Best bino with $300 to spend

[ajr5406]

Looking to spend around $300 on binos. Whats the best option for this price?

[Everett]

Buy used not much worth owning in new binoculars for that price. If your wedded to buying new buy Vortex at that price point they can't be beat.

[smallfry14]

I recently went through the process with the same budget as you. I found that the general concensus on forums is "spend more" which just wasn't an option. I went into wholesale sports to look at and hopefully buy a pair of nikon monarch 3's. I really wasn't impressed with them so I asked to check out a pair vortex diamondbacks and they blew the monarchs out of the water. The quality is far superior in my opinion, so that's what I picked up in the 8x42 configuration. So far I'm pretty damn impressed even in low light. Only gripe of mine is the eye cup seems weak but after reading online that looks like the norm for all binos in this price range.

[todbartell]

Vortex Diamondback

[genockous]

Vortex Diamondback

VORTEX...they stand behind their guarantee

[lwing]

Don't ever look through high end glass, it will ruin you, best cheap binos zen ray, by a mile

[smallfry14]

Don't ever look through high end glass, it will ruin you, best cheap binos zen ray, by a mile
I've read amazing things about zen ray. The only reason I didn't pull the trigger on them instead of Vortex was that I wasn't able to test them out before buying them.

[Wrj]

Vortex has my sub $400 vote....

[Mulehahn]

I agree with Vortex for the warranty (although I like nikons), I would suggest contacting some birding groups or the reifle sanctuary. Birders look through binoculars a lot more than the average hunter. There are several brands you have probably not Considered

[todbartell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q05W2CrKRE

[hunter1947]

Only way you will get a decent name set of binos is at a pound shop or E-bay good luck..

[Wrayzer]

I bought Bushnell Trophy XLT 8x42. works for me, im not hunting northern sheep country so I didnt feel like I needed to spend much more than these for $150 or so.

[Remington721]

Vortex Diamond Back

[mastercaster]

Buy used not much worth owning in new binoculars for that price. If your wedded to buying new buy Vortex at that price point they can't be beat.

I agree,,,,,as long as they're in good condition. A lot of sporting equipment used can be had for 50 cents on the dollar because guys are either upgrading or are leaving the sport. I just noticed a pair of 10 X 42 Leopold Cascade binos (over $400 plus tax in the stores) on Alberta Outdoors. I don't know much about this model but the price is right. $225 shipped~

Leupold Binos (http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=256561)

[Fisher-Dude]

Honestly, get these. At least you'll enjoy the beer. Optical advantage is about the same as cheap binos, and when you get drunk, it doesn't matter.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e2/fc/cb/e2fccbb0c09c1df9601d2db05aa6683e.jpg

[wideopenthrottle]

just watched lost world:jurrasic park (the last one that had jeff goldbloom) there was a scene where he picked up a pair of binos and looked through them the wrong way ...intently, but the wrong way...I laughed my ass off

[itsy bitsy xj]

I bought a pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 at London Drugs on sale for $400

[Sharpish]

I also got Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 .... I bought them from cabela's bargain cave in the states during a special sale they had, it worked out to about $260 CAN taxes in.... there are good deals out there, you just need to keep your eyes peeled and be patient.

I would go used ... you don't often see high end optics for sale used but they do pop up from time to time.

[lwing]

I've read amazing things about zen ray. The only reason I didn't pull the trigger on them instead of Vortex was that I wasn't able to test them out before buying them.

I showed mine to a couple guys, they bought some. The reviews stand up

[Bubba123]

The Nikon Action ex is a good sub 300 bino as well.

[ditch donkey]

As always you get what you pay for. I went out and tried a variety of various glass in the last few months hoping to find the best bang for the buck but after using the premium glass i realized it was the way to go. but since dropping $1600-2000 wasnt in the cards for me at the moment i went out to find a temporary solution while i save up for some euro glass. I looked at all the vortex options as many people rave about them but i didnt find any that worked good for my eyes. after looking at variety of binos in the 300-500 range i went with the ziess terra 10x42. for my eyes they were the best glass in the price range and since using them in the field since i am very happy with them until i can afford to upgrade. I bought mine on amazon.ca for 399 and i believe they are currently still the same price

[combine pilot]

Check out Brunton Echo. Just seen a camo pair on Amazon.ca $180.
Used these binos for years and worked well.

[Husky7mm]

I bought a pair if leupold cascades about 8 yrs ago and they have been great. Lots of time behind the glass and no issues. I tried them in low light looking at a bull elk a long way off, along side a friend with swaros ELs and noticed very little difference. Around $450 iirc.

[kush]

I have a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, I think they are really good. Have not used something costing thousands though.

[jimzuk]

Vortex diamondback I have used them for two years. For the price you can't beat them. Great warranty as well






ccant

[Singleshotneeded]

Nikon Monarch binos on Ebay or Amazon.com...about $279...

[Husky7mm]

Nikon Monarch binos on Ebay or Amazon.com...about $279...

Probbaly the best binos for -$300 only heard good things.

[bigneily]

Some of you fellas spoke of these zen ray's , Curiosity got me so I looked them up online . What your take with these ? . Neil

[Riverbc]

Alpen Shasta Ridge. Surprised me at how good they are, compared to others, including more expensive ones. They also have a no-fault lifetime warranty Read the reviews. http://www.amazon.ca/Alpen-Shasta-Ridge-Waterproof-Binocular/dp/B00233O9HM
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-alpen-pro-10x42-long-eye-relief-binoculars-390.html
http://www.optics4birding.com/alpen-shasta-ridge-binoculars-review.aspx
http://manmakesfire.com/alpen-shasta-ridge-binocular-review/

[BearStump]

Thanks ajr for this thread. It got me thinking. for years now I thought that my bino's were just cheapo's since I bought them for $100 from a friend in a "fell off the truck" kind of deal. But after searching them out on google I realize now that they are an $800 set of Fujinon's. They are a rubberized 7x50 auto focus and I find them quite bulky but they are VERY crisp and clear. I see more with them that most of my friends that are using what I thought was mopre expensive bino's. I like not having a focus knob. They are always in focus no knob necessary. But now that I realize they are worth more than I though, they're going up for sale on craigslist. I've wanted a more compact set of binos for years.

[Brew]

Look up eagle optics US site. They have demo models on sale for great deals sometimes. I got a ziess spotter for 1/3 the cost and it didn't look like it had been touched.

[ajr5406]

Ill ill give you $150 for your binos! Ha ha ha.



Thanks ajr for this thread. It got me thinking. for years now I thought that my bino's were just cheapo's since I bought them for $100 from a friend in a "fell off the truck" kind of deal. But after searching them out on google I realize now that they are an $800 set of Fujinon's. They are a rubberized 7x50 auto focus and I find them quite bulky but they are VERY crisp and clear. I see more with them that most of my friends that are using what I thought was mopre expensive bino's. I like not having a focus knob. They are always in focus no knob necessary. But now that I realize they are worth more than I though, they're going up for sale on craigslist. I've wanted a more compact set of binos for years.

[Sakofox]

Vortex dbacks

[tangozulu]

After months of time spdnt on ebay i was able to buy a pair of mint zeiss 8X30 COMPACT CONQUEST for 450. Canadian

The new chineese zeis 10x42 look awsome but i prefer my european builds. The new zeiss run 550 in Yukon but some in here have paid much less so they are my recomendation.

Good luck.

Not sure if vortec are that great or just very well advertised.

[AlexPdHJ]

If you are as accident prone as me, you can't beat the Vortex warranty! :P

[Fella]

Friend of mine just got a pair of Leupold 10x42 for $300 out of the states. Nice set of binos for a good price!

[rides bike to work]

Ill third the leopold cascades
very happy with mine

[mcmullmar]

Love my Vortex Diamondback

[RackStar]

vortex diamondback
best bang for your buck,
I would not upgrade from these until I was ready to spend 1000+, as they keep up with the 600 price range, so I have noticed. some others may have a different opinion.

[ajr5406]

Thanks for the tips guys. Thinking about the vortex diamondbacks , not sure whether to go for the 8x42 or 10x42?

[Moe.JKU]

in that price range bushnell legend hd are good.

[RackStar]

10 for sure

[Husky7mm]

10 power all the way. IMO the difference between being able to count tines and maybe sometimes not being able to.

[ajr5406]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Ended up getting a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks in 10x42. Looking forward to putting them to use in a few short weeks!

[jeff341]

I just picked a pair of Talon 10x42. a bit more money, but i found them to be the best and brightest for my eyes.

[RackStar]

I might get a pair also in the next couple weeks. It's the way to go Untill you ready to break the bank with swars.

[IslandBC]

Leupold Yosimtes are what i have and there awesome for the price.

[hunter1947]

10X all the way as said by others..

[B.C.Boy(100%)]

Bushnell finally sent me back a replacement for my older legend, was waiting for an M-series, but who knows how much longer I would hear them say 'back ordered' so they sent me out one of there new Legend L-series 10x42, holly cow these things are competing with my Ziess

[David Heitsman]

Put the $300 down on your VISA, buy a pair of Swarov's with the range finder built in and put another $300 on your VISA for the next ten years... and thank me later. LOL

[GoldFinder]

Vancouver Telescope sells a brand called Acuter. 10x42s are nice and only 150ish bucks. Compare them to the others in the store: Nikon, Vortex, etc. They're really great for the price.