What Binos..

[muledhunter]

Here is the deal. I had cabbalas euros but sold them because we needed the extra money. I am now in the market for a new pair. But my budget has been reduced to around $400. We have twins on the way so there is no way I would feel good about spending more than that. As Im mostly using cabbalas gift cards. Do any of you have experience with the zeiss terra or the vortex talon? those are the two I am interested most in.
Thanks

 

[RCA Dog]

I tried the both of those (only in the store, mind you), as well as the vortex razor recently when I was bono shopping. I would get the terras out of those three. I was looking specifically at 8x42. I think I liked the eyepiece of the vortex better, but that was about it, everything else went to the terra.

 

[xziang]

What about the Nikon Monarch 7 (retail at cabelas is 499) I know they had them on sale last summer for I think around 429. Also if you can wait till they have the coupon when you spend so much you get so much off might be worth the wait for whatever pair you buy.

I have the Monarch 7's and I'm happy with them. (10X42)


*edited* I apologize feel free to disregard, I'll admit I failed to read the ENTIRE post for you already have two brands that you are really looking at.

 

[muledhunter]

Thanks. I'm open to options.

 

[NMhunter92]

Muledhunter,

I have had both you cant go wrong with either for price point. Depends on your preference. Terras were compact and the Talons were great for mounting on the tripod. Vortex Warranty is second to none. Good Luck

 

[WRO]

I like the monarch 7s in that price range, you also might be able to find a set of vipers for close to that which are decent as well.

 

[muledhunter]

Do the terras not have a tripod adapter?

 

[Phillip Hathaway]

I like the vortex warranty. I would also check out cameralandny demo page for discounts.

 

[Phillip Hathaway]

I would also give camofire a call they had some vortex on there yesterday you could save some money that way.

 

[muledhunter]

Thanks Guys.

 

[Tauntohawk]

On just the initial feel and look through I like monarch 7 best, warranty is vortex by a land slide, the terra nice but I don't have any experience in the field with them.

The cabelas Alaskan guide series are nice pieces of glass too.

 

[DukeHouser]

Meopta from Cabelas using Schott Glass, same as Swaro.. they are actually pretty nice with a pretty sweet warranty to go with.

 

[darcytribe]

Love my meoptas. Have had them for 6 years and abused but they are still fantastic

 

[hodgeman]

I've been using the Talon HDs for a couple years now... no complaints, just a very good binocular for the price point.

 

[WRO]

Meopta from Cabelas using Schott Glass, same as Swaro.. they are actually pretty nice with a pretty sweet warranty to go with.

Schott makes the glass for Leica, High end Zeiss, Swaro, High end Minox, Meopta, and Swaro.

That being said, it is all finished in house by each manufacturer. Meaning all of the polishing, coatings, and processes are brand specific.

 

[hooker]

Get a Nikon Monarch for $250. Send in the $50 rebate deal and you have bino's for $200. You'll spend $500 plus to match what you just got for $200. $300 would go along ways towards more hunts/tags.. But like boots not all eyes are the same.. My Monarchs are nearly 10 years old and I've electrical taped the eyecups so they won't move. God I'd buy a new pair but... Why?

 

[realunlucky]

Get a Nikon Monarch for $250. Send in the $50 rebate deal and you have bino's for $200. You'll spend $500 plus to match what you just got for $200. $300 would go along ways towards more hunts/tags.. But like boots not all eyes are the same.. My Monarchs are nearly 10 years old and I've electrical taped the eyecups so they won't move. God I'd buy a new pair but... Why?

You can walk around without shoes but that doesn't make it the the most efficient way

 

[BackcountryMT]

Schott makes the glass for Leica, High end Zeiss, Swaro, High end Minox, Meopta, and Swaro.

That being said, it is all finished in house by each manufacturer. Meaning all of the polishing, coatings, and processes are brand specific.

X1000. Just because it's Schott glass doesn't mean it's Swaro quality. One thing a lot of people don't/can't comprehend is that there is ZERO wasted money in optics. You hear guys all the time say their "brand x" bino's are just as good as Swaro's or Leica. This is simply not true, or they would be a similar price.

OP, I used to sell optics for a living and have spent some extensive time looking through the pairs you are considering.

Vortex Talon I originally bought a pair of these about 4 years ago. While they were a decent bino back then I feel they are in a major need of an overhaul ( I wish vtx would just drop them all together). Too many good options out there these days in this same price range to bite on the Vortex warranty, IMHO. Heavy and clunky.

Zeiss Terra I have been very impressed with the Terra's. Decent edge to edge clarity and great light gathering capabilities. They focus extremely fast though and it takes a few outings to get used to it.

Personally, I would save a little bit longer and try to get into a pair of Monarch 7's ($479 for the 8X42, IIRC). Incredible glass, and very lightweight. Nikon hit a home run with these. As a secondary option, you may be able to find a pair of used Viper HD's in that price range as well.

 

[Trial153]

Yea, hate to beat a dead horse but thinking and saying brand/ model XYZ performs at double its price is just fooling yourself.
I have no problem determining a budget and looking for the best value in that range, but be honest with your self.

If 500 optics performed measuredly as good as 1500 optics then two things would happen, no one would buy 1500 optics or the 500 optics would raise the price and increase its margin.
Simply put you get what you pay for.

 

[Firehawk]

Vortex Talon 8x42 has been great for me. I recently scored a deal on some Leica Duovids and as good as they are I can't help but recognize how truly good those Talons are. My .02 worth anyway.