OT Need help with binoculars

[darat100]

I am in need of a decent set of binoculars.  I live in KY, so most viewing is done at less than 500 yards.  What do you guys suggest for a decent set, and please don't give me something that costs $500, I just don't have it.  I need something in the $70-100 range.  I know there are some pretty good sets out there for this, just looking for opinions.


Thanks guys

[quickdtoo]

Give Jon a call at The Optic Zone, I'm sure he make a recommendation to you in your price range, probably a Legend or Trophy.

Tim

877-564-0286
http://theopticzone.com/

[Dave Weiss]

I've got a pair of Pentax 8x40's that I've been using for a few years now, I don't think I paid more than $125 for them, They're starting to look a little rough on the outside, but are still clear and focus well.

>>>===> Dave

[Datil]

 I got a pair of Nikon 10 X 50 for my son from  Midway a couple years ago
 They are great cost 80.00 Dollars. They still have them at the same price.
 P.M. me and I will give you the order No.
 They are clearer than my 10X50 Boush & Lomb MHO.
 Maev.

[PHATINJUN]

I asked the same ? 5 years ago and said I only had $100 to spend but was talked in to saviong a little more and bought Steiner's  predators  8x30 and have not looked back I paid $250 for them but you can find them cheaper now they are great in the timber low light and very good for watching open fields before you start looking through the scope of your gun tough as nails . Before I bought these it seemed like I was looking for new binocs every couple of yrs but I have not even picked up a wish I had pair to look at since. They are a fixed focus you focus them in at 75-100 yrds and they stay focused to infinity rubber armoured caps stay attached to frame you could go up to 8x40 but I use mine at500+ all the time. Kurt

[quickdtoo]

Here's a great buy on a scope with a free pair of binos, I have a pair of the Binos, they're aren't bad at all and the price is right!! The scope normally costs more than that and the binos sell for over $100 alone!!

Tim

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=027-736184BINO&fromsearch=yes&submit=GO

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3324

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3250

[elkslayer4x5]

Yep, I agree with Peanut, Get the Steiner Predators, always in focus. They are spoilers, everybody that I've let use mine, are no longer happy with their own binos. Mine are also the 8 x 30s

[CapitalCop]

I have a pair of Celestron Outland that I have been very happy with and the price is right. $65.00 and free shipping.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-outland-10x42-wp-binocular.html

[Graybeard]

Yep, I agree with Peanut, Get the Steiner Predators, always in focus. They are spoilers, everybody that I've let use mine, are no longer happy with their own binos. Mine are also the 8 x 30s

There is no such thing as ALWAYS IN FOCUS. What they really are is ALWAYS OUT OF FOCUS and that makes your eyes do the focusing. NOT GOOD but useable. It is a poor choice if you use them much.

[myarmor]

Josh, if you get a chance check out Vortex Binos. I was very impressed with them and their warranty is excellent.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/binoculars

http://www.vortexoptics.com/pages/support



-Aaron

[quickdtoo]

Yep, I agree with Peanut, Get the Steiner Predators, always in focus. They are spoilers, everybody that I've let use mine, are no longer happy with their own binos. Mine are also the 8 x 30s

There is no such thing as ALWAYS IN FOCUS. What they really are is ALWAYS OUT OF FOCUS and that makes your eyes do the focusing. NOT GOOD but useable. It is a poor choice if you use them much.

Bill is right on about that, I've got a pair of Steiner 6x30 that seemed to be perfect at first, but they're real hard on your eyes if you use them very long, the "self" focusing just means that your eyes are doing all the focusing, and they won't close focus at all, I do a lot of bird watching when I'm hunting, so they need to close focus too.  The Steiners are now in the boat, they work great for a quick look at another boat to see what they're using to catch fish, and the low power helps with boat movement on the water, anything higher needs image stabilization.

Tim

[Graybeard]

Tim, do your 6x30 Steiners not have individual focus eye pieces? Ours do so you can focus as needed but each eye piece has to be focused separately. That's the way ALL military binoculars were until the last few years.

[quickdtoo]

Yes, each eye has its own focus, and I thought they worked very well....until I used them for a while and learned they weren't good for everything I had hoped for. I replaced em with a Nikon Monarch ATB 8x40, been using them ever since.

Tim

[Graybeard]

I loved mine for close hunting in the woods where 6X was plenty of magnification and the wide FOV was great. Now Faye claims them as hers so I don't get to use them anymore. But I've really come to love my Bushnell Legend binoculars even if the FOV is not as wide.

[woodchukhntr]

Over the years I have used several binoculars, both full-sized and compacts.  I have found that the compacts work best for me since they are easier to carry and don't get in the way.  I recommend a good brand, neither going for the cheap line or the high-priced line unless you can really afford them.  Either 6 or 8 power is sufficient. 10X is too hard to hold steady, gives a limited field of view, and is too dim in a compact binocular.  I am currently using the Nikon Pro-Staff 8x25 Waterproof ATB's.  The eyecups twist up and down for eyeglass use, have click locks in the up position, and have a good eye relief when using eyeglasses.  I believe that I payed about $125 for them at Gander Mountain.  I previously had a pair of the Leupold 8X compacts which were optically as good, but had roll-down eyecups and less eye relief.

I hope to get a pair of Leupold Katmai 6x32's some day, those look like they would be perfect for me.

[quickdtoo]

Regardless of weight, do yourselves a favor and get a bino harness. Once you use them, you'll be glad you did. I used to leave my binos in camp cuz only the lightest of binos were comfortable for very long, any good glass gave me a neckache after a while. But a bino harness will make you forget you even have em on, even a 2lb pair!! The harness allows quick use, yet when bending over to go under limbs, they stay right to your chest, at the ready, due to the way they support the weight on your shoulders instead of your neck, they don't cause the pain in the neck!!

Tim


Bino Harness

[PHATINJUN]

Tim you are right on about the harness I've had mine for about 4 yrs and I never leave my bino's in camp any more they are great. Kurt