binoculars

[Dalton]

Hey guys, I was thinking of picking up a pair of binoculars around the $300 range. I already have some bushnell 10x25 H20 that aren't very good in low light situations, so I want something to bring in a lot of light. I was thinking of these

Nikon Monarch ATB or 3 (heard the eyecups are terrible?)
Vortex Diamondback
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD
Leupold Cascades

Also, I hunt mainly deer, but would like to get into elk, moose and maybe even sheep in the future, so should I go with the 8 or 10 power?

[jimbo1]

personally id go 8 x as i think most people struggle to keep 10 x steady and you should get better light gathering

[fast_pass88]

I have a set of leupold acacias 10x42 which I use for deer hunting. I don't find them too much magnification and they pick up light really well considering their price. The vortex's glass is pretty much equal to the leupolds, except they are quite a bit heavier which means more weight hanging from your neck all day.

[terry b]

I have a pair of monarchs and a pair of dimonds
I find the monarchs feel better on my face but the glass in the vortex a touch better they are newer so the glass could be cleaner to!
Both 10-42 I find 8 power not strong enough for me past 6-700 yards hard to tell if a deer has horns with 8 power I find unless he is a jajer
If I only had one pair it would be monarchs 10-42.

[Mickey]

Check out Zen Ray Optics.

They have some nice pieces for a good price. Mainly used by bird watchers, but a member here recommended them to me and I bought them, they work great.

Ordered them right from the site and found an online coupon for extra money off.

If you dont like them, you can always send them back as well.

[rednk]

Don't over look pretax. Th get a lot for what you pay

[7magtime]

I have a pair of leupold cascade 10x42 binos. Use them for all my hunting including sheep glassing for long hours. Eyes don't get sore and they are also good in low light conditions. I know people that use the Nikon Monarch's and like them as well too.

[bighornram]

i have the leupold mojave 10x42 with the bak 4 prism , i think they are better than than or as good as the leupold gold ring quick zoom that my buddy has. Just my opinion at half the price.

[huntinstuff]

Buy the best you can afford.

Buy a cheap pair and you waste your $. Binos are both for hunting and for safety.

Cheap binos arent worth 5 cents. Try every pair in your price range, comparing them side by side.

You truly can have binos for life. They are an investment in my opinion.

Try them outside. Take the salesman with you.

I prefer 10x42, but thats me.

[huntnguide]

I have a pair of 10x42 leupold mojaves I would sell for 300 if you interested

[IR_mike]

Spend a bit more and go for the bushnell E2.

Great low light performance in the 450-550$ dollar range.

[scrapper]

Nikon 10 X 42 Monarchs are what I use.

[Zuludog]

I have the Vortex diamondbacks. I think they are 8x42 but I'm not sure. lol They have been great little bino's, work well in low light too.
I haven't looked through the "big name" $1000 pairs so I don't know how they compare. Like someone else mentioned go to the shop and look through as many different pairs as possible but go outside to do it, especially if you can do it in low light.

[Dunezilla]

Sure is nice to see a thread on binoculars. I hope all those hunters who look down a cut line with me standing in it through their rifle scope read this.

Year after year & a few times in a year, hunters look through their scope while I am on a cut -line.

Dangerous.

[209x50]

I use the Zeiss Victory 10x45 RF bios, the best binos I have ever used. I just picked up a pair of the new 10x42 Zeiss conquest HD and they are smaller lighter and unbelievably bright.

[orionab1]

Been pretty happy with my redfields. 10x42 and not so expensive that I am scared to use them.

[boounga]

I picked up 10x28 vortex's today. I wanted the 8x25 swarovskis but I will order them on ebay.

[harryones]

Don't overlook the Minox, good German glass for a very reasonable price. Very happy with mine so far.

[pikeslayer22]

10x56 Ziess night owls...Awsome glass...the 56 objective gathers a lot of light in low light conditions they are better than the low end night visions

[rosh]

I agree buy the best you can for what you can afford. You send a lot of time glassing and want something good. I broke the bank on mine but will have for life and easy on the eyes. Swarovski 10x50 and love them and have a doubler for them. Try a few out befor u buy!

[ishootbambi]

love it! the guy specifically asks for around the 300 dollar mark and gets to hear how great swaraovski and zeiss are.

hey OP....from the list you threw out, i have looked through the bushnell legend ultra hds under actual field conditions. for the money, im not sure you can get better. they are pretty amazing for just shy of 300 bucks.

[bdub]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

love it! the guy specifically asks for around the 300 dollar mark and gets to hear how great swaraovski and zeiss are.

hey OP....from the list you threw out, i have looked through the bushnell legend ultra hds under actual field conditions. for the money, im not sure you can get better. they are pretty amazing for just shy of 300 bucks.

x2 on those, just got a pair of these in 10x36 for a safety award and was pleasantly surprised by them.

[BackPackHunter]

i would look for a use pair in good condition , or a demo sale
your $ will go a lot farther, and good glass will last a long time...

[riden]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

love it! the guy specifically asks for around the 300 dollar mark and gets to hear how great swaraovski and zeiss are.

hey OP....from the list you threw out, i have looked through the bushnell legend ultra hds under actual field conditions. for the money, im not sure you can get better. they are pretty amazing for just shy of 300 bucks.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell...rainguard.html