high powered binoculars

[no limits]

kicking around maybe some new binoculars. What power and greatest field of view could you reasonably hold free hand and still see out of them clearly? Don't really want to mount to a tripod,but want the most power I can get.

[>>>---WW---->]

Guess it all depends on how shakey you are. LOL! But the norm for open or semi open elk country is usually 10X. And for the real heavy thick stuff you'd most likely be better off with something like 7-8X. In all the polls I've seen in the past, the majority favorite seems to be something like 10x42.

[Lefty]

I spend a lot of time, more than huntign and scouting elk using binos and a scope.
I still perfer 8x when hand held I loose too much to the shakes ate 10x

My BIL bought binos with an electronic stabilization system,.. they like them

[Indian Summer]

I'd guess that 10 power is probably the most popular. I prefer 10x42. You will still benefit from a tripod with any power if you are glassing long term. But for general purposes I can hold the 10 power steady for what I'm trying to see. On occasion I'll lean against a tree or rest on my pack. I like to hunt country with some open stuff and 8 power comes up short for me when glassing adjacent hills. If I was the type to stay in thick timber I suppose I might go with the 8s so think about where you will be spending your time.

[pointysticks]

I have 10x50 I get great FOV. They are kinda big tho. 10x42 are probably the best option in terms of performance, weight, and compactness.

[ChukarNUT]

i just got the redfield rebel 8x32. had them out last week scouting and they are great for me in the country i hunt. they are lightweight and small but very crisp and powerful for the size. perfect for archery hunts IMO. also have a pair of vortex 10x42 that i will use for longer range glassing, but i like the size/weight of the 8x32 for hoofing it every day and needing a quick glass.

[idahoghost]

Canon 15X Image Stabilized

[no limits]

so pretty much got the power down, now how about the brand. Money being no object,which brand hands down is the best out their. Clarity and reliability,when you look out of them you just can't believe how clear they are and we are hunting in the back country! so after dropping them a few times they still preform time after time!

[>>>---WW---->]

I just can't justify paying two grand for any of the so called (big three)! But if you want a glass that is dang near as good and has a life time, no exception warranty , check out the Vortex Viper or Razor. Even better yet, give Elknut a call and see what he can do for you on Vortex.

[pointysticks]

so pretty much got the power down, now how about the brand. Money being no object,which brand hands down is the best out their. Clarity and reliability,when you look out of them you just can't believe how clear they are and we are hunting in the back country! so after dropping them a few times they still preform time after time!

money no object? oh, you went and did it now.

i respectfully disagree with WW..if you can afford it. plunk it down for high end glass! i got Leica Ultravid HD's in 10x50. i was dying trying to decide between them and Swavorskis. finding a store that had them both was impossible. so a side by side comparison was impossible. i walked into a high end camera shop and they had the full line of Leicas. no, they were missing the ultravid 10x42's which were my target for the day. he pulled out the 50's and i peeked thru. man, they were kinda big, hefty...but damn!!!! bright. i looked down a dark hallway and could read the text on a fire extinguisher. i ran outside and scoped out all the soccer moms. super bright. big FOV. i told the salesman, i would be back after i find a pair of Swarvorki to peek thru.

he said, well, these here are $XXXX. that was the same price for last years 42. they mismarked the price, but he would honor it. sold. so basically i got the ones i got because they were $400 less than Swarvos..

if i had to do it again, i would stick to my guns and get 42's. and probably the Swarvos. BUT!!! the Leicas strength is in the eye focus. on my binos you can individually focus BOTH eyes. and then lock it down to gang focus them together. the swarvos, i think you just do the right eye, and then the gang. i think the Leicas allow a better fine focus for people with different eye power. i love them.

i let my Vortex guy peek thru in AZ, and he said they were better.

for the record, the best pair of binoculars i have ever looked thru in my life are the 8x42 swarvos. the 10's are pretty close in Leica and Swarvo..with the edge to edge clarity a tiny bit better in the swarvo.

having said that..i have never looked thru Zeiss. but i heard they are very good. some argue the best. with that 95% light tranmission.

good luck. i hope you dont agonize like i did. it really should be a fun purchase. not the hell i made it out to be

[>>>---WW---->]

Cliff: Glad you could justify those good binocs Leicas are great for sure. You are my new best friend. So when are you taking me of that African safari???? LOL!

[pointysticks]

well now i'm broke after my binoculars..haha.

i'm gonna go with YOU and be your sherpa!

[llewokj]

I have Vortex 12x50 Diamonback Binos that work great and didn't break the bank.