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Optics Test 2009

Optics Test 2009

This year’s Optics Test features a range of accessible glass with an eye for value.
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from Yoda wrote 22 weeks 6 days ago

Some nice binocs there

-2 Good Comment? | | Report
from nickd56 wrote 22 weeks 5 days ago

I picked up a pair of Steiner Safari Pro's (compact 10x26)and for the price (about $125) they are great!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from duckjmpr wrote 22 weeks 1 day ago

The Yukon Frontier are the best bang for your dollar out there. Clarity reminds me of Nikon Monarch. I beat mine up and the rubber armor protects it well

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from drabbit wrote 21 weeks 5 days ago

to conduct an optics test without Swarovski or Leupold is a joke. Please do not become a whore to your advertisers.

-1 Good Comment? | | Report
from GGNYC wrote 21 weeks 18 hours ago

check your facts drabbit, OL does not "whore" to advertisers.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from ENNIST HUNTER wrote 21 weeks 15 hours ago

I just read the field tested article, An Eye for Value, June 2009. I cannot fathom why a field test of optics would not include the pinnacle of glass, Swarovski and Leupold. I use both in the field, and I have found no equal on the market. It is like comparing the 2008 NFL football teams this year and excluding the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from hunting-scopes-... wrote 20 weeks 6 days ago

Yes indeed, you have tested the like of Zeiss & Leica bios which are the standard of excellence. BTW the prices DO reflect that. However, the Yukon spotting scopes is very well priced for the novice hunter/ birder or mountaineer/naturalist.

Hmm..you did not test any LEUPOLD products. Great products and MADE IN USA!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Smitty wrote 20 weeks 6 days ago

From the Editors: Outdoor Life sends invitations out to all of the optics manufacturers, months in advance of our annual optics test. They are invited to submit products but submissions are entirely voluntary on their part. Some manufacturers may simply choose not to submit products for testing.

The only stipulation we make is that: "Products must be new, innovative and substantively different from previous models in the same line." This ensures that we are delivering the latest product information to our readers.

Many optics manufacturers may not have new products available until mid-year, in which case we include them in the following year's test.

This may explain the absence of certain manufacturers in this year's test, though we can assure you that all were invited to make submissions.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from HuntingEditor wrote 20 weeks 1 day ago

Smitty's right. We invite all optics manufacturers to submit new products for our annual test, but we don't always get full participation. Also note that this is just the first round of reviews. We will feature results of our riflescope test in the August issue of Outdoor Life.

Andrew McKean
Hunting Editor

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Kody wrote 19 weeks 9 hours ago

Wow, that is an impressive array of binoculars and scopes. Lots of choice over a wide price range has any buyer weighing his options. I bought the Nikon Monarch from a camera and optics shop. Yes, they were on sale...but it was also the binocular that I knew to be the choice of many birdwatchers. That's right, 'birdwatchers' ... these are guys who walk around with their binoculars glued to their faces. They have high expectations when it comes to clarity and comfort of use and are usually spend thrift individuals. I figured their endorsement was good enough for me. I can't speak for any of the other models but this one suits me just fine.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from faltered wrote 18 weeks 5 days ago

Not sure I agree with this review. It seems to me that if only a select group decided to send in a pair for review - good for them, they are getting some great exposure. I have been in the binocular business for almost a decade and I can't believe these results. Before anyone jumps on these binoculars, do some homework, there are MANY binoculars that are much better in quality.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from bighunter wrote 16 weeks 6 days ago

awsome

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from RonCooley wrote 16 weeks 5 days ago

Limiting your review to only new designs says the amazing Swarovski optics aren't worth considering because they were designed a year or two ago. That's BS, and it should be beneath the standard of Outdoor LIfe. A comparison of "current production models" head-to-head is what I want to see & it's what your readers deserve. This comparison would show what we need to know, what the market has to offer us & which we should pay for. PLEASE, fix your comparisons for your next "Optics Test". Invite manufacturers to submit all current production models & let's see who wins.

Thank you!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from hunting-scopes-... wrote 14 weeks 6 days ago

Great list of Binoculars & Spotting Scopes. Man, those Leica & Zeiss- quality products- AWESOME.
Glad to learn about YUKON - great value indeed.

If I may, would like You to consider some products from LEUPOLD next round.

Thanx!
Samson

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Winefly wrote 8 weeks 2 days ago

sorry a ridiculous "test" comparing $3000 optics against $100. how do you figure your range of scores you gave the 4th rated glasses 3 stars & the 11th rates 3 stars
no real help to anyone

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post a Comment (200 characters or less)

from Smitty wrote 20 weeks 6 days ago

From the Editors: Outdoor Life sends invitations out to all of the optics manufacturers, months in advance of our annual optics test. They are invited to submit products but submissions are entirely voluntary on their part. Some manufacturers may simply choose not to submit products for testing.

The only stipulation we make is that: "Products must be new, innovative and substantively different from previous models in the same line." This ensures that we are delivering the latest product information to our readers.

Many optics manufacturers may not have new products available until mid-year, in which case we include them in the following year's test.

This may explain the absence of certain manufacturers in this year's test, though we can assure you that all were invited to make submissions.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from faltered wrote 18 weeks 5 days ago

Not sure I agree with this review. It seems to me that if only a select group decided to send in a pair for review - good for them, they are getting some great exposure. I have been in the binocular business for almost a decade and I can't believe these results. Before anyone jumps on these binoculars, do some homework, there are MANY binoculars that are much better in quality.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from nickd56 wrote 22 weeks 5 days ago

I picked up a pair of Steiner Safari Pro's (compact 10x26)and for the price (about $125) they are great!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from duckjmpr wrote 22 weeks 1 day ago

The Yukon Frontier are the best bang for your dollar out there. Clarity reminds me of Nikon Monarch. I beat mine up and the rubber armor protects it well

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from hunting-scopes-... wrote 20 weeks 6 days ago

Yes indeed, you have tested the like of Zeiss & Leica bios which are the standard of excellence. BTW the prices DO reflect that. However, the Yukon spotting scopes is very well priced for the novice hunter/ birder or mountaineer/naturalist.

Hmm..you did not test any LEUPOLD products. Great products and MADE IN USA!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from HuntingEditor wrote 20 weeks 1 day ago

Smitty's right. We invite all optics manufacturers to submit new products for our annual test, but we don't always get full participation. Also note that this is just the first round of reviews. We will feature results of our riflescope test in the August issue of Outdoor Life.

Andrew McKean
Hunting Editor

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Kody wrote 19 weeks 9 hours ago

Wow, that is an impressive array of binoculars and scopes. Lots of choice over a wide price range has any buyer weighing his options. I bought the Nikon Monarch from a camera and optics shop. Yes, they were on sale...but it was also the binocular that I knew to be the choice of many birdwatchers. That's right, 'birdwatchers' ... these are guys who walk around with their binoculars glued to their faces. They have high expectations when it comes to clarity and comfort of use and are usually spend thrift individuals. I figured their endorsement was good enough for me. I can't speak for any of the other models but this one suits me just fine.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from RonCooley wrote 16 weeks 5 days ago

Limiting your review to only new designs says the amazing Swarovski optics aren't worth considering because they were designed a year or two ago. That's BS, and it should be beneath the standard of Outdoor LIfe. A comparison of "current production models" head-to-head is what I want to see & it's what your readers deserve. This comparison would show what we need to know, what the market has to offer us & which we should pay for. PLEASE, fix your comparisons for your next "Optics Test". Invite manufacturers to submit all current production models & let's see who wins.

Thank you!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from GGNYC wrote 21 weeks 18 hours ago

check your facts drabbit, OL does not "whore" to advertisers.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from ENNIST HUNTER wrote 21 weeks 15 hours ago

I just read the field tested article, An Eye for Value, June 2009. I cannot fathom why a field test of optics would not include the pinnacle of glass, Swarovski and Leupold. I use both in the field, and I have found no equal on the market. It is like comparing the 2008 NFL football teams this year and excluding the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers!

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from bighunter wrote 16 weeks 6 days ago

awsome

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from hunting-scopes-... wrote 14 weeks 6 days ago

Great list of Binoculars & Spotting Scopes. Man, those Leica & Zeiss- quality products- AWESOME.
Glad to learn about YUKON - great value indeed.

If I may, would like You to consider some products from LEUPOLD next round.

Thanx!
Samson

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Winefly wrote 8 weeks 2 days ago

sorry a ridiculous "test" comparing $3000 optics against $100. how do you figure your range of scores you gave the 4th rated glasses 3 stars & the 11th rates 3 stars
no real help to anyone

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from drabbit wrote 21 weeks 5 days ago

to conduct an optics test without Swarovski or Leupold is a joke. Please do not become a whore to your advertisers.

-1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Yoda wrote 22 weeks 6 days ago

Some nice binocs there

-2 Good Comment? | | Report

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