Wanted, good binoculars, under $100

Z400ACDC · January 23, 2009, 06:59 PM

I like to watch the critters in the woods from my deck. Thanks for any help!

DoctorXring · January 23, 2009, 10:19 PM

.

You won't feel bad about having these --

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-12x25-travelite.html

dxr

.

CW-NH-HUNTER · January 23, 2009, 10:48 PM

I would recomend the nikon pro staff series they are water proof and fog proof for just alittle more money than the travel lite series. They are one of the best sellers at the Kittery Trading post where I work.

unlearned69 · January 23, 2009, 11:24 PM

Take a look at the Leupold Yosemites or one of the Leupold inverted porro compacts. I have a pair of the latter that I bought for $50 with a bird watching book as a backup pair, and they are pretty nice. I have looked throughthe Yosemites, and they were quite clear as well.

jbrown · January 24, 2009, 12:21 AM

I got a small leupold 10x25 packaged with a leupold knife for $79 or $89 last fall.Best binos I have ever owned.

skoro · January 24, 2009, 06:39 AM

I'll make a sugestion that might be off base, but I've been using binos for a couple of decades, so I'm kinda set in my ways.

If you'd be willing to consider a non-compact bino, this one is a very good instrument for the price.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-7x...lars-7217.html

Even though it's large, it has some good advantages. The 7x magnification gives you two advantages for critter watching: 1) a wider field of view and 2) a far less "shaky" image. The unfortunate truth is that as magnification increases, your ability to hold the binos steady enough for a good view decreases.

These 7x50s have the additional advantage of being excellent night glasses for skygazing if that interests you at all.

Finally, a couple of things to look for no matter which binos you decide on:

BAK4 prisms - these dramatically improve the viewing over their less expensive BK7 cousins.

Fully mulicoated lenses - good quality coatings are super important in getting a clear image free of abberation.

Good hunting!

sholling · January 24, 2009, 12:20 PM

Since you'll be viewing from your deck size shouldn't be a problem. That's a good thing because it costs a lot more to produce decent roof prism binoculars. I'd look for some good porro prism binoculars to maximize bang for the buck. I think something like the Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB would be a great choice given the budget. Call Eagle Optics and let them help you find the right one for you. They're incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.

Sodbuster · January 24, 2009, 12:20 PM

skoro has good points. Holding 12x binocs steady is difficult without a support. Narrow field of view. Also, 12x25 gives an exit pupil that is conducive to daylight viewing, not the best for twilight. If you can support (small tripod e.g.) 12x binocs on your deck, no problem. 10x is considered by many to be the most magnification that can be handheld without too much shaking. If you want to view at dusk/dawn, consider 7x35, 7x50, 8x42, 10x50. Then look for binocs in your price range.

citizen · January 24, 2009, 12:29 PM

....allow me to suggest a site with a wide selection where I have purchased:
www.binoculars.com

fisherman66 · January 24, 2009, 12:35 PM

Leupold Yosemites, I prefer the 6x. Best buy in bins bar none.

TheOldPro · January 26, 2009, 03:47 PM

I bought my wife a pair of Pentax roof-prism binoculars for under $100, in the 8X42 variety, and she loves them. I sneak them out to the deer blind as often as I can, and so far as I am concerned, they are very clear, and have a locking focus, too. Her's aren't waterproof, but the ones I bought my son are, for about the same price, and it has changed his outlook on deer hunting...he can hunt until the last second now. If you are interested, I can give you the exact model number on hers, not his (they aren't here). But for my money, these are excellent, and I have had no problem in the 3 years we have owned hers.
Having said that, I have a pair of Bausch and Lomb Legacy binoculars in the 7X35 variety, and I have never seen any clearer lenses. These are old, bought on eBay, and the porro-prism type. If they were higher power, I would never carry anything else into the woods.

black bear 84 · January 30, 2009, 04:51 AM

I agree with fisherman66,
Leupold Yosemite in 6X

January 23, 2009, 06:59 PM	#1
Z400ACDC Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Bowling Green,KY Posts: 433	Wanted, good binoculars, under $100 I like to watch the critters in the woods from my deck. Thanks for any help! __________________ Bowling Green, KY

January 23, 2009, 10:19 PM	#2
DoctorXring Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2002 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 392	$100 binoculars . You won't feel bad about having these -- http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-12x25-travelite.html dxr .

January 24, 2009, 06:39 AM	#6
skoro Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,952	Good binos I'll make a sugestion that might be off base, but I've been using binos for a couple of decades, so I'm kinda set in my ways. If you'd be willing to consider a non-compact bino, this one is a very good instrument for the price. http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-7x...lars-7217.html Even though it's large, it has some good advantages. The 7x magnification gives you two advantages for critter watching: 1) a wider field of view and 2) a far less "shaky" image. The unfortunate truth is that as magnification increases, your ability to hold the binos steady enough for a good view decreases. These 7x50s have the additional advantage of being excellent night glasses for skygazing if that interests you at all. Finally, a couple of things to look for no matter which binos you decide on: BAK4 prisms - these dramatically improve the viewing over their less expensive BK7 cousins. Fully mulicoated lenses - good quality coatings are super important in getting a clear image free of abberation. Good hunting!

January 24, 2009, 12:20 PM	#7
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	Since you'll be viewing from your deck size shouldn't be a problem. That's a good thing because it costs a lot more to produce decent roof prism binoculars. I'd look for some good porro prism binoculars to maximize bang for the buck. I think something like the Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB would be a great choice given the budget. Call Eagle Optics and let them help you find the right one for you. They're incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society.

January 24, 2009, 12:20 PM	#8
Sodbuster Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 1999 Location: Wyo-Tana Posts: 1,298	skoro has good points. Holding 12x binocs steady is difficult without a support. Narrow field of view. Also, 12x25 gives an exit pupil that is conducive to daylight viewing, not the best for twilight. If you can support (small tripod e.g.) 12x binocs on your deck, no problem. 10x is considered by many to be the most magnification that can be handheld without too much shaking. If you want to view at dusk/dawn, consider 7x35, 7x50, 8x42, 10x50. Then look for binocs in your price range. __________________ Remember, many times what we view as a curse in the present turns out to be a blessing in the future. Don't worry about it a lot. Things have a way of working out. Trust me on this one. - - Uncle Bill Martino

January 23, 2009, 10:48 PM	#3
CW-NH-HUNTER Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: NH Posts: 58	I would recomend the nikon pro staff series they are water proof and fog proof for just alittle more money than the travel lite series. They are one of the best sellers at the Kittery Trading post where I work.

January 23, 2009, 11:24 PM	#4
unlearned69 Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 15	Take a look at the Leupold Yosemites or one of the Leupold inverted porro compacts. I have a pair of the latter that I bought for $50 with a bird watching book as a backup pair, and they are pretty nice. I have looked throughthe Yosemites, and they were quite clear as well.

January 24, 2009, 12:21 AM	#5
jbrown Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 215	I got a small leupold 10x25 packaged with a leupold knife for $79 or $89 last fall.Best binos I have ever owned.

January 24, 2009, 12:29 PM	#9
citizen Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2000 Posts: 796	....allow me to suggest a site with a wide selection where I have purchased: www.binoculars.com __________________ ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM NRA, GOA, AOC Ignorance can be cured, Stupid is forever Life is too short for dial-up

January 24, 2009, 12:35 PM	#10
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Leupold Yosemites, I prefer the 6x. Best buy in bins bar none. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

January 26, 2009, 03:47 PM	#11
TheOldPro Member Join Date: January 9, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 31	I bought my wife a pair of Pentax roof-prism binoculars for under $100, in the 8X42 variety, and she loves them. I sneak them out to the deer blind as often as I can, and so far as I am concerned, they are very clear, and have a locking focus, too. Her's aren't waterproof, but the ones I bought my son are, for about the same price, and it has changed his outlook on deer hunting...he can hunt until the last second now. If you are interested, I can give you the exact model number on hers, not his (they aren't here). But for my money, these are excellent, and I have had no problem in the 3 years we have owned hers. Having said that, I have a pair of Bausch and Lomb Legacy binoculars in the 7X35 variety, and I have never seen any clearer lenses. These are old, bought on eBay, and the porro-prism type. If they were higher power, I would never carry anything else into the woods.

January 30, 2009, 04:51 AM	#12
black bear 84 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 246	I agree with fisherman66, Leupold Yosemite in 6X __________________ builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...=169074&page=3 and www.BlackBearFlashlights.com e-mail [email protected]