I need new Binoculars I'm a gun hunter. I hunt Montana Wyoming and northern Calif right on the border of Oregon I hunt Mule deer Elk, lopes and white tail dont want to spend a arm and a leg. BecauseI have a very nice spoting scope bushnell and a bushnell scope on my gun the 3200 firefly I hike a lot had a pair of auto focus last year they made so mad I tossed them off a cliff so I want manuel focus and not big and bulky CAN SOME ONE GIVE ME SOME HELP? PLEASE
If you are taking that "step up" for the inexpensive Simmons, Tasco and Bushnell models then the usual suggestions are along the lines of the Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Legend, Pentax XP, Cabelas XT,Vortex Fury, etc... All of these models typically sell in the $300 range.
Next level up would be something along the lines of the Pentax SP, Vortex Viper, Leupold Pinnacle/Mohave, etc.... They typically sell in the $400-$500 range.
Right at the $250 price point I would look at the Cabelas XTs. They offer excellent optical performance for their price. All of the others I mentioned (Monarchs, Legends, etc...) typically sell for about $50 more.
under $250? then in my opinion from $50-250, get whatever. I think decent binos start at around $300-350....few years ago I was looking for my first "good pair" thinking the nikons for around 300 350 would be the answer, I wasn't impressed, thought i can get this quality for less.....so I started looking at everything.....amongst zeiss, etc.....I went with pentax dcf-sp 10x43, but quite a bit more than you want to spend....500-600 rang, but comared to the others they were better. Some have mentioned Bruntons....I'd take a look at those.....
I'd say look around $350 if you want a good pair though.
salukipv1
You think the 10X43 or12X50 I looked at the Cabelas XTs and read all the reviews they are impressive. The people really like the XTs. I will look at all of the Binos that everyone has mentioned and already have I will say because of the reviews I'm leaning towards the XTsright now
I would not go past 10X. Something like a 8x or 10X - 40 mm should do fine. Anything with 50 mm or above will probably be a bit heavier than you want. Check prices at "Bear Basin Outfitters". I have no dog in the hunt. I have done business with this "discount" house on several pieces of optics ... scopes and binos. The experience has been great. They are not a "gray" ordering house. Prices are usually pretty competitive. Don't leave out Pentax and Minolta in your revue. They both make a darn good bino for around your price range.
agreed, 10x is what I have and would not go any larger......im considering getting some 8x.
I've heard that if you do goto 10x you should spend the money, cause less is noticeable on 8x glass.
I havent looked ath the XTs.
even if I was on a sheep hunt, i hear guys like 15x50's on those, i think id still use 10x and just have a scope, or maybe 15x on a specialty hunt, but I think 10 or 8x, i really wouldnt go 12x either.
10 x or 8x is sufficent for hunting binoculars. A good pair that i would recommend is the nikon monarch range. The nikon monarchs are shockproof, waterproof and fog-proof, so they are designed to withstand the test of time, and at an affordable price. Perfect pair of binoculars for hunters in my opinion.
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Binoculars need a new pair
