Hello all, my original and old binoculars are dead. They are nothing special so I am excited about getting a new quality pair and after some reading here, have narrowed it down to three choices and would like your input. They will be used for hunting so low light performance is very important but I will also use for general bird/duck watching.
I found a new but discontinued Vortex Viper for $400 in 10x42, a pair of Zen Ray 10x43 for $400 and last, a new but leftover model of the Bushnell Elite 10x43 for $600. The Elites are a little pricier than where I'd ideally like to be but not out of the question. However, I'd really like to be convinced that they are $200 better than the other two models mentioned here.
I will be ordering these online and have no way of "touching/feeling" before buying, which makes this hard so I am relying on some important input from you. My research suggests all of these are excellent choices but need help narrowing it down, please.
64 for lookers and no thoughts? Hopefully the hunting reference isn't offensive to anyone. Just wanted to express my need for a versatile set of binocs with low light performance and quality glass for general bird watching. Anyway, I hope to hear from some of you soon. Sincerely.
I have heard some great things about the Elite, if it is the open bridge model. Allbinos actually ranked it better than the EL and had nothing but praise for it, giving a very high price to value rating.
The newer, closed bridge Elite, though, doesn't seem to elicit the same praise.
I have owned two previous versions of the Elite's and have found them to be terrific performers and pretty durable.
Can't comment on the ZR's.