Looking into new Binoculars.

[mullmann]

I have been contemplating upgrading binoculars. In the future I want to add some 15's to my gear, but right now I am thinking of upgrading my 10x. I have looked at cameraland and they have the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 for $799. I have also thought about spending much more before next years trips. I looked at the Swarovski EL 10x42 and then also started looking into the Zeiss Victory SF 10x42. I wanted to see if anyone has used the Victory SF's and the Swarovski EL's and what they think of both. Price for the two is pretty close. Also how much better are the SF's and EL's over the Conquest HD's.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[WRO]

The ht and els are better, better edge to edge clarity, better detail at range, and better colors. 1200.00 better, that's your decision. .

 

[dotman]

My conquest hd's don't leave me feeling like I'm lacking at all.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

You will always feel your glass could be better until you buy the best. That's my personal opinion. Everyone is different as far as the top end companies. YOU need to get them in your hands and see what your eyes prefer.

 

[AZ Vince]

You will always feel your glass could be better until you buy the best. That's my personal opinion. Everyone is different as far as the top end companies. YOU need to get them in your hands and see what your eyes prefer.

Nailed it.
Try them in low light before you buy. If it were me I'd set them side by side on a tripod to compare.

 

[mullmann]

When the SF's are released to everyone I will definitely go somewhere and compare all the binoculars I am interested in.

 

[AK Shane]

I'd also suggest doing a side by side comparison with the optics you are interested in. One of my hunting buddies was in the market for some new binos recently and I was out with him comparing options. On the Conquests we both felt the eye cups needed to twist out further in order to provide the proper eye relief. With exception to the eye cup issue they were decent binos.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I'd also suggest doing a side by side comparison with the optics you are interested in. One of my hunting buddies was in the market for some new binos recently and I was out with him comparing options. On the Conquests we both felt the eye cups needed to twist out further in order to provide the proper eye relief. With exception to the eye cup issue they were decent binos.

I agree! The best way is to use a credit card, buy the ones u want to compare. Take them to the mountains for a few days. The winner will usually be very clear!! I know it's a pain in the ass. But optics ain't cheap.

 

[handwerk]

I've had the swaro SV 10x42's since they came out and still am very pleased with them, I've not seen a better view to my eyes and the ergo's work very good for me, buy once......

 

[jackwsm]

I have Zeiss Victory 10x42s (the new ones) and tried the Swarovski ELs ans SLCs before I bought. The Zeiss are much brighter imho. My buddy has the ELs and ge likes those, so go figure. You really can't go wrong with either pair.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I have the Conquest HDs and love em....I have learned to glass with them off a tripod and it's opened my eyes (pun intended)....if I'd have known how instrumental my glass would become I likely would have dropped some more coin. I haven't used better glass on the mountain but if my Conquest HDs were this much better than my old monarchs......it leaves me wondering what even better glass is capable of.

 

[jackwsm]

Also, there's a considerable and distinctly visible difference btwn the victory and conquest. I have the Victory 10x42s and the Conquest 10x30s and, notwithstanding the objective advantage the Victorys have, the Conquest just don't compare at all. This is especially try when you're glassing a hillside at dawn and dusk.

 

[dotman]

Also, there's a considerable and distinctly visible difference btwn the victory and conquest. I have the Victory 10x42s and the Conquest 10x30s and, notwithstanding the objective advantage the Victorys have, the Conquest just don't compare at all. This is especially try when you're glassing a hillside at dawn and dusk.

Pretty sure the conquest hd isn't the same as your conquest.

 

[jackwsm]

good point

 

[dotman]

There is a video review here on the home page Aron did of the conquest hd's next to the victories, he says they are pretty dang close in performance. I read a re ITW somewhere that said the conquest hd 8x32 is the best one of the conquest hd's in overall performance which surprised me, was right up there at five *'s where my 8x42's only received 4, would like to check this out for myself sometime.

 

[dotman]

Here you go http://vimeo.com/channels/optics/43365269

 

[mullmann]

Thanks for all the info.

 

[bobhunts]

Wish I could have seen a pair of Leica's in the video Aron and Dan did. Bob.