I've been using a 20+ year-old pair of entry-level Nikon binoculars - nothing special. I recently met (and plan to join) a group of hawk-watchers in the area and had a chance to look through a quality pair - made by Vortex. I was blown away with the difference. I asked a member of the group where to find and try binocs, so he told me about an Amish-owned store in central PA that sells shoes and optics. Shoes and optics? Who knew? I made the 90 minute drive there yesterday and spent a good amount of time looking and trying out various new and used binoculars. They had hundreds of choices, and you could look through any one you wanted to. (Who does that anymore?) This is just one section of the optics room. Lost of spotting scopes and hunting-related scopes too.
I settled on 8-power to narrow down the choices - best for casual birding - and the guy brought out maybe a dozen different brands and models in different price ranges. They have an outdoor viewing area with various targets set at different distances. I tried them all, Leica, Vortex, Zeiss, Swarovski and several others. So nice to be able to get a feel for them. I have X-large hands, and finding a comfortable fit is a big deal, regardless of how good the glass is. I went back and forth multiple times.
After all was said and done, I ended up buying Zeiss. The fact that they had a sale on the model I liked best (Conquest 8X42) pushed me over the edge, even though they were a bit above my initial price target. No regrets.
The store is called Lost Creek Shoes. Worth going out of your way if you get to PA. Lost Creek Shoe Shop
When I got home and opened the box, this quote on the lid said it all:
This is the moment we work for
As I ease into retirement, I have to agree.
Marty
I settled on 8-power to narrow down the choices - best for casual birding - and the guy brought out maybe a dozen different brands and models in different price ranges. They have an outdoor viewing area with various targets set at different distances. I tried them all, Leica, Vortex, Zeiss, Swarovski and several others. So nice to be able to get a feel for them. I have X-large hands, and finding a comfortable fit is a big deal, regardless of how good the glass is. I went back and forth multiple times.
After all was said and done, I ended up buying Zeiss. The fact that they had a sale on the model I liked best (Conquest 8X42) pushed me over the edge, even though they were a bit above my initial price target. No regrets.
The store is called Lost Creek Shoes. Worth going out of your way if you get to PA. Lost Creek Shoe Shop
When I got home and opened the box, this quote on the lid said it all:
This is the moment we work for
As I ease into retirement, I have to agree.
Marty
