Binos and spotter. Buy once for my life

[Sterling]

I am looking for a one time purchase of quality binos and a spotter. Looking at SWAROVSKI and vortex mainly. I will be combination backpack hunting and horse back. So lightweight is a priority and well as durability and warranty to fallow that. I been a leupold guy for rifle scopes. Ultimately I want to buy something that I do not feel the need to replace or upgrade any time soon. Looking for a value suggestion and the best choice as well. 3000 budget for both plus or minus some money.

 

[tdhanses]

If looking for once and done take Vortex off the list. I’d look at Swaro, Kowa, Leica, Zeiss, Meopta and nothing else.

Buy the best binos you can in that budget and get a tripod setup, then decide if you really need a spotter now or not.

Best value will be Swaro SLC HD’s and a decent Tripod setup, should leave you with $800-$1000 remaining to save for a better quality spotter later. If you must have a spotter immediately talk to Doug at Cameralandmy but spending $800-$1000 (depends of sales etc) on a spotter is not going to get you to where you don’t want to upgrade later, especially after having quality binos.

 

[Matt G.]

Slc and kowa 554... meopta meostar and kowa 773....

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[Gear-Reviewer]

Meopta S2 20-70x82 which was on sale at camera land For open box and find a deal on some used swaro slc HD 10x42. The meopta 10x42 are fantastic
But a little bulky. You’ll be right near 3k, maybe just a couple hundred over tops. Then find a deal on a lightweight tripod. Do not go vortex. Meopta and swaro are much much better. Kowa 773 spotter works as well if you find a better deal.

 

[Dcrafton]

10x42 el’s and kowa spotter.


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[rekkr870]

I had this same decision on some binos last week.

If you don't get the Swaro's or Leica's you'll end up kicking yourself.You can find some used SLCs for a damn good price. Some of the best glass I have ever seen and I've seen a lot.

Good glass pays for itself. The Razors do 90% of what the Swaro's do; I'm in it for that 10%.

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[Spoonbill]

I have a set of hand me down swaro binos my dad got in 1991. I had to send them back once for warranty work (lent them to a friend, learned my lesson). As much as I would like to buy a new lighter pair, anything within my budget isn’t better than what I have and I can’t afford a nicer pair. Long winded way of saying Swarovski binos fit what you are looking for. Leica and Zeiss are right up there as well.

 

[fatrascal]

Everybody compares to Swarovski for a reason. Fatrascal

 

[pc3]

Recently went through the same process, I couldn't afford Swarovski EL's or the Swarovski 95mm spotter.
I didn't see that SLC's for my purposes worth the extra money than the bino's I chose.

I still feel I have purchased for the long term, and keep in mind it's still a crap load of money when your raising kids, trying to save for down the track etc. in my view all those things need to be considered.

I don't think I'll miss any game due to the optics I chose and I feel they represent excellent value for the performance.

Meopta Meostar B1.1 HD 10x42
Meopta Meostar S2 82mm with 20-70 eyepiece
Promaster 525 carbon fibre with spch 20 head

Happy with the above.

 

[excaliber]

If I needed new Binos and a Spotter and money was no object I'd go 10 x 42 EL's and which ever Swarovski spotter you liked the best.

 

[LitenFast]

I went with Swarovski slc and Kowa 773, I’ve got a few sheep hunts to help out on that should sort out if they were good choices this fall. SLC were used and Kowa on sale so I am at 3200


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[wannakillabigbull]

New
Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 ~ $1000
Kowa 553/554 ~ $1800

Used
Swarovski SLC 10x42 ~ $1200
Swarovski ATS/STS 65 ~ $2000

Cameraland New
Swarovski SLC 10x42
Kowa 553/554 ~ Total for around $3000 I think

Personally I would go with some combination of SLCs and a Kowa or Swaro spotter. Call Cameraland first and see what prices they can get for you then go from there.

 

[JGRaider]

SLC or Meostar HD binocs
Meostar S2 spotter

 

[Farmerlentz]

Recently went through the same process. After 3 pairs of mid binoculars I ended up with Swarovski slc 10x42. Best purchase I have ever made. Also don't waste your time with camera land call ss archery. They will sell them new for what you will pay used on here. Grab a tripod from them and a field optics research adapter and I think you will decide you don't need a spotter. And lastly don't even consider vortex. Some of the worst glass I looked through when comparing binoculars

 

[PHo]

Don’t go Vortex. With a $3000 budget I’d suggest just getting a quality pair of binos for now and a tripod and continue to save for a good spotter for later. 10x42’s on a tripod are deadly. And lastly, don’t go Vortex.

 

[eaglemountainman]

Kowa Genesis 10.5X44

Kowa 553 or 554 depending on eyepiece preference

Rob at S&S Archery will hook you up

 

[elkguide]

Your answer is found at doug@cameraland!

Swarovski - Meopta - Kowa. The only names that you need to know or consider.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[NoWiser]

I’m running SLCs I got new at Cameraland and a used Kowa 664 I got on here, with enough left over in your budget to get a nice tripod setup and a good deer tag. I feel no need to upgrade.

I don’t understand the comment about not wasting your time with Cameraland. Joel and Doug have been very good to work with and have given me some very good pricing. A call to them certainly wouldn’t be a waste of time.

 

[Travis2282]

Call s and s archery and talk to them about it! Great guys!

 

[Brian Fahs]

I agree with the posts above. There are some very good options out there. Mostly comes down to personal choice and budget.

I would like to add that no matter how good of optics you get they most likely will not be the last ones you will purchase. Once you own and use alpha optics the thirst for something new and better will never be quinched.