Good quality binos
#1

Looking for a good quality pair of binos. I know Swarvoski & Leica make top notch but don't have the $ for them now. Any Leupold or other manufacturers up to $400 that are worth a darn or no?
#3

I've got a pair of Steiner 9x40 Bighorns I use in the woods. A pair of 15x45 Zeiss Conquest for fields, open area & out west. A pair of 8x25 Zeiss compacts I use bow & turkey hunting (fit in shirt pocket, Might say I've had them awhile, they have "Made in West Germany" on them). I "assembled" this collection of binocs over the last 2+ decades. Honestly if I didn't already have them & was starting from scratch tomorrow I'd buy a pair of 10x Nikon Monarch 7s & call myself prepared!
You just AINT gonna beat the Monarch scopes & binoc for the money!
You just AINT gonna beat the Monarch scopes & binoc for the money!

#4

In that price range it is hard to beat the Nikon Monarch 5 or Monarch 7. I think the 5 is the big bargain of the Nikon line, but the 7 is well priced for HD binoculars. The 7 usually runs closer to $500 but the 10x42 is on sale for about $420.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104217480
If I had $600 to spend it would be on a pair of Leupold McKinley HD.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104217480
If I had $600 to spend it would be on a pair of Leupold McKinley HD.
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 819

I have a pair of Nikon monarch 5s and they are starting to break down. The eye cups are stripped and not working properly. The warranty is short.
Get a set of Leupold Hawthornes. Lifetime guarantee and are great glasses for the money. 10x42 or 12x42
Get a set of Leupold Hawthornes. Lifetime guarantee and are great glasses for the money. 10x42 or 12x42
#6
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: idaho
Posts: 2,773

leupold MAKES DECENT BINOS THEY ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE QAULITY OF SWAROVSKI but their waranty and costumer service is second to none.
I have owned leupold ,bushnell, tasco, and nikons in the past and leupold is the only one of those I would consider buying again. none of the others held up for more then a year. I now own a pair of swarovski 10x50 slc, that I bought about 20 years ago.I have had to replace eyecups ,which swarovski provided free of charge but have had no other issues with them.I know you said you are short of cash now but if ever in a position you can afford it , go swarovski.
I have owned leupold ,bushnell, tasco, and nikons in the past and leupold is the only one of those I would consider buying again. none of the others held up for more then a year. I now own a pair of swarovski 10x50 slc, that I bought about 20 years ago.I have had to replace eyecups ,which swarovski provided free of charge but have had no other issues with them.I know you said you are short of cash now but if ever in a position you can afford it , go swarovski.
Last edited by kidoggy; 01-05-2015 at 05:29 AM.
#7
#8
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: idaho
Posts: 2,773

back then I WAS OUT HIKING WITH THEM dang near every day, often in some nasty weather. yes, I WILL ADMIT I GAVE THEM A GOOD TEST. I DIDN'T DROP THEM OR BANG EM AROUND OR ANYTHING but they get used and don't sit in a case in the house 350 days out of the year
Last edited by kidoggy; 01-05-2015 at 09:37 AM.
#9
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 49
#10

I picked up a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x50 binoculars and they are outstanding! They are not bulky or heavy and I paid $211 from Opticsplanet.com when they were on sale. Plus, Vortex offers the VIP no questions asked lifetime warranty. I like these binos so much that I'm going to get a pair for my wife before next fall, maybe in the 10x42.