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The one thing I don't have, nor have ever had, is a good pair of binoculars.
Always had "okay" or "decent pairs"
looking for some make/model suggestions on a good pair, I don't need to be able to count the number of rocks in a moons crater with them, but good enough to see across the turkey and deer fields, or spot / id birds on the water.
And the biggest thing, no fogging!
Hoping around the $200 - $250 mark.
Thanks.
Canadian Tire has the compact Bushnell Marine rubber-coated 10X50. The last time I checked they were under $100. I use them for everything and strongly recommend them.
I just did a quick check,TR,and the type I have aren't listed on the CT website. They have the 'bushmaster" type which,IMO,are cheap junk,however,they still carry Bushnell compacts which should be excellent.
Watch the magnification TR.....alot of guys like to do the x10+ only to find it's too hard on the eyes to 'glass' a field for very long.
The military issues x8 Bino's for general use based on the ability of the eye to be stay comfortable for longer periods of time.
The Optics are important and pretty much driven by cost .....a budget of $200-$250 will get you a good quality pair.
My dad (getting shaky) bought a pair of bino's with a built in image stabilizer. I was shocked at how well they work. Very impressive but you're looking at $400+
I have a pair of Vortex Viper 8×42. Great set of binos which are above your budget but they have some in your price point which are quite good. Best warranty in the business too.
I second the vote for Vortex. I have always had crappy binos, so I finally invested in a good pair. What a difference good optics make !Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
Thanks for the suggestions guys, checked out the vortex, yikes, that may be a Christmas gift from mom and dad :)
Yea there's paying for quality and then there's paying 'stupid' for no reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie
If you have a chance, swing into a Henry's store and check out their Binoculars. They sell a good quality line of Nikon bino's that will meet your needs at the right price point. I picked up a pair many years ago and the still work great.
http://www.henrys.com/76871-NIKON-8X...BINOCULAR.aspx
With optics, you get what you pay for; get the best pair you can afford.
I always find it interesting when you look thru the unbiased reviews on things like Bino's. Outdoor Life does a pretty good job at looking at what is important to an Outdoorsman.
This review is telling in that you have to look beyond brand names etc....
The most expensive, Swarovski’s, gets the same 'price/value' rating as a much cheaper, Bushnell one at 1/4 the cost.
http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/ga...eview/?image=1
http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/ga...eview/?image=3
Whatever you buy, make sure they are waterproof. Amazingly, I bought a pair of Redhead brand binoculars 7 years ago and they have never had any issues with moisture. At the time they had a special for the spotting scope and binoculars for around $100.
10 X 42 close focus 3 meters. These would get you by until Santa gets you a better pair.
Steiner
At the $250 price point, I would buy these. My buddy dropped his out of a treestand and Vortex gave him a new pair fully knowing what happened.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...8x42-binocular
I picked up a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42s off Amazon and I love them. As mentioned previously, the warranty is outstanding and they are well constructed. I don't have much to compare them to as they are my first pair of quality binos, but I did a lot of research beforehand and it became clear they are regarded as an excellent choice at the $200-$300 price point.
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(though it seems they are temporarily out of stock)
That reminds me, I have a $500 amazon gift card coming to me as a "promo" gift from a course I took, that could work!
I was looking for a good pair of binocs also... I got these with my Airmiles... oh what a pair:
https://www.airmiles.ca/arrow/Reward...-_-prod2094601
Mine are the 8X42... These 10X42 are great also. The glass is amazing. Makes me what a Zeiss scope.
Big fan of Zeiss, Nikon Monarchs.
I was a bit insane and went for really high end Swaro's which I LOVE but for the price range you are looking at the Vortex Diamondbacks are a fine binocular.
I had a set of Vipers as well which were really nice but something about my facial structure, the Swaro's and Meopta's are the only ones that seem to fit me well.
Get the Vortex Diamondbacks; hard to go wrong at that price.
I've tried many binoculars, in fact, i try all that fall into my reach. The only one pair i really liked and kept are the Bushnell PermaFocus, 10x50. In fact, i am looking at getting them in a 8x40 if i find them. Just my two cents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie
You might be able to find a pair of Nikon Monarchs for around $280. If not the Nikon's one step under the Monarchs are pretty damn good as well.
Ditto on the Diamondbacks. I now have 2 pairs. I've had Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Bushnell, and Steiner. These Vortex binocs are almost as good as the $2300 Leicas for optical clarity. Nothing that Nikon, Bushnell, Burris, make that I have used even come close. A steal for the price.
I bought a pair of the Bushnell Trophy Hunter XLT from opticsplanet.com with free shipping, as a guest purchase, and got them for $129.99 USD. Even sent in the stuff for the recent Trophy Hunter XLT $30 rebate and the cheque is on the way!
10x42, rugged and tested. Even better, I got the Trophy Hunter bino harness from Butler Creek as a free add-on!
I bought a pair of lower-end Bushnell's from crappy tire and returned them the next day. I'm glad I spent the extra dough and did more research. 10x42's are a very great option for the optics you get. Just a couple pennies for your bino thoughts.
-huntshop
Thanks everyone, the official wish list was sent to the parentals, including the Vortex Diamondbacks in 8X42 and the vortex strap.