Best 10x binos for around $1,000

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Jun 9, 2022
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Hey everybody, so elk and mule deer season is coming up and I'm looking to up grade my binos, I just have a cheap pair of diamond backs that's have served me well but ready to step up, I'd like to stay around that 1,000 but would be willing to go to 1,500.. should I get 18x cause I've used them and love them! And keep my diamond backs as my chest pairs or should I upgrade my chest pairs and wait for 18x, and also what's my top brands around that price, I'm a huge maven fan but am willing to look at others, thanks y'all!
 
That price range…meopta 15’s, sig Zulu 10 15’s, or a used pair of swaro Hd 15’s. All 3 will serve you well but if you find the swaros in that price range jump on them. Deals are out there.
 
I have been extremely happy with a pair of Vortex Razor HD 12x50s as my one pair of binos. You can find them used for as little as $700 nowadays, or find a pair of the new UHD's for around $1100. 12x are still great as handheld and awesome on a tripod. If you go up to 15x or 18x plan on using them on a tripod and carrying something else of lower power in your chest pack.
 
I found a mint pair of Swaro SLC 10x42 for 1250cad.... Never thought I could afford a pair before lol
 
Stay with the 10x for sure. Maven or Vortex in that price range. Maybe try Natchezz for a demo pair of Swarovski, might be a few hundred more but worth every penny
 
I see Maven has some 10x and 13x on Prime day. I believe $297 on 10x and 12x $315. C1 binos. Don’t know how good they are , but at that price might be worth a look
 
If it were me today? I'd pickup some of the new ZEISS SFL's where they took the Conquest HD's and dropped 'em down from 42mm to 40mm and overall slimmed-up the package to shave off weight.

I had picked up some ZEISS Conquest HD's used off here for $750. LOVE those things! Liked em soo much I bought the 15s as well, later on.

EDIT:
Def checkout Mavens top-tier products (used) as well! Been enjoying their 12-27x56mm straight spotter!

EDIT:
DEFINITELY upgrade your 10s on your chest first!
Wait on getting a long-distance specific pair like 15s or 18s.
15x+ Binos? You get a significant jump-up in carry weight.

The only time I specifically go for bringing the 15s along is when I'm having to glass big open country arid desert hills. where I know I'll be having to scan across opposing ridges on the tripod carefully looking thru all the brush and scrub oaks you'll see clustered together in the draws way up high. When I know I'm going to do this? For my chest and for hand-held viewing I opt for some compact 8's, to help offset the weight penalty.

Other than that? 10x42 ZEISS Conquest HD together with the 12-27x56mm Maven spotter, seems to be a pretty fricken sweet setup in terms of keeping it light, while still giving you what you need.

And I freaking LOVE Outdoorsman's Pistol-Grip Tripod head and Panner for glassing. Most natural and intuitive interface IMO. Get the taller quick-release Bino adapter post and stud, so you'll gain some extra height on the tripod AND you'll be ready for when you wanna jump up to 15's/18's.
 
I have been extremely happy with a pair of Vortex Razor HD 12x50s as my one pair of binos. You can find them used for as little as $700 nowadays, or find a pair of the new UHD's for around $1100. 12x are still great as handheld and awesome on a tripod. If you go up to 15x or 18x plan on using them on a tripod and carrying something else of lower power in your chest pack.
Yeah, what he's saying here. Don't expect to hand-hold 15's very well at all.
 
Sierra carries the Vortex 18x UHD for around $1100 when in stock.

I would simply add those, I would also keep an eye out for the Monarch HG in 8 or 10x for your chest - used around $500.

That combo would suit you VERY well, I also am a believer in 8x on your chest over 10x if you have 15 / 18 in your pack.
 
The Monarch HG's are a great value, I find they're underrated, and they're very light. They're my backup pair to my NL Pures, and I'm still very happy with them, especially how light they are, and how solid the focus adjustment feels.
 
Ya I personally don't see a use for me for 15x so I'm like why not go for 18x but thanks for the advice I think I'm going to aim for upgrading my chest binos, on Sierra outpost there are some RZR uhd 10x for $950 which would be hard to pass up, but I will definitely look into ziezz and the others!
 
I really like the Leica Geovid 10x42 RF binoculars I got last week.


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Since no one mentioned them yet, I think the Leica Trinovid changed my life. They’re about $1050 and I couldn’t be happier with mine. Worth looking at if you haven’t checked them out.

 
I’m really happy with the Zeiss conquest. Compared them with swaros in the field. Obviously not as nice but for the money they’re worth every penny
 
Ya I personally don't see a use for me for 15x so I'm like why not go for 18x but thanks for the advice I think I'm going to aim for upgrading my chest binos, on Sierra outpost there are some RZR uhd 10x for $950 which would be hard to pass up, but I will definitely look into ziezz and the others!
I just went through a similar process of upgrading. Ordered a pair of Razor UHD in 10x42 and 12x50 from sierra and Maven B.2 9x45 and B.6 10x50s using their demo program. Spent a few days behind all of them side by side, and ultimately they’re all really good. I get a decent deal on Maven stuff, and I didn’t think the UHD was any better than either pair of Mavens. I did really like the 12x UHD, but I personally thought they were hard to hand hold steady for an extended period of time. Felt like the Maven build was a little better too. I settled on the B.2 9x45, but those B.6 are really good too. Sierra has free returns and Maven only charges 15 for shipping if you return the demo pairs, so it was a great way to compare all 4 with only 15 bucks out of my pocket. Looked at similar priced offerings from Zeiss, but they just didn’t do it for me. All a very subjective process too though.
 
Maven B2 11x45
Almost as good as Swaro's for half the price, I found a used pair for $700, my buddies are always blown away by how good they are.
 
You’re going to get a ton of answers. There are a lot of great 10x in that price point.

I really like my maven B6 10x50. They’re about the size of a 10x42
 
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