TIME FOR NEW BINO's
 

After 16 years it time to replace my old leupold. I have a budget of $500. What's everyone running these days and recommendations on best place to buy ? I'm around the Calgary area. Thanks for any info.

I’d look for a used set of vortex Viper HD’s if I was you. Great glass for the money.


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Leupold has one of the best products and warranties around. Vortex has a great warranty, but I am nervous of a company that expects their product to break, and just hands a new set over no questions asked. The Zeiss terra line can also be found for sale in your price range.

Not sure what is wrong? With your current glasses, but have you considered getting them reconditioned by the factory?


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I had a pair of Leupolds that were somewhere around there. I would buy them again. Or a pair of Nikons.

I replaced my old Leupolds with new ones just over 2 years ago. Actually Leupold gave me a new pair (BX-3 Mojaves 10x50's) under warranty to replace my old Olympics I had. Great glass.

If you had Leupold and were happy with them, I would stick with them.

Send yours to Korth for a rework, you will likely end up with a brand new pair. In your price Range the Nikon Pro 5 or 7 are very hared to beat and I took over a dozen sets out hunting to try side by side.

Bobtodrick is on AO and works for McBain's, he has done some great deals for lots of AO folks but he is in Edmonton. Still a real good guy to talk to if nothing else. Before I knew about him I bought my Binos on sale at London Drug, consistently FAR cheaper than anyone else and a great return policy if you want to try a set for a few days.

I picked up a pair of Zeiss Terra(Chinese Zeiss) 8 x 42 from Cabela's last fall, and am very impressed with them. They were on sale for $500, but looks like they are out of stock right now. However, Best Buy has them for $502!
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product.../11793668.aspx

I recently picked up some Vortex Razor 8x42 HD binos. They are extremely clear and both eyes easily stay in focus which can be frustrating issue with lower quality binos. I also have Leicas, and the Razor’s seem very nice. I went with 8x instead of 10x as primarily using them to glass/sweep large areas. Have spotter and higher optics on rifle if need more. Like the no questions asked warranty for binos and range finders. To expensive to replace on own dime if/when issues. All my scopes however are Leupy....just because never had an issue with any of them. Suggest checking out the Vortex. For me the Razor HD were much better than their lower end models.

Cabelas has the Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 binoculars on right now
Regularly $489.99
On for $379.99

Check out the Nikon monarchs very happy with them

Check out the Carson 3D - ED 10x42 or 10x50 they are comparable to the Vortex HD and Nikon 7 except about 30-40% less!! You can get the Carson Binoculars for your budget and it comes with a harness system. Check out their website and read some reviews. $360CAD on opticsplanet website.

Wholesale sports had some on sale just a few weeks ago..


Sorry... Had to be that guy atleast once. Haha

I have a pair of Vortex Diamondback 8x42. Bought them on sale in the Phoenix for $150 USD. I'm very impressed with the quality, and my next planned purchase is to grab the adapter for a tripod.

x2 on the Zeiss Terra's. Been happy with mine so far, despite being made in China. Still carries the Zeiss name and reputation despite country of origin.

Really notice the difference in low light conditions.

Check out Mavens. I haven’t used them yet but plan on trying some soon. they get great reviews, even there cheaper C series. Life time warranty, you can get a set to demo before you buy. If you don’t like them just send them back at no cost. They only sell direct to consumers.

Just ignore this....missed the $500 budget part.
Cheers

I would grab these...you wont get anything better than Nikon in the $500 range. I have the Nikon Monarch 7 and love them but they are $700. The only difference between the 5 and 7 is the 7 has a larger FOV

I was in the same situation this last fall. My old faithful and cheap Bushnell Ledgends had the coating destroyed when i had them strapped to the front if the quad and then rode through a bunch of brush. I would really recommend looking through a bunch of different pairs. I found that the specs didn't seem to make a difference to my eyes. Some appeared to contrast edges and colours better than others. Ditto for adjustment and feel. I ended up with Steiner Predator 10x42 and am happy with them after one season (I tagged out, a rare occurance). I believe that they were $525 so a sale should put them into your budget.

I went into Cabelas a year ago and had my mind made up on the Steiner Predator or Leupold's, also checked out the Vortex diamondbacks and the young guy behind the counter asked if I had looked at the Nikon Prostaff 7's yet. The prostaff 7's 10x42 were the clearest, brightest and a bonus as they were also the least expensive around $239on sale I believe. I have been using them for a year and I am very happy with them.

I just spent 500 for monarch 7's in 8x42 and am really happy with them. Better clarity than my old vortex vipers and nicer than my buddys leupold mojaves as well. And incredible field of view

New Bio's
 

YES it is certainly time for new Bio's! The ones pulling the strings are lost!
Oh....new Binos...I like new Bio's better.

Spruce

You have had Leupolds for 16 years and your questioning which brand you should go with? My Leupold switch powers broke and I asked Korth group if they could repair them so I sent them in and less then a week later(yesterday) I received a brand new pair of BX-4 Pro Guide HD's. Kind of hard to beat that service

x2 on Vortex
 

I'd second the Vortex Viper HDs...new, it's gonna be over 500, but used you could probably get it at that price...

I have the 10x and absolutely love them. I got a good deal on them from wholesale a few years back. I think I paid $350. They were definitely worth the price and work very well!

Kevin

I’m using Leupold bx-2 acadias, picked them up on sale at wholesale in January 2017. They’re 10x42’s. Think they run around $350 regular price. I got em for $220.00! They are pretty good. The nicest Binos I’ve ever owned, but I wish I could have gotten 8x42’s instead. I find it difficult to focus quickly, have to hold really steady!

I think they are so confident in their durability they are willing to replace/repair them on the off chance something goes wrong. I've owned two pairs of vortex binoculars, a spotting scope and a rifle scope and never had anything go wrong. I have nothing but good things to say about all of their products.

The Viper HDs are nice for the money (what I have) but you won't get a pair of 10x42s for under $500 unless you want to buy used.

X2.

I looked through just about every brand of binoculars in that price range recently while shopping for a Christmas present, and the Nikons were definitely the best in my opinion.

The Monarch 7s were slightly better with a wider field of view, if you can stretch your budget a little and find a deal, that's your answer. My budget was set, so I bought the Monarch 5's and I'm very happy with them, as was the person that got them for a gift lol. I bought them from Robertson's Camera, and I would have strongly recommended them, but my understanding is they've closed the business due to the owner retiring.

Another vote for the Monarch 5's here. I bought a pair a few years ago and they've been great.

I compared them to the Diamondbacks and it wasn't even close as far as brightness and clarity. If I was going to get anything else in that price range it would be the Steiner Predators. They were really nice as well, but the guy gave me a discount on the Nikon's.

Another one for Monarch 5s in 8x42

Unbelieved clarity in low light. You also get into ED (extra low dispersion) glass in a mid range price point.

This is a steep upgrade in most other brands.