Binoculars

[Telemark]

My experience is similar to others above. Have Nikon binos. Prostaff 7 10x42. I like them for hunting in Ohio and Ontario. I got them on super sale, and they are well worth the price. Used Steiners at work, and they weren't that tough. Someone dropped them and bent them out of alignment.

I recently got into Vortex and am very happy with thwir products.

Never heard of GPO.

 

[Nova]

I bought Vortex binos last year and am very happy with them.

 

[Jeff23]

I have Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42's that my kids have recently broken. They were a great value for the money, but now the company is out of business, so the lifetime warranty is worthless; I am stuck with a busted binocular. So I am now in the market, but don't want to get into the same situation. I don't need high-dollar glass, but is it better to go with one of the "big" brands so I know they will be around long-term for service even if paying a little more for the quality, or go with a company like Vortex who gets rave reviews but is still a relative newcomer in the industry? Bushnell has a mid-range binocular that gets some good reviews- anybody have them? M series, I think they are.

 

[Tree Spud]

Set your budget at $800 and they go look through everyone that fits.

Forget features, it is all about the glass. Good glass costs $$ and it really matters in low light conditions when you need it most.

 

[JFK52]

I have a pair of 10x50 Vortex binoculars. I got them at a good price. I am very pleased with them. Mentioned all this previously but since you asked I have to recommend Vortex again. At lease give them consideration in your decision making process for your new binos.
I had the advantage in that I went to their main headquarters in Middleton, WI and looked through all the binos I was considering. That gave me a better idea of weight, size, features, accessories and clarity of the glass. Not something you can do online.

 

[Barndog56]

For anyone in the market for a set, the Vortex Diamondback HD's are on sale at Cabela's as part of their Fall Hunting Classic sale. Joining their member club knocked the price down to $133.

I might not be the best judge as all I've had before are super cheap ones. But these are crystal clear out to the 300 yards that I can see on my property.

 

[b116757]

I have the 10 power set of those they are a decent mid priced pair I’d say much better than the older Nikon pair I had but age alone on optics makes a difference it seems like they keep improving

 

[Telemark]

Funny this came up again. I lost my Nikons a out two years ago. I ended up buying Vortex Diomondback 10x42 on sale here in Norway. So far they're excellent for the price. I use them for hunting red deer and whitetails. I would probably buy something a bit better if I was glassing all day. But for still hunting in the forest and scoping deer in hay fields, they fit the bill.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Those diamondbacks are a good buy @ the sub $200 level that they frequently sell for. Got my dad a pair for xmas a couple years ago. I've only got 10x and 12x nockers and should probably buy a dedicated pair of 7 or 8x for whitetail.