BeardownAZ Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Swarovskis are great but they do not make game appear that aren't there regardless what anyone hear tells you. As with all things, you have to ask yourself if spending more is worth it or justified based in how much you'll use them. You don't need to spend $1500 or more on one set of binos or any other optics if you are ok with shooting the average deer. It astounds me how many people brag about spending thousands of dollars on a single gun and another few thousand on optics only to shoot little deer. I'd just go back to the Walmart goods and road hunt and use the money elsewhere if that's all you want to shoot. But if you want to really get serious or think you will at some point, buy what makes YOU happy and pay what YOU are willing to live with. I try and find a balance between price and realistic use. It's just like buying a corvette cause your buddies say it's cool, only to realize you should've spent the money on a 4x4 truck you'd use ten times as much, and pay less for too. dude wtf. so much wrong in this i dont know where to begin. Well you buy what you want. Hunting isn't all that goes on in everyone's lives Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5guyshunting Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Swarovskis are great but they do not make game appear that aren't there regardless what anyone hear tells you. As with all things, you have to ask yourself if spending more is worth it or justified based in how much you'll use them. You don't need to spend $1500 or more on one set of binos or any other optics if you are ok with shooting the average deer. It astounds me how many people brag about spending thousands of dollars on a single gun and another few thousand on optics only to shoot little deer. I'd just go back to the Walmart goods and road hunt and use the money elsewhere if that's all you want to shoot. But if you want to really get serious or think you will at some point, buy what makes YOU happy and pay what YOU are willing to live with. I try and find a balance between price and realistic use. It's just like buying a corvette cause your buddies say it's cool, only to realize you should've spent the money on a 4x4 truck you'd use ten times as much, and pay less for too.dude wtf. so much wrong in this i dont know where to begin.Well you buy what you want. Hunting isn't all that goes on in everyone's lives I agree you buy what you want , but the op. Inquired peoples opinions . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed_az_88 Report post Posted November 13, 2015 I didn't read any of the previous responses so I'm sorry if somebody already gave you this advice but there is a pair of 12x50 euro hd binoculars in the classifieds for $950. Buy them before somebody else does and never look back. They are amazing glass for the money. They are amazing glass even if you don't consider how much cheaper they are than the swaros. Yes, the swaros are top notch, but a guy doesn't have to own a pair of swaros to be successful. I glass with guys using the most expensive glass on the market and I consider them to be really good glassers and I don't feel like I'm at a disadvantage at all with my euro hd's. If you do decide eventually that you want the swaros then sell the euro hd's for what you paid for them and buy the swaros. 950 Is a smoking deal and the only reason those binos are still there is because not very many people know what they are and what they're capable of. You would be wasting money in my opinion buying and Vortex product over those euro hds. That's my educated opinion anyways. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Interesting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 13, 2015 I probably have a 300+ hours behind my Meopta Euro HD 10x42 & 15x 56 this year so far. I can honestly say I am still extremely happy with them, especially for the prices I paid for them. Love them. Never get eye fatigue, headaches, etc. A huge benefit when sitting behind binos for 8-10 hours per day over a 10 day hunt. But everyone needs to go and LOOK through the binos they plan on buying. Everyone's eyes and facial features are different. The Swaro SLR & EL hold their value like no other, and are top tier glass. The Leica are good too, but I can't use them. Some of the Zeiss line are amazing, others are average. Vortex binos are not in the same league as the others mentioned here. The Meopta fill the niche in the top tier glass line at a price that makes top tier obtainable. To me, at less than half the price of Searo, for glass that is 98%, made perfect sense. It also takes a LOT of practice to glass up game that are not just standing in the open or moving. Better glass will allow you the time behind them without strain to get better and therefore see more game than cheap glass will allow. Don't just look for deer, look for antler tips, ears, a tail flick, shapes, colors, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kazpilot25 Report post Posted November 13, 2015 I went through the same thing you did when I first started out. I started with some cheap bushnell binos, then got the vortex diamondback 10x50, then the Vortex Viper 15x50, then the Vortex Kaibab 15x56 before finally getting the Swarovski 15x56. Comparing the diamondback to the viper is a pretty big difference, but that being said, I did not really like the viper binoculars. They were not nearly as bright or clear or colorful as I'd like. The kaibab's are ok, but at that price you can do better. The clarity around the edges is pretty bad, which is why I upgraded to the swaros. It was driving me nuts. If I were you, I'd get a new pair of the Vortex Razor HD 12x50 or buy those Euro HD 12x50 in the classifieds. If you shop around you can get the Razor HD for around or just under $1000. Good luck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMC Report post Posted November 13, 2015 I really like my Vortex Viper 15x50. Are there better options out there, yes. It comes down to what will work best for you, only you can decide that. Just like with everything else, rifle, caliber, packs, etc... Are you a veteran or active duty by chance? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whitesheep Report post Posted November 13, 2015 How long it takes each of us to learn that quality isn't cheap is an individual journey. Some never get there and spend more money in the long run trading in and out of lesser quality goods than those that figure out "you get what you pay for" earlier. Just get over it and buy the best made. For what you spend on a 4x4 truck or annually on your cell phone and TV bill $3000 for optics should not be out of the question for any serious hunter or outdoors man. I too had to get "optics religion" after trying to save money. Luckily I figured it out at the Nikon level and jumped right to the Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica level for binoculars and spotting scopes. My Swarovski Spotter on an Outdoorsman's tripod is the nicest thing I own as it is IMHO the best of the best; probably in the world. I can't afford to do this in a truck or rifle, but I can with optics. You know what they say about not being able to shoot what you can't see. Not quite there on rifle scopes and am currently stuck at the Leupold VX-3 level as because each rifle needs a scope I really can't afford $2500 for each rifle I hunt with. Now maybe if I settle down on that .280AI M48 for everything from coues to Elk I can get there too. Go big on optics, you will not regret it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jawa512 Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Thanks all. I decided on AverageJoe's Euro's. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arizona Griz Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Thanks all. I decided on AverageJoe's Euro's. Good deal, I have the 15's and sure like them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Do yourself a favor and skip the Vultures and go straight to Kaibabs or better. Swarovskis remain the gold standard for 15X binos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoghntr Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Sorry got lost in the reply readin so here is my w cents Yes swaros are the bomb! Cabela's euro HD binoculars are quite amazing and well worth the $ Im currently using nikon monarch 12's & 16's cuz thats what i could afford at time and they are very good for the $. You can buy many 8's and 10's now that are very nice for low $ but 12power and up still requires some coin for qualty glass that does not strain eyes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoghntr Report post Posted November 13, 2015 Thanks all. I decided on AverageJoe's Euro's. Good cuz i needed them gone before i returned from hunt. Enjoy they are awesome glass! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TOBY Report post Posted November 13, 2015 10x and 15 x Vortex both going in for warrany. 10x for the second time. 15 Swaros still going strong and no comparison to the other. Make the payment and be done. Lifetime binoculars that are the best. Factor the yearly payment over 30 plus years of hunting. Not very much unless you are anal and have to upgrade everytime they change one little thing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eagle#eyes Report post Posted November 13, 2015 You can buy many 8's and 10's now that are very nice for low $ but 12power and up still requires some coin for qualty glass that does not strain eyes. I know you said you have decided on your choice but I think this spot on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
