Thread: Decent bino recommendations.

G'day I've got a mate that's looking to upgrade his Cadcades at the moment and looking in the price vicinity of $1000 - $1500. Will need to be 10x. I'm not familiar with current brands/quality in that price bracket. Would look at second hand stuff as well if it meant getting into better quality glass.
Cheers

Under a grand will get you a set of 10x Steiners from H&F, good glass, robust and not too heavy.

Went through this process recently. Looked through a lot of different binoculars. Narrowed it down to the leica trinovids and the Zeiss conquest. To my eyes the the Zeiss had the better image. Alot of quality options in that price bracket. Make sure he shops around too, seem to be a few places that have sharper prices that bought their stock when the nzd was better.

Does he need 40x? Got a pair of Leica 10x25 not the best for open tops or tussockland but find I use them more as they fit in pocket easier. Take them with me more places as well.

Kowa BD are awesome binos for the money, I have a friend that has them and I would rate them above Trinovids or similar, I actually thought they were not real far off my Swaro EL, Nikon Monarch 7 be good buying in that price range also

Also recommend you look at 8x30 options - Zeiss and Nikon Monarchs in particular. Bought a 2nd hand pair of Zeiss Terra’s from member on here (Cartman). They are great and a BIG weight saving on 8 or 10 x 42s. I have always used 10x42s and for big country open tops that’s what I use (Leica Geovids RF). But for tighter country and a bit of bush bashing the 8x30s are perfect

Originally Posted by 223nut

Does he need 40x? Got a pair of Leica 10x25 not the best for open tops or tussockland but find I use them more as they fit in pocket easier. Take them with me more places as well.

Ideally 42mm as it's all open tops stuff. Just been reading that Zen Ray are all over so I'm hoping my Primes don't have a whoopsy or I'll be in the same boat looking for a replacement.

Vangard endeavour ED are wicked, they have won a few awards.

The bx4 leupolds are nice to look through, bout $1100 so not wallet snappers and quality jap glass

Originally Posted by von tempsky fan

Vangard endeavour ED are wicked, they have won a few awards.

Have been doing a lot of research into binos and these dp seem to come up as being great value for money. The ED II model is only around $500 so may not be as good as what the OP os hoping for, but there is a new model out now.

Do you have a pair?
Can you offer a review or comparison to other binos you've used?

I have both Leica and Swarovski 10x25's and wouldn't be without them. The Swaros have a very minor edge over the Leica's but both are light and easy to use/carry. If you're up this way you're welcome to have a look.

Cheers guys, some good suggestions I've passed on. Like the look of the BX4 and Monarch 7s.

Yep I have had a pair for 4 years, brought them after a lot of on line research such as bird watching forums etc.
I have used them side by side with Leopold Mojaves, Swarovski El and zeiss conquest.
They were noticeably better than the Mojave and conquest especially in brightness, contrast and most important to me field of view- they are like looking through a 8x for FOV amazing. They were neck and neck with the ELS and my mate was amazed at their quality, they missed out on resolution on dusk compared to the swaro by around 5 mins , so fuck all really for the price.
I highly recommend them.

I think @Tahr has had some Vanguards?
+1 for the Kowas. I have the BD10x32XD and are really impressed with them.

https://www.kiwibinoculars.co.nz/sho...avor-ed-10x42/