Binoculars: Swaro Vs Mid tier 10x42s

[MTHunter10]

In the 10-12x category, I'm curious what the difference is between a Swarovski caliber pair of binoculars versus say the mid to top tier Vortex or Leupold Binos?

Currently upgrading my optics, I've had Leupold BX4 10x42s and 12x50s for Deer & Elk as well as a Leupold SX4 20-60 Spotter. I hunt some timber country as well as some open country. I get the quality difference in Spotters and that is why I justified selling my Leupold spotter and going to get a Swaro 65mm. But with binos, where I'm looking at things inside 1 mile, and usually inside 500 yards - is it really worth the extra $1000 on Swaro 10x42s?

 

[Tmac]

At the range my brothers Vortex Vipers could tell it was a buck with a decent frame and probably a 3x3 or 4x4 type, my Meopta’s let me tell him it was a 24” ish 3x4. Both 10x40 ish size. These were the Bino’s of 6 ish years ago. Mid level Vortex Vipers vs top end Meopta Meostar’s. The real difference was the ability to resolve detail and being a little better at dawn and dark.

The top end Vortex I hear are very good, not used them, but odds are the difference there, if any is small vs my Meopta’s. The Meopta’s I use are fairly comparable to the Swaro SLC level to my eye. That’s good enough for me. Not worth it to me to pony up more for the top level Swaro’s. I’m not an inch counter, so that factors in. It was worth it to go from a mid level to an almost top level bino for me. That extra 1k or more, for top level, was not worth it for my uses. Everyone is different as are their eyes.

 

[Tahoe1305]

If I recall I answer that in the below article and thread. Part III of the article is the bottom line I believe. Hopefully it’s worth your time to read.

The Rokslide Members' GIANT Optics Review - Rokslide

In this giant optics review, a group of Rokslide members got together to compare a long list of optics in real field conditions.

www.rokslide.com

 

[PathFinder]

The biggest differences are on the margins of performance. Improved resolution and color fidelity, better ability to look into the shadows, and significantly better edge-to-edge clarity.

 

[Sp00ns]

I've heard good things about the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42. They're supposed to be really good for the money (about $1000) and have a wide FOV for the magnification level. I've never used them personally but have used other Nikon products and been happy with them. I think the thing to do would be to compare some mid-range glass to some primo-glass and see for yourself.

 

[LCguy]

At that range, not really. Where I see the biggest difference when I switched from mid-level to higher-end binoculars was the clarity at distance. With my 10x's currently, I can tell if it is a bull elk or cow elk at around 4 miles. Before, I could just see it was an elk.

It's important to note that after the ~$1,000 mark, you are paying exponentially more for exponentially less improvement. The best binos for the money are all in that $1,000 range (Maven's, Monarch HG's, etc.)

 

[LCguy]

I've heard good things about the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42. They're supposed to be really good for the money (about $1000) and have a wide FOV for the magnification level. I've never used them personally but have used other Nikon products and been happy with them. I think the thing to do would be to compare some mid-range glass to some primo-glass and see for yourself.

These are hands down the best glass on earth for the price point. I think they are up there with the true alpha glass. I run the monarchs and have a buddy with Swaros and I can't really see the difference.

 

[MTHunter10]

At that range, not really. Where I see the biggest difference when I switched from mid-level to higher-end binoculars was the clarity at distance. With my 10x's currently, I can tell if it is a bull elk or cow elk at around 4 miles. Before, I could just see it was an elk.

It's important to note that after the ~$1,000 mark, you are paying exponentially more for exponentially less improvement. The best binos for the money are all in that $1,000 range (Maven's, Monarch HG's, etc.)

The Law of Diminishing returns! I definitely feel that way, but I wanted to hear from others. Thanks!

 

[JLH3]

They’re not NL’s and they’re bigger, but I’ve been super happy with my Razor UHD 10x42’s. I’d call them A- glass.

 

[180ls1]

In addition, stay away from 12x on your chest, especially if you have a spotter.

8 or 10x.