CHEAP Hi end Binoculars

I am not knowledgeable on those brands but I have a set of Bushnells that I really like that were under 100.00 They were a replacement for a B&L and they are really nice.

Cheap and Hi end ?

I'm not familiar with either, but both of those will be poor choices in low light. For low light use the front objective needs to be at least 5X greater than the magnification in order to allow enough light through. If you want 10X binoculars you need at least a 50mm objective. A set of 8X42's would be a better option and probably cheaper too.

Vortex is generally pretty good, I bought a set of 6X32 Fury's a few years ago. They were a discontinued model that I got at a very good price and I like them a lot for mid-size binoculars.

I can't say they are better of not, but I also have these as my full size binoculars and am very pleased. They have really gone up since I bought mine. They were around $400 at the time and I got $50 off because they were the display model.

http://swfa.com/Pentax-8x43-DCF-SP-Binocular-P1935.aspx

Not sure what your price point is but these are what I use. I had a pair just like them when I was in the army and they are built like a tank.

http://www.amazon.com/Steiner-10x50...1453298562&sr=1-4&keywords=steiner+binoculars

Of the two, I'd probably take the Vortex simply because of the warranty/service. The Viper HD 10x42's are very nice, but a little heavy IMO.

To my eyes (and I see a LOT of binoculars) the Nikon Monarch 7 are hands-down the best value in binoculars today. And their 10x42's are very light and compact.

Sav .250 said:

Cheap and Hi end ?

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Doesn't sound like he has a thorough understanding about "glass". Those terms are pretty much mutually exclusive.

I have a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks that are decent binoculars for the price. Also a pair of Nikon Monarch 10x56 that are good enough for what I use them for, mostly keeping track of what's going on near my house.

About 20 years ago, I bought a pair of IOR Valdada 10x50 military binoculars. Back then they were reasonably priced, but I think they have become expensive. They use Schott glass.

The best cheap high end binoculars are display or one off Leica's, Zeiss, and Swarovski's. I bought Zeiss Victory 10x42's a few years ago that were 400 bucks cheaper because they were green ones made for Optic planet instead of the standard black. You csn find display models of the others for about the same sort of discount. Of the ones you listed, I'd go with the Vortex as I know where I could get display ones for a good discount. I've never heard of the other brand.

I'm really happy with my Zen Ray ED3 8x43 binoculars. I've had them for 3-4 years. I read a lot of reviews before buying them, and I came to the conclusion that these were among the best to be had short of stepping up to Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, etc. At the time, I was also considering Vortex.

They are well made, clear, and function well in low light. I don't really have any complaints about them. I don't remember how much that I paid for them, but I did get them on sale from Camera Land.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened3-8x43.html

Sav .250 said:

Cheap and Hi end ?

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Yep. That's what I wondered too. When talking about "Hi end" binoculars I have very hard time regarding anything short of the very top offerings from Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica etc. as such and budgeting less than $2k or so (including clearance prices) for a pair is just skimping. There are quite good and usable binoculars that cost a lot less but they're far from "Hi end".

I think the best "cheap" glass you can get would be a set of surplus Steiner 8x30 binocs. You can find them for around $100 and they are amazingly clear.

I have the Vortex Viper HD 6x32, and Vortex Diamondback 8x24.
The Viper HD's are excellent. Also over twice the cost as the Diamondback. The Viper HD's are so clear I can actually see more than I can with the 8 power Diamondbacks.

The 6 power make them fast for locating things.
The 8 power Diamondback is very light and make it nice for when you are not sure you need your binos.

One of the best deals going is the Leupold Yosemite, available in either 6X30 or 8X30. I prefer the 6X30 and use them all the time.

I'm a big fan of Nikon Monarchs. I also have Burris Signature Select, but they don't make those now that Burris owns Steiner. I have a pair of Swarovski's and they are outstanding, but I never feel bad about using the Monarchs on the water (don't want to lose the Swaro).

I have looked/used high end glass, "Leupold", and have looked/used cheap Chinese E-Bay glass "no name", frankly I can see little difference.

Mayhap my eyes are just that bad, I do know I'm legally blind without glasses, but with glasses I'm 20/20.

saenzrich said:

I am looking at getting a decent pair of binoculars and the choice is between VAnguard Endeavor II Ed 10x42 or Vortex Viper HD 10x42. Of these two which would you choose and why? Are there any others along the same price/quality range that i am missing?

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I've been researching Alpen Apex and seeing some very good things.

I have the 8x42 vortex and am happy with them

You won't be disappointed with the Vortex. I have around a dozen pairs of various ones including two Swaros, but my goto pair is an older Vortex Fury 6.5x32.

If you are much over 50 years old your eyes won't dilate enough to take advantage of anything bigger than an 8/10 x 42.

...but they don't make those now that Burris owns Steiner

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Not true. Burris does not own Steiner.

From the Steiner Optics website -

As a member of the elite Beretta Group – the world’s oldest weapons manufacturer – Steiner is stronger, more versatile, and more innovative than ever.

Burris is also owned by Beretta.

From the Burris Optics website:

Burris Company is owned by Beretta Holding S.p.A

Beretta owned Burris and used Burris to acquire Steiner for Beretta.

Steiner did not have good market penetration in the United States and the CEO of Steiner, Carl Steiner, needed the help of help of a strong firm for international marketing and distribution - Beretta.

Some optics will be co-developed with Steiner being the high-end brand, and Burris being the mid and lower priced brand.

Burris will take over distribution of Steiner in the United States. So the German company will build optics for distribution by an American company with both being owned by an Italian company.

What ever. I contacted Burris when I bought the two Signature Selects I have - their top-of-the-line binoculars at the time - about how the warranty worked, they told me that if either binocular needed to be replaced under warranty, it would be replaced by an equivalent Steiner because, as the rep told me, they owned Steiner now.

The guy, a Burris rep, could simply have been implying his new company owned Steiner now and had discontinued Burris binoculars, I don't care. What I typed is EXACTLY what the Burris rep told me.

And since you said "Beretta owned Burris and used Burris to acquire Steiner for Beretta," it seemed what I wrote was truth and that you even agree with me. Burris did acquire Steiner, even if Beretta owned Burris.

Last fall I bought a pair of Vanguard Endeavor ED ll 8.5x45 binocs and I was impressed with them right off the bat.When I used them on my hunting trip in Oct,I was knocked out by the clarity of these binocs.ED glass makes a big difference! .For the money the Vanguard is a better deal IMHO.Not knocking Vortex,but to get the better quality glass,you will have to move up in price.I do believe the Endeavor is much cheaper than the Viper.

Personally I have a pair of Steiners that I love, but a friend has some very nice Vortex. The cool thing about the Vortex - he dropped his on a big old rock and they busted. He sent them to Vortex for repair and they sent him a new pair. Can't beat that.

I dont think there is such as cheap high end optics. Theres just not. Now there are best value for your money optics. I found that in a pair of Leupold BX-2 Acadia. I paid a little under $200 for them. They are pretty clear and draw good light close to dark. Then again when I put them down and look through my cousins Leica's, my Leupolds seem like they come out a happy meal.

Its all relative..