doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Binoculars

Pick your maker but don't go overboard on the power for your wife's needs. On cold days 6X is right for me in the blind and 7 X 35 tops. Higher for longer-distance viewing marine hereabouts. A little weight doesn't hurt either.

1. Buy a good pair, they have better optics and are usually buyilt a lot better.
2. I bought Steiners (commander, coated)for used and they were excellent. I used them on the Ocean and had no problems. As mentioned before they fell 8 to 10 feet several times (in heavy seas) onto concrete and did not break or "get out of focus". Recently I bought a pair of the compact ones and I would not recommend them to any one.
3. A small pocket Leica is my newest purchase. They are excellent and after two years still functioning extremely well.
4. Lepould, I do not like the range finder, it is too hard to use (at least for me. I have contact and visited the company recently about a scope. I left the place fustrated, and will not deal with them again. Half the time the range finder does not work.
3. Other brands, I really dislike the cheap ones as they seem not to have the clearity and tend to break easily.
5. I've tried to get some "glasses" made to increase my vision to 400 yards but have had no luck, it would be nice to wear glasses to improve my vision up to 400 yards with out trying to find binoculars. (simular to reading glasses)
jas

jas,
The best rangefinder binocs I've seen to date were the Leica Geovid BRF http://www.opticsplanet.net/leica-10x42-geovid-brf-yards.html. But note which side the rangefinder button is on: (the retangle on the left side top). For a R/H bowhunter, this is the hand you would use to hold the bow. For a riflehunter, either hand is easily used to hold the gun.

A web site that has objective tests of optics is http://www.betterviewdesired.com/ It has some valuable info.
I bought the Nikon Superior E 8x32 on their recommendation and it is the best performing binocular I have ever used and I own Leica and have owned Zeiss.

OB

I bought a second-hand Zeiss 10x42 set a year ago and they are the best binoculars I've ever used...Geo

Norm, I've used Leica 8x32 for last 20+ yrs, would have been just as happy with the early Zeiss 8X30's. Brother has Leica 8x42 and 10x42 and his wife an early Leitz 10x40. My pitch would be be for the Leica 8x32 for outstanding clarity and durability. Out west, I've set these binocs on a fence post and could identify whitetail bucks a mile away. They are relatively light and compact, and if you're nice to your bride, you could use them also. Price is up there, but you're assured of quality and resale value. Randy

Thank you all so much. You guys have given me great leads.

She asked me today "what are you playing on the computer?" Told her I was looking for her Christmas present. Being one who wants to know what she's getting before Christmas Day, she asked if it was something to wear. "No, but I guess you could wear them sometimes", I said. "Binoculars!" was her instant response. So much for surprise.

We'd never discussed it before. I swear she's a psychic at times. Even if I were tempted, there's no way I could ever have an affair and get away with it.

Once again, thank you one and all for your insights.

Check this out:www.samplelist.com
Craig

Eight-power on a fence post, yes. The lady is going to be in the stands. I just got in from hunting, using 7 X 35s in a 40km breeze, and they were dancing with my elbows against my 225 pounds, 6-1 frame. The world's greatest optics don't mean much if the image is moving in all directions.

I decided, because of this thread, to pick up a cheap pair of Canon image stabilized binoculars.

I called SWFA who had them on their site for $299, I was ready to buy. Not in stock, no date when they would get any. Dang. So I checked Amazon.com who had them in stock, $225. So I ordered them.