[Coot]

I'm considering the Burris Signature 10X-50mm, Leupold's Wind River Pinnacles 10X-42, Weaver's Grand Slam 10.5 x 45mm, and B&L's Discoverer 10X42: all fall between $308.00-$359.00, but which has the best optics, durability, and warrenty?

Thanks for your replies.

[TechBrute]

Leupold. It's really, really hard to beat their warranty, and the Wind River line is a great "bang for the buck" lineup.

[Jaywalker]

Generally speaking, roof prism binoculars such as these are a little sturdier than the porro prisms (offset objective lenses) type, and are more expensive for the same level of optic quality. Roofs also tend to be better waterproofed, if that's important. Porros tend to have a much better image for less money.

Many binoculars of moderate price are made in the same factories and have only the nameplates as differences. They can be pretty good binoculars, though. I've been pretty happy with a set of Eagle Optics Rangers, made by Minox, in 8X32. (I prefer a lower power to increase field of view without distorting the image with Wide Field of View, and the smaller objective lenses to reduce the weight for anything I have to carry around my neck.)

I did a quick scan of your choices and they appeared to be pretty similar to me. Make sure that any roof prism has both "phase-coating" and "fully multi-coated" lenses - "multi-coated" and "fully coated" is different and not good enough. In roof prisms, the beam of light enters the objective and is split, routed around and is rejoined later. Phase coating ensures that the beams of light join back up accurately. Without it, the image will be muddy and washed out. Some makers save money on coatings by using less than "fully multi-coated" lenses, but since some of your choices had both features, there's no point in choosing anything less.

Good luck.

Jaywalker

Edited to add: Increased power does not necessarily mean you can resolve smaller details. This is a lens quality issue. Within the same quality, more power just means magnifying the flaws.

JW

[Hutch]

My Bushnell Legend is about the same price range, and it offers long eye-relief, which was a paramount consideration for me, since I wear glasses. Roof prism, rubber-armored. Only complaint is the fact that one of the ocular lens caps cracked almost immediately.

[greenmountaingear]

Steiner 10x50's or 8x30's

I wouldn't trade my Steiners for ANYTHING. You might pay a couple dollars more than other brands but it is money WELL SPENT. I've used mine in low light, at the range, in the woods, rain, heat, etc...just a great piece of equipment for the money.

Rob