I have bought 4 pairs of Monarch 5 8x42 in the last 5 years as nice
presents for people. They are waterproof and fogproof and have excellent
clarity and brightness with very good eye relief. They earned "Amazon
Choice" designation and sell for $276:
(
https://smile.amazon.com/Nikon-Waterproof-Binoculars-Essential-Accessory/dp/B00UI1YH6Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=nikon+monarch+5&qid=1626563941&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQ1lIM1VCWlBWUlc2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTc2NTA0Mk40MVlJTEJGTU9BNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDQxMjA1QUVaUUxKR1o2T1FJJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
).
The bundle offered has binocular straps and other accessories for this
price.
I agree too that Vortex has a top shelf customer friendly guarantee for
full replacement so their Diamondback model is very good and would have
that comfort built-in. (I have a Razor scope which is excellent). You can
not go wrong valuewise with either one for years of worry-free use.
Paul
On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:37 PM Dan Gleason <dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I should also add that the Celestron binoculars referred to in my earlier
example were older ones and likely a low-end model. While I have not seen
the current line of Celestron binoculars myself, I have heard good things
about them. I have no knowledge of what their customer service is currently
like so you will have to ask someone who does if you want more information
about this.
Dan Gleason
Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited of Eugene
Ornithology Instructor, retired, University of Oregon
dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx
On Jul 17, 2021, at 3:27 PM, Dan Gleason <Dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I agree that Vortex has outstanding quality and customer service which is
why I sell Vortex in our store. No one beats their customer service. I have
heard similar stories of service as you had. I know of one shop owner back
east who had a customer that came in with a pair of damaged Celestron
binoculars. They didn’t sell Celestron but the customer was looking for
advice because Celestron told him he was on his own, they would do nothing
for him. The owner called Vortex (he was a dealer) for advice. Vortex
offered to look at the binoculars and repair them if they could, which they
succeeded in doing. Not even their instruments but they repaired them
free. The customer was so impressed he returned later to buy Vortex
binoculars.
One caution with Vortex right now. They are having trouble with supply on
some models so dealers are having delayed shipments on those models. Since
Covid, shipping has been a problem for many products in many different
industries. Vortex has had some problem getting things from China. You will
see on their instruments “Made in China.” The optics are made in Japan
where very high quality optics are made. But the final assembly happens in
China on some of their products so it has to say made in China even though
the actual optics are not. Getting shipping containers to or from China has
been a problem and the lack of these containers has also been problematic
for many businesses around the world. There is great difficulty getting
supplies for many things. One of our suppliers has told us that the plastic
used to make some of their bird feeders normally requires them to order 4-6
weeks in advance. They now cannot get what they need until at least next
January. Thus, they have to make a smaller line of products to stretch out
their supply. It’a frustrating as owner of a retail shop to not get the
products we need to sell. But I am hearing the same from many other
business owners of very different businesses. So if the particular
binocular you want happens to be on back-order, have patience with the
dealer you are working with. Chances are they are just as frustrated.
Dan Gleason
Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited of Eugene
Ornithology Instructor, retired, University of Oregon
dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx
On Jul 17, 2021, at 2:51 PM, Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I recently bought a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42 binoculars for $220,
and I am extremely pleased with their quality - a very bright, crisp image!
And you can't beat their lifetime warranty! For the first time ever, only
about a month after I bought this new pair, I was stupid enough to leave
them on the roof of my car and drove off. Once I realized my binoculars
were missing, I returned and was able to find them again, but they were
badly mangled (I believe another car drove over them on a dirt road). I
sent them in for repairs, and - since they could not be fixed - Vortex sent
me a brand-new pair at no cost, no questions asked. They even paid for
shipping both ways.. That's what I call customer service!
Hendrik
On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 12:18 PM Craig Tumer <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A friend is looking for good, birding/nature observation binoculars,
preferably under $250. Do any OBOLers out there have recommendations? I
haven't shopped for binoculars in a very long time, so I'm of limited help.
Thanks in advance.
Craig Tumer
Portland
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__________________________
Hendrik G. Herlyn
Corvallis, OR
*"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." -- Gary Snyder*
