Kaibob 15x56 in low light

[Boomer]

I'm looking into buying a set of15s comparing Vortex, Zeiss, Swaro and Meopta and would like to know if going with the Vortex would significantly hurt my glassing ability at first light or under cloudy conditions compared to the other 3?

 

[robby denning]

Not sure if you saw this:
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?38759-Kaibab-vs-Vulture-The-Definitive-Review

I've looked through all of them except the Meopta. While I didn't look through them side-by-side, but over the years, I can say the Vortexs are pretty close. As I said in the review, brightness was their strongpoint.

Anyone else able to help him?

 

[Jens]

Ive used the kaibab 15s the last two years. They are great and I put in quite a few hours behind them. I did just sell them to upgrade to tne swarovski. I tested them side by side on an elk hunt this fall. The first look was during the day in good lighting conditions. I didnt see much difference and convinced myself I wouldn't need to trade up. Another look 10 minutes before quittin time changed my mind. There was a noticable difference to my eyes. I could have used the kaibabs forever and been perfectly happy.....good luck in your search.
I havent tried the other two.

 

[Browninglover1]

I was constantly impressed with my Kaibabs at first and last light. Where they were especially impressive to me was glassing under 300 yards before sunup or after sunset. I could see details with them I couldn't with my dads 10x50 Vipers or my 8x30 SLCs.

 

[dotman]

I really liked mine, they were excellent in low light.

 

[PathFinder]

I compared every 15x I could get my hands on (Kaibab, Zeiss Conquest, Euro HD (Meopta), Nikon Monarch 5, Leica Geovid, and Swarovski SLC) over about a three week period. I felt like the cheaper Nikon was very comparable to the Kaibab. The rep told me, and I agreed based on brightness & clarity, that the glass in the Kaibab is not the same as the Razor HD, and is more like the Viper HD. All of the others were significantly better than the Kaibab. That was immediately apparent. I thought Zeiss was next, then the Euro HDs I bought, then the Leicas and Swaros at the top.

 

[Kawabunga]

I only have experience with Kaibabs but have some Swaro 8xs as well, of course the higher end brands will be better but can't say the Kaibabs will "significantly hurt your glassing", but guess that would be up to you to decide. Swaro is always at the back of my mind with all the good things you hear but when i'm out there I forget about it, gotta stop reading about this stuff, gets expensive he,he. I think you'd be happy with Kaibabs.

 

[WRO]

I compared every 15x I could get my hands on (Kaibab, Zeiss Conquest, Euro HD (Meopta), Nikon Monarch 5, Leica Geovid, and Swarovski SLC) over about a three week period. I felt like the cheaper Nikon was very comparable to the Kaibab. The rep told me, and I agreed based on brightness & clarity, that the glass in the Kaibab is not the same as the Razor HD, and is more like the Viper HD. All of the others were significantly better than the Kaibab. That was immediately apparent. I thought Zeiss was next, then the Euro HDs I bought, then the Leicas and Swaros at the top.

They're most likely made in the same factory to similar specs. The monarch 7 and vipers are very similar.

 

[Boomer]

I'm going to try getting to a store this weekend and handle the Vortex, Zeiss and Meopta to see how they look and feel. Try to find any little issues such as eyecups or relief. Probably pass on the new Swaros which wouldn't be the same model as a used slighly older set that would be in this price range. I appreciate the field reviews from all. I'm starting to lean towards the Zeiss or Meopta. I really only get out west every other year to hunt for a week so kind of hard to bite the bullet on the Swaros. I'll put the difference towards a good lightweight tripod and head. Keep reading good things on the Meopta which I assume are the same as the Cabela Euros?