$500 to spend on glass, how do you spend it?

[chiwawadan]

I know the real world isn't this cut and dry, but it's a fun way to see all the various opinions. Would also be interesting to change the dollar figure around.

The scenario is this:

You want to have the best all-around setup you can to ensure successful hunting of Washington game and any other various uses for glass. You've got $500 to spend on binoculars and/or spotting scopes. They would be the only glass you have access to (so you aren't changing out for each hunt type). Not guns, not ammo, not clothing, just glass. What do you get and why?

Just good binos? A certain brand of spotter in a certain config and some binos?  Scouring used ads to save your money? Crying because of the $500 restriction?

Curious to see the different takes!

[Scheindogg]

I would say look for the best binos you could find on closeout.
I am thinking you could find a last year model that was in the 700-850$ price range for around 450$ before tax if you look on the right sites

[northwesthunter84]

If that was my range I would look at Nikon, Leupold or Vortex and try to catch a sale.

[JeffRaines]

If that were my range I'd likely just buy binoculars and hold out on a spotter.

[opdinkslayer]

Binos only and would scour the classifieds & sales. New I would look nikon or vortex probably.

[X-Force]

Classifieds.

A couple years ago there was a pair of Minox HG 10x43 BR on here for $600. Half price for some outstanding glass.

When looking a new $500 glass its hard to see where it wont be/need to be replaced in 5 to 10 years so why not buy used.

[Rainier10]

Bino's only, 10x42, used or closeout.  Cabelas often times has some good stuff in the bargain cave.

[N7XW]

I would look into Zenray Prime HD Binos.  IIRC they are in that cost neighborhood.  I've got some ZR2s and they are fantastic for the money.  Much better than the Nikon Monarchs I had that were much more expensive.

[follow maggie]

Nice pair of binos

[Special T]

Classifieds.

A couple years ago there was a pair of Minox HG 10x43 BR on here for $600. Half price for some outstanding glass.

When looking a new $500 glass its hard to see where it wont be/need to be replaced in 5 to 10 years so why not buy used.

I bought a almost new pair of Steiner 8x30 for less than half that budget from a member on here...means I get to keep looking for a good used spotting scope. 2c

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[boneaddict]

in the old days Id spend 50 on a pair of bushnells and use the rest for beer.  Nowadays id save 500 from this year and add it to the 1500 from the tax return next year and go Swaro 

[D-Rock425]

500 Zeiss terra binos in 10x42

[Stein]

I would find an 8 power set of used Vortex binos, you should be able to get Talon or above without much trouble.

[chester]

500 Zeiss terra binos in 10x42

[colersu22]

Check out the Maven C1's  I looked at them at the sportsman show and they seemed equal or a bit better to my eyes than my Vortex Viper Hd's and they are half the price.  Since you cant buy them in stores they offer a 15 day demo and if you send the glass back they refund your card so you could get them and take them to a store to compare and try and find a used set.

[JWEBB]

I'd get a pair of vortex diamondbacks 10x42s for 139 bucks (which I actually bought at the sportmans show a few weeks ago for a backup to my leupolds) and I would pick up an older Nikon spotting scope for around 300. Those older Nikon spotters are great if your on a budget. My old man has one and it's very clear and let's in a lot of light for those crucial morning or evening hours.

[buglebrush]

Nikon Monarch 7 10x42. 

[Ghost Hunter]

in the old days Id spend 50 on a pair of bushnells and use the rest for beer.  Nowadays id save 500 from this year and add it to the 1500 from the tax return next year and go Swaro 

     $1500  Will do it by watching the classifieds. Picked up a pair of Swaro SLC 15x56 HD

[T-Dozzer]

Know anyone with an experticity account? Vortex is around 40% off on there if you can wait.

[PastorJoel]

This last summer I went with Pella.  So far It seems like a good product.

http://www.pella.com/windows/

[Bob33]

I have a pair of Nikon Premier LX 10x42 binoculars sitting around gathering dust. If you’re interested in seeing them, send me a PM.


http://www.optics4birding.com/nikon-premier-lxl-binoculars-review.aspx

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/nikon_premierlx.html

http://www.nikonbinoculars.com/nikon-premier-lx-l-8x42-10x42-binoculars-review/

 

[Calvin Rayborn]

Alpen TETON 10x42's all the way - Awesome resolution and can get 'em for a song now that the company recently went belly-up. Might even have some spare change left over to take that special someone out to a nice dinner! 

[yorketransport]

Bino's only, 10x42, used or closeout.  Cabelas often times has some good stuff in the bargain cave.

 

You can get some pretty good deals out of the bargain cave if you check in often. I picked up a pair of 10x42 Cabelas Euros a couple years back for just under $500 and they've been a great value. They're essentially a rebranded Meopta Meostar B1.

[chiwawadan]

Know anyone with an experticity account? Vortex is around 40% off on there if you can wait.

Finally had a chance to try out a bunch of 10x42s side-by-side. Was a great experience - highly recommend it for anyone who, like me, hasn't had the chance to look through many different options with their own eyes. Researching all day online just doesn't quite give that personal-preference factor.

In that 300-500 price range, I really liked both the Nikon Monarch 7s and the Vortex Viper HD's, but give a slight win due to the clarity at low light from the Vipers... For my eyes, that was the only distinct difference between those. Well, except a slight preference to the grip/feeling holding the Vipers.

I started with the Diamondbacks as I'd rather spend that kind of money... but I made the mistake of looking through the Viper side by side and I just couldn't get used to how dim/dark everything seemed through the Diamondbacks compared to the Monarch 7s and Vipers. Damn it!

For someone who had never looked down Swaro's... after 30min of looking through various 10x42s I finally tried the Swaros and still said "holy s***"...        Fortunately, I'm cheap enough it's not even on my radar.   

With the value inherent in the Vortex warranty and my slight preference in side-by-side I think I'm probably going to be scouring for used Vortex HDs... So, let me know if you've got a pair collecting dust!  The Monarch 7s really were close, though... Really bright/clear and maybe even more FOV? I called the Nikon customer service and the guy basically said the warranty is "non-transferable, but we don't require proof of purchase", but on the warranty card I saw it said proof of  purchase required? Sounds like a mess I'd rather not deal with.

Just thought I'd share.

[Wacenturion]

I would look into Zenray Prime HD Binos.  IIRC they are in that cost neighborhood.  I've got some ZR2s and they are fantastic for the money.  Much better than the Nikon Monarchs I had that were much more expensive.

Totally agree.  ZenRays are awesome at their price point.  I have had a set since 2009 and love them.  I'm sure the newest edition ones are even better, but I feel no urge to upgrade.

[M_ray]

Like Bone said, save the 500$ and put it toward Swarovski’s. I have had just about everything out there and you spend just as much over the years buying every 3-600 dollar bino in search of that gem and trust me you’ll be money ahead. I would only go with Swarovski or Leica, I currently use Leica HDR and a Swaro spotter and it’s by far the best combo I’ve had. 

[pianoman9701]

I second the Zen-ray HDs, especially if you buy one of the demo units - same warranty, slightly used, and hundreds of dollars off original price.

[kentrek]

Swaros are nice but get some used maven b2s if your on a budget....spent lots of time comparing against lots of diff swaros and have yet to be disappointed for half the price