Viper vs. Stokes DLS in 8x

[DHB]

Buddy has 8x42 in both of these and is willing to sell the Vipers for $360 and the Stokes for $500.

Which would you buy or neither??

Dave

[J. Moore]

Eagle Optics has the Stokes DLS 10x on sale for $450, so I would not buy the Stokes at the price you mention. (http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4093).

I have not heard that much about the Stokes, but wonder how they compare to the vipers. I would see if you can look through both of them and compare for yourself if possible. I would especially check focusing speed if you are going to use them for birding.

Best,
Jim

[DHB]

Problem is the 8x are not and have not been on sale. I got 10X Leica and don't need another.

I saw some folks were not all that impressed with the Stokes, hence my question. Thanks!!

[Steve C]

Both are good binoculars for the offered price. I have had both 8x and 10x Vipers and they are very good binoculars. I have always felt the Stokes DLS was a little brighter and sharper than the Viper, and the FOV is wider. Aside from that, the Stokes has a much faster focus wheel rate than the Viper, the former functioning through one turn and the latter through 1.5 turns. The DLS feels a little smaller in my hand than the Viper. The DLS and Razor are pretty much the same in image .

Having said that, for $500 the optics of the Promaster Infinity Elite ELX ED are better than the Stokes by about the same margin the Stokes is better than the Viper. They are larger and have a slower focus than either Vortex product.

If the $500 price is in your budget, and you want to get it from your friend, then I'd get the Stokes, since I think it is a somewhat better binocular than the Viper at the normal Viper price. If you want to save some money, the get the Viper, it is a good glass. Vortex also has warranty and service second to nobody. Warranty goes with the binocular, not the original owner.

[DHB]

I have seen your's and Frank's comments on the Promaster and Hawke but the physical size is somewhat of a turnoff. I have the 8.5EL's already and REALLY like them but not sure I want another in that size and design. I wish EO had the 8x Stokes on sale but it's only the 10x.

Dave

[Tero]

First sthought. Go for the Stokes, you will see the Vipers around for a while.

second thought. If you cannot tell the difference, seeing both, then go for the Viper. ;)

[DHB]

I'll throw out some more confusion--
How do you think these two will compare to these:
8x32 Pentax DCF WP
8x42 Pentax DCF WP
8x32 Pentax DCF SP

I am a closet binoholic.......

[Tero]

8x42 Pentax DCF WP
almost the same

[Kevin Purcell]

I am a closet binoholic.......

Well I keep my bins in a closet but other than that I'm pretty open about it ;)

I tried a DLS 8x and wasn't overly impressed by it (there is another thread with the 10x DLS ... Binocular bargains perhaps where I added some more comments).

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=124267&page=3

see post #60

It's not a bad bin but given the other bins at $500 today (and lower in future? see the "Looks familiar" thread for the Orion ED bin) it doesn't seem so good.

See also

http://www.birdforum.net/archive/index.php/t-29847.html

This is about the time the bins appeared (in 2005) so they're "older" design in this modern fast-fast-quick-quick world!

I'd try each and see what you think. You own eyes won't lie. If you don't see a difference go for a Viper. If you do ... hmmm, that's a difficult one!

[Steve C]

DHB,

I personally prefer the Viper to the SP. Only because I can see CA and flare a little easier in the SP. Other than that, (which in all honesty isn't bad) there isn't a lot of diference in the Viper and SP. Haven't compared a WP.

[DHB]

I think I'll pass on both as I do have enough to keep me busy for awhile. I will try to get a Promaster Elite ED when one pops up reasonably priced.......

Thanks GUYS!!

Dave

[chartwell99]

Eagle Optics has the Stokes DLS 10x on sale for $450, so I would not buy the Stokes at the price you mention. (http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4093).

I have not heard that much about the Stokes, but wonder how they compare to the vipers.

Thanks to the Eagle Optics sale, I now own both the 10x versions of the Viper and Stokes. Both are excellent binoculars, but I find the Stokes to be the handier birding glass (faster rate of focus, smaller in the hand, marginally brighter), and will entertain any reasonable offer for my Viper.

[BirderSean]

Fascinating, I've been a lurker here for awhile but just signed
up so that I could ask the same question!!!

I recently compared a variety of sub-$1000 10x bins at a local
store and the Viper seemed to have the most crisp, bright optics,
and felt nice in the hand. (Surprisingly, the ZEISS conquest 10x40
let me down)

So, I've been curious to see how they fare against the Stokes DL
(for about the same price) but have no idea where to find them
in Southern California.

I'm pretty much sold on the Viper, but am holding out to check out
one last bin- Minox HG 10x43- before I make a final choice on the 10x.

anyway, thanks everyone for the feedback. This is a great site!

[Tero]

(Surprisingly, the ZEISS conquest 10x40
let me down)
Me too. It was not awful, but I struggled to get some use of it for a year. Traded it.

[orbitaljump]

When the heck did Vortex and Stokes show up on the binocular scene?