Binocular suggestions please!

[Onlyincali]

We are looking for a nice set of binoculars for camping and bird viewing. We have a small OLD pair of Zeiss that we love but now we want something for longer distances.
Camp is always in the same place and we want glasses that can view animals from roughly 1000-1400 yards.

Suggestions? Not afraid to pay for good quality but not much a fan of gimmicks and marketing. Can you suggest some quality glass?

Thanks!!

[k1dude]

I would suggest a spotting scope and tripod for those distances. What is your budget? You could range from a $200 Konus or Celestron to a $5,000 Swarovski.

[Onlyincali]

[sonofeugene]

For that distance a spotting scope is the best choice. Even if you end up with super powerful binocs, you'll need a tripod to hold them.

When checking out spotting scopes, check out Pentax. They're glass is superb, they use astronomy sized eyepieces, and they're reasonably priced. Many have compared them favorably to Zeiss, Swarovski, etc.

For binocs, check out Leupold. And if you are considering Vortex, make sure the focus adjustment isn't loose and sloppy. Many are.

[AreWeFree]

Get image stabilized, it's incredible and makes a huge difference. Canon 15x50 would be awesome, 12x36 are much lighter and should be great too.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Features_Image+Stabilized&ci=1010&N=4083534123+4294956487

I have the Canon IS 8x, planning to get the 10x42 waterproof soon.

[Onlyincali]

[lewdogg21]

I use zeiss conquest's in 8x42 for the past 4-5 seasons and before that a pair of Leica's for nearly 20 years. I would have bought 10x but the eye relief is too small so that I would have to take off my glasses each time I view through them. If I was buying binos for under 1k I would look at zeiss and vortex razors.

[Thanatos2203]

Look closely at the Meopta Meopro and Meostar lines. Eurooptic carries them and they are supposed to perform well above their price. My next binocular purchase will be from them.

[k1dude]

He won’t go for anything electronic/stabilized.

If we lower expectations a little, would a good pair of binocs see well at 800-1000 yards or is that still asking too much without a tripod?

Thanks again

It's virtually impossible for an old man to hold any binoculars steady enough to view at 1000 yards. It's also unlikely he'll be able to make out much with the low magnification offered by most binoculars. If he tries to hold up large objective high magnification binoculars, I'll guarantee he'll drop it in a few seconds due to weight.

That's why people are recommending a tripod.

[hntnnut]

Give maven a look you won't be disappointed.


Richard

[GW]

It's virtually impossible for an old man to hold any binoculars steady enough to view at 1000 yards. It's also unlikely he'll be able to make out much with the low magnification offered by most binoculars. If he tries to hold up large objective high magnification binoculars, I'll guarantee he'll drop it in a few seconds due to weight.

That's why people are recommending a tripod.

I agree. 1000 yards is a way off and seeing dogs would be tough enough but birds? He will need large binoculars with serious magnification. The greater the magnification, the greater any wobble will appear. The bigger the binocular, the heavier they will be and the more likely they will be to wobble.
Get a tripod and your friend will enjoy the viewing from a comfy chair and have a ball.

[tsmithson]

[Hunt]

find a set of 15x binos, the good ones will be $1,500.00 range, next shelf down about $1,000.00. I hear the Cabelas labeled are excellent and slightly discounted.

[Hunt]

I have been running the Conquests for binos and scopes for a while, The scope has been superb even in near dark, The binos have been superb but as mentioned when you need that tiny little bit of info a ways out there the second shelf product doesn't deliver. My next bino purchase will be the compact zeiss victory for my wife, can't wait to look through those.

[rcslotcar]

Leica's for the win. Check pawn shops or other sources for used one.