Buying new glass

[7mmfan]

I've been "allowed" to budget $500 to buy a new set of binos this year. I've been using Nikon Monarch 10x42's for the last 5 or 6 years and generally speaking, was pretty happy with them. They failed on me this last year so I'm looking to upgrade. Keeping in mind the $500 budget, what would you guys consider the best bang for the buck? I know there are some other manufacturers than Nikon and Leupold that offer products in that price range, I'm just not familiar with them.

[pianoman9701]

Zen-ray usually has some nice display model glass on their website and they're a good sponsor of the site. Charles helped me with a free pair of binos for a young man i mentor in archery. There are a couple of pairs of Prime HD on there for about $550. http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo.html

[C-Money]

I'd for sure look at the Vortex brand. They are nice! Of course, then I would look at Leupold. I have hunted 15 years with a pair of 10x50 Pentax binos, and have zero complaints.

[lamrith]

I've been "allowed" to budget $500 to buy a new set of binos this year. I've been using Nikon Monarch 10x42's for the last 5 or 6 years and generally speaking, was pretty happy with them. They failed on me this last year so I'm looking to upgrade. Keeping in mind the $500 budget, what would you guys consider the best bang for the buck? I know there are some other manufacturers than Nikon and Leupold that offer products in that price range, I'm just not familiar with them.

I am looking for new glass myself albe-it at slightly lower budget.
Sounds like you were happy with the 10x, not looking to go up or down in power?

I hear GREAT things about Vortex glass to and they have an phenominal warranty.

[gee_unit360]

Vortex viper hd 10x42. Just try them.

[Buzz2401]

I'd get another set of Nikon's they make great glass for the money and have great customer service.  Have you tried sending the pair you have back to Nikon. My buddy had a 7 year old pair he sent in because eyecups broke and they sent him a brand new pair of monarchs

[KNOPHISH]

I just saw some nice Zeiss Terra ED on Black Ovis 8x32 for $369 that look pretty good, comes with bino harness.

[X-Force]

Have you tried sending the pair you have back to Nikon. My buddy had a 7 year old pair he sent in because eyecups broke and they sent him a brand new pair of monarchs

Good advice. Nikon should stand behind their product.

[carlyoungs]

Buy the open box special 10x42 vipers from the member Elknut1 on the forum. He sent me a brand new pair for $510 out the door. They have a life time no fault warranty. Elknut is the man. You will not regret it!

[nastybynature]

Buy the open box special 10x42 vipers from the member Elknut1 on the forum. He sent me a brand new pair for $510 out the door. They have a life time no fault warranty. Elknut is the man. You will not regret it!

 

I bought the lesser Vortex 12X50 Diamondbacks http://amzn.to/1OTfApd and my only complaint is they are a little too powerful. If I would have had the coin for the Razor line, I would have jumped on it.

[Bean Counter]

Failed?? If Nikon "failed" you then you should be mailing them in for your $25 or FREE replacement.

@NoFaultWarranty
@NikonIsAwesome

[follow maggie]

I have a pair of Leopold  Cascades, I think that I really like. About $450 when I bought them

[gee_unit360]

Now that everone is talking about Nikons I thought i remember hearing they had a 30 year warranty. Is that correct Nikon owners?

[pashok23]

I have a Leupold Mojave 3 12x50 very happy with it.Payed around 470$ with tax few years back.Now they got a little chipper.

[Bean Counter]

Now that everone is talking about Nikons I thought i remember hearing they had a 30 year warranty. Is that correct Nikon owners?

They pretty much fix everything. I had a broken eyecup and they sent me a new(er) upgraded pair.

On paper, their warranty has a bifurcation: a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship, and a 25 year "No Fault" warranty, where if you abuse/break it, you pay them $10 and they fix it. My broken eyecup was pretty much after hard use for 7 years. They just sent me a new pair 

Optics with electronics (rangefinders, etc) are treated a bit differently. I don't have one so couldn't tell you.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en_US/SRO/Images/CPCAssets/shopping-help/pdf/Riflescope-Binocular-Fieldscope-Spotting-Scope_No_Electronic-warranty-sample.pdf