Best binos for under $400

BrutalAttack · 08-28-2007, 11:50 AM

I had a pair of Steiner compacts for years and despite a bit of a bad rap I was very happy with them.

I'm currently looking into a new pair preferably semi-compact or compact

10-12x25-35 or somewhere in that range.

Ziess Conquest ($380), Pentax and Nikon are the front runners so far. I haven't owned a pair of Leupolds for about 10 years and I had the $1200 Gold Ring compacts so I'm not sure about the Wind River/Katmai/Olympia "Green Ring" series.

What do you have and what do you think about them?

r33h · 08-28-2007, 02:50 PM

I prefer the nikons. Seems like you get just as much quality as the brands for less money.

ericstokes250 · 08-29-2007, 08:46 AM

Zeiss is on a much higher quality scale then Nikon Leupold or Pentax. Zeiss Conquest has an high quality glass there very sharp and very nice clarity. You should give it a look im sure your mind will be all made up.

Zeiss Conquest 10x25 - $380.00 Free Shipping

http://www.opticsbestbuy.com/ZEISS-B...25-522034.html

BrutalAttack · 08-29-2007, 04:49 PM

Those are what I was looking at. Except they are a little too compact.

25mm kinda sucks during dusk.

Follower · 08-29-2007, 08:50 PM

I love my Bushnell Legend 10x42 roof prisms. I think they currently go for around $330. My brother in law has a pair of Swarovski's, and sure they are better, but I don't spend hours looking through mine. For the amount of time I do spend glassing, say 15 or 20 minutes here and there, they work great. The new Legends have a magnesium body, and are a hair lighter than mine. They pull in plenty of light, and are really clear. I think they are a fantastic binocular for the price. Good Luck.

Steve F.in MD · 08-30-2007, 03:32 AM

I have the compact Zeiss. It's hard to part with the money but you will never be disappointed with the binocs. Good luck and happy shopping.

ericstokes250 · 08-30-2007, 07:47 AM

I think you will be able to adjust it your best deal at under 400. Zeiss Conquest are extremely clear compared to Pentax and Nikon. I'm a person of quality so it just my .02 cents.

Moose_Maximus · 08-30-2007, 08:00 PM

Check out Swift Audubon HHS 8.5x44 roof prisms. They retail for about $300, I think, though I picked up mine in a pawn shop for a hundred bucks. Very nice.

PABowhntr · 08-31-2007, 12:25 PM

I have owned the 8x30-36 Nikon Monarchs, Pentax SPs and Zeiss Conquests. Each has its own pluses and minuses. I think all are more than capable of pleasing all but the most discriminating of optics users.

The Conquests have the sharpest view and is the lightest of the bunch. The Pentax is also fairly sharp and bright plus it feels the most rugged. The Monarchs have a very pleasing image and can be found for a bit less than either of the other two. Personally I do like the Conquests and I do believe you can find them at a few places in the $380 range though they typically sell for a bit more like at the dealer below.....

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=zeissconquest523208

SJAdventures · 09-01-2007, 01:06 PM

I bought a set of YK 500 10x42 Carson's and was shocked at how good they are. They retail for $150 for camo and $130 for black and are much better than their price leads you to believe.