8x32 bino help

[Manosteel]

I am looking to take a step up in glass this year. At the same time I am looking to lighten up and go with 8 x32(30-33) models.

I am currently looking at the following;

- Vortex Viper HD 8x32. ($560). 20.6 oz. FOV 400
- Meopta Meostar 8x32. ($880). 20oz. FOV 420
-Swaro CL ($1,000). 17.5oz. FOV 301
- Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 ($900)22.2 oz FOV 421.
- Kowa Genesis 8x33. ($1160). 20.8oz. FOV 420

I just noticed at a shop locally the Kowa Genesis 8x33 are on a big sale right now for $799. I have quickly read the bird forum reviews, which are excellent but has anybody hunted with them or have any insight? Should I jump on a deal like this?

Specifically, in the above which would you go with, keep in mind that I want to stay in the 1000-1200 retail range, sales are a bonus.

I hunt the mountains; mixed forrest and rolling hills/meadows elk/deer; and thick forests of Alberta for moose, so for my purposes I have found the 8x magnification to be a perfect balance for where and how I hunt.

Any thoughts would be appreciated since when it comes to optics I am a user and not a consumer, which bascially means I have in the past made whatever I had work for my hunting rather then finding exactly what works best.

 

[stephen b]

I would also add the Cabelas (-is a Meopta) Euro 8x32 HD at $799 into your mix of choices in that price range. IMO with the HD glass it is a step up from the Meopta Meostar 8x32.

 

[Lawnboi]

I picked up the cl this year in 8x30. Lacking in the fov department at 372 @1000. I know similar optical performance can be had for a little less. What sold me on the swaros is the ergonomics of them and how I can really wrap my hand around them well. The other thing that sold me on them is how swaro takes care of its customers. Being as light as they were was nice too. They are keeping my eyes happy for now. And when I finally decide I need a set of EL swarovisions, ill have a nice small pair of binos that I can always have on me.

Im no optics expert so take my opinions with a grain of salt. I probably would have been very happy with my other choices as well which included the viper, conquest

 

[Carolina joe]

I'm certainly no expert either, but I recently bought a pair of Meopta 8x42s. I looked thru Swaros and though I could see some difference , it wasn't enough for me to justify the price difference . I have a leupold v-3 3x9x50 on my rifle and it is not as clear nor does it gather as much light as the Meopta 8x42s . That's pretty good to me, and now that I see the difference ,I will be changing my scope to Meopta as well.

 

[luke moffat]

I picked up a set of Vortex Viper HD 8X32s to compliment my 12X50 Razor HDs. I am extremely impressed with the glass for the money. No regrets at all there. Super bright and the FOV is very nice. Edge to edge clarity is great as well. If all I had to hunt with for binos were the 8X32 Viper HDs I wouldn't feel handicapped at all!

 

[bradb]

A little off from what you are asking, but after reading some reviews from "optics people" I went with the 6x32 viper hd. Very good glass in a handy little bino. I tend to have that on more hunts then my 10x42.

 

[Cabman]

I also picked up the Swaro 8x32 CL's this year. I used those in lieu of my Vortex Razor 10x42 this year and was completely happy with them as I really enjoyed having a smaller set this year the way I hunted. You can buy these from Cameraland as a Demo for a reasonable price. I would be careful buying these as it ended up costing me quite a bit more as I just replaced my Razors with a pair of Swaro EL's after seeing a major difference in the CL's and my Razors.

 

[Manosteel]

Thanks for the reply's

 

[stephen b]

Those Vortex Vipers HD's are really good glass- especially at their price point, they are tough to beat. They may be the best value in the $500-$1000 price range.

 

[birdman1]

I have the Zeiss that are on your list. I used to use 10X binos, but they were stolen. I switched to the 8X and absolutely love them. I hunt in every hole Alberta has to offer and would never go back to the 10's. You cant go wrong with the Zeiss binos!

 

[AGPank]

I saw camera land ny also has a minox hg 8x33 demo on sale for $650. Anyone have any experience with these? Almost half of new cost.

 

[AGPank]

The cabelas instinct HDs are on sale today, $200 off!

 

[stephen b]

That is an excellent price for a very nice optic. I checked one of the 8x32 HD's this summer and did some comparing to my Swaro 8x30 Habicht; and the Meopta was quite nice.

I thought even the Cabelas price of $799 on these was reasonable; IMO- $599 for these is outstanding value.

 

[AGPank]

They have a $20 coupon on orders of $150 or more, basically covers shipping.