Cameras and Lenses

Binoculars Void

I've been searching over the last few months to find a great binocular. I'm willing to go around $1300. Anyway, this isn't a question about what to buy. Rather, an observation that there seems to be a void in binoculars between $1000-$2000.

There are a lot of great, expensive binos from Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Kowa, etc. These are all super expensive. There are also lots of great binos under $800-$900. However, there is not much in between. Nikon offers the Premier LX L around $1200, but I don't want to pay that price for technology that old (don't flame me) that doesn't use the latest coatings and ED glass.

I thought Minox was on the right track with their HG series, but now they've jumped the price up to where they are as much as the other expensive Euro brands.

Basically, if you want a high end bino, that is not $2000+, you're left with Meopta Meostar, Vortex Razor, Minox HG (Japan Series), Leupold GR HD, and some new China EDs. I'm happy that the quality of said bins is so superb and comparable to the expensive euro bins because it lets average joes afford nice optics.

I wish somebody, like Nikon, would offer a new bino with dielectric coatings, Ed glass, etc. at a price point around what the current Premiers go for. Even Zeiss Conquest ABKs sell for $1100-$1200, but that's after a steep price increase over the last few years...and they don't offer enough IMO to justify that kind of money. I understand that manufacturers have to be careful that they don't offer something too close to their alphas or it will cannibalize those sales...and I suspect that is the reason for this void.

I see I'm just rambling now, but these are just some thoughts/observations.

Aren't the flagship Kowa Genesis series and Canon 10x42ISL at this price point?

Rick

[QUOTE=motts;1763518]I've been searching over the last few months to find a great binocular. I'm willing to go around $1300. Anyway, this isn't a question about what to buy. Rather, an observation that there seems to be a void in binoculars between $1000-$2000.

There are a lot of great, expensive binos from Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Kowa, etc. These are all super expensive. There are also lots of great binos under $800-$900. However, there is not much in between. Nikon offers the Premier LX L around $1200, but I don't want to pay that price for technology that old (don't flame me) that doesn't use the latest coatings and ED glass.

I thought Minox was on the right track with their HG series, but now they've jumped the price up to where they are as much as the other expensive Euro brands.

Basically, if you want a high end bino, that is not $2000+, you're left with Meopta Meostar, Vortex Razor, Minox HG (Japan Series), Leupold GR HD, and some new China EDs. I'm happy that the quality of said bins is so superb and comparable to the expensive euro bins because it lets average joes afford nice optics.

I wish somebody, like Nikon, would offer a new bino with dielectric coatings, Ed glass, etc. at a price point around what the current Premiers go for. Even Zeiss Conquest ABKs sell for $1100-$1200, but that's after a steep price increase over the last few years...and they don't offer enough IMO to justify that kind of money. I understand that manufacturers have to be careful that they don't offer something too close to their alphas or it will cannibalize those sales...and I suspect that is the reason for this void.

I see I'm just rambling now, but these are just some thoughts/observations.[/QUOTE]

Motts:

You have presented a very interesting question. Think about your request a little more, and specify if you need, ED glass, Dielectric prism coatings, or just want, and if you can go with pre-owned.


For $1,300 you can go Alpha, you can buy any used Swaro. EL, SLC Neu, some Zeiss FL, a Leica Ultravid, Nikon EDG, all preowned. In many cases these match your needs, and are the best handful of choices you can make at this price point, or any price point. You will need to be a shopper here, but they are out there.

Consider pre-owned, with the great warranties these fine companies offer,
you are covered.

Jerry

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