Which binos to get ? Vortex or Nikon

[Jesus805]

Been looking for a good set of binoculars for a while but can’t decide,
I saw that the vortex diamond back 12x50 have really good reviews. Was also looking st the Nikon monarch 10x42 we’re pretty nice
What are your guys thoughts on these binos?

[pennstater]

PM sent.

[ChuckDizzle]

Buy both if you can, return the one you don't like. Binoculars seem like a tough thing to judge without having them in your hands. Bass Pro shops have a nice kiosk of them.

[lewdogg21]

Originally Posted by Jesus805

Been looking for a good set of binoculars for a while but can’t decide,
I saw that the vortex diamond back 12x50 have really good reviews. Was also looking st the Nikon monarch 10x42 we’re pretty nice
What are your guys thoughts on these binos?

What are you going to use them for? Once you answer that we can help you.

[Jesus805]

I live in Lompoc and commute, just met some body that will let me shoot at one of their ranches on highway 1, so basically I’ll be using them to look for some pigs in the area

[therealnickb]

Originally Posted by ChuckDizzle

Buy both if you can, return the one you don't like. Binoculars seem like a tough thing to judge without having them in your hands. Bass Pro shops have a nice kiosk of them.

I looked through a bunch of mid range priced sets. It was very difficult to see any real difference (at least indoors) between the $500-$1200 models.

Vortex seems to have the best warranty. So aside from that, I agree, OP would be best served to try some and see which fit your hands/face best.

[lewdogg21]

The big differences in bino's will be clarity around the edges and low light performance. Take a few different pairs outside and look at stuff far away and then you will be able to see more noticeable differences, if you do this at dusk it will be much more apparent.

[CouchOperator]

I have a set of steiner military 10x50's i can let go

[AreWeFree]

I've got Canon image stabilized 8x and they're amazing, got it less than 300 at bhphoto.

[GW]

IMHO, for hunting, I'd go with the Vortex. The glass is good enough and the warranty will cover any mishap that might occur in the field. The Nikon glass is very good though, so you won't go wrong with either choice.

[sonofeugene]

Not impressed with Vortex. Seems like every other one I tried, regardless of model or price, has a lot of slop in the focus knob which is bad in my book. Definitely Nikon over Vortex.

That said, check out Pentax and Leupold. I'm a big fan of Pentax but recently, after doing a lot of comparison, I bought some BX-4's from Leupold. Fantastic glass and I love the way the focus lock works. I've not had to touch it sinc I set it.

Also pay attention to how the adjustable eye cups work. The cups on many binocs collapse when lightly touched. The ones on Leupold binocs stay where you put them.

I bought a pair of BX-2's for a friend's retirement and I was very impressed with them as well. Midway had the best price.

[Hugga Nugga]

shop for used Swarovski or Leica. but be warned, once you go to good glass, its really hard to go back.

[GW]

Originally Posted by Hugga Nugga

shop for used Swarovski or Leica. but be warned, once you go to good glass, its really hard to go back.

Truth.
Once you look through high end glass, you'll see everything that's wrong with cheaper glass.

[Guns and guitars]

Swarovski are top notch without a doubt. I have a pair of their Z6 scopes on two rifles and its amazing how clear.
Their bino's are also some of the best in the game.

I think if a person was looking for budget binoculars with really clear and bright optics I would seriously suggest Maven b2 series.
Just yesterday on a deer hunt I had a chance to compare my Swaro's with a pair of maven b2s and was impressed at how nice they were for a third of the cost.

Maven is making great optics for the cost and not really known outside of the hunting community.

https://mavenbuilt.com/b-series-binoculars/

[Mooseknuckle]

You might also consider Meopta (Meostar), they're not quite as good as Swarovski but very close and much less expensive.

[stevec223]

I have a pair of Nikon 10x50 binoculars that have served my hunting needs very well for 25+ years.... Very clear glass and they adjust to fit my face... I have tried many newer binoculars and I can't get the same "feel and fit" when I raise them to my face and eyes with one hand... My back-up binoculars are newer and probably better,,, but the fit keeps them in the truck and stowed away... Go shopping and try out binoculars outside,,, and take your time picking a set that works for you....
Cheers..

[bman940]

For the money, Nikon's bino line is tough to beat. I have been using the MONARCH 7 8x30's for a year now and love em. Mid-size, great fit in your hands and you can glass all day, plus, under $380. My son has confiscated my MONARCH 7 10x42's which he likes a lot. Nikon has a promo going on right now for some of their MONARCH bino's, definitely worth checking out a participating dealer to save some $. If you really want to get a great value it is hard to beat the MONARCH 5 10x42's for under $300. Don't forget the Nikon No Fault Warranty either. It is exactly as it sounds, not just protection against manufactures defects but against the oop's factor too.

[Sambodian]

I would recommend KOWA; life time warranty on any manufacture defects. The clarity is superb.

[HK Dave]

My recommendation would be Meostar.

[zio707]

The Vortex binos usually have a larger sweet spot much like Swaro (edge to edge) but can’t vouch for the Diamonds, they’re Vortex’s low end model. 12x is nice but prefer 10x, less shake. As you go up in power it’s more noticeable. Maybe look at getting 10x50s, the little extra weight helps stabilize them. I just got my cousin 10x50 Vipers and looking through them was impressed though not quite as nice as the 10x42 Razors I got his dad.

[Hunt]

Originally Posted by Hugga Nugga

shop for used Swarovski or Leica. but be warned, once you go to good glass, its really hard to go back.

^^^^yep I have second tier Ziess Conquest and can't wait to move up. The jump from third tier to second tier has sold me, buy the absolute best glass you can afford. Third tier optics are very limiting for hunting, as so much hunting is in very low light. You will need good quality glass in your scope too.