Good beginner binos

[mendozer]

I was thinking of http://www.amazon.com/Steiner-10x26-Predator-Pro-Binocular/dp/B000FAN2KU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top binos for starters. They're steiners, although one of the cheapest they make. I was going to shell out maybe $60 on some Nikons, but the reviews I find online are that the better glass comes at a price.

I don't have terrible eyes myself so I can probably do just fine.  Is there REALLY a difference between Nikons, Steiners, and Leicas if they're all let's say 8x40? And when a say difference I mean will either of them allow me to spot a deer in the same spot any better?

[huntnphool]

I was going to shell out maybe $60 on some Nikons, but the reviews I find online are that the better glass comes at a price.

 

 You are better off spending $700+ on your binos and $200 on a used rifle than $700+ on your rifle and less than $200 on your binos.

[Bean Counter]

Yes, there really is a difference.   I have owned midrange steiners and midrange nikons.   Nikons are better.  You may not be able to tell the difference in the store,  in bright light, or only for a few minutes, but if you glass all day you will most definitely know the difference.   Those binos aren't even fully multi coated,  which I consider to be the bare minimum hallmark of a decently acceptable glass.  If youre new to hunting and money is tight, youre better off not hunting this year and spending $300-400 on a nice set of Monarchs or something than buying cheap glass that you're going to throw away eventually anyway.  dont get me wrong: im a certified cheap skate--I  buy clothes at the Goodwill, drive 200,000+ mile vehicles,  chose $1 redbox over $25+ at the movies,  but you wont catch me wasting two days and burning 50 gallons of gas with cheap binos around my neck even once. 

[Bean Counter]

Oop, they are indeed multi coated.   I missed that line when i read the ad.  I still wouldn't hunt with them 

[Bigshooter]

I was going to shell out maybe $60 on some Nikons, but the reviews I find online are that the better glass comes at a price.

 

 You are better off spending $700+ on your binos and $200 on a used rifle than $700+ on your rifle and less than $200 on your binos.

 

[D-Rock425]

If you're looking for some good budget glass.  I'd pick the vortex diamond backs or the next step up a pair of Zeiss terras.  You get what you pay for.

[ballpark]

For entry level I would start with Redfield.  Love my 10x42 Rebel. 
http://www.redfield.com/

[Timberstalker]

Look at Vortex.  If you have spent any time glassing through a $60 pair of glasses you will wish you hadn't.

Pay all you can for a pair.  Trust me.

[deltaops]

Look at Vortex.  If you have spent any time glassing through a $60 pair of glasses you will wish you hadn't.

Pay all you can for a pair.  Trust me.

 

I have a pair of Cheap Bushnell's.. Worst mistake in my life!   

I hate them and want to throw them in the lake every time I use them.

DO NOT GO CHEAP!

[pianoman9701]

Make sure you check local pawn shops. Zen-ray makes some great glass for reasonable prices. Also check the classifieds on here.

[Buzz2401]

The nikon monarch line is a good deal for the money.  I have Steiners and my wife has Zeiss.  Hers are clearer then mine and lighter but mine were about 30% cheaper.

[Bob33]

I am a very large proponent of superior optics. Besides good boots, in my opinion there is nothing more important to big game success than quality binoculars.  I have Swarovski and top end Nikon glass, and have never regretted paying the price they command.

That said, not everyone is willing to pay or can even take full advantage of $2000 binoculars.

If you really want to go inexpensive, my advice is to get porro prism binoculars versus roof prism.

Because of its value, one of the few Leupold optics I really have much use for is their Yosemite binocular. Get it in a 6x30 for around $100. It has a very good field of view, good eye relief, is very lightweight, and has surprising good optics. Because it's 6 power it has a wider field of view, and is still plenty bright with a relatively small 30mm objective  If you break them or lose them you're not out big money. When you can afford better optics you can give them away or throw them in your truck for occasional usage.

http://www.leupold.com/observation/binoculars/bx-1-yosemite-binoculars/

[wafisherman]

I am a very large proponent of superior optics. Besides good boots, in my opinion there is nothing more important to big game success than quality binoculars.  I have Swarovski and top end Nikon glass, and have never regretted paying the price they command.

That said, not everyone is willing to pay or can even take full advantage of $2000 binoculars.

If you really want to go inexpensive, my advice is to get porro prism binoculars versus roof prism.

Because of its value, one of the few Leupold optics I really have much use for is their Yosemite binocular. Get it in a 6x30 for around $100. It has a very good field of view, good eye relief, is very lightweight, and has surprising good optics. Because it's 6 power it has a wider field of view, and is still plenty bright with a relatively small 30mm objective  If you break them or lose them you're not out big money. When you can afford better optics you can give them away or throw them in your truck for occasional usage.

http://www.leupold.com/observation/binoculars/bx-1-yosemite-binoculars/

I have these.  My wife bought them for me last Christmas.  Haven't used them in the field yet, but seem ok for the price.

[Bucks2Ducks]

Buy once, cry once. I would try to get a mid-line HD bino used which should set you back 400 plus. Its will save you money in the long run. Trust me I went through a lot of the 100-200$ binos before I sucked it up.

[deltaops]

I will be sucking it up this year.

[pianoman9701]

Here's the Zen-Ray Demo page - binos that have been used for shows and such.
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo.html

Charles is a good sponsor and support our youth in getting them into hunting and shooting. He helped me out with a pair for a kid I mentor. Check out the site. This is a quality company. 

[quadrafire]

I am a very large proponent of superior optics. Besides good boots, in my opinion there is nothing more important to big game success than quality binoculars.  I have Swarovski and top end Nikon glass, and have never regretted paying the price they command.

That said, not everyone is willing to pay or can even take full advantage of $2000 binoculars.

If you really want to go inexpensive, my advice is to get porro prism binoculars versus roof prism.

Because of its value, one of the few Leupold optics I really have much use for is their Yosemite binocular. Get it in a 6x30 for around $100. It has a very good field of view, good eye relief, is very lightweight, and has surprising good optics. Because it's 6 power it has a wider field of view, and is still plenty bright with a relatively small 30mm objective  If you break them or lose them you're not out big money. When you can afford better optics you can give them away or throw them in your truck for occasional usage.

http://www.leupold.com/observation/binoculars/bx-1-yosemite-binoculars/

Bob that is spot on. I bought a pair of Yosemties for my Son that was new to hunting. I can't believe how sharp they are.

[huntnphool]

Make your purchase once http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,153513.msg2034926.html#msg2034926 and never worry about it again.

[washelkhunter]

I've found my Nikon monarch 8x40's to be very good. Clear bright and excellent ergonomics.

[follow maggie]

I used to use the cheapos, too. Several years ago I bought a pair of leupold Olympics for about $300 I think. Been happy about that choice since the first time I took them out to the field. Get the best you can afford and go hunting. Don't skip hunting because you can't afford high end glass. The important thing is to get in the field

[savagehunter]

See my post binoculars on a budget I spent months of research shopping and bout cabelas xt2 10x42 but there are a Ton of good options around 200 to 300 bucks vanguard endeavor hd can be picked up for 200

[bankwalker]

Best advice I've ever taken from this site. BUY THE BEST glass you can afford.

I have been the hand me down bino guy for some time now. A couple years ago I actually spent a few dollars on the best I could afford. Which were a highly discounted 70% off cabelas bino for around $150. Can't remember the model. But I love them and even being only a 8x42 it has been a tremendous advance in my hunting. Even at short distance when I never thought good glass would make any difference they have imo helped me pick out the most hidden animals.
I still use my higher power nikon action binos for long distances when I'm glassing all day. But it's hard to pick them up over my better binos.

[BigGoonTuna]

For entry level I would start with Redfield.  Love my 10x42 Rebel. 
http://www.redfield.com/

i've got a pair of 10x42 rebels, and i like them.  heck, they were the best i could afford at the time that i bought them!

would love to find a pair of those mythical garage sale swarovskis though

[Miles]

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62173

[hoyt5199]

If you can afford it look at Vortex. Very nice binos and you cant beat the warranty. First and Last pair of binos you would ever need to buy.

[CarbonHunter]

Don't buy anything without at least looking at a pair of vortex.

I bought a pair of Stiener Predators when they first came out about a decade ago and had nothing but trouble with them. Stiener did warranty them for me the second year for just the cost of shipping but even with a better focusing pair they were still terrible at low light situations. I sold that pair and bought a pair of geovids and have been a happy hunter since.

2 years ago I bought the wife a pair of binos and I tested every set they had at sportsmans. That said I felt the $220 vortex were just as good as most of the glass that sold for $500-$700.

[Pathfinder101]

Has anyone here tried the Zen Ray Vistas?  I have the ED2s, and PathfinderJR is looking to buy his first pair of binos for himself.  He's looked at Leupold, Redfield, Vortex so far.  Does Sportco still carry Zen Rays?

[spin05]

Alpen are great binos

[Pathfinder101]

PathfinderJR decided on the Vortex Diamondbacks.  We have used them in the field a couple of times and he really likes them.