getting new binos

[bchunter181]

i currently have vortex diamondback 10x50 binos looking to upgrade to something a bit better quality and 10x42 anyone suggest good price binos from 250-500 anyone have the cabelas binos any good? thanks for the help

[Fella]

I have a set of Leupold BX2 Acadias that I like so far, of course I upgraded from a $100 pair of Redfield Rebels so take that as you will...

[123.brewski]

Check out Nikon monarch 5's. I just bought the monarch 7's, but really couldn't see much of a difference. Great glass and warranty for the price

[ACE]

Have noticed that some of the Cabela's branded binoculars are identical to discontinued 'brand name' glasses.
Eg. Cabela's 'Outfitter Series' 10x42 ......... same as the discontinued Leupold 'Pinnicle Series' 10x42

[KBC]

I upgraded from 8x42 diamondbacks to the Nikon monarch 5 in 10x42. I can definitely see a difference.

[Linksman313]

Purchased the new Leupold BX2hd Tioga's 10x42 this summer and have had them in heavy use already, so far so good. Much easier on the eyes than the former Bushnells I have been using for 5 years, will know more when the moisture and darkness shows up. I purchased from Freeman's store in Rock Creek for well within the OP's price range.

[Grizzlydick]

monarch for these old eyes

[twoSevenO]

Honestly, with the vortex diamondback themselves being $300, you're not going to get much of an improvement with a $500 pair.

[RiverOtter]

Shop the used market, if you are looking for bang for buck. Scoring a well taken care of pair of $1000 bins for $500 isn't an unreasonable expectation if you are patient.

CGN had a great classifieds section to watch, along with HBC.

[Pinewood]

Take a look at the Maven C1. It gets very good reviews at 350$ american. Many compare it to the Vortex Viper and claim it is better.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/optics/72344-initial-impressions-maven-1-a.html?highlight=maven

[Ohwildwon]

Cabela's has been advertising 25% off Leopold this weekend..

You want a serious upgrade somewhat close to $500, here is your chance..

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/82466/leupold-bx-3-mojave-pro-guide-hd-binoculars

[Drewtini]

Check out www.peleewings.com, it's an outdoor shop in Ontario with very good pricing on glass. The Vanguard Endeavour ED II for about $400 are outstanding. They had Bushnell Legend M for about the same, also good glass but their diopter rings have a habit of breaking.

Have a look at www.allbinos.com - they're a group in Europe who put glass through ISO testing independently. That's how I settled on my 8x42 Endeavours.

[honeyman76]

I just bought a pair of Vortex Crossfire. Fully coated lenses 10x50. I upgraded from a pair of Bushnell Legacy that I bought 20 years ago. Vortex I am reading have an awesome return policy of life if you damage them.

[frankthedog]

Have had a new pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42's for a couple weeks now. $620 from a local shop but Cabelas had them on sale for around $500 very recently. Went to these from a $100 pair of Bushnells and of course the difference is amazing. Buddy who has a pair of Vortex tried them out and said he thinks the Zeiss are better, no VIP warranty but awesome glass to look through so far.

[HighCountryBC]

Have had a new pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42's for a couple weeks now. $620 from a local shop but Cabelas had them on sale for around $500 very recently. Went to these from a $100 pair of Bushnells and of course the difference is amazing. Buddy who has a pair of Vortex tried them out and said he thinks the Zeiss are better, no VIP warranty but awesome glass to look through so far.

Big x2 here. If that's all you can spend on glass then go with the Zeiss in 10x42. Otherwise keep saving your pennies.

[Elkchaser]

Currently running 8x42 razor HD's new last year. Tried buddy's new cabelas HD 8x40's two days ago and was actually pleasantly surprised at the quality relative to my vortex binos. Think he paid in the $4-450 range, maybe a bit less. If you can afford to wait to shop for quality used do so but since your asking I'd recommend you take a look through those new cabelas binos. They were also quite compact and light'ish'. If on a tight budget also factor in a good harness if you don't have one yet.

[twoSevenO]

Have had a new pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42's for a couple weeks now. $620 from a local shop but Cabelas had them on sale for around $500 very recently. Went to these from a $100 pair of Bushnells and of course the difference is amazing. Buddy who has a pair of Vortex tried them out and said he thinks the Zeiss are better, no VIP warranty but awesome glass to look through so far.

You overpaid big time. I got those for my dad for Xmas off amazon for under $500 and with free shipping. Shop around dude.

[DeepJeep]

Leupold Bx-3 Mojave are $472 with free shipping. Regular price = $630

I think thats a good deal.

[frankthedog]

You overpaid big time. I got those for my dad for Xmas off amazon for under $500 and with free shipping. Shop around dude.I didn't pay anything for them...dude.

[Rupert Retired]

I have the Zeiss Terra ED 8X42, can't hold the 10 power steady anymore. I love these new binos so far, this will be the first hunting season I will be using them. But these ones I got with my Scotiabank credit card points for free, so that was a bonus for sure! So, check the catalogues on your points, you never know what is available unless you look!

[twoSevenO]

I have the Zeiss Terra ED 8X42, can't hold the 10 power steady anymore. I love these new binos so far, this will be the first hunting season I will be using them. But these ones I got with my Scotiabank credit card points for free, so that was a bonus for sure! So, check the catalogues on your points, you never know what is available unless you look!

This is an excellent point. A lot of people think more is better. It is not. Not for everyone.

A friend of mine has 12x50 binos and can't see sh** with them, unless they're rested on a log or the animal very up close. Everyone's different, but definitely make sure you can hand hold anything above 8x before dropping some serious coin.

[hardnocks]

i have 12-42 nikon mavericks..... they old just as steady as my 8-42 leopolds

[Rupert Retired]

i have 12-42 nikon mavericks..... they old just as steady as my 8-42 leopolds

I don't believe that anyone can hold 12 power binos steady. And I would challenge you regarding your quote on holding them as steady as your 8X42 leopolds. That is what tripods are for, the higher magnification. That is why one of my spotting scopes are 10 -30 power.

And if I am wrong and you can actually hold them steady, then you must be a brain surgeon or you have missed your calling!