Long time birder/butterfly photographer. I have 3 pair now. 8x32 Vortex HD, 8x42 Monarch 5 and Swarovski 10x42. I also hunt Deer and Wild hogs. A reality is that the damn bins always seem to break and of the 3 Vortex usually give a new pair with in a week. Nikon and Swarovski take months and months. Zeiss might lend you a pair if yours are in the shop.
Best plan is to go to a Bass Pro shop and try them in person.
robert_in_ca wrote:
I retuned the Noctivids as I was able to get a brand new pair of Swarovski 8.5x42 EL from B&H that were on sale. It ended up being $400 less than the Leica demos. I will say the Nocts are built a little nicer buy not enough to justify the extra cost over the Swarovski.
I also picked up a pair of Swarovski 8x30 CL - which I am really impressed with.
Since I just got the EL and CL today, I still need to test them out to see which ones I will keep.
A bit late to the thread, but as companion Binos, the Swaro 8x30 CLs are heard to beat. Incredible overall design and are my fav in the field when I am "scouting". Nikon 8x30s are a cheaper alternative. ( I got he Swaro fo wife and I have the nikons)
thedutt wrote:
A bit late to the thread, but as companion Binos, the Swaro 8x30 CLs are heard to beat. Incredible overall design and are my fav in the field when I am "scouting". Nikon 8x30s are a cheaper alternative. ( I got he Swaro fo wife and I have the nikons)
I will say that I am impressed by the 8x30 CL - love the feel in hand. However I decided to go with the 8x42 EL for now and I am thinking that I might grab the CL down the road.
I just got back from an African photo safari and even with my camera, I wish I would have brought my binoculars. There were a few times we were scanning looking over the brush where there had been specific tracks and the binoculars would have been helpful. Also some animals so far away hard to capture a good shot and binoculars would have been preferred.
