Subject: [Tweeters] Some binocular recommendations?
Date: Mar 9 11:44:34 2017
From: Josh Adams - xjoshx at gmail.com


Hi Dusty,
You didn't give a budget here, which can obviously have a pretty big
effect on recommendations, but since everyone else's suggestions have
been in the $300 range I'll throw out my suggestion. I have two pairs
of Vanguard Endeavor ED's which have treated me fabulously. At the
time they were introduced they retailed for $500, but as the Endeavor
II's (and now IV's, no idea what happened to III) were introduced they
started selling for below $300 on the usual online sites. Optically
they have never let me down and they've received good solid reviews
from all surveys and forums I've ever seen. The II series has now
dropped in price pretty significantly and Vanguard is offering a $80
rebate on the 10x42 and 8x42 models in both the original ED and ED
II's which can bring them down to below $250 after rebate on some
sites.

At the time time I bouht mine, the word from those that had used both
was that they were significantly better than the Vortex Diamondback,
but it looks like the later had a redesign in 2016 and that gap may
have closed.

I'd recommend narrowing your selection down to two or three models and
ordering all of them from an online dealer with good returns. Use all
three side by side in normal conditions, but also taxing conditions
such as low-light, looking at birds on the water when there is glare,
birds in treetops against a bright sky, etc. Figure out which you
think is the best optically and which feels best in your hands and
return the others.

Also,
If you want to delve deep into the world of optics, BirdForum has
binocular forum that gets a lot of activity. Many of the users either
own or have used many different models and can give you their
experience of which is best.
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112

Josh Adams
Cathcart, WA