Looking for the best binocular in the $550 range, used primarily for hunting through the mountains. Any suggestions???????

I' m sure price will be an indication, but I' ve looked through a pair of Pentax in that range($500 to $600), that were very nice. Sorry, can' t remember the exact model though, but I think they were the DCF Waterproof 10X50' s. The 8x42' s are around $450, while the 10x50' s are around $600.00.

I think the Zeiss ClassicC Bino' s are still on sale at Cabelas with the 10x40' s going for $699.99, down from $969.00. If you could swing it financially, I would think they' d be a very safe bet.

Whatever you do, don' t do like I did: Set a price limit of $125, and then buy 1. Set a price limit of $300 for a compact, and then buy 1. Set a price limit of $300 for a full size, and then buy 1. Set a price limit of $400 for a better quality, and then buy 1. Realize none of them even come close to the best, say a $1200 pair of Lieca, Ziess, or Swarovski, and buy one of those as well.

The way I look at it, if I would have just bought the good glass to begin with, I could have saved myself $1125 in the long run. Oh well, at least I have some for the kids to use.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.

try this site http://betterviewdesired.com/

Bought a pair of Pentax DCF WP 10x42s on e-bay last year for $279.00 new in box not reconditioned. Check it out. SWAF is also good

It' s hard to beat the Swift Audobon 8.5x44mm porro prisms. They are now waterproof, have a VERY wide field of view which makes them easier to see things with, and they are under your price. I feel they compete well with Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica for a fraction of the price. They are well known in birding circles. They are a bit large but feel very good in hand. There is also a roof prism design but you lose field of view.

the best i' ve found would be the Apex from Alpen Great eye relief and light gathering and not to heavy