Leupold Yosemitie Binoculars

[LampLighter]

Let me say, I bought these binoculars just before leaving for my Turkey hunting trip last Month. See " Turkey Board". Anyway, I looked through several brands even some more expensive than these. The Leupold Yosemitie were ultra clear and sharp, and only $99. 00.

On my trip, I was able to identify small beards on jake turkeys, and watched many Tom turkeys at over 400 yards away, enough to see the size of their beard, their red heads, and untold number of squirrel , deer, and beaver cross the right-of-way I was on. I could see mosquitos in the nostrils of 3 beaver at 60+ yards.

I sort of banged them, dangling on my neck on the mountain bike, belly crawling across the right-of-way, but otherwise did not abuse them. They held up. I highly recommend them and give them 5 stars ***** out of 5. I have the 8x30 power, natural tan color.

[StringJumper]

That's good to hear. I have an original Leupold Wind River binocular that I paid $300 for back in around 1995. I would put this binocular up against my Leicas and Swarovskis. Maybe not quite as good but close enough that most people could not tell. Or care.

I mention these are the original Wind Rivers because they changed the binocular after a couple of years and the newer Wind River was noticably less bright and clear. And the overall quality of the binocular went down also. I no longer need my Wind River binocular, as I said I have two high end binoculars, but I refuse to sell it because no one would give me anywhere near what it is actually worth.

Leupold had the special sauce in that original Wind River and I am not sure why they felt a need to change it. The bean counters are likely responsible for that decision.

Good luck with your Leupold.

[LampLighter]

The current Wind River binocs were one of the ones I looked through. I was NOT impressed. I was very impressed with the Yoseimte . Also, the Burris signiture II were nice.

[pepaw]

I have read nothing but good things about the Yosemites.

I too have an old pair of the original Wind Rivers. My wife prefered them to all my others, until she grabbed the new Vortex Diamondbacks 8x42. Those things are clear!
Both of my hunting partners has an original Wind River pair as their backup/kids glass

pepaw

[Chuck S]

I ran across some posts in a bird watching forum and all were rating the Yosemites much higher than far more expensive ones. All agreed that they were as good if not better than their high dollar binocs. One went as far to say that they matched his Leicas in clarity, light gathering and sharpness. I may end up with a pair yet but my Steiner 7x35s are really hard to beat. I use these in general and have a pair of Redfield 10x50s for longer distance glassing.