Best Binoculars for the money?

Northslope Nimrod · October 30, 2012, 05:32 PM

Brother in Law needs new Binos. They will be for his truck. They need not be compact, but not uber large.
What are the best for the money.....under $250. (maybe up to $299)

We live out West where he will look at deer and elk out to 1000 yards at times. Thus, they need to have some power.

jmr40 · October 30, 2012, 07:05 PM

http://www.cameralandny.com/

Give these guys a call. With the storm it may be a few days before they are back up and running, but it will be worth the wait. Give them a budget and describe your needs.

They are super and will fix you up with the best scope you can get for your budget. They often have display models, discontinued models, etc., they can sell for quite a bit less.

They sold me a pair of these.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/p...page=dcfsp8x43

3 years ago for $250. Of course they have gone up in price about $100 since then and mine were a display model. Didn't hurt them a bit.

Don't get carried away with too many X's on your glass. 8X or 10X is about as much as is practical unless you are using a tripod.

The absolute best bargain are these.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-BX-1-Yosemit...ars-C3461.aspx

But only in the 6X version. It is amazing that an $85 binocular is this clear and sharp. I know lots of guys who own these. I have 2 sets, keep one in the truck. If someone steals them i'm not out much. In fact someone did steal my 1st pair. Bought 2 more to replace those.

jephthai · October 30, 2012, 08:22 PM

Vortex seems like the popular "affordable excellence" choice these days. My next ones will be one of their mid-range models. http://www.vortexoptics.com/

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

Northslope Nimrod · October 31, 2012, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the rec's. I may need some more recommendations in the $100 to $150 range. Sister says she may be limited to that budget now.
I have the Yosemites and like them. I know Vortex are good too.

9mm1033 · October 31, 2012, 03:19 PM

Binoculars for under $250 for looking out to 1000 yards. Realistically, probably none. Remember eye strain as well, because cheap binoculars are not cut for 1000 yard clear focus. No different than a cheap rifle scope and trying to hit an animal 800-1000 yards away.

langenc · October 31, 2012, 06:51 PM

Get to ebay and watch for a pair of Swift Sport kings. They will be 7x35-wide angle. Nice pairs are available for 70 bucks or less. The original cases are usually falling apart but the glasses good as new. Excellent for under seat.

sholling · November 1, 2012, 02:37 AM

For $220 I really like the Vortex Diamondback 8x42. The image is very sharp for the money and it has an exceptionally wide field of view. These are the ones that I take with me to the local races. Review

Youtube

If you're going to invest $200 in a good pair of binoculars then do yourself a favor and invest in a decent harness for them.

Youtube

I also keep a set of Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 6x32 with my bug out bag. These only run about $180 and are pretty decent.

ClydeFrog · November 1, 2012, 02:46 PM

I'm not a gadget freak or gearhead but I've seen that Steiners, the German company are highly rated for binos & optics.

They are in use with many military/LE & NATO forces all over the world.
Steiners are not cheap but they have a top product.

Clyde

KenL · November 1, 2012, 03:08 PM

I bought a pair of Leupold Wind River Mesa 10x23 compacts to replace my others for elk hunting. I absolutely love them, the clarity is awesome and they're light enough not to be noticable. I use them for everything now.

I got them new on eBay for around $65. If you look you can find some good deals.

saands · November 1, 2012, 08:49 PM

I can second the recommendation for Steiner's binos, but at this price point they would HAVE to be stolen

What I will say is that over the years I have come to understand that just about any imaging task is made or broken by the ability to capture light ... whether it is a camera, a rifle scope or binoculars. That ability does come with flawless optics, but it is mostly a function of objective diameter ... so without even looking at the items, I can pretty much know that a 7x50 (that would be 50mm diameter objectives) is going to be brighter than a 7x20 or 7x35 ... that isn't to say that the smaller glasses don't have a use, but if you are looking for deer, it probably isn't in the full sun of noon-time ... more than likely it will be at dawn or dusk and that is where the 7x50's really shine. My 7x50's happen to be Steiners ... but I have seen many others that were quite good for less $$$.

Saands

123kiwi · November 2, 2012, 08:36 PM

I have a pair of Bushnell Legend 8x42s and brand new Bushnell Legend HD 10x25s... I love them and think they are great value, I'm using the compacts more than the full size as they are so much easier to drop into a pocket etc.... and still have the benefit of having binos over using a scope

Wacenturion · November 3, 2012, 12:24 AM

Check out ZenRay ED2's. Pretty close in price...a little more. Exceptional glass...a lot of optics for the money.

FloridaVeteran · November 3, 2012, 12:52 AM

If they sell 'em, or if you can find a good pair used, I recommend you check out Asahi Pentax. About ten years ago I bought a pair, 9x68, 5.8 degrees, and they are outstanding, especially for low-light. Believe I paid $120, new, at the time. They are not compact but are not too heavy and, relative to my budget, they remain my favorite bino's.

For the old farts viewing, they remind me of 'Nam-days Pentax Spotmatic and the lenses we got then.

CharlieDeltaJuliet · November 3, 2012, 10:31 AM

Another vote for Vortex...

roashooter · November 3, 2012, 10:55 AM

Stieners...if I had the money......have handled several different models...when I worked for a marine outlet....sold many a pair....are worth every penny....I just did not have enough pennies....even at employee discount......so I went with Nikon........10x50....

WillyKern69 · November 3, 2012, 01:00 PM

+1 for Vortex. I forget which model I have, but I love them.

Clark · November 3, 2012, 03:38 PM

Buying used binoculars is not like buying used guns.

I sometimes get used binoculars for 10 cents on the dollar... at gun shows.

baddarryl · November 12, 2012, 06:31 PM

Just ordered the Vortex Diamondback 8x42 Binoculars. Will let you know asap.

idek · November 12, 2012, 07:23 PM

I have these, and they work very well. As you can see by the reviews, a lot of other people like them too. They are made in China, which may be a turn off to some, but it also means you can get features such as ED glass and silver coated prisms w/o paying through the nose. And they come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...8x42-binocular

ETA: Here is a link to the 10x version:
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...0x42-binocular

October 30, 2012, 05:32 PM	#1
Northslope Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2004 Posts: 465	Best Binoculars for the money? Brother in Law needs new Binos. They will be for his truck. They need not be compact, but not uber large. What are the best for the money.....under $250. (maybe up to $299) We live out West where he will look at deer and elk out to 1000 yards at times. Thus, they need to have some power.

October 31, 2012, 03:19 PM	#5
9mm1033 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: A big city with far too many cars and people. Posts: 932	Binoculars for under $250 for looking out to 1000 yards. Realistically, probably none. Remember eye strain as well, because cheap binoculars are not cut for 1000 yard clear focus. No different than a cheap rifle scope and trying to hit an animal 800-1000 yards away. __________________ No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

November 1, 2012, 02:37 AM	#7
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	For $220 I really like the Vortex Diamondback 8x42. The image is very sharp for the money and it has an exceptionally wide field of view. These are the ones that I take with me to the local races. Review Youtube If you're going to invest $200 in a good pair of binoculars then do yourself a favor and invest in a decent harness for them. Youtube I also keep a set of Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 6x32 with my bug out bag. These only run about $180 and are pretty decent. __________________ 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. Last edited by sholling; November 1, 2012 at 02:50 AM.

November 1, 2012, 02:46 PM	#8
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Steiners... I'm not a gadget freak or gearhead but I've seen that Steiners, the German company are highly rated for binos & optics. They are in use with many military/LE & NATO forces all over the world. Steiners are not cheap but they have a top product. Clyde

November 3, 2012, 10:31 AM	#14
CharlieDeltaJuliet Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2012 Posts: 755	Another vote for Vortex... __________________ " The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government...." - Thomas Jefferson

October 30, 2012, 07:05 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	http://www.cameralandny.com/ Give these guys a call. With the storm it may be a few days before they are back up and running, but it will be worth the wait. Give them a budget and describe your needs. They are super and will fix you up with the best scope you can get for your budget. They often have display models, discontinued models, etc., they can sell for quite a bit less. They sold me a pair of these. http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/p...page=dcfsp8x43 3 years ago for $250. Of course they have gone up in price about $100 since then and mine were a display model. Didn't hurt them a bit. Don't get carried away with too many X's on your glass. 8X or 10X is about as much as is practical unless you are using a tripod. The absolute best bargain are these. http://swfa.com/Leupold-BX-1-Yosemit...ars-C3461.aspx But only in the 6X version. It is amazing that an $85 binocular is this clear and sharp. I know lots of guys who own these. I have 2 sets, keep one in the truck. If someone steals them i'm not out much. In fact someone did steal my 1st pair. Bought 2 more to replace those.

October 30, 2012, 08:22 PM	#3
jephthai Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Posts: 463	Vortex seems like the popular "affordable excellence" choice these days. My next ones will be one of their mid-range models. http://www.vortexoptics.com/ Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

October 31, 2012, 03:06 PM	#4
Northslope Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2004 Posts: 465	Thanks for the rec's. I may need some more recommendations in the $100 to $150 range. Sister says she may be limited to that budget now. I have the Yosemites and like them. I know Vortex are good too.

October 31, 2012, 06:51 PM	#6
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Get to ebay and watch for a pair of Swift Sport kings. They will be 7x35-wide angle. Nice pairs are available for 70 bucks or less. The original cases are usually falling apart but the glasses good as new. Excellent for under seat.

November 1, 2012, 03:08 PM	#9
KenL Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 218	I bought a pair of Leupold Wind River Mesa 10x23 compacts to replace my others for elk hunting. I absolutely love them, the clarity is awesome and they're light enough not to be noticable. I use them for everything now. I got them new on eBay for around $65. If you look you can find some good deals.

November 1, 2012, 08:49 PM	#10
saands Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1999 Posts: 1,573	I can second the recommendation for Steiner's binos, but at this price point they would HAVE to be stolen What I will say is that over the years I have come to understand that just about any imaging task is made or broken by the ability to capture light ... whether it is a camera, a rifle scope or binoculars. That ability does come with flawless optics, but it is mostly a function of objective diameter ... so without even looking at the items, I can pretty much know that a 7x50 (that would be 50mm diameter objectives) is going to be brighter than a 7x20 or 7x35 ... that isn't to say that the smaller glasses don't have a use, but if you are looking for deer, it probably isn't in the full sun of noon-time ... more than likely it will be at dawn or dusk and that is where the 7x50's really shine. My 7x50's happen to be Steiners ... but I have seen many others that were quite good for less $$$. Saands

November 2, 2012, 08:36 PM	#11
123kiwi Member Join Date: March 23, 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 85	I have a pair of Bushnell Legend 8x42s and brand new Bushnell Legend HD 10x25s... I love them and think they are great value, I'm using the compacts more than the full size as they are so much easier to drop into a pocket etc.... and still have the benefit of having binos over using a scope

November 3, 2012, 12:24 AM	#12
Wacenturion Junior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Posts: 1	Check out ZenRay ED2's. Pretty close in price...a little more. Exceptional glass...a lot of optics for the money.

November 3, 2012, 12:52 AM	#13
FloridaVeteran Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 399	If they sell 'em, or if you can find a good pair used, I recommend you check out Asahi Pentax. About ten years ago I bought a pair, 9x68, 5.8 degrees, and they are outstanding, especially for low-light. Believe I paid $120, new, at the time. They are not compact but are not too heavy and, relative to my budget, they remain my favorite bino's. For the old farts viewing, they remind me of 'Nam-days Pentax Spotmatic and the lenses we got then.

November 3, 2012, 10:55 AM	#15
roashooter Junior member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Posts: 508	Stieners...if I had the money......have handled several different models...when I worked for a marine outlet....sold many a pair....are worth every penny....I just did not have enough pennies....even at employee discount......so I went with Nikon........10x50....

November 3, 2012, 01:00 PM	#16
WillyKern69 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 160	+1 for Vortex. I forget which model I have, but I love them.

November 3, 2012, 03:38 PM	#17
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	Buying used binoculars is not like buying used guns. I sometimes get used binoculars for 10 cents on the dollar... at gun shows. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

November 12, 2012, 06:31 PM	#18
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Just ordered the Vortex Diamondback 8x42 Binoculars. Will let you know asap.

November 12, 2012, 07:23 PM	#19
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	I have these, and they work very well. As you can see by the reviews, a lot of other people like them too. They are made in China, which may be a turn off to some, but it also means you can get features such as ED glass and silver coated prisms w/o paying through the nose. And they come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...8x42-binocular ETA: Here is a link to the 10x version: http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...0x42-binocular Last edited by idek; November 12, 2012 at 07:40 PM.