upgrade advice...?

[Vitals]

Thinking of selling a pair of Vanguard Endeavor Eds 8x42 + Bushnell Elite 15-45x60 spotter to fund a higher end pair of binos. I've never really been completely satisfied with the 8x binos even though they perform well in most circumstances. What say you?

 

[Beastmode]

Budget?

 

[MesaHorseCo.]

Look at some vortex stuff, They make something for every budget, with the viper being the middle of the road. If you have a premium budget though, you know the ones to look at. Zeiss, Leica, Swaro.

 

[Vitals]

$800

Budget?

 

[JJHACK]

Meopta

The greatest value on earth. They were building spotters for zeiss, half or even 1/3 the price of the big three and equal quality.

 

[Beastmode]

Is that with selling both your spotter and binos? I would recomend holding on to the spotter for one more year and try and get the nicest binos your budget will allow. If later in the year you have more money than upgrade the spotter. Guys a clearing out a ton of gear right now so you might be able to get a really good set of used binos for that price. New you are within a couple hundred dollars of the vortex raxor series which are a really good bino. You have a ton of time until hunting season so the more money you can put towards optics the better.

 

[Vitals]

Is that with selling both your spotter and binos? I would recomend holding on to the spotter for one more year and try and get the nicest binos your budget will allow. If later in the year you have more money than upgrade the spotter. Guys a clearing out a ton of gear right now so you might be able to get a really good set of used binos for that price. New you are within a couple hundred dollars of the vortex raxor series which are a really good bino. You have a ton of time until hunting season so the more money you can put towards optics the better.

Sound advice. Neither the spotter or binos give me head aches or discomfort and they are solid for what I paid. Im just looking to try a good pair of 10x. Maybe even 15x.

Optics and my first bow are on my list. Or top of the list I should say...

 

[Beastmode]

Sound advice. Neither the spotter or binos give me head aches or discomfort and they are solid for what I paid. Im just looking to try a good pair of 10x. Maybe even 15x.

Optics and my first bow are on my list. Or top of the list I should say...

Where in northern California are you?

 

[Vitals]

Rohnert Park currently. My family lives in Campbell and im there quite a bit.

 

[Beastmode]

I have family in santa Rosa and get down there a couple times a year. Next time im down I will bring a set of the razors and look you up if you want to check them out. If you hunt in California a lot I can tell you that just a set of 15x binos is going to be too much. A set of 15x binos on a tripod with a good set of 10x42s is a good option. I use a spotter instead of 15x binos because I need the extra power where I hunt.

 

[tipsntails7]

I have a pair of vipers that I love, but man I really want a set of razors just cannot justify it right now. I really like everything about them, including the ergonomics. I'm currently saving for a razor spotter so it may be awhile.

 

[Vitals]

Yeah I had that thought in the back of my head. I guess the idea was appealing if it would negate the need to carry both spotter and binos but it wouldnt really fill each niche. Im also going to be moving to Arizona this summer so I thought the extra extra strength would be good. I still want the spotter though. The combo gives more versatility in my experience so far.

That woukd be awesome. No local stores carry Vortex and I need to get a sense of whats out there. Give me a shout!

 

[Vitals]

Meopta

The greatest value on earth. They were building spotters for zeiss, half or even 1/3 the price of the big three and equal quality.

Whats the Meopta warranty like? Camera Land carries their stuff a lot it seems

 

[JJHACK]

Fully transferable to any owner.

 

[Shrek]

After looking through some 10x42 hd meoptas it is what I'm going to buy. Very nice . I want the spotter and the binoculars . I don't think they can be beat for performance versus price.

 

[AGPank]

I'm really pleased with my 10x42 hd meostars. Somewhere I saw a used meopta spotter, here or on archery talk. I have the razor hd spotter that I really like too. I've had the razor HDs and they are great too. Look through both and see what works best.

There's pros and cons with all of them.

 

[LaHunter]

I have a pair of Swaro SLC 10 X 42 binos. I have had them for about 7-8 years and have used them a lot. These are non HD and I could not be any happier with them. I actually can't tell the difference between the HD versions and mine when looking through them side by side. You can find these used in very good condition online in the range of $1,000 to $1,200 if you stay at it and are patient.

Good Luck

 

[todd kelly]

Thinking of selling a pair of Vanguard Endeavor Eds 8x42 + Bushnell Elite 15-45x60 spotter to fund a higher end pair of binos. I've never really been completely satisfied with the 8x binos even though they perform well in most circumstances. What say you?

If I were you I would hold off another year or so until you could save up money for some high end glass. I did the $200 bino to $800 bino upgrade 8 or 9 years ago and regretted it ever since. It was a nice change at first, but 6 months later I really wished I would have waited longer and bought high end binos. Now my $800 binos are probably only worth $150 at the most, so I'm starting from scratch again saving for better binos.

 

[JJHACK]

Todd, you have nailed this exactly. 20 years ago I bought Leica's. I still have them. I can't think of another piece of equipment I'm still using from 20 years ago, and I don't spend more time using anything!

It's a brutally painful expense. Looking back if I divide the cost by 20 years it's actually cheap for this quality. Not to mention all the hundreds of dollars saved on short lived lower quality glasses. There is another added very important cost. Alaska guide creations compact case for 60 bucks. Gotta protect the investment and nothing I have found works better.

Meopta Zeiss and Swarovski. Will also repair and refurbish their glasses free for life. Even if you buy a used set.

 

[Vitals]

Yeah that's what I would be a little afraid of Todd. The few times I have sat there at the optics counter and looked down several different pairs of binos, I never REALLYY could notice a large difference between glass until the price gap really gets larger...