Binoculars

So what do you folks like for Binoculars? I have a few old pairs that are falling apart and fogging up. Looking for something compact to take with out in the woods and duck blind. And not break the bank.

Thanks.

I’m rocking vortex crossfire 10 x 50 currently. Have beat on them the last 3 years, hunting, boating , and ice fishing. I like them

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What’s your price range? What power, 8x, 10x?

Bearcat89 wrote:

I’m rocking vortex crossfire 10 x 50 currently. Have beat on them the last 3 years, hunting, boating , and ice fishing. I like them

How are binoculars used for ice fishing?
I have 12×50 crossfire and they are really clear

Jeremy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
I’m rocking vortex crossfire 10 x 50 currently. Have beat on them the last 3 years, hunting, boating , and ice fishing. I like them

How are binoculars used for ice fishing?

Looking across the lake spot checking. Bird watching if I want. Making sure some one isn’t in a spot I’m about to run to. They are in my truck or snowmobile every trip. I could come up with 50 other things we look at. Eagles, deer , bikini ice fishing team all sorts of stuff.

The 10 x 50 really take in alot of light in low light conditions

Leupold BX-1 Rogue Waterproof 10 x 25, about $90. Ride great in a day pack or hunting coat pocket. Rugged as heck and great warranty.

They say vortex warranty is awesome.
Can’t say if it is or not. Have never had to use it. I have had my Razor HD 10 x 42’s since 2016 with zero issues.

Vortex has numerous price points starting with the crossfire then diamondback then viper and lastly the razor line.

I wouldn’t go anything under a 10 power. Wether you go 42 or 50 is up to you and the field of view you want.

Hunting in the woods, I got a pair of Leupold BX-3 8x, and for hunting field edges and such, I got a pair of 12x. Don’t like a high magnification in the woods, you lose your field of view and it’s harder to find what you’re looking at if it moves.

OP asked about compacts. 42 mm & 50 mm objectives don’t meet my definition of compacts. I do have a pair of Leupold 8×42 for general use.

Brad Dimond wrote:

OP asked about compacts. 42 mm & 50 mm objectives don’t meet my definition of compacts. I do have a pair of Leupold 8×42 for general use.

The 10 x 50s are not very big. My hands are not big

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When it comes to optics and specifically quality glass avoid Chinese made at pretty much all cost.

Brands to consider that can be had “budget friendly” – meopta (Czech), Pentax (Japan), minox (Japan/Germany)

Leupold and vortex lower end lines are made in China fwiw. You get what you pay for

ajw wrote:

What’s your price range? What power, 8x, 10x?

As far as price range I’m cheap and would like to stay under $100. Typically when I go to buy my price moves a bit. Just trying to avoid the $400 – $500 or more glasses.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Just really getting back onto using binoculars and getting a little more serious about them with owning some property now.

My son has the vortex diamondback 10×42 and my wife has leupold alpine 10×42. Both are nice binoculars and can be had for about $200 on sale. I feel the glass quality is better on the leupolds. It just seems brighter and a little better field of view when comparing them to the vortex.

Vortex here also! My son and I both have a pair.

Vortex Diamondback 10×42 here as well. Not sure I’d consider them to be “compact” though. I wouldn’t want to carry them around. I use them in the deer stand and turkey blind so I’m stationary.

The vortex 10×42 listed multiple times above ride around in my truck without issue.

A buddy who is pretty serious about his glass let me borrow a pair of higher end Zeiss binoculars. There was a night and day difference.

buckybadger wrote:

A buddy who is pretty serious about his glass let me borrow a pair of higher end Zeiss binoculars. There was a night and day difference.

Swarovski makes some pretty ridiculous binocs too but they cost you an arm and a leg.

I watched this one come in tonight with my vortex

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Nice shooting.

No personal experience with Vortex warranty but my son’s hunting buddy dropped a pair of Vortex binos out of a ladder stand. They hit a rung and snapped in half. Called Vortex and CS sent a new pair out the same day. Delivered in 2 days. Told him to keep hunting. Vortex CS said to send the broken ones in when he got time.

Bearcat89 wrote:

How are binoculars used for ice fishing?

bikini ice fishing team

This was my first thought.

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I have Bushnell Trophy 10×25. Compact and good glass.

Agreed with the many previous posts, I like my Vortex’s. If you shop around or wait a bit you can usually find them on sale too.

I just bought a pair of Vortex Triumph for $100 msrp $150 for the boat and wheeler this winter. Shocked at the quality. Actually bought 2 more pair (on sale Opticsplanet for $90) for Christmas gifts. IMO I can’t tell the difference from my $600 Zeiss (15 year old).

Can’t beat the lifetime warranty. Replace for any reason any time. I had bought a Viper scope this winter. I thought the retical was wavy. Sent it back. They put it on their “checker” it was perfect. Asked them for a different pair anyway – no problem. Buddy’s house burned. Replaced 2 scopes – no problem.

Wisconsin company to.

Mike, you should check with Lenny.
He uses these for tourney pre fishing on P4.

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Brad Dimond wrote:

Leupold BX-1 Rogue Waterproof 10 x 25, about $90. Ride great in a day pack or hunting coat pocket. Rugged as heck and great warranty.

Exactly what I’d buy on the stated $100 budget.

I have several pairs of Leupold BX series binocs and they have been excellent in terms of optical quality for the price and I think I’m closing in on 20 years on the first pair I bought, but never had an issue with either pair.

Whatever you do, don’t look at any high-end binocs if you have an entry-level budget. Curiosity killed the cat’s budget.

Those leupold BX-1’s you mentioned happen to be on sale at midway usa for $69.99. My wallet is a bit lighter now since I am in need of a compact pair… thanks IDO!

dhpricco wrote:

Those leupold BX-1’s you mentioned happen to be on sale at midway usa for $69.99. My wallet is a bit lighter now since I am in need of a compact pair… thanks IDO!

Dang I need to show more restraint!!! A set is on its way to me too.

Yep. That was to good of price to pass up. Got a pair of BX-1 showing up to. Might have to get a little stronger pair for the coffee table in the house to.

I’ve used my Leopold 10×42 for over 20 + years all over the U.S. from hunting, cruises, fishing, and they’re bullet proof. many more to chose from since I bought mine, but I really like the 10x 42 size.