Optics, Gear, Calls, Clothing and Other Accessories

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New Binocs

Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Optics, Gear, Calls, Clothing and Other Accessories
Forum Description: You can't shoot it if you can't see it, sneak up on it or fool it!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=28010
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 21:09
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: New Binocs

Posted By: MapleHill
Subject: New Binocs
Date Posted: 11 December 2023 at 20:54

This summer I was preparing to hunt in both CO and AZ. I have been to MT several times as well as ID and had a couple pairs of Leupold 10X42 that have served me well. The first pair I bought was the Arcadia model in 2011 when I went to ID. I bought the newer Alpine model a few years ago and my youngest son has adopted them. I decided I needed a pair of higher magnification binos for hunting here in AZ. I have read tons of reviews and had a bit of a list in my head. Now no one will convince me there better optics anywhere than Swarovski, but at $2500-$3500 I can't justify the expense. After Swaros I would say Leica, Meopta, Zeiss, Steiner as top quality and they have models that are high end down to working man affordable, but certainly not cheap. I decided to go with the Steiner 1556HX, now not "cheap" but I got them down to $850 from $1200. I played with them over the summer and really liked them, Enough so that I ordered a set of the Predator 10X42. They are normally $650 and I got them for $550. I am not sure how many of you belong to the 24hr Campfire forum, there are thousands of members there. There is a LOT of complete BS, but you can sift thru it and get some really good info from there. They are sponsored by Cameraland NY, a large optics retailer on Long Island NY. They have some amazing sales and the staff is very knowledgeable. They have bundles on their website, spotter, binos and range finder or rifle scope, binos, range finder, etc. Various brands, but mostly some "cheaper" asian manufacturer. They had a bundle on an Athlon spotter, 10x42 binos and Sig range finder for something around $350. I thought why not. The spotter is so-so, my boys have a decent Leupold scope we use most of the time. The Sig range finder works excellent and I really like it. The Athlon Argos are incredible for the price. I took them with us and tried them out. Handed them to my son to try and he handed me the older pair of Leupolds and said the Athlons are 10X better! I did some comparison with the Steiners, Leupolds and Athlons. Clarity, light gathering at dawn/dusk and glare. Now as you would expect the Steiners are the winner, but for the price, the Athlons are right there with them, enough so that I got on the Cameraland website in the field and checked on them, turns out until Jan 1 these binos are on sale for $99 down from $199. I ordered another pair along with a pair of 12X50s for $189 down from $219. The Athlons are very light and clear, IMO a steal at that price. Athlon makes many different models of binos and scopes the higher end models get up there with the nicer Leupold glass. I really like them, YMMV.

I really like the Steiners, spent lots of hours behind them this past week glassing for deer. I bought tripods for the boys spotter and the big Steiners. I got a cheap tripod adapter for the binos and they worked fantastic, money well spent. We found out that your optics can make or break your hunt. I know there are several places/species that require this type of hunting. If I was doing it for a living as an outfitter/guide, I would spend the money on the top end Swaros, but just getting a few weeks a year I can't justify the price tag. Disclaimer, I do not know anyone personally at Cameraland, just telling you all my experience with them. They beat anybody's price, I have looked and they carry almost any manufacturer (except Vortex) that you could think of.

Replies:

Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 12 December 2023 at 06:46

Interesting. had a pair of B&L for 30 years. finally got out of alignment; no one could fix.

After viewing lots of glass i bought a pair of Leupold, based upn warranty, quality. Heavy, but good glass.

I find the 10x-42 are not good for me. I hunt and keep glasses up about 60% of the day. heavy is bad. Also 10x field of view is too small for my hunting. so I found a pair of Kowa, 6x30 made in Japan. Great glass and very light holding. Price was a fraction of my brother's Swarovski; and clarity (for my eyes) is equal.

In researching bionoc, I found out that TODAY the biggest market is for birders. this is the only piece of equipment they buy, so they overpay driving the cost up. This is why most of the binocs are 10-42. they are made to enlarge and KEEP color true fr bird ID. color perfection is not a need for hunters. Also, birders only hold the glass up for 1 minute or less, and they drive not hike much; so weight isn't a negative. (heavier sounds like more quality).

Also the 10x42 is undersized for light gathering, should be 10-50 for maximum morning and evening.

So I found the options of good hunter binoc is getting limited.

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