What is the best value in used high end binos right now ($1000+)?

[spacemonkey]

I've been using Zeiss Conquest HD for 4-5 years now and am considering upgrading to something like a used Swaro SLC 10x42. The Conquest have been great, seeing as I updated from a shit pair of Diamondbacks. I am not a big fan of the eye cups though. SLCs seem to be right around that $1000-1200 range. The EDs don't seem like they are that much of an upgrade from the SLCs, not for the price atleast.

Are there any other new/used glass in that low-alpha tier that I should be considering?

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[Elkman17]

I literally came to the optics forum to post almost this exact same question. I’m wanting to get a pair of 12x50’s or 10x50’s for $1000 or less before late summer. Been really looking at used/refurbisbed razor UHD’s but I think I’m not going to like the bulk and weight that comes with them.

 

[Tahoe1305]

If you want the bigger binos for that price, Meopta meostars are probably best you’ll be able to swing. They are also a tad bigger and heavier.

If you don’t mind the size, I think the UHDs are close to the meostars.

My progression over the last decade: 12x size
viper HD->meostar->EL->NL

I’ve tested nearly all options prior to making those jumps.

 

[Elkman17]

If you want the bigger binos for that price, Meopta meostars are probably best you’ll be able to swing. They are also a tad bigger and heavier.

If you don’t mind the size, I think the UHDs are close to the meostars.

My progression over the last decade: 12x size
viper HD->meostar->EL->NL

I’ve tested nearly all options prior to making those jumps.

I’m not very familiar with Meopta at all except for reading about them on this forum. How much of an improvement are they over the viper hd’s? Those are what my wife currently uses

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’m not very familiar with Meopta at all except for reading about them on this forum. How much of an improvement are they over the viper hd’s? Those are what my wife currently uses

Edge to edge improves a bit. I’d say half way between viper and ELs. Color pop is better. Resulting is same about IMO.

They are heavier and bigger.

 

[Elkman17]

Edge to edge improves a bit. I’d say half way between viper and ELs. Color pop is better. Resulting is same about IMO.

They are heavier and bigger.

Thank you, I’ll probably end up holding out for a pair of el’s when I see a good price pop up on the forum. About a month ago a pair sold for $1100 but I missed them. There’s a pair of the Meostars on eBay right now for $760 seems like that would probably be a good deal for someone.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Thank you, I’ll probably end up holding out for a pair of el’s when I see a good price pop up on the forum. About a month ago a pair sold for $1100 but I missed them. There’s a pair of the Meostars on eBay right now for $760 seems like that would probably be a good deal for someone.

I would do that as well.

 

[Fred@Exterra]

I’m always tempted by 1990’s Zeiss 10x40B… not because they are great compared to modern premium optics, but because I wanted a set so bad in high school/ college. That’s what the cool kids all had. Instead, I saved up for the best I could afford… a set of 10x50 Nikon porro prisms that served me well for a decade, but probably gave me spina bifida.

I also have a soft spot for 8x30 Swarovski SLCs. The best form factor & power for 90% of my hunting… but I carry 8x42’s for that last 10% of low light.

It certainly pays off when you’re looking at used optics to search the birding forums. There is a tremendous amount of tribal knowledge on which years had which lenses… and it’s not always linear where they continually got better.


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[cmak]

Thank you, I’ll probably end up holding out for a pair of el’s when I see a good price pop up on the forum. About a month ago a pair sold for $1100 but I missed them. There’s a pair of the Meostars on eBay right now for $760 seems like that would probably be a good deal for someone.

I bought a brand new pair of 10x42 EL's for 1699.00 plus tax from a local sporting goods store couple months ago. I looked through Zeiss SFL 10x50 and although they were nice, I figured EL's will hold their value better long term.

 

[MTBackroads]

Swaro SLC and EL in the 1k+ range, Leica Trinovids are really nice at around 7-800.

 

[22rave]

I absolutely love my Zeiss SFL 8x40. If I had 1500 dollars to spend right now on another pair of binoculars I would buy the Zeiss SFL 10x40.

 

[Sheldon N]

Pretty good deal on a set of Razor UHD 12x50's here in the classifieds.

S

Sold Thread 'Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 - NIB $1150'

Tuesday at 11:12 AM

Up for sale is a set of Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 binoculars. Brand new in box, never out of the plastic, direct from Vortex not a refurbished model. Includes all the accessories.

$1,150 shipped.

• Sheldon N
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Optics Classifieds

 

[nphunter]

By far best bino in that price is a Used NL Pure 8x32, if you can’t find them the 8x32 EL. By far my favorite bino, I’d keep them over my NL14’s.

I know you said 10 but on a tripod you’ll find more with NL8’s than 90% of 10’s you’d get in that price range.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

By far best bino in that price is a Used NL Pure 8x32, if you can’t find them the 8x32 EL. By far my favorite bino, I’d keep them over my NL14’s.

I know you said 10 but on a tripod you’ll find more with NL8’s than 90% of 10’s you’d get in that price range.

That's an interesting take.

 

[Spiral Horn]

I've been using Zeiss Conquest HD for 4-5 years now and am considering upgrading to something like a used Swaro SLC 10x42. The Conquest have been great, seeing as I updated from a shit pair of Diamondbacks. I am not a big fan of the eye cups though. SLCs seem to be right around that $1000-1200 range. The EDs don't seem like they are that much of an upgrade from the SLCs, not for the price atleast.

Are there any other new/used glass in that low-alpha tier that I should be considering?

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IME there are very few binoculars appreciably better for actual hunting field use than the Conquest HD. To me, the only upgrade worth considering would be to an NL or SF. Otherwise it's really just splitting hairs.

Since the SLC is in focus - I have both and can say that the SLC is a remarkable optic. For sheer resolution and optimal weight-size-balance it is hard to beat. On a tripod pulling picking apart a landscape looking for game it simply shines. But it's extremely slow focuser, while great for that application is a definite handicap when stalking game with a bow or trying to use it with one hand. Also, the focuser feels rough and unrefined. IMO the Conquest HD has very sharp resolution that may be just the slightest smidge behind the SLC, but its focuser is a little better and much more suitable for bowhunting or one-hand operation. The Conquest HD has a vastly overblown reputation for CA - yes, I can see it if viewing a raven against the mid-day sky, but in regular use do not notice it.

I own or have owned a ton of optics over the years - IME, each optical device is engineered to optimize specific features and functions at a given price point. Better quality materials and components, along with the precision of their integration leads to a higher quality optic. Also, there is far too much attention paid to spec sheets - the real test in in the field.

Sorry for that long-winded rant. To sum it up, if looking to upgrade from the Conquest HD, anything less than jumping to the SF or NL isn't a sufficient upgrade to make a appreciable difference in the field. I have both and can say the SF is in my hands more often than not.

My 2 Cents.

 

[Spiral Horn]

I'd really suggest getting hands on as many as you can. Zeiss SF are top of that lineup for sure (not only subjectively based on my opinion, but objectively based on the specs of that bino compared to the rest), but a lot of it depends on personal preference. They are bigger 10x/8x housings than some others, but with that you get some killer ergonomics. The SF has better FOV than anything else on that list, the swarovision in EL and certain SLC will give you slight edge to edge clarity advantage over the SF and SFL, but when I say slight...you'd probably never notice it.

I've owned all the binos that have been mentioned here excluding Meopta and including NLs, and for me...the SF is the best bino on the planet. I still have the SF 10, 8 and EL Range 12x. But, that's me. I have very large hands, so the NL is cramped for me and the SF is my huckelberry...always will be. Focus wheel erg advantages to to the SF (stands for smart focus), NL and SFL because your index finger naturally rests right on the wheel, and those three binos have buttery smooth focus wheels. EL, SLC you have to reach up towards your eyes to get the focus wheel. Small, but once you have the focus wheel where the SF, NL and SFL has it...it's hard to enjoy the EL/SLC focus location without missing the SF/NL.

The SF also has some crazy, seemingly small ergonomic advantages IMO that seem gimicky when you read about them, but are very real when comparing against other binos on the list. The weight is shifted towards your eyes, and NLs/SFLs are similar. But that makes the bino feel significantly lighter when hand holding. It's hard to explain, but a SF 10x makes an EL 10x feel like a brick in the hand. SLC in my opinion are tremendous binos, but the EL is better in every way, and the SF (to me) is a world above the SLC, and a significant step above the EL. Again, the only real competitor the SF has in terms of FOV, ergonomics, specs, etc is the NL....yet it can be had for $1500 in like new condition.

Color hue and field flatteners are another thing to consider. Some are impacted by the rolling ball with swaros, i've never seen it...but it's a real thing for some. Zeiss and Swaro have slightly different colors when looking through them, again, I prefer the colors in a Zeiss...but only slightly.

SFL and SLC i'd put together on your list at the bottom. SFL is great, as Robbie mentioned...a little on the small side for me and I again feel cramped. FOV isn't quite as good as SF but I (think) better than EL? SLC is a great value, older design with great glass...still a bit off for me ergonomically, the focus wheel on the SLC is the worst of the ones you mentioned IMO in terms of smoothness. Still get the swarovision edge to edge though.

and with ALL that being said, the EL Range TA 12x is my primary chest bino for all hunts...hard stop due to the RF and still VERY good optics ha. But it'll never be as near or dear to my heart as the SF. You can spend hours and hours on here researching this stuff, and I'd suggest reading up on the same topic on birdforum. A ton of good info out there, but in the end it's all going to be a bit biased and it all comes down to personal preference...and only you can say what is best for you. You are splitting hairs with all of these, and even though there are a lot of differences that have been mentioned....in this level of glass, they are all fairly subtle.

My list in order for what you mentioned. SF, EL, SFL (again, I have big hands), SLC, then Maven...I don't have Meopta experience or Kowa bino experience.

Very insightful post - at the very top end a lot depends on preferences. It has always served me well to put my biases in my pocket and do an objective side-by-side comparison to determine what works best for me. For example, back in 2018 or thereabouts I decided I wanted a new top-end binocular and went out under the impression I'd come home with a Swarovski EL, but after thorough comparison came home with Zeiss Victory SF. Years of reflection and a ton of field use reinforce that it was the correct choice. There is just no substitute for direct comparison.

 

[Reed104R]

IME there are very few binoculars appreciably better for actual hunting field use than the Conquest HD. To me, the only upgrade worth considering would be to an NL or SF. Otherwise it's really just splitting hairs.

Since the SLC is in focus - I have both and can say that the SLC is a remarkable optic. For sheer resolution and optimal weight-size-balance it is hard to beat. On a tripod pulling picking apart a landscape looking for game it simply shines. But it's extremely slow focuser, while great for that application is a definite handicap when stalking game with a bow or trying to use it with one hand. Also, the focuser feels rough and unrefined. IMO the Conquest HD has very sharp resolution that may be just the slightest smidge behind the SLC, but its focuser is a little better and much more suitable for bowhunting or one-hand operation. The Conquest HD has a vastly overblown reputation for CA - yes, I can see it if viewing a raven against the mid-day sky, but in regular use do not notice it.

I own or have owned a ton of optics over the years - IME, each optical device is engineered to optimize specific features and functions at a given price point. Better quality materials and components, along with the precision of their integration leads to a higher quality optic. Also, there is far too much attention paid to spec sheets - the real test in in the field.

Sorry for that long-winded rant. To sum it up, if looking to upgrade from the Conquest HD, anything less than jumping to the SF or NL isn't a sufficient upgrade to make a appreciable difference in the field. I have both and can say the SF is in my hands more often than not.

My 2 Cents.

This is the simple truth. Alot of time is wasted debating otherwise. While we all have individual preferences, any phase corrected alpha level roof prism binocular is a superstar. For me, the most important variable is eye relief, because I am old and wear glasses.