Bino's HELP
 

I am in the market for a fairly good pair of Bino's I know they can get salty I was looking to spend about $100 something for just glassing out spotting deer at night and in the woods while hunting!Looking for a compact size also! Your help is appreciated also if you can list where you purchased them and how much they were and how much you like or dislike them.

Tim:

You know me.....I'm all about quality for a good price. I understand wanting to save a few bucks (believe me!). But the best advice I could give you is the Nikon ATB's in 8x42. If you peruse some internet sites and forums....you could probably find a slightly used pair for around $200. If this is more than you wanna spend, please just disregard. No harm done. I just think there's a big discrepancy between good and "fair" optics. In this case....you could probably save the extra $$ you'd end up spending down the road.

Again......just trying to help. Good luck.

Best compact's I've seen for the money are Nikon Travelite V. I have them in 8x25. They are an awesome little set of bino's....crystal clear and they run about $95. I've used mine for bowhunting for over 10yrs. They have never let me down and more importantly, never cost me a deer. I personally don't see the need for a high dollar bino, or a bigger set such as 8x42's or bigger unless you are hunting an area where you will glass long range and need a really quality set. For the hunting I do, typically in the woods, or along a field edge - these work great.

Compacts just don't cut it for low light. You need something a little bigger, and I second the Nikon ATB 8x42s. They cost a bit more than $100 but they are great glass for the money.

I third the Nikon ATB 8x42's. Fantastic binoculars.

That said Tim, I've gone through a pile of Bushnells (relatively inexpensive) over the years. The worked wonderfully for a season or two but ultimately I ended up with the Nikons as well.

Here's a comparison shopping and helping out our own:

i love my vortex 8x50s....lets in lots of light at dusk, but the real bonus is when its rainy/foggy. they are very clear. and about $75-100 cheaper than nikons.

I agree that full size bino's are better in low light, everyone knows that. He asked about compacts around $100...not full size of $300+. I will agree, the 8x42's are awesome bino's...I've used them quite a bit (my dad has a pair). However, I personally like the compacts - and for most of the hunting I do, they suit me just fine. Yes, they cost me a few minutes in the morning and evening, but overall they are a great little bino for the $. If I was in the market for a full size, the 8x42's would get the nod...they are really good, and especially for the $.

He did say he wanted to spot deer at night, thats why I made the statement about compacts and low light. If that isn't a concern, then go for the compacts.

For right at the $100 price point I would suggest either the Leupold Yosemite 8x30s/6x30s, Vortex Raptor/Eagle Optics Raven 6.5x32s or the Bushnell Legend porro 8x42. All offer excellent optics for the money!

I do have some Leupold Cascade porros up on Ebay but they are a little more expensive than you are looking for.

PA, what are you opinions on the Leupold Cascades? I have heard that they are great optically and very user friendly for the money...however, not from the most trustworthy of sources. I would consider you, to say the least, a little more trustworthy.