best Budget 12x50 binoculars search 😬 (1 Viewer)

[Tec.Man]

I think my vote for the best budget 12x50 would go to the new Zeiss SFL 10x50. Once they are on the market for a while, you will be able to pick them up for around $1500.

News from Zeiss - SFL 50

Thanks to the collaboration with Bignami, official italian distributor of Zeiss products, I had the opportunity to review the brand new Zeiss SFL 10x50. With this new series — also available in 8x50 and 12x50 formats — Zeiss has created, in fact, “a new 42 mm”. Why do I say this? Because...

www.birdforum.net

I paid 1650€ for the Swarovski and think I could sell it again immediately for that

 

[Yeti Man]

I recently acquired a sweet EL 12x50 on the forum, and it is a marvel.
We are still getting to know each other, but love the views. Definately has that 'big car ride'.
I might even part with my Meopta B1 15x56 down the road, which I never thought I would consider.

 

[chill6x6]

I did it and bought the glass. It arrived today, and I'm in love 😄View attachment 1638858

GREAT!

They really are awesome binoculars! They really smoke on a tripod.
It's ok to treat yourself sometimes!

 

[tenex]

The introduction of SFL 50 should be exciting, but I'd take a nice pre-owned EL/SLC/UV over a new SFL any day. Zeiss has too many product lines compromised to meet certain price points, of which SFL's is dubious itself.

 

[cfberry]

I and others here have chosen the Meopta Meostar B1+ HD which has class-leading CA and generally excellent optics including being very resistant to glare. It does not have the widest FOV and is not quite as bright as the Swarovski and Nikon alternatives, but it's available at a much better price and there are often offers available. It's also very well built and with a 30 year warranty. I recommend you have a look if it fits into your budget.

great insight! thanks!

 

[Dennis Mau]

The introduction of SFL 50 should be exciting, but I'd take a nice pre-owned EL/SLC/UV over a new SFL any day. Zeiss has too many product lines compromised to meet certain price points, of which SFL's is dubious itself.

There is nothing wrong in marketing to have a diversified product line at different price points. It usually increases your revenue. Swarovski and Leica also have different lines designed to meet different price points. Leica has the Noctivid, UVHD+ and the Trinovid and Swarovski has the NL, EL, and CL product lines. Not everybody has $3000 for an SF, NL or Noctivid and by offering a lower price entry model you usually build brand loyalty so when the customer's incomes increases they will likely upgrade within that brand. Even the car manufacturers design their marketing programs in that way. In marketing, it is called price lining.

Price Lining: How to Offer Multiple Products at Different Price Points - FasterCapital

Price lining is a pricing strategy that involves offering multiple products or services at different price points to cater to various customer segments and their willingness to pay. This approach allows businesses to maximize their revenue potential by targeting different customer needs and...

fastercapital.com

 

[tenex]

There is nothing wrong in marketing to have a diversified product line at different price points...

The principle is obvious, but I don't care what sense it makes for the manufacturer. A buyer doesn't want to be forced to pay for features he doesn't want to get others he does, but carmakers love to do that. A binocular buyer just wants straightforward good-better-best product lines, but now some formats occur only in certain lines, some lines are made in different countries, some are open-bridge but others closed, some are flat-field, some sort-of, and some not, and so on, all within the same brand. Why should I sacrifice optical quality to get a closed bridge? Choice becomes too difficult. And between top brands, the "better" SFL, EL, and UV sit at quite different price points. It's chaos. What is SFL exactly, what is it comparable to, what justifies its cost? Who knows?

 

[Yarkho]

It is a deliberately convoluted situation so that the buyer can feel justified having many binoculars. 😅

 

[hopster]

great insight! thanks!

Of course I meant "Swaro and Leica alternatives" in my original post!

 

[Montereyman]

Optics improved dramatically when personal computers first became available to optics designers. In past decades the coatings have improved and fog proofing is more reliable. But a 2025 is not going to necessarily be superior to a 2000 binocular. Some have gone to more expensive glass or more sophisticated designs that may increase the cost to produce by 10-15 percent.

When I was considering a 12x50 bino and I tried the Zeiss it had too much fringing and I returned it. The Vortex ones sell for $179 to $1,900 and with BHG Photo there are often large discount available by email. I tried the top of the line Razor UHD and the older Razor HD at two thirds the price. Looking through both of these binos I found that I preferred the view with the HD ones that were the predecessor of the UHD.

With Vortex at 12x magnification the cheapest models are the least likely to be used with good results. I believe it is better with Vortex to go with their Viper ones at the very least. The 2018 version of the Viper 12x50 sells for $560 on BH Photo but with an email request the price is $449 or 20% less.