ARE HIGH END OPTICS WORTH THE MONEY?

One question that often gets asked at the Outdoorsmans headquarters is, “Are high end optics worth the investment?”  The answer of course is yes, but I interviewed Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans so everyone would understand why high end optics are worth the money.  

Most people swallow hard when they look at the price tag on a pair of Swarovski, Zeiss or Vortex Binoculars.  They often decide not to make the purchase because many hunters don’t want to fork over $1,000 or more for a pair of binoculars.  After all, that’s how much a gun or bow costs!  “For some reason, hunters don’t have a problem buying a new bow that costs $1,200 but they have a problem spending that much on a pair of binoculars.  The difference is a hunter replaces his bow every few years.  A good pair of binoculars will last a lifetime if a person takes good care of them.  Hunters need to consider their optics as a piece of serious equipment, not just another accessory,” Nelson explained.    

 Nelson believes spending good money on a pair of binoculars is worth the investment because good glass can increase the odds of success.  “Good glass that is crystal clear and is a joy to look through.  As a result, when using a good pair of binoculars while scouting or hunting, hunters will probably take more time to try to locate game.  Cheap glass often doesn’t have good eye relief and hunters often end up with a headache.  If hunters get a headache while glassing, they will probably quit hunting early, thus reducing the chances of spotting game.  The clearer the optics, the better the eye relief, the longer a person is willing to sit and watch for movement.  High quality glass can help a person be more successful in the field.  Hunters have to see the animal and know where the animal is before they can slip in on it and actually hunt it,” Nelson added.  

 Whether a hunter is looking for the tips of antlers on a 350-inch bull elk or looking for a bedded Coues buck, having glass that is razor sharp and crystal clear is necessary. “If the image is fuzzy, spotting a bedded buck is more difficult. Seeing subtle movement or the difference in color when a buck is trying to hide in the rocks can be difficult with cheap glass. High end glass is clear and sharp, which makes spotting game easier.  It’s the little things that make a difference.  Having glass that is super clear can make a difference while hunting,” Nelson noted.    

High quality glass outperforms inexpensive glass in lowlight conditions. “We know that animals move a lot at first light and at last light. Seeing them in low light conditions can be difficult, especially when using cheap glass.  Every year when magazines do their optics tests, the companies that win the low light contests are companies that make high end optics. You won’t see a $200 pair of binoculars win that award.  Being able to see game in lowlight is a necessity.  High quality binoculars perform great under these conditions,” Nelson said.   

People often worry about warranties when shopping for binoculars.  Nelson says the beautiful thing about good glass is people rarely need to use the warranty.  “All the optic brands we carry offer great warranties.  The great thing is that the odds of someone needing to send in their binoculars or use their warranty if the binoculars are taken care of are slim.  Customers get what they pay for.  When people invest in good glass, it lasts a long time.  High quality binoculars are a long term investment.

 Are you in the market for a new pair of binoculars or a spotting scope?  Do yourself a favor by buying the best optics you can afford.  You won’t regret making the investment.  Call the Outdoorsmans team and have them help you choose a pair of optics that are right for you.