binoculars

Hobbes · 2 point Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Colorado

Maybe everyone does this, but I've found that I can hold a 10x fairly still by grasping the bill of my baseball style hat along with the binos as I hold them to my eyes. The image is much better for me than if I try to just hold them to my eyes. If I'm sitting and brace my elbows on my knees and hold onto the binos along with the hat, It works that much better.

WW · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject:

I agree with you, Hobbs! I've been using the old hat trick for more years than I care to remember. LOL! Very good advice!

Also, a good test for any binocular is to try them out just about dark or before sunrise. One time I was looking out across my pasture just before complete dark and saw something that I couldn't tell what it was. So I went to the house and tried my Pentax 10x42 and still couldn't tell. So I decided to try my new Vortex Vipers that Elknut had just sent me. MAN!!! It was like they had a light switch inside of them. Unbelieveable what the difference between the two different binoculars of the same power was.

Give Elknut a call. I'll bet he can fix you up with something that you'll charish for many years to come.

matuka · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:51 pm Post subject:

Well I went to wholesale sports and these are the binoculars I tried:
Vortex Viper 10x42
Vortex Razor 10x42
Zeiss Conquest 10x30 on discontinue sale of $450
Stieners 10x42
Nikon 10x42

I must say in a department store it was tough to tell the difference because of perfect light conditions. I did however cross off the Nikon. Stiener were ok but I didn't like the eye pieces so they are off list. I liked the Zeiss especially the sale price, but my I have a pair of Bushnell 10x30's so really no need to get another that size. So I believe for the money Vortex is the way I'm leaning and I"m leaning pretty hard.

However I had a hard time telling the difference between the razor and the vipers in the store other than the weight. There is a $200 dollar difference and a bit more weight on the razor........anyone else in here choice between these two binoculars? If so what was your thinking?

Hobbes · 2 point Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Colorado

I've not tried either, but I have read a couple instances on other optics or birding forums that individuals prefered the Viper over the Razor.

Archer32 · 4 point Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 212 Location: Montana

However I had a hard time telling the difference between the razor and the vipers in the store other than the weight. There is a $200 dollar difference and a bit more weight on the razor........anyone else in here choice between these two binoculars? If so what was your thinking?[/quote]

I have the 10X42 Razor and love them. I liken them to the Swaro EL's and Leica Geo's. I have friends with both Euro brands and I can't tell a difference. Never tried out the vipers outside of the store.

Another strong bino is the Vortex Fury. I got my wife a pair of the 8X32's. They are super light compared to the razor and are very sharp. The only downfall is the diopter and focus wheel move very easily. I think I might snag these for thick elk timber hunting this year. FOV is wider then the 10's.

Eagle Optics has been great as well. So far I broke a pair of Razor's two years ago on a weekend elk hunt (one side fogged up inside) and they overnighted me a pair and I had them out with me again a few days later. They recently my wife snapped the Vortex screw in piece that keeps the same distance between the barrells (can't recall the name) and vortex sent me out another one asap. Their glass is awesome and customer service is as well.

csrbowhunter · Spike Joined: 02 May 2009 Posts: 43 Location: Piqua,oh

Buy a pair of the leipold. They are good bios and you're not buying the swarovski name that are over priced just to say you have a pair of them. I was at a retail store that let me take all of them outside the store and look though them. The leipold's was just as clear or better then anything else and for 4 to 600 dollars cheaper. It was a no brainer! I couldn't believe all the magazines and people who swear the swarovski are great and are just saying that because of their name!! Shocked

matuka · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

Well I decided on a pair of 10x32 vortex vipers. I'm in thick timber 90% of hunting season. And running and gunning I think the size is perfect and the magnification is right. And I don't think I'll have any low light problems. Thanks for all the input and suggestions it helped me alot.

Magic · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:45 am Post subject:

Sounds like you made a wise and well thought out decision. Congratulations !!!