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What are your favorite birding binoculars at three different price points? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dennis Mau
- Start date
Good picks! What NL do you like the best?
yarrellii
Well-known member
I tend to like Opticron products, they seem to specialize (successfully in value for money in entry and middle to upper class ranges). Some of the models they sell are related to models sold by other brands (say the Leupold BX-4, for example, or the Vixen Artes, to name a few). I recently gave my MM3 ED 60 scope to my brother, because I have a Swaro ATS-HD. However, the more I compared them, the more amazed I was by the value of the MM3 ED. Was the Swaro better? Well, yes, but not by much, and then if you factor price... I think the Opticron was simply mind-blowing.
Yes... it's actually my third FL 7x42
I've bought and sold many binoculars (I think you're familiar with that ), and it's one of the models, if not THE model, that I find myself regretting having sold it. However, I'm not a x42 person, I much prefer x32, for weight and bulk reasons... so I'm not 100 % sure this 3rd time I'll keep them, although I promised myself that this time the would be keepers. However, I'm no collector, so if I don't use something, I simply sell it (usually without remorse.Opticron aren't too big on this side of the pond, so I have never tried many. I am not a x42 person either. I prefer x32 for bulk and weight also. I think a good 8x32 or 10x32 can't be beat for birding. They are very comfortable to use and just as bright as a x42 95% of the time. I am not a collector either. I only have two binoculars at the present time.I tend to like Opticron products, they seem to specialize (successfully in value for money in entry and middle to upper class ranges). Some of the models they sell are related to models sold by other brands (say the Leupold BX-4, for example, or the Vixen Artes, to name a few). I recently gave my MM3 ED 60 scope to my brother, because I have a Swaro ATS-HD. However, the more I compared them, the more amazed I was by the value of the MM3 ED. Was the Swaro better? Well, yes, but not by much, and then if you factor price... I think the Opticron was simply mind-blowing.
Yes... it's actually my third FL 7x42
Monarch 7s are always a good value. Do you use the SLC 15x56 on a tripod? Have you tried the new Curio 7x21 yet?
Hey denco,
Thanks for asking.
I use the SLCs on a tripod sometimes, but more often I use them handheld. They are compact and fit my hands well, so handheld works fine for me. An example of when I like using them handheld is when I’m going to watch waterfowl - birds that can be far from shore, but relatively stationary as they swim around and conduct their business. I only probably do this a few times per migration, but those days are really fun. They’ll show more detail than any binoculars I’ve ever used on the right outing. Do you have experience with 15s? Have you tried using them handheld? A lot of people seemed a little wary of using them this way…
I haven’t tried the curios yet, but as my list indicates, I like 7s, pockets, and swarovskis so I have no doubt we would get along great. I’m not going to order a pair, but I will be excited to check them out when the opportunity arises. Have you tried them? Do you like pockets? You didn't have any pockets on your favorites list.
This is becuase is a SLC, a 15x56 or a SLC 15x56?
I have had the SLC 15x56, but I found I had to use a tripod, or I would shake too much. They do show a lot of detail though if you can hold them steady. I generally don't like pockets much, and I have tried them all because usually I have to hold them in front of my eyes to avoid blackouts, and they are kind of finicky. I did order a pair of the Swarovski Curio's 7x21, though, because there were two people that said they were shocked at how good they were! That got my attention. I think I get them on Saturday, so I will let you know if they are a go or a no. I have high hopes!
The Swarovski SLC 15x56 is excellent, but so is the Meopta Meostar B1 Plus HD 15x56 for less money.
Both. The high magnification obviously can show more detail if done well. And the SLCs are done exceptionally well. Lacking experience, I can't really speak much about how much or little detail another 15 would show you.
I'm a 10x guy. Not only that but I prefer larger aperature, 42mm or even 50mm. If I could find a 10x50mm with a wider field of view, that would be it. The larger the objective, the brighter and better for me. Larger exit pupil, more light gathering, and I dont know if I can prove it but I swear 10x50s have better resolution than 10x42.
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I have to ask...what is the jump to a Swarovski from an Eagle Optics or basic Bushnell? I had a friend say that it was life changing, but that doesn't really give me any metrics for comparison. Is this something I just need to experience or are there images/videos that explain it? I want good optics, but I'm trying to figure out the balance between great and okay and affordable.
Equipaje
Equipaje
Binoculars under $100 are garbage. Binoculars at the $200 price point are decent, some are even good. Theres a really big jump in quality from $100 to $200. From $200 to $350 they get even better and is still a decent jump in performance. At the $500 price most offerings are really pretty good at that point. In my mind, the point of diminishing returns start to creep in for me. At $700 to $1000, binoculars are only a little better than binoculars at $500. The margine of improvement from $1000 up to $2000 and beyond is less than from $500 to $1000. So that last few percentage points better in performance gets really expensive. Alphas are truly awesome though. Whether its worth it to you is a question only you can answer. My personal bins are Zeiss Conquest 10x42 which run along the $1000 price. They are really pretty good. I dont make enough to drop $3000 on a pair of binoculars, Id rather have a new truck first.
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Have you tried the SV 10x50? It has about the largest FOV you can get in a 10x50.
I think you have to experience that for yourself. The best thing to do is side by side an alpha level binocular like a Swarovski with a Bushnell or Eagle optics binocular and let your eyes decide for you. It does take some experience to discern the sometimes not so obvious difference between a truly great binocular and a good one. Remember, it is not just the optics that are improved on the more expensive binoculars, it is the build quality and that for most people is easy to see once you have had one. Also, when viewing in the store the differences may not be so obvious, but it is when you get out in field under harsh lighting conditions that an alpha level binocular comes into its own. It is then when you will truly appreciate it.
I agree with everything you said. You are exactly correct! You have to decide for yourself if you want and even need a $3000 binocular. Most people don't need one! They may want one, but in reality they don't need one. The Zeiss Conquest HD is plenty good for most birders, and an alpha level binocular is not going to improve your birding or your enjoyment of it that much.
I have not. I have lusted after a 10x50 Leica Ultravid hd or a Swarovski SLC or EL in 10x50. I used to own a Vortex Viper in 10x50. I loved them. They were so bright, but the field of view was so narrow. Something like 278 ft a 1000 IIR. They were long too. But man I could see detail. I sold them and got 10x42 Ziess Conquests. I like them a lot too but I miss that extra aperture.
Yes, there aren't too many 10x50's with a wider FOV and the SV 10x50 is one of them. Too bad it is so pricey! The Leica UVHD+ 10x50 is on the expensive side also. The Fujinon FMTR-SX 10x50 is a good 50 mm for the price, but it is heavy and IF. It is nice for astro use but not so much for birding!
yarrellii
Well-known member
Kevin, you are probably aware that there is a Viper HD 10x50 with a 6,6 º FOV, just like the Swaro EL 10x50. In fact, according to Allbinos review, it's even a tad wider at 6,7.
I had them for a while and I think they're a pretty unique offering: a light and compact 10x50, the size of some 10x42, with great optics and a reasonable price. When looking for a nice 10x50 I became under the impression that performance, price and little bulk are 3 things that you can't just have in one 10x50, that is until I found the Viper HD, I recommend them wholeheartedly. I switched to an IS 12x36 because I was interested in reach more than pure light gathering, otherwise I would have kept the Viper HD.
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