Need help selecting new binoculars. Swarovski? Leica? Zeiss? (1 Viewer)

[bfo]

New member. I've been reading the binocular section quite a lot, but would still really like some "expert" advice before purchasing binoculars.

The binoculars will be used for hunting.

Important features must be: Ability to see game - A greyish reindeer aginst a greyish background in less than ideal (overcast, foggy, dusk/dawn etc) light conditions or a black bird (sorry, I know you guys just look at them) sitting in deep shadows whithin the branches of a tree. Hope you get the picture.

Matters less: Outer edge sharpness, focus wheel issues (yes, I have read very long threads about both the SLC and HT which more or less diminished into personal taste about focus wheels....)

What does NOT matter: Close focus

I've narrowed the selection down to a few candidates, listed below with approx. price for a new pair.

1. Zeiss conquest HD 8x42 ($725). Basic question: Are these up to the same standard as the "competition"?
2. Zeiss Victory HT 8x42 ($1850). Guess these are the best of the lot?
3. Swarovski SLC WB 8x42 ($1620). Are these up to Victory HT standard? Or are they closer to Conquest HD?
4. Leica Trinovid 8x42 ($1230). Optical quality closer to SLC/HT or Conquest HD?

Would really appreciate any advice or just general comments on this.

 

[Binastro]

. Hi there bfo,
I thought that reindeer actually belonged to somebody in the Nordic countries and were not considered to be unowned wild animals?

Would you perhaps need a larger exit pupil than 5.25mm in dull conditions? That is if your eyes open up to 6 mm, 7 mm or 8 mm.

P.S.
What do you call a very large black bird sitting in a tree with a machine gun?

Sir!

 

[bfo]

Reindeer come in both wild and tame versions. For hunting purposes you better choose the wild

I think the exit pupil of 8x42 is more or less adequate. Especially considering these types of hunting is quite physically demanding (walking long distances in harsh mountain terrain), I don't want anything bigger even if low light performance is better. The need for bigger magnification (10x) on long distance would probably be more of a question.... But I think I have decided on 8x as all viewing will be handheld (and probably whith heart pounding from physical effort).

No idea about the riddle

 

[ads]

The prices you list seem very competitive. Are they from binostore.com?

They are all "good" binoculars. It really comes down to what your personal preferences are, and you won't know until you have lots of viewing time. Your personal preferences may change over time too.

 

[HighNorth]

. Hi there bfo,
I thought that reindeer actually belonged to somebody in the Nordic countries and were not considered to be unowned wild animals?

Yes, there are both tame and wild ones. Our Prime Minister shot a tame one during a hunt a few years back which, needless to say, created a big scandal! :smoke:

 

[HighNorth]

But I think I have decided on 8x as all viewing will be handheld (and probably whith heart pounding from physical effort).

Have you considered the Leica Ultravid HD Plus in 7x42? The 7x is even easier to hold still than 8x, and has a greater depth of field. Leicas are also known for good contrast and colour saturation, and the HD Plus has Schott HT glass with up to 95% light transmission, which should make them very bright.

Leicas are expensive in Norway though, so I would recommend buying them from abroad.

HN

 

[HighNorth]

Also, Leicas are rugged, light and compact.

 

[Binastro]

. Hi HighNorth,
I think it was 1962, when five of us young men were due to go to Norway in two cars. A Morris Minor and my Austin mini. Unfortunately, my friend turned over the Morris Minor and that was not available although he was uninjured. And one of us dropped out. I had managed to rip one of the front wheels off by cornering too fast. I still have the bit on my a key chain, which was left on the wheel nut. I did manage to stop before the front wheel completely detached and I got a replacement wheel, which was made of thicker steel, as other people were also ripping wheels off their Minis. Austin had made the wheels of normal thickness unaware that people would corner so fast.
That left four of us and we went to Norway in my Mini, although I had to promise my friend's father that I would always be in the car when somebody else was driving.

We had an eventful trip among beautiful scenery, either in July or August, maybe August. When we got up to maybe 5000 feet or more we met a road that said we should not drive any further. Being stupid we did, and we came across a snow blocked pass. We had to push the car round on the narrow road with an enormous drop on one side.

We also visited, possibly Josstedal glacier, although I don't know the spelling. Like an idiot I stood on the beginning of it and could have fallen through a hole to be discovered in 10,000 years frozen.

Then, at the top of a famous waterfall, I almost fell over the top taking photos. It was I think a 600 feet plus drop. I managed to hold on to some vegetation. It's amazing I have made it to old age.

Anyway, the point of this story is that we bought some reindeer horns. We fixed this to the top of the two tone mini. Green body with a white roof. The Austin mini is low car, and we had four people in it, with the open boot lid packed with luggage and the reindeer horns on the top. We did get home with this setup, but I always wondered when the reindeer hunting season is in Norway, as we appeared to be a reindeer to any hunter. Some lucky Norwegian hunter could have had a Mini as a trophy and maybe one of us also.

When we got home, the reindeer horns on the luggage rack, which also had suitcases on it, left four permanent dents in the roof.

I still have a photograph of this setup.

 

[bfo]

Have you considered the Leica Ultravid HD Plus in 7x42? The 7x is even easier to hold still than 8x, and has a greater depth of field. Leicas are also known for good contrast and colour saturation, and the HD Plus has Schott HT glass with up to 95% light transmission, which should make them very bright.

Leicas are expensive in Norway though, so I would recommend buying them from abroad.

HN

Ultravid HD PLUS not really considered. Are they much improved from the HD's? Price difference HD vs HD Plus generally seems quite small ($2400 vs $2500). But I've found one HD (no plus) some $600 cheaper. That ought to be a candidate for best buy?

The prices given here and above are from local shops. Generally I find the prices for high end binoculars in Norway very competitive compared to the US.

 

[HighNorth]

The prices given here and above are from local shops. Generally I find the prices for high end binoculars in Norway very competitive compared to the US.

About a month ago, I was toying with buying a Leica UV HD 7x42, and some Germans on this forum found out that it was almost 1/3 cheaper in Germany than in Norway (even when taking into account the 25% VAT you must pay when importing it).

I don't know how the UV HD Plus compares to the non-Plus version, as I don't own either binocular, but some Leica owners on this forum might be able to help you. I think several people snapped up discounted UV HDs lately.

HN

 

[HighNorth]

We also visited, possibly Josstedal glacier, although I don't know the spelling. Like an idiot I stood on the beginning of it and could have fallen through a hole to be discovered in 10,000 years frozen.

That's quite an adventure Binastro! Unforturnately, the glaciers are rapidly receding due to global warming, so I fear you might have been discovered a lot earlier than 10 000 years from now... :smoke:

 

[PhilR.]

1. Zeiss conquest HD 8x42 ($725). Basic question: Are these up to the same standard as the "competition"?
2. Zeiss Victory HT 8x42 ($1850). Guess these are the best of the lot?
3. Swarovski SLC WB 8x42 ($1620). Are these up to Victory HT standard? Or are they closer to Conquest HD?
4. Leica Trinovid 8x42 ($1230). Optical quality closer to SLC/HT or Conquest HD?

1. No. They are good, but not that good. Of course, once you factor in the price, the Conquest HD is thought by many to present more performance for the dollar/pound/mark/clam spent. I feel that way about the 8x32 version.

2. When you get to the high end of the scale, there is no "best of the lot". They are all very good, and only one's own personal evaluation of them will determine which is better for that particular person.

3. IMO the SLC is closer to the Victory than to the Conquest HD.

4. IMO the Trinovid is closer to the Conquest HD than the the Swaro. I do think the Leica's build quality is slightly better than the Zeiss, but overall one will not provide a great increase in viewing performance over the other. In the US, the Zeiss is much cheaper, so IMO represents the better buy. Still though, I would prefer the Trinovid over the Conquest HD, but for purely subjective reasons. I would prefer the SLC over the Conquest HD or the Trinovid.

 

[HighNorth]

If money is no object, I would go for either the HT or SLC, as they are in a league above the Conquest HD and the Trinovid. I own the HT's "cousin", the SF, and it's an awesome bin! I am also really partial to the SLC, which I consider to be just outstanding. I came really close to choosing the SLC over the SF actually.

HN

 

[bfo]

Thnx for replies. Keep them coming

Selection more or less narrowed down to Victory HT or SLC. Added ultravid HD to the mix....

If I understand the above posts correctly: The Trinovid and Conquest HD are not considred up to the same standard (more bang for buck maybe). Altough money/cost is important, I will rather spend more now than spendig somewhat less now and start over next year......

As I understand you, there is no objective best/worst among the these (Ultravid, HT, SLC). Personal preferences is more important.

 

[HighNorth]

If I understand the above posts correctly: The Trinovid and Conquest HD are not considred up to the same standard (more bang for buck maybe). Altough money/cost is important, I will rather spend more now than spendig somewhat less now and start over next year......

The Trinovid and Conquest are "mid-tier" binoculars, while the HT and SLC (and UV HD) are the "upper tier" binoculars from their respective manufacturers (although not quite "top-of-the-line", that would be SF/EL/UV HD Plus).

I think the best bang for the krone in Norway right now is the SLC. I know of a shop that used to sell them for 11700 ,- I can give you their e-mail if you want. :smoke:

Ideally though, you should try out all of these binoculars in person (and outside) to see which one you prefer.

 

[NDhunter]

The Trinovid and Conquest are "mid-tier" binoculars, while the HT and SLC (and UV HD) are the "upper tier" binoculars from their respective manufacturers (although not quite "top-of-the-line", that would be SF/EL/UV HD Plus).

I think the best bang for the krone in Norway right now is the SLC. I know of a shop that used to sell them for 11700 ,- I can give you their e-mail if you want. :smoke:

Ideally though, you should try out all of these binoculars in person (and outside) to see which one you prefer.

This is good advice, there is no easy answer, to choose among the
list you provided. You do need to try them for yourself for your
decision.
Among the list I do own the Zeiss Conquest, and they are a very nice
binocular and would serve you well. I have handled and tried the rest
in your list, and for the money the Conquest rises to the top.

Jerry

 

[cnick6]

Thnx for replies. Keep them coming!

It sounds like you have the money to spend but you might want to consider the Vortex Razor HD 12x50. I have the 12x50 and 8x42 models and love them.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-razor-hd-12x50-binocular

 

[David in NC]

HT as it was created from the ground up for hunters, then SLC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxSrtbWz1kY

 

[bfo]

It sounds like you have the money to spend but you might want to consider the Vortex Razor HD 12x50. I have the 12x50 and 8x42 models and love them.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-razor-hd-12x50-binocular

Appreciate the advice, but Vortex is hard to come by in Norway. Price is also not very competitive. As far as I can see they cost more or less the same as Conquest HDs in the US. In Norway they are twice the price of the Conquest HD's.

 

[bfo]

. Hi HighNorth,
I think it was 1962, when five of us young men were due to go to Norway in two cars. A Morris Minor and my Austin mini. Unfortunately, my friend turned over the Morris Minor and that was not available although he was uninjured. And one of us dropped out. I had managed to rip one of the front wheels off by cornering too fast. I still have the bit on my a key chain, which was left on the wheel nut. I did manage to stop before the front wheel completely detached and I got a replacement wheel, which was made of thicker steel, as other people were also ripping wheels off their Minis. Austin had made the wheels of normal thickness unaware that people would corner so fast.
That left four of us and we went to Norway in my Mini, although I had to promise my friend's father that I would always be in the car when somebody else was driving.

We had an eventful trip among beautiful scenery, either in July or August, maybe August. When we got up to maybe 5000 feet or more we met a road that said we should not drive any further. Being stupid we did, and we came across a snow blocked pass. We had to push the car round on the narrow road with an enormous drop on one side.

We also visited, possibly Josstedal glacier, although I don't know the spelling. Like an idiot I stood on the beginning of it and could have fallen through a hole to be discovered in 10,000 years frozen.

Then, at the top of a famous waterfall, I almost fell over the top taking photos. It was I think a 600 feet plus drop. I managed to hold on to some vegetation. It's amazing I have made it to old age.

Anyway, the point of this story is that we bought some reindeer horns. We fixed this to the top of the two tone mini. Green body with a white roof. The Austin mini is low car, and we had four people in it, with the open boot lid packed with luggage and the reindeer horns on the top. We did get home with this setup, but I always wondered when the reindeer hunting season is in Norway, as we appeared to be a reindeer to any hunter. Some lucky Norwegian hunter could have had a Mini as a trophy and maybe one of us also.

When we got home, the reindeer horns on the luggage rack, which also had suitcases on it, left four permanent dents in the roof.

I still have a photograph of this setup.

Amusing story. Thanks for shearing.

You shold probably not go to Trolltunga if you want to make it to even older age
http://www.hardangerfjord.com/en/Odda/What-to-see/The-Trolls-Tongue-and-Pulpit-rock/

Hunting season for reindeer is Aug. 20th - september 30th. I wouldn't be too concerned thogh as you have to make sure of both gender and age of the animal before you take a shot (hence the need for good binoculars). A Mini with horns shold probably differ enogh from an actual reindeer |:d|