10x42 Binoculars

[PCF]

I have am looking at the following mid range binoculars for the boat in 10x42:
   -Leopold Acadia
   -Nikon Monarch 3
   -Vortex Diamondbacks

The 3 seem very comparable.  Does anyone have first hand experience with any of these?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[JV Rooster]

Do a search on here and you will find alot of info on the vortex and nikon.

[skilonbw]

No experience with any of those 3 but I went on  aphoto safari in SA with my Minox 10x42s and could find game that my native guide with his own eyes or 10x50 Nikons could spot. Don't know which model he had though. I intend to use these for elk hunting this year and looking forward to scouting in the spring with them.

[PA Bones]

I have a pair of 10 x 42 Nikon Monarch's and I believe they are exceptional, especially when compared to other binoculars at that price.

[Tom Leemans]

I have Eagle Optics Ranger in 10X42. Awesome glass. Great warranty.

[bearsfeet]

for budget glass I vote Nikon Monarchs... I have a pair and really like them... they are not Sawro but they are still pretty good binos, and great for the money.

[LKH]

You may have your mind made up by now, but check out Brunton.  American made and their customer service is flawless.

I had a pair for about 8 years and when the diopter adjustment wasn't enough for my changing eyes I asked if they could fix it.  They had me send in my old pair and sent me a new pair with a greater adjustment.  

My only cost was my freight to mail my old pair to them.

I've used them for sheep, goat and and elk/deer/antelope whild guiding in WY.

[Bill Sant]

Love the Leopold Acadias.  Have had them and the Nikons.  Both great glass but like the Acadia better.

[4 point]

I would not waste your money the Nikons. I think the Vortex might be your best bet in that price range. Do some research on how the eye cups hold up, thats going to be your biggest problem with binos of that price range.

[TxAg]

I really liked the Leupolds I had, but I hear great things about Vortex. I'm in the market for some binos myself. Somebody decided they needed my Leupolds more than I did.

[FerretWYO]

Vortex.

[sidekick]

Have a pair of 6x32 Vortex for bow hunting and a pair of 10x42 Nikon that mostly reside in my truck. Both have good glass for the money. I really like the Vortex pair for their versatility. Easy to wear around my neck and plenty of magnification for bow hunting.

[Walt Francis]

2x Vortex

[Canadian Idle]

3X Vortex  

[tradtusker]

I really think the Vortex are the way to go! out of the 3. They are great Glass and IMO the best Mid range optics, They have one of the best warranty's and the guys at Vortex will always look after you in the rare event you may need it.

[Gen273]

In my opinion, there is no question that the Vortex is the better of the three.

[bearsfeet]

I should say that I have not used the vortex binos... I had a vortex spotter and it was sweet! I would try to get your hands on a few of them before you buy for sure though

[azhunter]

I have 3 pairs of Nikon Monarchs and I have been very disappointed with how often the screw out eye cups break. Never had one issue with my Vortex or Swaravski's. I will never buy another pair of Nikon Monarchs. All of mine are probably at least 4-5 years old not sure if newer models are any better.

[mmisciag]

Not to throw a kink in this but while researching 10X42s comments were made about how it is too much magnification for a boat or hunting in the deer woods. I think the comments were that 10Xs limit your sight picture to too small a field. In a boat, less is more as the constant changing of your position makes you constantly adjust the glass to stay on what you are looking at. In the woods you will not see that far, you know the forrest for the trees. In most cases you are not bearing down on something but looking for movement. Not sure if the comments are valid; just something I remember reading. I think if I was hunting sheep or elk where I needed to see very long distances with great detail, I would have 10X42s and a spotting scope.

One of the other things that was mentioned was the use of BAK4 prisms. One review said to stay away from them. Quality was the concern. If I remember correctly: not great quality and everyone uses them. They do it to keep the cost down.

I based my buy on:
Japanese Glass
Good Coatings
NOT BAK4 prisms
Selecting the right magnification

I purchased Cabela's XTs with Japanese glass from the bargain cave. They are 8X42s and work great.

HTHs,

Martin

[Bladepeek]

I believe the BAK4 prisms are used in porro prism glasses and are among the better choices. It's cheaper to make porro prism glasses than roof prism because the internals are simpler. They are bulkier, though. Dollar for dollar, the porro prism binnos are generally better than a roof prism glass. We all buy roof prism glasses because we don't want to lug a big, heavy glass around.