Author Topic: best binos under $250 (Read 16270 times)

polyanskiyalex · « **on:** March 29, 2012, 03:53:00 PM »

looking to upgrade my binos... whats the best you have or used under $250.

scottfrick · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2012, 03:56:35 PM »

Try looking into Vortex optics. They make some really good binos for a Lot less money than others. Life time warrenty and some very good glass

jrebel · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:11:49 PM »

Hands down, no questions asked....Bushnell legend binoculars. They now have an hd version but if you look at the reviews the original legends get amazing reviews. I paid 149 on ebay and they are awsome. They make my Nikon Monarchs look like garbage. You can buy the original or HD for less than 250. Strongly reccomend.

Dan-o · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:23:28 PM »

Vortex 10 X 50 for $249 at Sportsmans Wharehouse. I love my pair... and Vortex has a genuine no questions asked replacement guarantee. All you need is the old binocs... no other proof.

I'm no expert, but to my eyes they are MUCH BETTER than cheaper binocs and then I just personally can't see the difference when I go up to the mega-$$$ binocs.

They are also advertizing 8 X 42 for $229, I think.

KNOPHISH · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:27:53 PM »

Upgrade to $250? I'd say bump it up a little more. I have the Bushnell legends also & they are real nice but think they were in the $300 range. My brother has Nikon not sure what model but just over $300 & I thought they were a little clearer than mine. Ya get what ya pay for.

scottfrick · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:32:05 PM »

Quote from: Dan-o on March 29, 2012, 04:23:28 PM

Vortex 10 X 50 for $249 at Sportsmans Wharehouse. I love my pair... and Vortex has a genuine no questions asked replacement guarantee. All you need is the old binocs... no other proof.

I'm no expert, but to my eyes they are MUCH BETTER than cheaper binocs and then I just personally can't see the difference when I go up to the mega-$$$ binocs.

They are also advertizing 8 X 42 for $229, I think.

TikkaT3-270Shortmag · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:41:33 PM »

X2 vortex. I have the vipers

fillthefreezer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:52:46 PM »

x3 vortex 10x42 ive been real happy with, sure theres better binos but i doubt it for the $$

washelkhunter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2012, 04:53:20 PM »

Nikon Monarchs can be had for under 250 with careful online shopping. You wont be disappointed with them.

Just checked out e-bay. nikon monarchs atb's in camo for $200.

Swiftkid · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2012, 05:11:14 PM »

When your looking for good glass you really get what you pay for...$250 can buy decent bino's but your not going to get Zen Ray quality optics, and when it comes to taking them in the field your going to probaly wish you'd spent that little extra....seems thats the way it always works out

Steve C · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:01:36 AM »

Quote from: Swiftkid on March 29, 2012, 05:11:14 PM

When your looking for good glass you really get what you pay for...$250 can buy decent bino's but your not going to get Zen Ray quality optics, and when it comes to taking them in the field your going to probaly wish you'd spent that little extra....seems thats the way it always works out

If you want Zen Ray optics for less than $250, get Zen Ray optics. Its called the ZRS HD. They are very compact for full size 42 mm glass and one of the very best in their price range. Vortex has none at that price that good, it takes the more expensive Viper to get there. The Theron Wapiti LT series, particularly the 8x32 ,is very good too. The Bushnell legend Ultra HD as mentioned CAN be pretty decent. These have a lot of field curvature and CAN in "some specimens" have very small sweet spots and distracting distortion quite far away from the edge of the field. I've owned a couple and they didn't last very long.

Aside from the lack of ED glass, the ZRS HD is very close optically to the ZEN ED series of binoculars. Unless you are pretty sensitive to chromatic aberration, you will likely never know the ZRS is a non ED glass binocular. The HD is for HD glass in the objective which is part of a field flattening design in the ZRS HD eye piece.

Today's lower mid price are every bit as good as binoculars of even five years ago that cost 2x that level.

BuckHunter23 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:30:03 AM »

I'm saving my money to get the Vortex Vipers. I looked through their cheaper Diamondback model and it was night and day difference, in my opinion. $600 is a bit expensive for me, but I have been dealing with $250 glass for last 4 years and have decided I need to upgrade before this next season.

SemperFidelis97 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2012, 09:25:01 PM »

I would wait for zen ray to have another deal I think I paid maybe 300 dollars for my 8x42s in ED2 they are amazingly good I don't think I will be replacing them anytime in the near future. I honestly believe Zen Ray gives you the most for your money of any of the major optics makers in the market at the moment.

Goldeneye · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2012, 09:40:53 PM »

Got to tell you to look at the Burris line in your price range. Either the 10x42's or the 12x50's. Really is good glass for the price range...

Miles · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:56:28 PM »

Minox binos from Cameralandny. I just checked and they don't have any left though.

GreyWolf · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:21:08 PM »

+1 more for the VORTEX. I went with the Diamondback 10x42's.

I own a few Nikon Monarch scopes so I originally thought I would get the Monarch Binos. Checked them out side by side with some Bushnells in the same class & I liked the Vortex best, + the price, $229 (Opticplanet, no tax & free shipping) & warranty is a bonus!

polyanskiyalex · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2012, 08:31:12 PM »

thanks guys.... i was looking into the vortex ones.... ive heard good things about them.. to tell you the truth im stuck between nikon and leupold, but its still open for me.....

SkookumHntr · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2012, 08:34:12 PM »

Steiner Military marine 8x30's are right at 250$. Excellent Binos and durable!

Bigshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2012, 05:49:42 PM »

If i could only afford $250 I would by vortex without a doubt.

ZRS-8x42 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2012, 10:34:21 PM »

Quote from: polyanskiyalex on March 31, 2012, 08:31:12 PM

thanks guys.... i was looking into the vortex ones.... ive heard good things about them.. to tell you the truth im stuck between nikon and leupold, but its still open for me.....

Hi polyanskiyalex,

We just released the last sets of 8x43 ZEN ED2 on demo sale for $285.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/zened2-8x43-demo.html

Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

columbiaman · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:41:33 AM »

Quote from: Steve C on March 30, 2012, 10:01:36 AM

Quote from: Swiftkid on March 29, 2012, 05:11:14 PM
When your looking for good glass you really get what you pay for...$250 can buy decent bino's but your not going to get Zen Ray quality optics, and when it comes to taking them in the field your going to probaly wish you'd spent that little extra....seems thats the way it always works out

If you want Zen Ray optics for less than $250, get Zen Ray optics. Its called the ZRS HD. They are very compact for full size 42 mm glass and one of the very best in their price range. Vortex has none at that price that good, it takes the more expensive Viper to get there. The Theron Wapiti LT series, particularly the 8x32 ,is very good too. The Bushnell legend Ultra HD as mentioned CAN be pretty decent. These have a lot of field curvature and CAN in "some specimens" have very small sweet spots and distracting distortion quite far away from the edge of the field. I've owned a couple and they didn't last very long.

Aside from the lack of ED glass, the ZRS HD is very close optically to the ZEN ED series of binoculars. Unless you are pretty sensitive to chromatic aberration, you will likely never know the ZRS is a non ED glass binocular. The HD is for HD glass in the objective which is part of a field flattening design in the ZRS HD eye piece.

Today's lower mid price are every bit as good as binoculars of even five years ago that cost 2x that level.

I am also quite impressed by the ZRS HD binoculars. It's way better than Vortex Diamondback, similar to Viper.

-CM

passing-thru · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:10:54 PM »

The Endeavor binoculars by Vanguard are the latest deal on campfire.com
$149 compared to reg $399. Good deal in my book

cem3434 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2012, 09:46:16 PM »

Quote from: polyanskiyalex on March 31, 2012, 08:31:12 PM

thanks guys.... i was looking into the vortex ones.... ive heard good things about them.. to tell you the truth im stuck between nikon and leupold, but its still open for me.....

Hands down, Vortex are better than comparable Leupold or Nikon glass. I have Zeiss binos that I use in ths field, but my wife has a pair of Vortex and I keep an extra pair in my truck just in case I need them. They are the best bang for the buck in my opinion and have a great warran :twocents:ty.

pope · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2012, 10:44:56 PM »

Read about the 8x42 Nikon Monarch here: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html

summit creek · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2012, 07:21:45 PM »

what ever you do dont buy bushnell they suck and always will try stiener there ok

Snopczynski · « **Reply #25 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:12:50 AM »

Someone should take the top recommended models and set up a poll for people to vote on for the best under $250 in their opinion.

cem3434 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2012, 02:50:21 PM »

Quote from: Snopczynski on April 05, 2012, 08:12:50 AM

Someone should take the top recommended models and set up a poll for people to vote on for the best under $250 in their opinion.

rsarkks · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2012, 08:12:46 AM »

Leupold BX-2 Acadia, hard to beat for under $200.

royalbull · « **Reply #28 on:** April 08, 2012, 01:15:23 PM »

no such thing as best bino under $250 if that is all you can afford to spend you probably dont really need them anyway, put your money somewhere safe and keep saving otherwise you will probably be posting which are the best binos under $500 in a few more years and with inflation it will be the same binos you currently own, keep saving you will be glad you did

bobcat · « **Reply #29 on:** April 08, 2012, 02:07:44 PM »

There are lots of functional binoculars for less than $250. If you really want to save some money go with a porro prism model. No they won't be as light or as compact as the roof prism binos, but optically you'll get more for your money.

Look at these Pentax demo models for $130 at camera land:

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=pentax65807

b.roberts · « **Reply #30 on:** April 09, 2012, 05:45:29 PM »

I went with a pair of zr ed2's. They have a few demo units left at a great price. I can't wait to get my hands on them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

Brownie28 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 09, 2012, 05:54:46 PM »

another vote for vortex here. i got the diamondbacks and they are awesome for the money. and ya cant beat the warranty. everyones eyes are different so look through the brands you have it narrowed down to and see what fits best for you.

youngbuckslayer · « **Reply #32 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:24:07 PM »

vortex love them

jamesjett · « **Reply #33 on:** April 10, 2012, 05:18:43 PM »

Bought a set of 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks today. Compared Nikon Monarch , Leupold, and the Vortex....Vortex glass was much clearer and a larger field of view. It is my first Vortex product.

Cap.Silver · « **Reply #34 on:** April 10, 2012, 07:29:28 PM »

Minox , paid $ 120 for 8x42 (Package deal) otherwise $140 .I love them ,they are super crisp ..... I'm sure the HD versions are better but double,triple or quadruple the price .....

bigbullshedhunter · « **Reply #35 on:** April 12, 2012, 06:19:32 PM »

I jst bought the new nikon pro staff 10x42 and they are sick. better than the vortex. i had them side by side. u will like em

Deep Forks · « **Reply #36 on:** April 14, 2012, 01:59:57 AM »

Vortex hands down!!!! cameralandny.com

MikeWalking · « **Reply #37 on:** April 14, 2012, 02:38:06 AM »

Mine big ones Minolta 10x50. The only thing they lack is Phase Correction. $175

Bought them in a local camera shop. Then saw some 10x50's at Cabela's with phase correction for $165+Shipping...

Still very happy with mine.

windygorge · « **Reply #38 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:10:27 AM »

Zen-Ray. http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/vista8x42.html

windygorge · « **Reply #39 on:** April 14, 2012, 07:12:17 AM »

and these. they have a demo sale as well.
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2-8x43-demo.html

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Author Topic: best binos under $250 (Read 16270 times)

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