help me decide on binoculars

[bladerunner]

I'm looking at the Leupold Cascades,the Leupold Rogues,the Nikon Monarchs and the Zen-Ray 2010 HD's....also open to suggestions for anything about $400 or less. Opinions on roof prism vs porro prism are also appreciated.

Thanks

[streak]

What type of terrain or enviroment are you going to use these binoculars! Mountainous regions or deep heavy forest,rolling plains? Strickly for hunting or other uses?

[Bigeasy]

A few years back, I looked at a lot of glass, and decided on the Kahles 8x32 binoculars.  They are almost as bright as most 8x40's, and a lot smaller and easier to carry.  I hunt in the East.  Out West, you might want a 10x glass.  For use in heavy, dark woods, you might want maximum light transmission with a 40mm or bigger objective lens.   The quality of the glass and its coatings have a lot to do with what you see, how you see it, and what you pay.  Personally, I think the Kahles are a step above most, close to the Zeiss / Swarovski  standard without the high price.

Larry 

[bladerunner]

I'm sorry,I didn't give ya'll very much to go on...I hunt in Ga,mostly in thick woods,but some clearcuts.I will primaraly use these as deer hunting binocs,but maybe some bird watching,too. I also prefer 10x's to 8x's

Bigeasy,I will check those out in a 10x,thanks

keep em comming,fellas

[Empty Quiver]

Don't forget to compare eye relief. If you wear glasses now, you know what I mean. A good set of binocs are going to last until you need glasses. Test while wearing sunglasses to get the feel if you have good vision now. I will advise to trade higher power for better resolution if in doubt. A really big picture of fuzz is not really an improvement.

I can see bullet holes nearly as well with my good (Stiener) 8x binos as my cheap spotting scope at 40x. Trying to find the subject in 10x is much more trouble than 7x or 8x as well. $400 ought to get you some real nice glass. Google some bird watching sites for lots of excellent reviews on binoculars. My mind fails me right now but look around and you'll find the reviews, if I found them it ain't too hard believe me.

[anweis]

I'm sorry,I didn't give ya'll very much to go on...I hunt in Ga,mostly in thick woods,but some clearcuts.I will primaraly use these as deer hunting binocs,but maybe some bird watching,too. I also prefer 10x's to 8x's

Bigeasy,I will check those out in a 10x,thanks

keep em comming,fellas

I use binoculars for similar purposes in similar places. I use quality 8x32 and 7x42 binoculars. I am very happy with how that turned out. I highly reccommend a good quality 8x42, like the Zen Ray or similar.

[streak]

I'm sorry,I didn't give ya'll very much to go on...I hunt in Ga,mostly in thick woods,but some clearcuts.I will primaraly use these as deer hunting binocs,but maybe some bird watching,too. I also prefer 10x's to 8x's

Bigeasy,I will check those out in a 10x,thanks

keep em comming,fellas

+For thick woods I try to use 6x30 or 7x42 power binocs to have that low light period covered with the light gathering capabilities of this type of magnification. I have them in Zeiss, Bausch& Lomb, and Nikon, and Leupold. The higher power binocs in thick woods really seem to limit my field of view.

[Qualitymilk]

I recently compared Binocs at Cabela's, and I found the Nikon Monarch and Leupold Acadia to be very good glass for the money.  They both have adjustable screw in and out eyepieces for relief (glasses or not) and I thought both were very good.  I could not find any advantage in the Leupold, and you would pay $60 more for them over the Nikon's.  I think they were $269 and $329 respectively.  I was comparing the 10X42 in both brands.  I think I am going to get the 12X42 for a trip out to the Bighorn's this fall for Mulie's.......probably get the Nikon.

[charles p]

Empty Quiver gave you some excellent points.  My favorite Minox binocs will not work with glasses, although their eyepieces are adjustable to allow for glasses.  I push my glasses up on my forehead to use my Minox binocs.  If you wear glasses, take them into consideration.  If you can wear contacts or need no glasses at all, you are blessed.  I have never been able to use my binocs with glasses.  I have learned a bad habit, I think.

I am so accustomed to pushing my glasses up onto my forehead, it is second nature now.  I probably do it from deer stands as well, before using a rifle scope, though it is not necessary.

[ZRS-8x42]

Bladerunner, feel free to contact me or Doug at CLNY if you have any question for the 2010 ZRS HD.  Since you have $400 budget, you can also look at the ZEN ED2 or ZEN ED demo at CLNY as well.  For  VISTA, ZRS HD and ZEN ED2, we put together well balanced packages so they can compete very aggresively in each of their category on both performance and price.

[bladerunner]

Charles,
          I'd like to try out the HDs in a couple of weeks,what kind of a return policy do you have?

[bladerunner]

If i'd have just read your website,I'd know,lol

"Return Policy

At Zen-Ray Optics, we stand behind the excellence of our service and the high quality of the products we carry. If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase, you may return it to us for a full refund* (less shipping charges) within 30 days** of receiving the product(s). "

I may have to try a pair of them soon,thanks

[ZRS-8x42]

there you have it. 

Have a great weekend.

[Dave in WV]

Two things to consider are the larger the exit pupil the less eye strain you'll have and 10x is about the most magnification most folks canuse without a rest. Unless 10x is truely needed I'd get an 8x. For glassing longer periods I'd get the 40mm objective size but for general viewing the 32mm would work well. I use a 7x42 binocular.

[Reverend Recoil]

I have a set of Nikon Action Extream 7X50.  The street price is $128.95.  They are larger than standard 8X40 but have a large field of view and are great for low light conditions with a 7mm exit pupil.  They are also availible in 10X50.  Roof prism binoculars are more compact than porro prism binoculars.  The advantage of the porro prisms binoculars is the greater distance and depth perception between near and far objects viewed.  Take a look through both types.  The best information on binoculars can be obtained from bird watching groups.  Bird watchers are optic finatics.  They are more than willing to spend five times as much money on optics than will most hunters.  If had a little more to spend at the time I would have bought set of Steiner Police 7X50 at $399.99.  In any case, I am happy with the Nikon.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got a pair of nikon monarchs a pair of stieners and a pair of leupolds and rate them optically in that order but out of the three i probably  use the steiners more then any. I love leupold scopes but the binoculars never impressed me.

[tobster]

I was looking for a pair around $300.00 and compared the Nikon ATB's and the Leupold Cascades. Optically I couldn't really tell any difference but the Leupolds felt better. The clincher was I found the Leupolds cheaper than I could buy the Nikons. So far I have been happy with them and Leupold's customer service is second to none.

[bladerunner]

Thanks for all the replies,everybody

I think I've decided to go no more than $250 (otherwise I would go with the Leupold Mojaves,for sure)

the choices are:

Nikon Monarch ATB  $200

Leupold Cascades    $250

Minox BV                $170

Zen-Ray HD 2010     $200

which would you pick??

[Qualitymilk]

Probably the Zen-Ray especially if they are still throwing in the monocular with the Binos (this may be only on the 2009 model).  But, you sure can't go wrong with the Monarch - Nikon has always been a great value for the $$.  Good luck!!