What Binos are you carrying?

[Kakashi]

I’ve bought 5 pairs of Monarchs over the years, including several as gifts, and accordingly have thought highly of them. I bought a set of 5s for my son. On the second outing, in which it was completely dry, the barrel fogged up and droplets were visible on the inside. I called to get warranty service and they told me water damage is not covered. This is a waterproof product and they never got wet! Possibly a few drops fell on the ocular when he got a drink, but no dunking, no rain, no other source I can think of. That’s utterly outrageous for a clear factory fault. I’ll never go back to them. Just a word of warning.

 

[medvedyt]

nikon replaced 2pairs of monarch 3 after almost 12 years of hard use including 5 years of guiding spring fall and winter.
they were 10 and 8x42 and i got brand new 10 and 8x42 monarch 5.

the nikon that i dealt was in canada if that makes a difference.

 

[Shortschaf]

Cheap bushnells, then sig kilo 3000's, then leica 3200.com's, now the swarovski el range TA.

Like many, I have found that the alpha glass is worth it. I got them used for a deal.

Used to think the riflescope was the most important glass, now I care fairly little for riflescope clarity as long as it is zeroed. Binos get used a lot more.

 

[cbeard64]

Get the best you can afford. Don’t get Vortex.

 

[blackwood]

I have Leupold Bx-2 10x42 that are great.

 

[ahawk116]

I’ve been carrying the Leica geovid 8x42 hbd exclusively for probably 6 years. I’ve been hemming and hawing about picking up a set of nl pure in 10x42 and carrying a handheld range finder again. Having the combo is nice though.

 

[TMac96]

Would you guys rather carry 8x42 NLs or 10x52 NLs on a NWT Dall hunt?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

For 10 or 12 years I use a set of swaro combo bino/range finder. Love them!

 

[Blockcaver]

Would you guys rather carry 8x42 NLs or 10x52 NLs on a NWT Dall hunt?

I'd carry my 10x32 NL's. You aren't hunting sheep in very low light conditions, and I find the 10x32 NLs actually brighter than my old Swarovision 10x42 ELs that just came back from Swarovski after a cleaning.

If you already own the two pair of NLs you are asking about, I'd take the 10X binos over 8X unless you seriously want to save 6 ounces and pack space.

 

[TMac96]

I'd carry my 10x32 NL's. You aren't hunting sheep in very low light conditions, and I find the 10x32 NLs actually brighter than my old Swarovision 10x42 ELs that just came back from Swarovski after a cleaning.

If you already own the two pair of NLs you are asking about, I'd take the 10X binos over 8X unless you seriously want to save 6 ounces and pack space.

Gotcha. Thanks for the input!

 

[2weak2flex]

although they’re now a bit dated, I recently bought the Vortex HD Fury 5000 AB binos. I was tired of flipping back and forth between bino/rf. Also lost the Applied Ballistics that help me instantly dial. I’m more of a hunter than a PRS, so I wanted something super practical.

I haven’t hunted with them yet, but I’m playing with them at home and at the range, I can tell I’ll love them.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Would you guys rather carry 8x42 NLs or 10x52 NLs on a NWT Dall hunt?

Assuming it’s a guided hunt, the client will likely be using their glass to find sheep and look at other critters along the way. A high-quality 8x glass is well good enough for that task as there is just about always a spotter available to judge any rams spotted. The 8x42 NL offers a pretty spectacular view that should be easy on the eyes and it doesn’t weigh a ton. I’d certainly notice having an extra 6oz in my hands, glassing for several hours throughout the day - not to mention having to lug around that much bigger/heavier glass. Although I’m sometimes like bigger objective binoculars, they wouldn’t be my first choice on a sheep hunt. To me, a well balanced, premium 10x42 hits the “sweet spot” for sharp views while minimizing eye and arm fatigue.

My 2 cents

 

[CHL]

Would you guys rather carry 8x42 NLs or 10x52 NLs on a NWT Dall hunt?

12 x 42 for me. They’re still pretty light and offer an awesome view when glassing all day. Be taking mine in 6 weeks in the Yukon.

 

[TMac96]

12 x 42 for me. They’re still pretty light and offer an awesome view when glassing all day. Be taking mine in 6 weeks in the Yukon.

Best of luck! I'm a few years away from my NWT adventure, so I am glad to hear everyone's thoughts before making a decision.

 

[45-70govt]

my monarch 5's have been great to me for 5 years now. For the price they work great.

 

[digger]

Swarovski NL Pure 12-42

 

[SethB_9]

So what are you carrying? I posted on the optics a was thinking Swaro 10x30 CL and they are $1500 and then I was looking at some Vortex 10X32 UHD and they are the same price, how is that possibe? What am I missing and how does vortex price like some Swaro. I will be carrying a Kowa 66 spotter. So what do you recommend and can you offer some insight and pros and cons of current and past choices?

I have Swaro 10x42 SLC and then the 15 Swaro’s as well. I run the Swaro ATX with 95mm for spotter.

 

[Ramem7mm]

I currently use Zeiss victory RF 10x42. I have used them for about 3 years and I do like them. they are heavy though and the focus knobs tend to move from normal handling very easily and therefore are finicky which drives me crazy. I have not compared side by side against the competition though so I don't know if I am missing out on better glass.

 

[Speaks]

Just got some 8x geovids, seems like they will be a great set up