Best 10x42 mid-priced binos comparison? (1 Viewer)

[chrisgz]

Hello everyone!

New to this forum, long time Cloudy Nights member here! Been looking for the best binoculars in 10x42 that won't obliterate my bank account balance. I love the Zeiss Conquest HD's but at $1000 per, they're simply not an option.

I've looked through the Vortex Diamondbacks and the Bushnell Elite HD's and I think they're both great. (I didn't get to compare false color on either, so I'll have to test for that next time I get a chance)

Any here have personal, direct experience, doing a side by side comparison with either of these, or other brands, and have any really solid suggestions of which binocular to get at around $200-$500? (ei Atlas Intrepid ED, Eagle Optics Ranger ED, etc.) I'm very much into wide fields, bright, low chromatic aberration, neutral color cast, contrasty, and of course sharp throughout the field.

PS - I've eliminated the Bushnell Legend HD's due to their poor construction and side by side to the Elite HD's, the Elites are clearly better!

 

[johnmichael47]

Zen-Ray ED3! Seriously, what's better for the $ ???

 

[PhilR.]

The best 10x42 under $500 right now appears to be the Vanguard Endeavor EDII. However, the best *buy* right now - and by a long shot - is IMO a demo Zen-Ray ED3 for about $305 shipped, from Cameralandny.com (they have a 10% off sale going on right now). I think you have to call them to get the 10% off. Pretty decent place to buy optics even when they don't have a sale going on.......

 

[johnmichael47]

Phil, have you tried the Endeavor II's----especially in comparison to the ED3? I certainly would like to and have heard good things about the Endeavor II. Yea, the low dispersion glass is Japanese/Hoya but the prism coating is silver as opposed to the ED3's second generation dielectric coating. By comparison, I would expect the Zens to be noticeably brighter at night. And, the Chinese ED glass on the Zens is extremely good----almost Alfa good!

 

[Inquisitor]

Don't forget to think about the Kruger Caldera. I have one in 8x42 and it compares very well with my Zen ED3 in 7x43 and Atlas Intrepid in 10x42.

The Caldera is noted to have a wider field than most.

 

[PhilR.]

Phil, have you tried the Endeavor II's----especially in comparison to the ED3? I certainly would like to and have heard good things about the Endeavor II. Yea, the low dispersion glass is Japanese/Hoya but the prism coating is silver as opposed to the ED3's second generation dielectric coating. By comparison, I would expect the Zens to be noticeably brighter at night. And, the Chinese ED glass on the Zens is extremely good----almost Alfa good!

Hey johnmichael (which, oddly enough, is my brother's name),

I haven't tried the Endeavor EDII as of yet, which is why I mentioned "appears to be" in my post. The reviews I've read so far have been very complimentary. I have a feeling though that if used side-by-side with an ED3, the EDII would not give a significantly better view. I would also bet that the ED3 would indeed be brighter than the EDII. I've not seen a brighter 42mm bino than the Z-R ED's. So far, anyway.....

 

[bh46118]

I have compared the Zen ED2 8X43 side by side to the 10X42 SE, the 8.5X44 Kowa Genesis, the 8X42 Leupold McKinley, the Minox BD 10X44 BP, the Vortex 6.5X32 Fury, and the EL 10X42 SV. These comparisons were done at my leisure and during various conditions. They stood up VERY well IMO regardless of how bad allbinos made them sound. One thing to note, eye relief for glasses was on the edge with the model I'm referring to, I don't know about the 10X ED3.

 

[Boro Birder]

I've tried the VANGUARD ED11 and thought they were very nice, I own the ENDEAVOUR ED1 and did not think there was going to be a lot of difference but they blew me away, I'm no expert but they were a cracking bin and when I upgrade it will be these I buy.

Damian

 

[PeterPS]

How about these B&S Series 5 ED 10x42, has anybody tried them?

http://www.barrandstroud.com/product/BARR AND STROUD SERIES-5 10X42ED FMC WATERPROOF BINOCULAR

Their specs look quite decent, and I believe they can be bought in the US from B&H (?).