help with binos

[Hummer3T]

I'm looking at Zeiss Terra ED 8-42 Binoculars  anyone have them and what are the pros and cons.

I have three pairs of binos and a scope at  present, Pentax 10-50's, compact and bushel 10x25's, B and L compact 7x26's.

would like to get one better pair, for hiking and general glassing in the field.

[Bowwild]

I'm no help to you at all.

I've never owned a great set of binoculars. I have decent ones, Leopold but I rarely take them with me on my tree stand whitetail hunts.

If I hunted open country, especially in the west, I would use them more. Maybe even own better ones.

I was admiring some Swarovski's and Zeiss at Cabelas yesterday. They cost $1,000-$3,000 though. Some would argue I should be as willing to put as much in a set of binocs as I am in a custom bow. Maybe if I get drawn for Bighorns?

[pamike]

I have a pair of Leica for sale right now. Best of the best and never look back. Don't waste money on lower level glass. Swarovski, zeiss victory or Leica all VERY good. PM me if interested.

[Walt Francis]

Mike, that is an excellent price on the Leica's, if they were 10X I would be really interested.

[curlis]

I have a pair of the Zeiss HD 8x42. They are all I will ever need.

[Moon]

I've had the same pair of Minox 8x32 for 14 years and they're crystal clear and light weight.  I highly recommend them.

Good luck.

[Hummer3T]

These Zeiss's sell for about 300-400 per pair. with rebate.

[saltwatertom]

I recently bought Vortex 10x50's. I've looked thought these side by side on the field with the big brand names that are supposed to be the "best" and can't tell the difference.

They are WAY less expensive and just as good, in my experience.  

[Bladepeek]

I have had Zeiss 10 x 50s and sold them; too big for what I used them for. Got a set of Nikon Monarch X's;  8.5 x 45. Much handier, great mechanically and nearly as good as the older Zeiss optically, but I'm looking seriously at a little pair of 6 x 32 Vortex Vipers. Small enough to be out of the way and enough power for any bow hunting I'll ever do. Since I don't hunt out west where space is BIG and do hunt in Michigan where woods ranges tend to be very shot, I'm looking for something that will help my tired old eyes see into shadows at relative short ranges.

[mmgrode]

For that kind of money I'd recommend looking into the vortex viper line.  Excellent glass for the price and an unbeatable unconditional lifetime warranty.  Looking at getting one of their spotting scopes in the next few months.

[stykshooter]

I have a pair of Leica 8x32 for whitetail & Leica Ultravid Binoculars 10x50 for out west

[awbowman]

Vortex Viper HD, nuff said

[Cootling]

I bought a pair of Leica 10x40's around 20 years ago.  They have been used and used and are still as sound as the day I bought them.   The price I paid seemed high then, but like a bargain now.  One of my best investments in outdoor gear!

[Hummer3T]

You guys suggesting vipers, when using all my binos above and some borrowed, for prolonged time I get headaches, how are vipers for long viewing times.  In the mountains and prairies where I use binos most, I sometime glass for 1 hour at a time or more.

[mmgrode]

I worked an entire summer surveying bighorn sheep (glassing all day long) with my 10x42 non-hd vipers and have used them for western hunts the last 6 years.  They work well for me.  I'm sure the new HD glass is even better.  I did get headaches, but not from my binos, but from the cheapo bushnell spotting scope I was using.  Vipers are good glass...not swarovski good, but for the price they are excellent. I always advocate buying the best glass you can afford.  For the price it'd be hard to beat the vortex in performance and warranty.  

I would recommend going to the store at twilight and looking through each you are considering, comparing them side by side. This will give you a better idea what you've really got.
 
Cheers,
Matt

ps- On headaches- It is important to get the focus properly adjusted to each eye independently. If not you will get headaches no matter what the glass. Also, for long glassing sessions it helps tremendously to mount your binos on a tripod to keep them stable.  It also allows more efficient spotting of movement as well as being easier on your eyes.

[tradarcher816]

I've been looking at the same pair of glass I don't have any hands on experience, but everything I'm reading so far is positive. I'm leaning real hard to acquiring a set for myself. That being said if you pick some up let us know what you think.

[Hummer3T]

Mike, I have seen one really bad review rest have be good.  These are china made Zeiss's with only a 2 year warrantee.  My trouble with most of the review is I think people are just using briefly or in store,  I'm looking for long viewing times, that is what really makes the diff for me.

[GrayRhino]

I think the Vortex Viper line is the way to go.  Their warranty beats all.  If it were me I would pay a little more and go with the them.

[GrayRhino]

Originally posted by mmgrode:
I always advocate buying the best glass you can afford.  For the price it'd be hard to beat the vortex in performance and warranty.  

x2

[RickE]

The best and most thorough reviews of binoculars and spotting scopes are generally done by birders.  They use their binoculars a lot more than most of us would ever hope to.  If you want an idea just check out the World Series of Birding.  Cornell's Bird Lab does reviews regularly and just did their last review in 2013.  Here is the link to it.  If it doesn't work just do a search for "Cornell Bird Lab Binocular Review".  Rick.

 http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2680