anything optics>>>

[orbital]

I am no optics expert at all, but I have wanted a pair of decent bins for a while for hiking, camping etc. Vortex is located about 1.5 hours from me so a couple weeks ago dad and I drove out there to check out their showroom. Very cool. Their building is set right next to a nature conservancy and sprawling farmland so you can test all the optics you want at basically any range you want. I was able to take a bunch of different bins outside to try them out and settled on the Diamondback HD 10x42. I found a good deal on them from a dealer online when I got home (they don’t sell out of that showroom, it’s basically a distribution warehouse). For my simple occasional needs they are terrific.

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= 10x42 =

Decided to go with the Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 10x42 for my cousin and his family.
At $120 total cost, it's very hard to beat the performance per dollar.

Really like Vortex & Nikon ,, their warranty & per dollar value.

 

[orbital]

Thanks for that, including the reticle photo in particular - really interesting to see that.
(The other thing is that I'm /really/ big on 6x binoculars. )

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hiya Kestrel, good deal on a wide field of view 6.5x option ($279)

Kowa 6.5x32 BD II XD Wide-Angle Binoculars

Buy Kowa 6.5x32 BD II XD Wide-Angle Binoculars featuring Extra-Low-Dispersion PROMINAR Glass, Phase-Corrected Schmidt-Pechan Prisms, Anti-Reflection Fully Multi-Coated, Oil-Resistant KR Exterior Lens Coatings, Wide 65° Angle of View, Short 4.25' Close Focus Distance, Nitrogen Filled, Waterproof...

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[Kestrel]

Late to the thread, but those look like a really nice option.

 

[bykfixer]

+1 on the Kowa