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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

New Bino Ideas (1 Viewer)

J

jgraider

Well-known member
I'm going to shell out not more than $1300 for a pair of binoculars that I want to give my nephew for graduation, as I don't want him to "have" to buy another pair. We're not concerned with weight, just wanting the best view I can find. I've got it narrowed down to the following, but am open to other suggestions:

1. Nikon EDG demo ($1299)
2. Swaro slc neu demo ($1199)
3. Kowa Genesis demo ($850)
4. Found a SLC HD for $1800---is it $500 better than the SLC neu?
5. What am I missing????

** Not really wanting to consider these:
Leupold GR HD -already have a pair
Bushnell Elite - already have
Meopta- Thin eyecups really bother me
Vortex Razor -never been overwhelmed by these
Zen ED2--have already
Minox--FOV much to narrow

Thanks in advance for the ideas.
 
how about old Swarovski EL. I am sure you can find it for $1300 new somewhere since it is now discontinued. 8.5x is one to go for. The 10x's eyerelief is too short.
 
You know that Nikon is giving away a D3000 DSLR lens kit with every EDG? Just be wary of any demos since they may have some early "first run" issues.
 
jgraider said:
I'm going to shell out not more than $1300 for a pair of binoculars that I want to give my nephew for graduation, as I don't want him to "have" to buy another pair. We're not concerned with weight, just wanting the best view I can find. I've got it narrowed down to the following, but am open to other suggestions:

1. Nikon EDG demo ($1299)
2. Swaro slc neu demo ($1199)
3. Kowa Genesis demo ($850)
4. Found a SLC HD for $1800---is it $500 better than the SLC neu?
5. What am I missing????

** Not really wanting to consider these:
Leupold GR HD -already have a pair
Bushnell Elite - already have
Meopta- Thin eyecups really bother me
Vortex Razor -never been overwhelmed by these
Zen ED2--have already
Minox--FOV much to narrow

Thanks in advance for the ideas.
Click to expand...

What size, 8x42 or 10x42, that may help? I assume those are your choices.

Jerry
 
Jerry, our first choice for our open country hunting is the 10x42 that we've always used. I was hoping you'd chime in, and I'm open to any suggestion you deem worthy. You've seen more great glass than I have.
 
jgraider said:
Jerry, our first choice for our open country hunting is the 10x42 that we've always used. I was hoping you'd chime in, and I'm open to any suggestion you deem worthy. You've seen more great glass than I have.
Click to expand...

I would recommend the Nikon EDG, as I have used it for some time. In a demo
try to get one of the newer ones with the improved focuser - diopter. The early
ones the knob would slide too easily. The EDG, is very nice in hand, smooth
focus, HD glass, bright and contrasty.

Also the Swaro. SLC Neu, would be a very good pick, great optics, Swaro. seems to be by far the best seller in most sporting goods stores, and there
are many reasons why.

Kowa, no experience, I have never seen one in a store.

Jerry
 
Of those bins I would prefer the EDGs I think. That said, for $1300 I'm sure you can find a very lightly used pair of Zeiss FLs on ebay w/transferrable lifetime warranty and IMHO they'd be better than anything on your list. There is a good candidate auction going on right now. I was just offered a pair of 7x42 FL lotutecs at that price, so I'm quite sure it's possible.
 
Fireform said:
Of those bins I would prefer the EDGs I think. That said, for $1300 I'm sure you can find a very lightly used pair of Zeiss FLs on ebay w/transferrable lifetime warranty and IMHO they'd be better than anything on your list. There is a good candidate auction going on right now. I was just offered a pair of 7x42 FL lotutecs at that price, so I'm quite sure it's possible.
Click to expand...

I'll check that out. Thanks.
 
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