willhunt4coues Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Here is my question to you all. What is the best you have looked through? Zeiss 15x45, Minox 15x58 BD ED, or the Vortex 15x50. I have about 1000.00 to spend on some nice 15x binos. I already have 10x40 Zeiss. I like Zeiss but I don't know about the field of view and need help between the three. I just want to know if any of you have looked through the minox or vortex in these powers. I already have the specs. but I need your advise please HELP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krp Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Minox, Doug at Cameraland has them for $549. Kent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swede Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Vortex has some pretty good glass for the money. I use Swars but I was pretty impressed with the Vortex but didnt use them very long. One thing with big glasses is eye fatigue after glassing for a couple hours and thats what you dont find out till you buy them. I have used Doctors and for the money your looking to spend I would check them out. JMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted January 24, 2009 I would wait to see what the new Vortex Kaibabs are like when they come out later this spring. But by then, you may have set aside another $400 and could get a used pair of swaros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Keep saving. In the end, you wont be happy with out one of the big names. Save your money, buy the best once. For those that dont know, that means Leica! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooked_on_Coues Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Has anyone looked through the switch power Leupold yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Clay you can come to my house and look through some 15x45 zeiss's if you want and compare them to swaro 15x56's. Might help you with your decision. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Amanda: Would be interested in your take on the merits of each... Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted January 24, 2009 The zeiss 15x45 conquest are very nice, but don't allow as much light in as the much larger 15x56's. But the zeiss's are very nice and lightweight, so they have big plus there. Mostly I have glassed with my swaro's and I haven't ever set them up side by side, but there is an obvious difference in light because of the smaller diameter objective lens in the zeiss. So as usual, there are trade-offs and it's a personal preference thing. Best for everyone to look through several types of glass to determine what they like and don't like. The big Swaro's are a little difficult for me because I apparently have narrow eyes, haven't had that problem with my Zeiss's (10x40s and 15x45s). Also with the Zeiss's you have to use a velcro type adapter to put them on a tripod whereas the swaro's have a tapped hole and you can use a metal post type adapter. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffcountry Report post Posted January 24, 2009 Has anyone looked through the switch power Leupold yet? I looked thru a friends pair during Christmas . I think they switched from 10 to 17 . I was only able to look for a few seconds and we were in residential area where there wasnt much to look at . My immediate impression was that they would be worth further review . I didnt ask the price . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted January 25, 2009 Okay I dropped by Amanda's and she has now shown me the swaro way. So I guess I know what I have to do now. Thank you Amanda for helping out a fellow coues nut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couesridge Report post Posted January 25, 2009 you can also look into docter optics 15x60 but they are bulky so if u can save get the swaro's 15x56 . I use 10x40 ziess and 15x56 swaros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted January 25, 2009 you can also look into docter optics 15x60 but they are bulky so if u can save get the swaro's 15x56 . I use 10x40 ziess and 15x56 swaros. I also have the Zeiss 10x40 and love the heck out of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites