Eagle Optics and Wild Birds Unlimitted

[ScottD]

I'm considering getting a new spotting scope and maybe even new binoculars and I came accross Eagle Optics. Wild Birds Unlimitted is a store specializing in bird watching and apparently they carry Eagle Optics.

Does anybody have any first hand (or secord hand) experience regarding their products?

Here is a link to the bino's I'm considering:
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp...rch=1&pid=2993

Here is the spotting scope I am thinking about:
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp...rch=1&pid=3402

I was set on finding a B&L Elite spotting scope in 15-45x60 until I saw the Eagle Optics. Has anyone compared the Eagle Optics and B&L Elite? The B&L is about 2 times the cost and I don't know if it is worth twice?

and here is a link to the WBU web site:
http://www.wbu.com/

They have stores in Corvalis, Bend, and Salem. Also in the Puget Sound area, so I thought that maybe some people on this board maybe has heard of them.???

[Snubber]

Eagle optics is an on-line supplier of multiple brands of optics. They are basically an optics dealer, and the "eagle Optics" appears to be the name of their store.
Keep in mind, there is a multitude of suppliers of optics. The brands you are looking for are probably sourced (manufactured) in the Orient, most likely Japan, and then imported into the U.S., under the Baush & Lomb, Weaver, Simmons, Pentax, Nikon, etc.
Leupold product contains lenses made in Japan.
Product is assembled here.
Just thought I would help you clarify.

[ScottD]

Eagle Optics does have their own line of optics, if you look at the links I included you can see the spotting scopes and binoculars that have the Eagle Optics brand.

Eagle Optics also distrubes a bunch of other brands as well and you can compare the different products on their website.

I never had heard of their brand before a couple days ago, and I am just curious if anyone has tried their brand of products. The WBU stores apparently carry the Eagle Optics brand of binoculars and spotting scopes.

[ 12-05-2003, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: ScottD ]

[Chukrchaser]

Sounds like a private label brand -- like the Cabelas and Bass Pro "brands" -- They are manufactured by some one else and private labeled -- Shimano makes reels for Bass Pro but so does Zebco -- there is always a trade off for the private label ( and cheaper price)-- same look but cheaper components - maybe just less warranty -- or a slightly different configuration -- hard to tell --

I worked for a small fishing takle chain in a different life and we had our own line of rods -- made by Lamiglass -- but the handles were the cheapest cork you couild find and the guides were less than decent --

So you never know -- I'd be careful -- but if you try them out and seem to be what your looking for ??

[duckcall]

I purchased a Swarovski spotting scope from Eagle Optics last year. I did the homework, product review, pricing, and they won out. Good outfit.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I ordered my Swarovski binos from Eagle Optics, had no problems.

I did find them very very slightly cheaper online at another store, but when I found out I wouldnt get the lifetime warranty, only the one year warranty from the retailer because they were grey market binos, I went with Eagle.

[StickFish]

Their store branded products are first rate at their respective prices ranges. Their service is one of the best I've run into. Have a question about optics call them and ask for a technician. They WILL straighten you out. I always recommend them to people looking for optics.

They really are an Optics counter that is housed inside a Backyard Bird shop type of store. But birders are even more fussy about their optics than us hunters ever are.

[Old Coot]

The magazine Bird Watcher's Digest did some articles on comparative optics in thelast year or so. I think you can still find the articles on their website.