best binos under $250

[polyanskiyalex]

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

[scottfrick]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

X2 vortex. I have the vipers

[fillthefreezer]

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

[washelkhunter]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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