If you had only 1 pair of binoculars...

If you could only have one pair of binoculars for a do it all pair. What would you pick? And to keep it reasonable, I'll say keep them under $1,500.

Meopta Meostar HD 10X42. Awesome glass and durable.

Leupold switchpower...10-17....no need to pack a spotting scope...

Canon 12X36 IS these binoculars have image stabilizing, with your image not shaking the clarity is excellent and for long term use eye strain seems to be less

I would try and find a used pair of Swarovski. I have several but 10-42 I have found to be the best for me. There not to heavy and have excellent light gathering, and 10 power really gives you more at longer distance. I had a pair of 12/50 they were to heavy. I bought my first pair new 25 years ago. Look on Craigslist KSL or one of the web sites long range, monster muley, 24 hour campfire. You can get into a pair for $900-$1500. Get the serial number and call Swarovski they track everything to make sure there not stolen. $35 shipping & insurance they will go completely through them and send them back. I have had excellent service with them. They will last a lifetime and serve you well. Any questions pm me.

Loggerdude said:

I would try and find a used pair of Swarovski. I have several but 10-42 I have found to be the best for me. There not to heavy and have excellent light gathering, and 10 power really gives you more at longer distance. I had a pair of 12/50 they were to heavy. I bought my first pair new 25 years ago. Look on Craigslist KSL or one of the web sites long range, monster muley, 24 hour campfire. You can get into a pair for $900-$1500. Get the serial number and call Swarovski they track everything to make sure there not stolen. $35 shipping & insurance they will go completely through them and send them back. I have had excellent service with them. They will last a lifetime and serve you well. Any questions pm me.

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I have a pair of 1988 Swaro 8x30 something. Would not sell them for $1500 though.

A couple of pals have bought the Zeiss (HD I believe?) lower end for under $1500. I have looked through them and they are awesome. Lens coating and manufacturing quality have improved so much over the last few decades it is hard to find bad product unless you get a hundred dollar pair of no name Asian products.

A gent I know works in the optic business. He firmly believes the manufacturers compare their product to competitors and pick the price point from that even if their costs are lower.

In general, the higher the price, the better the optics. For $1500 I don't think there is a bad product.

How could I get by with one? I use 15X for rock chuck and long range and 7X for normal hunting.

+1 on the used Swaros. You should be able to find a very nice pair of EL's or SLC's for your $1500. I bought my 8.5x42 Swaros, the latest model with Swarovision, for $1600 a few years back, looked brand new, in the box and everything.

I've met lots of people that think Swaros are overpriced, but not one of them actually owned a pair.

Rich Coyle said:

How could I get by with one? I use 15X for rock chuck and long range and 7X for normal hunting.

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Switch power. There are some good ones out there.

Meopta or Swarovski—if you have to go used do. I have a pair of 8x30 CL's I picked up for $650.. I get a set of 12x50s if I was limited by I pair. 10x42 would be my second choice.

I do only have one pair. 10x42 Steiners. They're pretty nice. Very clear and really bright and light weight. I'm of the mind set you should buy a new set of decent binos every 5-6 years, cause you invariably get ice or dirt on them at a bad time and use ur dirty coat sleeve to clean them.

Rich Coyle said:

How could I get by with one? I use 15X for rock chuck and long range and 7X for normal hunting.

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Hey Rich,
I do wear electronic hearing protection when shooting prairie dogs....

Two sets are great. My littl 8x30's are great for long days of hiking. A few years back I bought the Swaro 10x with the built in range finder and they are awesome for long range hunting but outside the price limit requested.

Like a said there is nothing bad in the $1000 to $1500 range.

The other thing I have learned is everyone's eyes pick up colour differently so try lots out. What is "perfect" for one set of eyes is only average for another set of eyes. The different manufacturers have proprietary coatings. At one match we had some Leica, Zeiss, and Swaros (all high end) and asked a dozen guys to rate them. It was an even split 3 ways on what each guy liked the best.

So again like everything else in our sport there is no one diffinitive answer. Try lots and buy what works best for your eyes.

Swaro 10x42 HD's. Have some patience and you can pick up a used pair for a little more than $1,500. Buy once - cry once.

The new Zeiss rangefinder / bino combos. Incredible