Finding “the best buy binoculars in 2019” that suits you may be a difficult thing to do. Why, well, because a lot of models on the market these days look pretty identical. The only way to tell them apart is by researching their specifications and key features. While most mid-range and high-range binoculars are generally good, many of them are better suited to specific activities. That’s why we compiled this guide to help you decide which binoculars to buy when bird-watching, stargazing, hiking or traveling.
Regardless of budget, there are five (5) fantastic binoculars that top our list on the best buys of 2019. They are ranked in order of ability:
- Swarovski EL 8.5×42
- Zeiss Victory HT 10×42
- Leica Noctivid 10×42
- Vortex Viper HD 8×42
- Nikon Monarch 7 ATB 10×42
You may be thinking; why are these binoculars so amazing that I should adjust my budget limit to accommodate them. We’ve outlined why in this article. In fact, we have managed to rate the performance of each binoculars on an overall score of 100, based on its individual score on Clarity, Brightness, Ease Of Adjustment, Construction Quality, Comfort, Close Focus Range, Field Of View, Brand & Warranty, and Price.
First of all, please take a look at this table
The overall score of 5 the best buy binoculars in 2019
| Swarovski EL 8.5×42 | Zeiss Victory HT 10×42 | Leica Noctivid 10×42 | Vortex Viper HD 8×42 | Nikon Monarch 7 ATB 10×42 | |
| Overall Score | 99/100 | 95/100 | 93/100 | 92/100 | 87/100 |
| Price (at present) | $2,959 | $2,699 | $2,692 | $449 | $413 |
| Clarity | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Brightness | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of Adjustment | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Construction Quality | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Comfort | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Field of View | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Close Focus Range | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Warranty | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Check latest price on Amazon | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
Please, don’t make a decision yet until completing the detailed reading below …
Swarovski EL 8.5×42 (99%)
Pros
- Price: $2,959 at present (check latest price on Amazon here)
- Clarity: 10/10
The glass used to manufacture the Swarovski EL 8.5×42 is top-notch. The brand itself is renowned for making high-quality glass for jewelry. Scour the internet for information on Swarovski EL 8.5×42, there is a consensus on its top-of-the-line quality. The glass is coated with fluoride which protects its edges from aberration and fringing. Few compare to this binocular when considering the clarity.
- Brightness: 10/10
It’s no brainer; clarity and brightness go hand-in-hand. The Swarovski EL 8.5×42’s glass has multi-coatings that allow light to enter seamlessly. Its brightness is surreal, lighting up images so well that appear brighter through the bin.
- Ease of Adjustment: 10/10
You can adjust the lenses easily. The Swarovski EL 8.5×42 glides open; it doesn’t creak. Although there isn’t a diopter ring lock, the knob hardly moves, so you can worry less about unintended adjustments.
- Construction Quality: 10/10
By looking at the bin, you can just tell that it is made of the highest quality. The alignment is near perfect and for its price, over-delivers in durability.
- Comfort: 10/10
The grip is fantastic. The Swarovski EL 8.5×42 is covered with rubber coating and has thumb indents. With an open center, it is very comfortable to hold. You get a cool rubber strap which feels comfy on the neck.
- Field of View: 9/10
One area that the Swarovski EL 8.5×42 fails to dominate in the field of view. The Zeiss Terra ED8x32 views 404 feet at 1000 yards, slightly better than its 399.
- Close Focus Range: 9/10
The Swarovski EL 8.5×42 loses (again) to the Zeiss Terra model by focusing down to 4.9 feet in comparison to the latter’s 5 feet. Small margins, but what can we say?
- Warranty: 10/10
The brand offers Lifetime Limited Warranty for Optics and 10 Year Warranty for other parts.
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Bested in field of view and close-range focus by a relatively inferior brand
Recommendations
- Bird watching
- Wildlife viewing
Zeiss Victory HT 10×42 (95%)
Pros
- Price: $2,699.99 at present (check latest price on Amazon here)
- Clarity: 10/10
It produces extremely clear images in the afternoon and at dawn.
- Brightness: 10/10
Images are very bright, whether up close or from afar.
- Ease of Adjustment: 10/10
Like the Swarovski EL, the knob glides smoothly but is stiff enough to stay in place after adjustment
- Construction Quality: 8/10
Well-constructed; a keen eye to detail by the manufacturers. For a high-range binocular like the Zeiss Victory, construction quality is the least of your concerns.
- Comfort: 9/10
The Swarovski EL edges out the Zeiss Victory due to the presence of thumb indents. Sadly, that feature cannot be found on the Zeiss, although it does have thicker barrels.
- Field of View: 10/10
Respectable field of view but not impressive if compared to the Swarovski EL. It provides 330 ft. at 1000 yards.
- Close Focus Range: 8/10
Has a close range focus of 6.2 feet. The Swarovski EL has a better close-range focus of 4.9-foot. Yes, smaller is better.
- Warranty: 7/10
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Images are less colorful than high-range counterparts.
Recommendations
- Bird watching
- Hunting
Leica Noctivid 10×42 (93%)
Pros
- Price: $2,692.19 at present (check latest price on Amazon here)
- Clarity: 10/10
The Noctivid, like all other high-range models has impossible clarity. Although the Swarovski EL has clearer images, the difference is too little to notice. The clarity is definitely a 10 by us.
- Brightness: 10/10
The brightness, like the Noctivid’s clarity, is top-notch. For its price, it does a fantastic job in making images on the lenses brighter.
- Ease of Adjustment: 9/10
Unlike the Swarovski EL and the Zeiss Victory HT, the Noctivid’s diopter adjustment requires that the knob be pulled back until it clicks. There is a risk of accidental adjustments.
- Construction Quality: 8/10
Top-notch quality from the brand. The interior and exterior designs are top-of-the-line.
- Comfort: 9/10
It isn’t uncomfortable, but unlike its competitors, it doesn’t have any thumb indentations. This makes it harder to grip.
- Field of View: 10/10
The Noctivid stands out from the crowd by providing 376 foot at 1000 yards; which is pretty impressive.
- Close Focus Range: 8/10
It has the same close focus as the Zeiss Victory HT which stands at 6.2ft.
- Warranty: 10/10
Lifetime warranty against manufacturer fault
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Lacks groove indentation for thumbs, making the grip uncomfortable.
Recommendations
- Bird watching
Vortex Viper HD 8×42 (92%)
Pros
- Price: $449 at present (check latest price on Amazon here)
- Clarity: 9/10
Surprisingly, for its price, the Vortex Viper’s picture clarity rivals that of the Swarovski EL. It’s not perfect as the clarity noticeably tends to fade at the edge.
- Brightness: 9/10
Again, the Vortex Viper contends with expensive models by having high-density glass that gives a very bright view. Although it doesn’t have huge objective lenses like these expensive models, it does well to enhance image brightness.
- Ease of Adjustment: 9/10
The Vortex Viper has a lockable diopter ring which is a plus for the model. Its diopter is easy to adjust and has little to no stiffness.
- Construction Quality: 10/10
Like other high quality binoculars, the Vortex Viper had a solid feel. Its hinges move smoothly and it has a durable feel about it.
- Comfort: 10/10
It has rubberized coatings and thumb indentations that make it very comfortable to hold.
- Field of View: 9/10
For an 8x model, the Vortex Viper has a chart-topping field of view of 409 feet at 1000 yards.
- Close Focus Range: 8/10
This comes at 6.5 feet. Except you’re zooming in on butterflies, this is a very respectable close focus range.
- Warranty: 10/10
Lifetime VIP (Very Important Promise) Warranty.
Cons
- Not cheap
- Not so great close focus range
Recommendations
- Bird watching
- Wildlife viewing
- Hunting
- Hiking
Nikon Monarch 7 ATB 10×42 (87%)
Pros
- Price: $413 at present (check latest price on Amazon here)
- Clarity (8/10)
It provides sharp images with good color contrast.
- Brightness: 8/10
Its fully multi-coated lenses allow for a very bright view. It could be brighter if it had large objective lenses and reduced magnification.
- Ease of Adjustment: 9/10
Its diopter isn’t lockable and it is a bit stiff. The focusing is super smooth however and allows you to zoom in on close and far objects very fast.
- Construction Quality: 10/10
Solid make and good exterior design.
- Comfort: 10/10
Like many top-notch binoculars, it has a rubberized coating. Eye relief is great; you don’t have to strain your eyes to zoom in on objects.
- Field of View: 9/10
Top performer with 351 feet at 1000 yards
- Close Focus Range: 7/10
Also a top performer with a close rang focus of 8.2 feet.
- Warranty: 10/10
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Bad grip
- Heavy. Not so easy to carry around
- Doesn’t have a locking diopter; accidental adjustments happen.
Recommendations
- Bird watching
- Wildlife viewing
So, that is our complete listing of the best buy binoculars in 2019.
Most of the binoculars listed above are high-end ones. And believe me, you will get what you pay for. You will see professionals using the very expensive gear and this is not to show off: they use gear that gives them the needed results. A budget-friendly binocular will not offer anywhere near the optical performance, brightness, color fidelity, build quality or resistance to elements are a multi-thousand dollar one.
However, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend a huge budget for an optic. Most people can be served well by a solid mid-range product, somewhere in the $200-$500 range. They’re not the same as really high-end models, but they come reasonably close unless you’re very serious about your optics.
Therefore, just back to your needs, remember what activities you will use these binoculars for, how often of those activities, what is your budget in mind, etc.
The best buy binoculars for you should be the best-fit ones.
Vilis-bino
May you should read: Top 5 Best binoculars under 300$