 AM »

I went through the same quest a year ago, I tried and liked all of the above and finally bought the Nikon Monarchs - I only had them for a couple of months and sold them to get Pentax DCF SP's. The Pentax binos are very nice, but now I'm lusting for some Nikon LX's. Seems like no matter what you have you'll always want something a bit better. To be honest the DCF SP's are very fine binos and I am alway satisfied with the view they provide........but they just dont have the pop of the really good stuff. I think this is what you'll find with the binos in the price range your looking at, good bino's just don't compare them the the really good ones or you'll be wanting more.

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2005, 04:15:39 AM »

You could certainly throw the Pentax DCF HR II out of the mix. The Wind River Olympics or Nikon Monarch ATBs are better glass. I agree the Bushnell Legend 8x42mm roof prisms are surprisingly good for the money. You might also want to look at some of the new low end roof prisms, all $200 or less: Minolta Activa D WP XL, Minolta Activa D WP Sport, Olympus Magellan EWXP I, Eagle Optics Denali PC, Celestron Noble (new phase-corrected model), Bushnell Excursion, Audubon Equinox, Vortex Stokes Talon, etc. I think you will be surprised by some of them as well.

pastorp · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2005, 12:41:47 PM »

Take a look at the Swift optics binoculars. Very good optics at reasionable prices. I just purchased a pair of compacts from Ebon Brown ( 9x21 ) for $39.00 and was really suprised by the quality. This is a sell out price, regular price is higher.

Least you think I don't know good glass I also own Zeiss and Nikon binoculars. And have owned most of the other brands in the past.

Regards, Byron

rockymtn eagle · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2005, 11:03:27 AM »

Finally made a decision on the Pentax DCF WP 10x42. These are the disconinuted model and got a deal on them for $325. Seriously looked at a lot of models and I couldn't beat these for the great price & quality.

kyhunter308 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2005, 01:16:12 PM »

bushnell perma focus is one of the finest iv ever looked through..