Binocular Recommendation $2k budget (1 Viewer)

[goodnature]

Thank you guys so much for the input! $2k for me is steep for a pair of binoculars so I want to make sure that I purchase a pair I'll be happy with for some time.

Here's a little more detail of my plans. My back porch and kitchen windows stare out to 12 acres of woods. It's roughly 75 to 100 feet to the woods from both locations. We have very much enjoyed all the birds and general wildlife we've seen over the years. (We've recently seen a great horned owl and a pair of peregrine falcons. I think the owl is nesting somewhere in the woods which is neat.) I plan to setup numerous bird feeders near the edge of the woods come winter. Plus, I have full access to the woods for trail walking and hunting.

I want to step the experience up with a pair of really nice binoculars which I would also like to take with me on the occasion hunt. I don't need the binoculars to be super long range. Even while hunting, I don't plan to be hitting anything out more than 200-300 yards.

Please let me know if what I said changes your recommendation.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I would get this like new Swarovski NL 8x32 for about $2100 at B&H and no tax with a Payboo Card. Pretty hard to beat the price and the binocular for your uses.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/1634818/?smpm=bu_uar&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZcXjMW5ozkUz_hwf6Bf62UK9tPNuGKJqgAKBC6y-ErfETPsQgxS9UUaAvw2EALw_wcB

 

[elkcub]

Thank you guys so much for the input! $2k for me is steep for a pair of binoculars so I want to make sure that I purchase a pair I'll be happy with for some time.

Here's a little more detail of my plans. My back porch and kitchen windows stare out to 12 acres of woods. It's roughly 75 to 100 feet to the woods from both locations. We have very much enjoyed all the birds and general wildlife we've seen over the years. (We've recently seen a great horned owl and a pair of peregrine falcons. I think the owl is nesting somewhere in the woods which is neat.) I plan to setup numerous bird feeders near the edge of the woods come winter. Plus, I have full access to the woods for trail walking and hunting.

I want to step the experience up with a pair of really nice binoculars which I would also like to take with me on the occasion hunt. I don't need the binoculars to be super long range. Even while hunting, I don't plan to be hitting anything out more than 200-300 yards.

Please let me know if what I said changes your recommendation.

I think this is what you are looking for: Swarovski SLC 10x42 HD Binoculars Field Bag Pro Case - Excellent Condition | eBay
Fantastic binoculars for your needs and under $2K.

 

[goodnature]

Adding to what I'd like to do with them, I'd like to be able to take them on long walks.

Here's a short list of what I was considering after listening to all of you and doing a little re-evaluation of my needs.

Leica Ultravid 8x42 or 10x42 HD-Plus (a little lighter in weight, better carrying case, good in low light)
Swarovski 8x32 NL (optics are incredible, slightly better than the EL's, better carrying case too)
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL (more magnification, bigger FOV, better in low light condition than the NL's)
Swarovski 8x56 SLC (bigger FOV than all of the above, great in low light but heavy)

Denco,
I was too late for your recommendation. The link is no longer active.

elkclub,
I'm a little hesitate of ordering something that expensive off of eBay.

 

[4 The Birds1]

Adding to what I'd like to do with them, I'd like to be able to take them on long walks.

Here's a short list of what I was considering after listening to all of you and doing a little re-evaluation of my needs.

Leica Ultravid 8x42 or 10x42 HD-Plus (a little lighter in weight, better carrying case, good in low light)
Swarovski 8x32 NL (optics are incredible, slightly better than the EL's, better carrying case too)
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL (more magnification, bigger FOV, better in low light condition than the NL's)
Swarovski 8x56 SLC (bigger FOV than all of the above, great in low light but heavy)

Denco,
I was too late for your recommendation. The link is no longer active.

elkclub,
I'm a little hesitate of ordering something that expensive off of eBay.

The 8x56 SLC does not excel as regards field of view. It has the largest exit pupil and is best in low light.

 

[Maljunulo]

The 8x56 SLC does not excel as regards field of view. It has the largest exit pupil and is best in low light.

It also weighs 1225 gm, per manufacturer.

 

[Montereyman]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and was wondering if I could pick everyone’s brains on binocular recommendations.

I kind of have my heart set on 10x42’s but I am open to suggestions. I spend a lot of time hiking so anything larger than 10x42 becomes quite cumbersome to lug around.

I am willing to spend up to $2,000 but I prefer to buy used. Any suggestions for the best place to find a good deal on used Binoculars?

Cheers.

I would start by trying as many binoculars as you can. Birding club outings are a good place to start or go to popular birding locations and see if you can try the binoculars of others.

I prefer 10x or 12x but my wife wants a 8x binocular. One needs to try a higher magnification binocular to know if it works for them. I have a 10x43 that I like but use a Swarovski 10x25 compact binocular far more often. The 10x25 folds up to fit in a jacket pocket and its 12 ounces can be hung off my neck for hours in comfort. The best buys in my opinion are the various Vortex binoculars that BH Photo sells often at a 25% discount. Returns are also very easy to do with BH Photo.

 

[goodnature]

Hi All,

Thank you all again for all of the great information you shared! I pulled the trigger on a brand new pair of 8.5x42 EL's. They are amazing! Even in the low light of the evening. The clarity, the focus WOW! As I mentioned earlier, I've never owned a pair of binoculars of this caliber, so I don't have any insight on how different they might be compared to another in its category. But I can see being very happy with them for some time. The whole family has really enjoyed viewing nature through them. It's truly incredible to be able to see that amount of detail. Again, that's from the perspective of a guy who's never enjoyed a good pair of binoculars! A seasoned aficionado might have been less impressed. I'm very much looking forward to using them, getting good use out of them.

Thank you again!

 

[Maljunulo]

It is refreshing to hear someone who is so happy with their purchase.

May you say “Wow!” every time you look through them.

Also, you can look at things besides birds.

You’ll be amazed.