Binoculars

[JimT]

Hi...I would like to get a new pair. Wondering what peoples thought are on the Nikon Monarch ATB 8X36 and the Zeiss Conquest 8x30. Are the Zeiss binoculars worth the extra $350.00 compared to the Monarchs? Thanks!!

Jim

[wtnhunt]

Been pretty happy for the most part with our nikon monarch's, have the 8x42's. Cannot speak for zeiss other than to say at this point I cannot afford any zeiss glass.

[joeaveragehunter]

Go with the monarchs, you won't be disappointed.

[maytom]

Check out the Bushnell Legends. Phase corrected lenes and water proof as well.

[texastrophies]

If you are going to be spending a lot of time glassing, get the best glass you can afford. While the Nikon's may not be bad, the Zeiss will be better.

If you are just going to use them to get a closer look at a an animal that you have already spotted, the Nikon's should be more than enough for that.

[texastrophies]

check this ad out

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/3829188/gonew/1/WTS_Swarovski_8x30_NEU_binocul#UNREAD

BTW, I have no connection to this ad and cannot vouch one way or the other on it. Just saw it and thought you might want to check it out. Good glass

[Switchback29A1]

I have a Zeiss conqest 4.5-14x44 scope on my 300WSM, and can easily say it's the best glass ive ever looked through. Then when deciding what bino's to go with, i went and looked thru as many pairs as i could get my eyes thru. I ended up getting a pair of Alpen Apex 10x42's and have been very pleased. I can scan with my binoculars until all the light is gone. Which is pretty cool being able to see deer when they think there invisible.

[colorado bob]

I got a used pair of Leica 7x42 Trinovid. Absolute worth the extra money. Used them on several elk hunts------clear as clear. You can count the leaves on a quakie 200 yards away. Plan on using them for a sheep hunt this fall if I draw a tag. I've been on 4 other sheep hunts, had what I thought was good glass----- Bushnell, Pentax, B&L, Redfield------got eye strain headaches. Not a pretty thing.

So, I watched all the classified ads on several sites & picked up these Leica's off of Graybeard's site for $650. I'm a REAL HAPPY CAMPER now.

If it was me, I would find a used pair of Swaro's or Leica. I put Swaro's in there because I used them a couple times from a fellow hunter in elk camp-----great glass.

For what it's worth----I've been on 2 outfitted hunts. One was a moose hunt in WY----guide there had a pair of Lecia. The other was a South African hunt----PH there had a pair of Swaro's.

Good Hunting----CB

[MichiganHunter]

I LOVE nikon stuff. I just bought a set of Nikon Travelite V 10x25 for WAY under normal retail cause that line is ending. Got them at like $50 and they were way over 100 new. GREAT STUFF

[The Kid]

leupold makes great stuff too check into them i think the arcadias are around 300

[stevebeilgard]

nikon's are your best dollar value out there. i usually spend 8 hours a day with my binocs and have used only zeiss for the past 30 years or so. yep, they cost outrageous but are worth every penny to me.

[bbgatech]

Hi...I would like to get a new pair. Wondering what peoples thought are on the Nikon Monarch ATB 8X36 and the Zeiss Conquest 8x30. Are the Zeiss binoculars worth the extra $350.00 compared to the Monarchs? Thanks!!

Jim

I bought some Nikon Monarchs in 10x42 and they work great in the woods for me. Used them out in Colorado with great success.

[AJ]

The "big three" in sporting optics are Swarovski, Zeiss, and Leica. The Swaro EL and SLC, Zeiss Victory, and Leica Ultravid HD glass are top of the line.

Other very glasses are Minox HG and Vortex Razor.

The Zeiss Conquest line is not on the same level as the Victory line.

I have owned the Nikon ATB binocs and they are a decent binocs. I upgraded to Leica Geovids and the difference is night and day from the Nikons. My current optics arsenal is a pair of Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42, Vortex Vulture 12x50, and the 10x42 Geovids. My next pair will be the Vortex Kaibab 15x56.

Actually, the best value in binocs right now is the Zen Ray ED2. The optical quality is on par with the alpha glass and they have moderate price. These are the best bang for the buck.

[HammerTimeBagley]

I thought that I was going to regret buying the Leica 10x42 Geovid...

Turned out to be one of the top 5 equipment purchases I've ever made. Had them over 5 years and wouldn't have anything else. Having the rangefinder/10x binocular in one is the real deal. Deer, turkey, elk, ducks - no matter what the game, these binos are it. One of my future buys will be one of their riflescopes (one day).

Bryant

[Flintlock1776]

I use Vortex. I found them off a dealer over on AT with prices below MSRP. I checked with Vortex and they confirmed he was legit.

Then, recently I had an issue with the bino. I shipped it back and a week later I had my binos back repaired, and cleaned!

I love the clarity of the lenses.

:yes:

[JJL]

If you're sitting in a tree stand watching squirrels and occasionally glassing deer within a couple of hundred yards, it's really no big issue. They will all do the job. If you're spot and stalk hunting and you have the binos to your eyes for several hours per day and your trying to see 250-2000 yards, quality is definately an issue. I love going to sports shows and checking out glass. I've tried them all and Zeiss is far and away superior to everything else out there. Swaro's are good, Leica's are good, and the higher $$ Steiners are good. But, the Zeiss's are far and away the best. In terms of clarity, focusing and lack of eye strain. If they're in your price range, you cannot beat Zeiss.

[Wobbly_Alaska]

Doug at camera land NY is a good egg

here is a good place to start... http://www.cameralandny.com/ Doug has sales and give aways on a regular basis and has a great rep in Alaska also.. quality optics all around. tell him vince sent ya...