I've been using the cheap pair of Nikon Action 10x50 I've had for several years. Now I'm looking to step up a little bit. I've looked at a few pair and the Nikon Prostaff 7 10x42 seem like a pretty good set for $200. I also did my best to compare them side by side with the Monarch 7 10x42 and couldn't tell a huge difference. To my surprise the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD also had pretty good glass and seemed like a tough pair for $200. I'm not sure what to do. The Bushnell and the Prostaff are for sure an upgrade for me and would both be nicer than what I have. But I don't want to spend $200 when I could spend a little more and get a lot better value.

So question is should I go with one of these other pairs or look into a tad bit better set? I know there are also the Monarch 3 and 5 but can't find much information as to if they are actually better than just the Prostaff. If its better to just go for the 7 then I just might, but if there's not a huge difference between any of these it'd be great if somebody could let me know. Also have heard about Vortex but dont have any first hand experience even looking through any of their binos.

Any help? As far as usage go, I would use them in a wide range of situations and lowlight would be a plus. Along those lines, I also am not sure if getting the 10x56 would be actually more beneficial and worth it in lowlight than say the exact same model but 10x42.

I'm a big believer in good glass, but I don't think a fellow has to spend a fortune these days to get it. And I'm a fan of easily portable binocs, and the 10x42's are a great blend of size and performance. As for what to get, the Nikon Monarch's are pretty darn good glass. I use Leica binocs, and have for years, but the Nikons that my wife has are just about as good. Maybe not as bulletproof, because the Leicas have endured some real punishment that I don't think the Nikons would have survived.

The 10x56 would most likely gather more light, but unless you have young eyes, you might not be able to use the extra light. And the 10x56 will be larger and heavier.

Zeiss came out with the Terra line recently and the 10x42 are around 400 I believe. I haven't used them, but they are made by one of the best optics manufacturers. They seem like alot of value for the money. Good luck

I compared the new Zeiss Terra next to the Nikon Monarch line of binos and the Zeiss don't come close to the Nikons. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth. Im a Leica Geovid guy. Im kinda hunting something to keep of the dash of the truck. Really impressed with the Nikon, Vortex, for that price range.

I hope Nikon has improved their 10x42 Monarch since I had a pair of them. I won a pair and kept them in my truck or with me in the Mule all year round as my spare binos for daily use. They did not last 3 yrs. They did replace them with new ones under warranty but I gave the new ones away as Christmas present. For the money the Leuopod Cascades 10x42 are really good binos and I have a pair for the daily use year round binos. I am a Leica Geovid fan though for my hunting binos.

OP, I was looking at the same binos as you are. I was in BPS one day and the guy behind the counter asked me if I had looked at their brand Oculus. I compared them to the pro staff & thought they were better. Plus the come with lifetime warranty, salesman at the counter said bring them back to the store and get a new pair, that simple. They are around the price point of the pro staffs also.

Vortex viper

I just ordered a pair of Vortex Diamondback 12x50's. I think they're gonna be pretty good.

I'm really liking the Vortex products these days.

Vortex Talons are superb. A customer ordered Viper HD 15x50 that will be here on Tuesday, so i'll be able to report on those.

The Viper HD 15X50 was amazing. For the price, I believe it's very hard to beat. Crisp, clear and bright.

If you really need 10x, then I'm not sure what to suggest.
However, if you can live with 8x; nothing comes close to the
value of 8x30 Leupold Yosemite. Which reminds me, where the heck
did I put those darn things? seriously

I would put a word in for the Vortex Talon HD glass as well...really, really, really good glass and can't beat the warranty!

I used the 10x42 talons last year and they were awesome in low light and bright light, and easy to carry around too.

I have the old vortex razor which I think are basically the talons now.

I've ran mine side by side against swaro slc and there isn't much difference clarity or lowlight performance.


I'm not a nikon fan

I bought a pair of Vortex Viper HD 10x42 which are great! Its a plus knowing they come with a lifetime warranty if something ever happens.

I switched from a pair of Steiner Military-Marines 8x30's and its a huge difference

Got to Natchez Shooter Supplies at look at Nikons and then look for refurbished optics. They sell a lot of Nikon refurbs, so that will tell you something about how well they are made.

I was almost positive if I got a little better set rather than the $200 pair that it would be Nikon, but now I can't help but look into Vortex products. Do any retail stores carry Vortex optics?

I have a pair of Minox binos I really like.

The key is to compare models in low light conditions. Its hard to tell a difference in a well lit store. I used to sell binocs at Cabelas in college and people would always come in ad compare high dollar binocs to lower level ones and say they cant tell a difference. Id tell them to talk to me after they tried both out at last light...

Im pretty sure that Cableas has Vortex on display. Or the one in Buda did. I would imagine BPS would as well.

I am searching too but trying to keep it to 300 or less. That leads me to the Vortex Diamondbacks. If 500(Talons) or 600(viper) were an option, I would still go to the vortex brand.

Matt

I agree do a side by side comparison. Think about the hunting situations you will be in.

I went bass pro in garland. Store has decent lighting and compared the Nikon Pro staff 7 vs Leuopold Acadia vs Nikon Monarch 3. The Pro staff was = to the Acadia. The Monarch 3 definitely had the better optics.

At $229-239 vs the sale price of $139 and my hunting style the Prostaff won for me.

Look at Vortex Optics
www.vortexoptics.com
They have the VIP warranty.. Basically it is transferable and is in NO way limited... If you make a video of you running over there binoculars with a tank and then send them in they will replace them for free and pay shipping both ways.