Hunting Binoculars?

[txgolfer45]

I'm interested in getting binoculars to take hunting. I've settled on 8x42. But, there are quite a few makes and models to choose from. Swarovski and Leica are out of my price range. What would you recommend? Nikon?
Steiner? Pentax? Others?

Thanks,
Scott

[Frohickey]

Zeiss. :D

Buy a good set of binoculars. You could miss things with cheapo binoculars. Besides, if you take care of the binoculars, it would be a one time expense.

[Campusninja]

Zeiss Victory II 8X40
This a very nice set of glass IMHO. This is my suggestion, of course this pair is up near Leicas and Swarovski's. Zeiss are top of the line glass, and a good investment. I am saving up for the Victory 10X40 model.

If the Zeiss is too high, consider the following:
Nikon 8X42 Monarch ATB($300)
Leupold Windriver 8X 42 Olympic($300) or Pinnacles($350)
Pentax 8X42 DCF II High Resolution ($270-$300)
Steiner Merlin 8X 42mm ($450) I have no experince with this line.

The above prices should be fairley accurate, according to my brief research for this reply.
I have heard of many good comments from the following online dealers www.bearbasin.com and www.swfa.com I hope this may be of some help in your search.

[Frohickey]

One thing that I miss with the the Zeiss Victory is the flip-open lens protectors. But you can get these from scope over manufacturers. I'm always worried that I will scratch the objective lens on the binoculars.

[ReadyontheRight]

My only experience with good binocs is a pair of 8x30 Steiner Military Marines a buddy of mine has. Very nice for under $200.

[Jaywalker]

You can get a very good set of binocs for under $200 or so, if you can live with porro prism - the offset eyepieces. Pentax and Swift make good ones, but they aren't the only ones. Porros are much easier to make than roof prisms. They aren't quite as sturdy as roofs and can't be made waterproof, but the image is great.

If you need sturdiness or waterproofness, you need a roof prism, and they'll cost you more. Eagle Optics has some rebadged Minox which are nice, but they'll cost nearly $400. Name brands will run higher than that for equivalent quality. Pentax roofs are a great buy, usually, as long as you choose the ones that have "phase correction" coatings.

I hunt with $600 Nikon Superior E 8X32, which has a better image than any roof prism costing $1200+ that I've seen. With reasonable care and not dropping them into a creek, they should never have to go back to the factory for adjustment. Other poros might have to be adjusted from time to time, however.

Jaywalker

[txgolfer45]

I just ordered the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Scott

[Sparky]

GOOD CHOICE!