Hey maytom,

I picked up a pair of Bushnell Legend 10X42' s. They are great binoculars, and for the price, they are hard to beat. I got mine for an EXTRA sweet deal, I guess the people at Cabelas really don' t want people to file complaints

For all your research, you seemed to have missed a vital piece of research.

Just put HotBuys into your google search engine.

I've been told they are bankrupt?

Looks mighty dodgey to me.

If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably isn't.

Yeah they had Swarovski SLC 10 X 42's at $850 as well.

Be very wary.

Here's the link I'm talking about.

http://209.204.130.204/hotbuys/timeline.html

Before buying binoculars, type the phrase "gray market" into a search engine and do some reading. If you find a price on optics thats too good to be true, its probably a gray market deal. When shopping for optics, your safest route is to go to a established optics dealer like Eagle Optics or Bear Basin Outfitters (or even Cabelas) where you will be sure to get an USA warranty.
One last word of advise - be especially leary of any electronics or camera dealers with a NYC address. Not only do most of them deal in gray market goods, they are also famous for their bait and switch tactics. (ex. you order the more expensive 10x binocs but they send you the 7x model or a different model altogether.)

I dunno but I buy the cheap ole 25buck Simmons 10X50's down at Wally World...If'n I get them wet, drop em or lose em, I just buy another pair...[8D].

I've got a fantastic pair of rubberized military Steiners that are just great, but too heavy to lug around the woods. Last week I somehow misplaced my very old cheapies and decided to get something better for the woods. I reached into one of my glass bino cases and came out with a pair of 10X42 Bruntons.

Fully rubberized with heavy caps on both ends. Fully adjustable from 3' (you can actually focus on your feet) to infinity with minimum finger movement. Cristal clear during the day and great coatings for low light. Now I have something exceptionally nice and for under $400.

As stated above, you've got to be very careful about the gray market products mentioned and super deals that are just too good to be true. For instance, refurbished and returned binos are a big market.

For more on hotbuys go to www.resellerratings.com and type in hotbuyselectronics name. There rating is one of the lowest on the site, there a big time gray market seller. I was going to buy from them till I found that website and that scared me off. I found a site that would match there price www.binoculars.com. I got a pair of Nikon 8x42 monarchs delivered for $233. Also excellent service to boot.

Len,

Which model of Brunton's are those? I seem to remember at least three models being offered from Brunton...the Lite tech, Eternas and Epoch. The first is generally less expensive than what you quoted and the Epochs cost more than the Swarovski equivalent. Are they the Eternas? Just curious.

In general I continue to be more than satisfied with my Nikon Monarchs but will eventually have to pick up a pair for the Mrs. as we go Hawk watching locally each fall.

Thanks.

Frank:

The ones I chose are the Eternas. E-mail me later and I'll give you the exact P/N.

Len

If you're going to spend close to 500 on a pair of bino's why not buy the best and get a set of Zeiss. I've used my uncles on numerous occasions and the optical clarity is stellar. Compared the Leupolds I've used and the Steiners that I'm using right now, the Zeiss glasses are in a different league IMO.