Best binos for 700 bucks (winter time gear purchaces can be addicting)

[Quesnel Kid]

I was hoping for some opinions on binoculars. I have around 700 dollars to spend and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on the best glass at this price point. Also wondering if I should go for an 8 or a 10 power. I have always used an 8 and it has been fine, is there a big sacrifice in FOV by going to a 10 power. I will be using them in a mountain so weight is a concern. Been looking a the vortex talon they seem good but anything would compared to my old bushnells. Cheers Q town Kid

[Lozzie]

If I had $700 for binos I would go Leopold, I don't so I picked up Bushnell Legend HD's in 10x42 camo for just over $300.

[Gateholio]

I'd save up a bit more since hunting season is a couple of months away, and your options open up even more.

[Fred1]

Good point... time to save. Once you ge tinto the $1000 range things really get better, but then again I just got new $600 Leos last year and that was an upgrade from my 10 year old $50 Pentax... :) Im pretty happy in the $600 range for a while (Like the 10x42).

[harbinger]

My vote goes to the Pentax 8x42. I think they are DCF? check out the website. Really happy with mine and had them for 8 years or so.

[BlackwaterMerc]

picked up my Vortex Viper HD 10 42 just the other day, amazing clarity, had them out tonight out on the water in the rain and fog and the visibilty looking back at shore was just amazing. for 600 bucks there the best binos made.

[Calvin]

I'd recommend 10x42 vortex talon, awesome glass with great warranty

[nap]

Just a thought, check out Nikon. you might be surprised by the price when you look through them.

[Singleshotneeded]

In the lower-mid range your best bet is going to be Japanese...Nikon or Pentax, and compare with Vortex.
Since you have some time, I'll mention I picked up the Meopta Meostar HD in 10X42 on Ebay for $800.
They're made in the Czech Republic by an old established optics maker, using the same technology used by
their neighbours in Austria and Germany. Because they don't have the big name, you can get 99% of the
optical quality of Swarovski's best for 1/3 the price by getting the Meopta. They're the same binos that Meopta
makes for Cabelas and are re-named the Euro HD, and you can see a video and read buyer's reviews of them
at Cabelas.com. At $800 especially on Ebay, I think they're definitely the best buy in premium world class binos.
Cabelas.com sells the Euro HD for $1,000, at least they did in 2012, and since they've been out for awhile they
might have a sale on them this year that hits the $800 mark too...

[Elkaddict]

Cruising birding forums for ideas will garner some great information. Birders take their optics seriously. One good one that comes to mind is Better View Desired. Tons of reviews there on spotters and binos.

[Singleshotneeded]

Cruising birding forums for ideas will garner some great information. Birders take their optics seriously. One good one that comes to mind is Better View Desired. Tons of reviews there on spotters and binos.

Bird watching forums and buyer's reviews was how I decided on the Meoptas...you definitely want to hear from users, and
especially ones that have friends that own or previously owned other top binos so they can give you a comparison.

[Quesnel Kid]

Wow thanks for all the great info guys. I will look into the meoptas for sure

[saddlemaker]

http://www.cameralandny.com I have delt with these guys and they have good prices.. look at the demo list

[Singleshotneeded]

Wow, the binos I have, Meopta HD in 10X42, are at $514 on Ebay with 16 bids and 4 days left.
Looks like a pair that might settle at a price similar to what I paid when it's all done, $750-800.

[todbartell]

I really like my Vortex Viper HD 10x42's, $699+tax

[NovemberBravo]

Oh yes winter time gear purchases... I am an addict myself :mrgreen:. I don't have much bino experience but I have looked through some vortex scopes and they are very very good for the price.

[1899]

Just a thought, check out Nikon. you might be surprised by the price when you look through them.

Yes, this is true. I ended up purchasing a pair of Nikon Monarch 10x56s for $399.99 on sale. They give you a lot of bang for the buck.

[mikeboehm]

just do what i did. i bought a brand new pair of swarovski swarovision EL 10x32 off ebay. my winning bid was $1116 including free shipping and no tax. best part they came from ontario. they are amazingly clear. i instantly sold my vortex vipers. best pair of binos ive looked through

[Merch]

Tried out a set of kowa bd42's in a 10x after hearing about them from vantage point. I compared them side by side with the vortex talons on a rainy afternoon in vancouver. I thought the glass on the kowa's was slightly better, but the kowa's felt a lot better in the hand. They are around $600 for the 10x and come highly recommended from anyone I've talked to.

[Remington721]

Vortex viper HD. Very clear with and excellent warranty! I think I paid $699+tax

[BromBones]

Viper HD is tough to beat for that $ range.