BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Steve C" data-source="post: 1350896" data-attributes="member: 56622">orbitaljumpThis is a work both ends to the middle, non direct comparison, but FWIW, here it is. The binoculars marketed by both Smith & Wesson and Browning were essentially Bushnell Legends with a different label.  I have had a Browning 8x32 and an 8x32 Legend side by side and there was absolutely no discernible diference in any aspect of the image that I could determine.  On another occasion I have had the Alpen Apex 8x32 and Bushnell Legend 8x32 side by side.  Again, as far as the eye can tell there is no difference in any aspect of the image.  The Alpen looks (and feels) exactly like a Legend with forest green armour.  So, since the S&W, Browning, and Bushnell 8x32 are discontinued, the Alpen remains an option.  Most Sportsmans Warehouse are Alpen dealers.  If I remember correctly, you referenced looking at binoculars in one of their stores, so actually looking at one may be an option, depending on the state of the inventory at the store nearest you.  Also the fov of all of these is 393-396', so apparrent fov will be the same.  The Kowa is right in the same mix.  The SW had the Alpen at $239.  Not the deal that was there on the Brownings and S&W's for sure but a decent price for a decent binocular.</blockquote>