Binocular help
 

Our state is adding to deer season a 4 pt on one side minimum buck rule
so i think i need to be on the look out for a good deal on a good set of high powered hunting binoculars for next year

as most of my deer are taken in the 2-300yd range and many times in low light with confusing back grounds i think i will possibly need a multi-power piece with good light gathering capabilities to be able to find them at lower powers then zoom to be able to count the points on the deer before taking a shot

i hate to spend huge money on a set.....hope to keep it under $200 ...any thoughts,subjestions, help would be appreciated

Re: Binocular help
 

Steiner binocs, free UPS: http://www.opticsplanet.net/steiner-binoculars.html

also http://swfa.com/default.aspx http://www.samplelist.com/

Re: Binocular help
 

If you can get one for that price that has anti-shake technology it would be money well spent.

a little more than you said $300 by canon http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...8&modelid=7502

I would think the anti-shake feature would increase your visual perspective. It's quite amazing. At least try them out.

Re: Binocular help
 

count points at 2-300 yards ?


Meade TravelView Zoom Spotting Scope
20-60 x 60mm Zoom Spotting Scope

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...rodid=11472574

http://content.costco.com/Images/Con...uct/409539.jpg

Re: Binocular help
 

OK - I'm your guy.....I have some experience here and I wrote a farily big post on this somewhere around here in the past few months. My application was pretty much the exact one you have = deer hunting.

I'll try to dig up that post but here is the bottom line:

Get a pair of 8 x 56 or 9 x 63 binoculars.

Here is why......the human eye can dialate to about 7 mm pupil under the lowest light conditions. The Exit Pupil for any optics is the diameter the light exits through to enter your eye.....you want an exit pupil of 7 mm for maximum low light viewing.

Exit Pupil = Objective Lens Diameter / Magnification.

63 mm / 9 power = 7 mm
56 mm / 8 power = 7 mm

Also, 8 - 9 power is about all you can hand hold without a lot of shake.

The combination of fairly high power + large objective lens (lots of light gathering) and 7 mm exit pupil make 8x56 and 9x63 the very best low light observation binoculars....and they are about the physical size limit you will want to take into the field.

My suggestions....and I've owned these in your price range:

Oberwerk has 9 x 60 not waterproof....but fine for hunting (this is what I use) for about $130.

Oberwerk also have waterproof in a similar size for just a little bit more....but I like rubber roll up eye cups = fit my face better......it seems that most waterproof binocs have twist up eye cups that tend to be too large diameter to fit my nose/eyes.

Unless you plan on dropping these in the water (like boating) no need for water proof.

Nikon makes some good waterproof for about $150 in this size.

I like the Oberwerks - I think they are superior to nikon....for $100 - $150 they make a product that compares to most others at $300+

The Oberwerk case and lens caps suck....but I do not use them....I carry in my small hunting back pack or on my person.

Buy from OpticsPlanet.com best price lots of selection....

I just went through this decision/purchase 3 months ago.

I'll look for that post and a product link.

Re: Binocular help
 

These Oberwerks are fantastic for the money.....I compared them to $1800 Swrovskis my dad owns in 8 x 56.....very little low light/night performance difference.....amazing for $110.

We own lots of high end optics purchased back during stronger dollar days....now they are 4X and 5X what we paid for them back in early 90's and late 80's.....

These are what I own
Oberwerk 9 x 60 = $110
http://www.opticsplanet.net/oberwerk-9x60.html

Oberwerk 9x60 Binoculars Specifications
Objective size 60mm
Magnification 9x
Prism BAK4
Optic coating Combination fully-multi-coated
Field of view 95m at 1000m (5.5?)
Exit pupil diameter 6.5mm
Exit pupil distance 16mm
Minimum focus distance 10m
Weight 2.3 lbs.


I have not tried their Mariner series.....but the very large eye relief may help me live with the twist up eye cups.....as more relief = no so close to eye needed = more room for cups and still have nice round 2 eye view.
Oberwerk 10 x 60 Mariner = $170
http://www.opticsplanet.net/oberwerk...inoculars.html
Specifications for Oberwerk 10x60mm Mariner Series Binoculars:


Objective size: 60mm

Magnification: 10x

Prism: Oversize BAK4

Optic coating: Fully broadband multi-coated

Field of view: 92m at 1000m (5.3?)

Exit pupil diameter: 6.0mm

Exit pupil distance (eye relief): 23mm

Minimum focus distance: 15m

Weight: 3.2 lbs.


Nikon 7 x 50 Action Extreme Waterproof = $133.....these were over $350 in the old days from Japan....made in China today but outstanding quality.....
Very nice - but did not fit my face well due to massive eye cup diameters and eye relief combination. Sent them back. Bought the Oberwerks with roll up eye cups...and more magnification......

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-7x...lars-7239.html
Specifications for Nikon 7x50mm Action Extreme Binoculars - 7239:




Type of Prism: Porro

Real Angular Field of View: 6.4mm

Apparent Angle: 44.8mm

Field of View: 112m at 1000m

Exit Pupil: 7.1

Eye Relief: 17.1

Relative Brightness: 50.4

Close Focus Distance: 7 meters / 22.97 ft

Rubber Coated (Armored): Yes

Waterproof: Yes

Fogproof: Yes

Dimensions L x W: 179x196mm / 7.04x7.71 in

Weight: 1000g / 2.20 lb

Re: Binocular help
 

I own several nice spotting scopes they arnt practical for the purpose tryed that this year...to cumbersom...to slow to set up...and aquire the animal...etc etc...

I am not sure what your asking on the "count points at 2-300yds" but to further explain the state of missouri is requiring a hunter must not take a buck deer that has UNDER 4points on its rack on one side. ......so before you shoot a deer no matter how far you must be able to count the number of points he has on his rack on one side, and at 2-300 yds this can be quite difficult just to tell what points are on what side....and if he is backdroped by woods and brush his rack blends in .....thus the need for some good glass to work with

Re: Binocular help
 

Ruprick,

any thoughts on the zoom types?

those oberwerk's do on paper look like a fantastic value, have you had any issues with them at all...fogging...take abuse well?

LOL guess im going to have to give up my 25mm's

Re: Binocular help
 

Junk - don't bother......also the zoom limits exit pupil so much they are useless in low light.

Those 9 x 60 Oberwerks are the way to go. Lots of magnification but still field size friendly.

Exit pupil is not the final word on low light obsetvation......magnification is also important......I have a massive set of 20 x 80 astronomy binoculars.....they look like something you would use to sight shots from the bridge of a battleship ....most of the time they are on a tripod......they are very big....too big for hunting.....but 80mm gathers a lot of light and 20X gives a lot of detail......despits the 4 mm exit pupil = you can do a lot of low light observation work. Just not field pratical.

There is a technical term called "Twilight Factor" = square root of (magnification power x objective)....so you can see that (20 x 80)^0.5 = 80......a lot larger number than (9 x 60)^0.5 = 24ish......

I like twilight factor....but I think exit pupil is just as important.

I like to multiply Twilight Factor by Exit Pupil.......to give the "Ruprick Low Light Factor"

Re: Binocular help
 

In this thread link.....we were talking a bit about binoculars.....some background info....

http://goldismoney.info/forums/showt...ght=binoculars

Re: Binocular help
 

Zero issues so far.

BTW - Oberwerks does make a 10 x 60 Mariner Series....waterproof and extra tough....I migh try those is they can be located.....OpticsPlanet did not carry them (perhaps could order....)

Here is the Oberwerks site link:

http://www.oberwerk.com/products/mseries.htm

I even called and talked to the President of Oberwerks....asked some technical questions....I'm impressed with their product.

My $109 9 x 60 are working great....I used them a lot this season .....lots of observation at dark/night...too dark for my rifle scope.....but binocs can still view the deer heads.

Re: Binocular help
 

I appreciate the help ....i think i will try those Oberwerks.....the price is certainly reasonable.

sifting through all the Binoc info can certainly be tedious and painful if you dont know what your looking for

Re: Binocular help
 

I disagree on the huge objective (56mm+) optics as a serious option... just try carrying that weight around for a day along with your rifle to see what I mean!

Instead, I highly recommend a pair of high quality 7x or 8x binoculars with 42mm objective lenses. I personally use 7x optics (which, incidentally, were the STANDARD ISSUE for Vietnam-based marine corps snipers...) and have yet to find myself in a situation where I couldn't "see" what I needed to when hunting. Power rating is VERY overrated, I can actually see more detail when looking through 7x or 8x than I can through 10x, due to the restricted field of view and "shake factor" that goes along with high power glass. I'd HIGHLY recommend spending the extra cash to buy Swarovski, Leica (my favorite) or Zeiss, or at LEAST some HG-level Nikon glass. Binoculars are one of those things that "you get what you pay for" really IS a true saying.

This advice is just my .02 - and probably worth less than that if you don't take it.

Re: Binocular help
 

I agree - I love Leica - best optics I have ever used.

BUT - our friend needs to keep the costs under $200......in that price range....try a pair of the Oberwerks 9 x 60.....or those Nikon 7 x 50...they are the same weight at 2.3 and 2.2 lbs respective. That is another reason i went with the 9 x 60.

9 x 60 at 2.3 lbs is hard to beat....I looked at a lot of optics.

Don't let the $109 scare you off.....get a pair on a whip and try it out....give them away as a gift for Christmas....they are really good binocs. You can't beat the value.

Re: Binocular help
 

Ruprick - I'll try the Oberwerks next time I'm at a bino dealer. I've also heard good things about the new "Vortex" line of binoculars - I'm curious if what I've heard is true, seems unlikely considering the low cost - but I've been surprised before. I have an older pair of Brunton Echo 8x32 binoculars that I paid around $150 for, and they EASILY outperform binoculars costing 4x as much... recent Brunton stuff I haven't been so impressed with, though. For some manufacturers, it seems to be "hit or miss" - they come out with the "new product line" or move production facilities and things either get WAY better or WAY worse!

Anyway, I'll give the Oberwerks a try, based on your recommendation and love for Leica! :biggrin:

Re: Binocular help
 

i did go ahead and order the oberwerks last night......

gaillo....i do understand the concept of you get what you pay for.....my price limit of $200 is self imposed based on my need for the job i want them to do..

if i ever decide to go hunting in colorado i understand i would want to step up in glass quality and price.

i will be intrested to see how the low cost oberwerks perform and weight etc...figured i could scope some deer this year before they drop thier antlers and see if it will work before next year

Thx for all resposnses

Re: Binocular help
 

You made a good buy with the Oberwerks, IMO. Ruprick's advice on bino selection criteria is better than I've seen in articles in "Astronomy" or "Sky & Telescope" magazines.

The 9x60's will also make a great pair of astronomy binos as well. Look up! I would recommend Harrington's Touring The Universe Through Binoculars, as a great intro into binocular astronomy,

Re: Binocular help
 

I've got a pair of 8X20 Steiner Military Marine.
Paid $120 maybe 7 years ago for them.
No complaints other than I'd like something more powerful sometimes.
I really like how they only need to be focused once.

Re: Binocular help
 

Got in the Oberwerks today (9x60)

Initial Reaction (quick overview)

seems to be well made
optics seem to be very good
pretty large for a hunting binocular
optics look like they will do the job i am using them for
lens covers were poor
i dont seem to have a issue with movement