I keep reading to buy the best you can afford to go hunting in mule deer hunting. My question is this. Just because a product is expensive does not mean they are of high quality. ????
So what binos would you recommend and how much do they cost?

Joe

I use Nikon Monarch 12 X 42 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...binoculars

  
Very pleased, for everyday hunting in the back country. 

  
..................but not for "judging trophies" from a mile or more.

For that you need a spotting scope.

After not being able to see how good an Elk or Muley really was, I went with Swarovski.....never regretted spending the bucks to this day!

I agree swarovskis are great binos. I believe i payed about $1100 for mine but that was 15ish years ago. I USE MINE A LOT  I used to buy the cheaper ones for two or three  hundred bucks (nikon, bushnell, tasco ,leopolds)and they never lasted more than a couple years. I have had my swarovskis for 15+ years and never had an issue with them. the wind river leopolds were not bad for the price but if you can swing it I would advise spending the extra money  for a pair that will last.when you look through the swarovskis in low light conditions you will be amazed at how much light they bring in compared to the cheeper binos and in my oppinion, first and last light is when you need your binos the most. I hunt mostly,spot and stalk, and  while I will cover some mile hiking when I  have to,I am a firm believer in letting my eyes do the walking.It is my belief that a good pair of binoculars is the most important item for any hunter to own. to me they are more important even than the weapon I choose

I have two pair that I regularly take hunting. The pair that I use most often are 8 x 30 Steiner marine. They are waterproof with an armor rubber coating. I think they are in the 200 to 250 dollar range these days. I have had them for about 18 years. If I am scouting or traveling via a vehicle looking an area over, I have a pair of WWII era Zeiss 7 x 50s taken off a dead german officer. I have no idea what they cost. They are great, except lousy for carrying around with you on foot because they are so big and bulky. Personally, I would not go under a 30mm objective and would not go over 8 power. Some of my hunting buddies have 10 and 12 power binoculars, but for the most part, I cannot hold them steady enough to study an animal with them. They are good for scanning, but once I identify something I want to look at, I guess I shake too much. I have not been in a situation yet where my 8 power were not good enough. If I really need to study something, then I break out the spotting scope that of course has a tri-pod.

I think this is like asking what scope is best. We all have our opinions and the right answer changes depending on the individual. One thing that is true however is that good glass with good coatings costs money to manufacture. The price goes up exponentially with the objective diameter. Therefore a $200 pair of say 8 x 30s cannot be compared to a $200 pair of 8 x 50s. The 8x50s for $200 would not be worth considering because IMO the glass cannot be that great for that price. For the 30 mm glass the $200 range is at the low end, but at least for me, the Steiner’s have met all my needs..

jack

Also have a pair of Steiners....probably same as yours and have had them around 20-years with no problem. Keep them in the truck or when hunting this side of MS River.
Had my SWA's for at least 15 years, brace against a tree, back pack or something to count points way out there beyond what Steiners would do.
Both have had some rugged weather and hunts. Both are good as new.

I have had the opportunity to look through a lot of different binos including the high end swarovskis.  There is no doubt it is good glass, but I honestly can not say it is worth the money to me.  I own a 10 year old pair of Nikon Monarch ATB binos.  They were in the $250 range then and I don't think price has changed much.  They are really quite good, but this year one of my hunting partners showed up with Leupold's newest BX3 Mojave in 10x50.  I never thought I would want to carry a 50mm bino.  My Nikons are 42's, but the Leupolds did not seem any bulkier or heavier than my old Nikons.  I was able to compare those Leupolds to some new Swarovski EL Range binos in 10x42.  The rangefinder was awesome as was the glass, but I honestly could not say the Swaros were any better to look through even in low light at dusk.  Both were better then my Nikons and I will have a pair of the Leupolds before fall.  At a retail of just over $400 they appear to me to be one of the best buys on really good glass on the market.  Absolutely great warranty from Leupold as well should anything go bad.

Leupold warranty can't be beat!

Depends on the terrain you are hunting, close timber you can get by with good 8's or 10's, long open country you can't beat 15's on a tripod. I carry Leupold Katmai 8x32's around my neck and have 15x56 Swaro's in the pack with a tripod. I hunt open terrain in the Az desert. Use the 8's to check the country close before setting up the 15's. I have some 15x50 Vortex Vipers that are my backups and loaners for people that don't have good glass. They are reasonably priced for a good quality product and have a great warranty. Their Kaibab's 15x56 are close to Swaro's for about $1000 less.

Whatever you choose get the best glass you can afford, even if it means saving for another 6 months, buy top quality the first time and you won't have to "upgrade", I have passed on several pairs of glass as I upgraded, would have been better off to jump big the first time rather than buy "these ain't what I want but will work" stuff.

swarovski warranty is good also,I have had my swarovskis for 15 plus years,  I needed new eyecups and they sent them to me no problem.my brother sent his in to be reconditioned and they gave him a new pair. warranties don't get much better then that

AZSLIM can spot a forest fire from two states away with his SWA's.........

I prefer Zeiss. If money is no object I would recommend the Victory series. They are top notch. If you are wanting to save a bit but still want high quality, I would recommend trying the Conquest or Conquest HD series. Conquest and Conquest HD will run you around 800 to 1500 and Victory will run 2000 to 3000.