BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Didn't want to hijack Nomad's Anthlon thread. I have a pair of Nikon 10x42's. Not sure what model, but I bought them new in 2012 I believe. They still work fine, but I'm wondering if I can upgrade for $300 or less? I see the Vortex Diamondback HD's 10x42 have great reviews for under $300. Would this be a worthwhile upgrade? or another model? I'll go snap a pic of the ones I have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 leupold bx-2 alpine vs diamondback hd seem very similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phade Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Vanguard Endeavor ED II would be my first choice under $300. Vanguard owns their factories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 On 8/22/2022 at 8:08 PM, phade said: Vanguard Endeavor ED II would be my first choice under $300. Vanguard owns their factories. Expand Thanks for the input. I see them for $399 though at Cabelas. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/vanguard-endeavor-ed-ii-binoculars?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas|Shopping|Smart|Hunting|Hunting|NAud|TopPerf|NMT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_JqXr6Pb-QIVyPrICh0APAsLEAQYASABEgL-KvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds are these the ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phade Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Search a bit and you will find them under 300, like amazon, ebay etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 On 8/22/2022 at 8:27 PM, phade said: Search a bit and you will find them under 300, like amazon, ebay etc. Expand Thanks. Has technology changed enough in 10 years to be a noticeable difference compared to what I have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phade Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Nikon makes good glass, but that particular model level ATB is a bit lower in their lineup than where competitors of the Diamondback HD, Endeavor ED II, and BX-2 would be. So you'll see improvement. Alot of tech development really has been in weight, ergonomics, coatings, and the prevalence of ED or extra low dispersion in low-to mid market optics. I've had three main pairs of 8-10x42 in the past 15 years. Crossfire, Diamondback, and Endeavor ED. I really like the Maven line but hard to get rid of the ED - mostly because I got them for $65 at the time on closeout. I think most people would agree that if you buy a quality set of binos, you can go a lifetime with them and not really be missing the newer tech. That type of glass is not cheap by any means. I rarely carry my 10x42s into the stand however. If I bring them in during hunting season, it's usually in a blind covering ground or an observation stand. Otherwise, I run smaller compact binos that can fit into a cargo pocket if need be. Most of my use for the 10x42 is from the truck or buried into a hedgerow, etc. for summer glassing. 10x42 take up a ton of space in a pack and I prefer to go in light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 (edited) On 8/22/2022 at 8:40 PM, phade said: Nikon makes good glass, but that particular model level ATB is a bit lower in their lineup than where competitors of the Diamondback HD, Endeavor ED II, and BX-2 would be. So you'll see improvement. Alot of tech development really has been in weight, ergonomics, coatings, and the prevalence of ED or extra low dispersion in low-to mid market optics. I've had three main pairs of 8-10x42 in the past 15 years. Crossfire, Diamondback, and Endeavor ED. I really like the Maven line but hard to get rid of the ED - mostly because I got them for $65 at the time on closeout. I think most people would agree that if you buy a quality set of binos, you can go a lifetime with them and not really be missing the newer tech. That type of glass is not cheap by any means. I rarely carry my 10x42s into the stand however. If I bring them in during hunting season, it's usually in a blind covering ground or an observation stand. Otherwise, I run smaller compact binos that can fit into a cargo pocket if need be. Most of my use for the 10x42 is from the truck or buried into a hedgerow, etc. for summer glassing. 10x42 take up a ton of space in a pack and I prefer to go in light. Expand Thanks, very helpful. I had always used 8x32 for deer hunting in NY until I went out west in 2012 with the Nikon 10x42's and never switched back even back east. A lot of the bowhunting I do in NY (and will in CT), I don't even carry a backpack if it's just a sit for a few hours. Binos around my neck, rangefinder in pocket, and bow/arrows. A lighter pair of binocs would be great. The Vortex DBack's look to be the lightest Side question, do you sell the Vanguard's? I see them here for $265 even though MSRP is $399 (used to be $499 i read?) EDIT > 1 more question. Do I just splurge and get the Maven C1 in 10x42 for $425 or is that not a worthwhile price jump for quality? Edited August 22, 2022 by BizCT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hock3y24 Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Nikon prostaff 3s have been great, I did get them for $30 on Walmart clearance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamp_bucks Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 I have the vortex crossfire hd 8x42. Small enough for me to hunt with them around my shoulder but still decent for glassing long distance. Think I paid $150- $165 don’t remember exactly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsdale Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/22/2022 at 8:54 PM, BizCT said: EDIT > 1 more question. Do I just splurge and get the Maven C1 in 10x42 for $425 or is that not a worthwhile price jump for quality? Expand Find a pair of used Swarovski 8x30 SLC’s in like new condition around $500 and be done with it. Fit 95% of anything you’d ever need, except mountain game. Lightweight for power, ergonomic case design that never snags no matter how you carry them. All glass looks decent in good light, great glass looks fantastic in the poorest conditions you can throw at them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/23/2022 at 12:05 AM, Dinsdale said: Find a pair of used Swarovski 8x30 SLC’s in like new condition around $500 and be done with it. Fit 95% of anything you’d ever need, except mountain game. Lightweight for power, ergonomic case design that never snags no matter how you carry them. All glass looks decent in good light, great glass looks fantastic in the poorest conditions you can throw at them.I’m terrified of anything used lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsdale Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/23/2022 at 12:16 AM, BizCT said: I’m terrified of anything used lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Expand I’ve bought and sold a fair amount of used/ in the box new type optics, mostly hunting and gun forums. Never disappointed on the buying end. The selling end can get weird. LOL 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zag Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/23/2022 at 12:16 AM, BizCT said: I’m terrified of anything used lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Expand Terrified…hahahahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/23/2022 at 12:31 AM, Dinsdale said: I’ve bought and sold a fair amount of used/ in the box new type optics, mostly hunting and gun forums. Never disappointed on the buying end. The selling end can get weird. LOL On 8/23/2022 at 12:45 AM, Zag said: Terrified…hahahahaha I guess I have trust issues. I’d buy from a forum member. But a random would make me nervous on a $500 item unless I could do it face to face then I’d feel better Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Welp, everyone took too long to respond. So I bought these 8x42’s C1’s. They are insane Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moho81 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I completely forgot about this thread. I swung into Cabalas last night and picked up Vortex Diamondback 10x42 for $169.99 at that price point I am super happy with them. Super clear glass. Can't wait to use them in the woods instead of just in the parking lot. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BizCT Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 5:27 PM, Moho81 said: I completely forgot about this thread. I swung into Cabalas last night and picked up Vortex Diamondback 10x42 for $169.99 at that price point I am super happy with them. Super clear glass. Can't wait to use them in the woods instead of just in the parking lot. LOL Expand That's a great price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moho81 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 5:29 PM, BizCT said: That's a great price! Expand Yeah normally $249. I went in to get my license and get a look at the Crossfire 10x42 at $149 but they had the diamondbacks on sale so I went with them instead. For once in my life I had good timing as I didn't even know they had them on sale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phade Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 5:27 PM, Moho81 said: I completely forgot about this thread. I swung into Cabalas last night and picked up Vortex Diamondback 10x42 for $169.99 at that price point I am super happy with them. Super clear glass. Can't wait to use them in the woods instead of just in the parking lot. LOL Expand HD or non HD? Vortex has been sneaky dickens the past few years, incorporating non ED glass into certain model names, with Diamondback being the primary one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phade Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 5:11 PM, BizCT said: Welp, everyone took too long to respond. So I bought these 8x42’s C1’s. They are insane Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Expand Buy once, cry once. They are going to treat you well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moho81 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/26/2022 at 6:40 PM, phade said: HD or non HD? Vortex has been sneaky dickens the past few years, incorporating non ED glass into certain model names, with Diamondback being the primary one. Expand Non HD I believe. To me the glass was still crystal clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2012_taco Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 I have a pr of Nikon Monarch in 10x42 I really like them. My wife does too, so today I got her a pr of Leopold Mckenzie 10x 42 at Cabelas for $99. (Reg 199) I'm sure they aren't great but they'll work well for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyftalbott Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 Tasco binoculars are a good option. I have Tasco 10x42 & I really like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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