Best Hunting Binoculars for under $500?

[Blktail]

I get bino's for my birthday. I'd like 10x42's.

I have been using the same Cabelas 10x25's for almost 20 years. They suck in low light conditions, but they are light.

What do you recommend?

[The Dawg]

I got Zeiss Conquests a few years ago for xmas...NEVER going back to anything else. Excellent clarity and visibility in low light. Spend a little more and go with a set that you will never need to replace.

[Mr. Friendly]

for your price...consider the Celestron Noble 10x50's that IslandEyepiece.com may still have (they're clearing them out). they are some gorgeous glass from the best binocular Celestron ever made. I've bought two pairs...one for my father and one for myself. my brother envies both of us. :twisted:

you could also consider something from Vortex...they're pretty dandy. Bushnell has a few options as well, but they're awfully heavy and that may very well disuade you from buying them. Leupold is also another good choice. If you pick a very reputable brand tho, almost anything you buy in that price range will be good!

you can check out the bino forums at cloudynights.com to see the hundreds of reviews that have been posted to get an idea of what is available in your range.

oh, last thought. WilliamOptics makes something that they call their Triplet...it fits into your price range as well. definitely something worth considering. a comparable unit that's a bit cheaper, even after shipping and duties is from GarrettOptical.com, their triplet and WO's are basically the same unit, different badge.

[Schutzen]

Nikons
Nikon 10x36mm DCF Waterproof Monarch Binoculars
Nikon 10x42mm DCF WP Monarch Binoculars
I have Nikon compacts that I've owned for 20 yrs 9x25 they have awesome quality but especially the glass.
Short of your top of the Line Euro stuff their the chit imho.

[JRG94]

x2 on the vortex

[~T-BONE~]

Nikons
Nikon 10x42mm DCF WP Monarch Binoculars
I have Nikon compacts that I've owned for 20 yrs 9x25 they have awesome quality but especially the glass.
Short of your top of the Line Euro stuff their the chit imho.


I agree! got the 10.5x45 monarchs under 500 at cabelas!! I was loving them today!! But thats another story.....:wink:

[Paulyman]

Love my leoupolds

[Steeleco]

I've got a pair of Monarchs. They're very good. You'd even have a few bucks left if you get the right deal. try "binocularscanada" no matter what you buy, they may save you money!

[pupper]

For the price and quality you got to check out the Minox 10x43 or 10x52's from :
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62161
I got a pair of the 52's and they are chrystal clear!

[snowhunter]

I find from a lifelong use of binoculars, that this whole subject is still a "grey area" in regards to brand name and price, just like the "Chevy" versus "Ford" ?

I find that the most important part of hunting binoculars is that they are waterproof, light, and with magnification of 8-10.

Most of world navies as well as the US military, has settled on the 7X50 binoculars. Many of the worlds armies uses the 8X30 binoculars.

I find that the Nikon Monarch are about the best buys in hunting binoculars ?

[Stone Sheep Steve]

[quote=snowhunter;675657]
Most of world navies as well as the US military, has settled on the 7X50 binoculars. Many of the worlds armies uses the 8X30 binoculars.
quote]

Of course they don't have to count points:wink:.

SSS

[Bow Walker]

X3 on the Vortex binos. Even their inexpensive ones do a great job..

http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Binoculars_s/303.htm (http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Binoculars_s/303.htm)

[xtremearchery]

I get bino's for my birthday. I'd like 10x42's.

I have been using the same Cabelas 10x25's for almost 20 years. They suck in low light conditions, but they are light.

What do you recommend?

I got the new Vortex Diamondback 10x50"s last year and love them! Best value for the buck.

[dawn2dusk]

Vortex are good value for the dollar and excellent warranty. Steer away from Nikon.

Try to spend the most you can afford when it comes to optics. THe vortex vipers for $600 are awesome. Do a search here on the forum you will read nothing bad.

[Marlin375]

Nikons
Nikon 10x36mm DCF Waterproof Monarch Binoculars
Nikon 10x42mm DCF WP Monarch Binoculars
I have Nikon compacts that I've owned for 20 yrs 9x25 they have awesome quality but especially the glass.
Short of your top of the Line Euro stuff their the chit imho.


X2...Nikon, for under 300 bucks these simply cannot be beat, great alignment, crystal clear glass and durable. I have the 10X36 Sporter (I think discontinued now) I have been abusing them for 5 years and cleaning them with my shirt-tail.....they have not missed a beat.

[Everett]

Start checking out US binocular sites and look for demo models or second hand high end stuff. Saw a pair of second hand swaro 8x30s for $600 the other day at this site.
http://www.eurooptic.com/products/catalog.asp?vendor=used%20optics
This is another spot to look for good prices on demo models they sponsor CGN so are used to shipping to Canada
http://www.cameralandny.com/

[Bow Walker]

Here's Vortex Optics Canadian distributor site...http://eagleopticscanada.stores.yahoo.net/vorbin1.html

There's also the Vortex USA site (considering the strength of our dollar right now) http://www.vortexoptics.com/

[Gun Dog]

I like my Nikon Monarchs (8x42). A lower magnification provides a brighter view. I bought mine at Cabelas (USA) for a lot less than the Canadian price. I've also bought from Optics Planet (http://www.opticsplanet.net[/url) which has the 8x42 Monarchs for $280.

[Phil]

I like the Bushnell e2 binos. London Drugs has them on sale now and then for $429.

[huntcoop]

My Vortex Vultures in 10x50 are incredible.

[Robson]

A friend of mine just bought a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's for just over $300. They are as good if not better than the pair of Bushnell Elite's I bought about 5 years ago. Maybe this is beacause they are brand new, but definately worth having a look at in my oppinion. Good Luck

[threedhunter]

got a pair of 10x42 legends in o2, told a guy i know i had them, he said he wished he'd saved 1000.00 and bought them instead of the elites from b&l.
got a pair of 8x42 6 months later, great for 3-d.both were less than 500. each.

[Everett]

got a pair of 10x42 legends in o2, told a guy i know i had them, he said he wished he'd saved 1000.00 and bought them instead of the elites from b&l.
got a pair of 8x42 6 months later, great for 3-d.both were less than 500. each.

I have a pair of Legends they live under the seat in my truck not a quality binocular by any decent standard. They are fine as a spare pair but I would not recomend them as a good hunting bino. They are not even a sealed unit. Spend the money buy quality once and get a lifetime of use from them.

[303Brit]

My leupy's are nice, but D6dan's Vortex's are nicer. Both are under the price you mentioned.

just my 303cents

[Shooter]

I have both Vortex Vipers (around $600) and Vortex Diamondback ($249 I think). If you are near Campbell river I don't mind letting you look through them if you want. There are a couple places in the South Island that sell them but none in the North that I know of.

[todbartell]

best $500 pair that I've used would be the Bushnell Elite e2

[d6dan]

Mine are the 10x42 Fury Vortex. Love the field of view and there crystal clear. I like the one finger focus. Picked them up from Grouse River..Around $500.00

[BromBones]

Leupold Acadia 10x42s are a good value. Very good image quality for lower end price glass. I bought a set for my spare, but they get a lot of use. Worth taking a look at.

Also recommend Vortex binocs as well.

[Schutzen]

If u don't have to lug em the 8 or 9 x 40 is a great way to go, if ur lugging them then drop down to 30mm.
If u want ultra lite then the compact 8 or 9 x 25mm are great.
Its generally easier to steady the 8 x bino's the shake magnifies when u go up in power.
My Nikon trave-lites are just outstanding for general purpose hunting. I can slip them into a pocket while I have the cord around my neck in an instant they are out and ready.
The optics are 2nd to none even tho they are compacts.
I highly recommend them.
I have demoed the other Nikon's and they are also top notch bino's.
Thing is I'm sure there are a ton of good glasses out there now and everyone has a preference. LOL
U've got a lot of good refences now u got to shop and compare.
Hope u get a pair that will stand u in good stead for a lifetime.

[Scobo]

Spent hours looking through bino's everywhere. had limited budget too. Ended up with Vortex Fury. I had them side by side with the Bushnell legends, Nikon Monarchs and several others (swaro's, leupold, Minox, etc, etc). The Swaro's were the bomb hands down but the vortex and nikon's weren't far behind. I put down the bushnells after one side by side with any of these others (which I am a big bushnell fan with low budget but not near same class for this list). I would have gone with the Nikon monarch's but i managed to get the Fury's for an amazing deal. So, in my opinion and to keep it under $500 go with the Nikon's or Vortex. check out opticsplanet too. bought some stuff off them for good deals. the vortex products from what i hear also have a great warranty. have mixed reviews for the same with the others.
and went with 10x42's. also have 8x32's. like having 10pwr vs 8pwr. was going to go with 12pwr but too hard to hold steady for any time. the nikon 10x36 is probably the best world if i was to go only with one pair.

[Skinny]

Id check out binoculars.com its got good deals

[pupper]

Check out this article, a great read and it might convince you on the Minox Hg;s. I can confirm that they are as crisp. very close to Swaro's:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/8x42.html

[burger]

10x42 vortex fury for me. I followed some advice on here and for the money are great optics with an outstanding warranty.

[hunter1947]

10x42 gold ring Leoupolds have my vote I bought a pair last year and the end results was a 7x6 bull elk I love the ones I bought..

[.330 Dakota]

I have a pair of Leoupold Katmi's...$537.00 they are great My son has a pair of Leupold Acadia 8x42 which are amazing at only..$189.00

[Tikatack]

Hopefully you're getting the hint.... think Vortex. Go with the Fury if you can. The other option you really should consider seriously is Minox. You can't find them everywhere, but the quality:price ratio is exceptional

[pappy]

I got the vortex vipers in 10x42 , I payed not much more than what you want to. If you can find them for a sale price they may land around your buget.

[Krico]

Best I've seen recently which actually falls under the $500.00 mark you stated are the demo Minox HG from CameralandNY.

[Hadda]

I'm in the same boat. Leaning towards the vortex but not sure which model to get. Does anyone know what the Minox warranty is like?

[sarnold]

love my leoupolds!!!!

[dawn2dusk]

vortex vipers in 10x42

good value and warranty for money

get the best optics you can afford

do it right once

[ytlogger]

Just posted in the other bino thread, Leupold 8x30 Yosemite. Surprising optics, light, small and very affordable. No higher power though.

[Tarp Man]

I have spoken with two separate hunters who had problems with their Nikon binos (they fogged on waterproof sealed units). Nikon skimped on their warranty and told them "them's the breaks hunting in wet weather". So when I went through this same debate a couple years ago, I went with what I could afford that had a solid warranty (Bushnell Legend 10x42). Vortex weren't on the scene yet, otherwise it may have been a different story.

[coach]

I have the 10x42 Nikon monarchs and have posted before that I love them. Recently, the plastic eyepiece cracked and will now need to be replaced. I have had some fogging issues as well. A friend has the same binos and his eyepiece broke right off. I haven't sent mine back for warranty yet, but I will. My next one's will be Leupolds.