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Author Topic: Best binos between $300-$400?  (Read 12394 times)

Offline Abolt338

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Best binos between $300-$400?
« on: August 07, 2008, 02:54:20 PM »
Looking for some new glass.  Hoping to stay between 300 and 400.  Are there some good sets out there in that range, or is it worth spending more money?  I don't need the best glass in the world, but I need something better than the crappy Bushnells I've been toting around since middle school.

RW
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2008, 03:17:01 PM »
Nikon
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Offline cohoho

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2008, 03:51:34 PM »
Check out Alpens, they have great glass at excellent prices, compare with the top of the line for yourself of the same power.  I got Stieners 10 x 50 cost me an arm and leg, but use my 10 X 50 Alpens cause I like them better and my belief clearer and easier on the glassing for hours....  Check out thier web site...  For the money they are incredible...

Offline T-ROY

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2008, 03:56:39 PM »
i looked threw a set of 8x42 alpens the othe night. they seemed pretty nice to also and there were 200$.

Offline Sagedawg

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2008, 05:08:10 PM »
 +1 on the Nikons.



  Sage

Offline DeKuma

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2008, 05:10:47 PM »
Love my Nikons.  Just under $400 a few years ago.
- Scott

Offline hunterbuilder

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2008, 05:13:18 PM »
I've liked the Pentax that are in that price range.

Offline tlbradford

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2008, 05:23:31 PM »
x4 on the Nikons.
Dreams are forever on the mind, realization in the hands.

Offline Abolt338

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2008, 05:52:34 PM »
Found a deal on some Vortex Diamondbacks (150 shipped priority) and thought I would give them a try.  If I don't like them, I'll look at something else.  At this point, anything has got to be a step up for me, and these have been getting great reviews.

RW
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Offline TheKid#10

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2008, 06:56:49 PM »
Nikon Monarch ATB's, best glass for the price in my opinion. I've looked through better, but at 3 or 4 times the price! Awesome value if that's what your after.
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Offline Red Dawg

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2008, 07:06:36 PM »
minox doesnt get much attention these yet but they are very good. I have a 10x42 set and i love them.

Offline FOsteology

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2008, 08:24:24 PM »
In that price range.... my $$ would be spent on a Demo/Show Sample Minox BD 8.5x42 BR ASPH from Doug at CameraLand. Better than any of the Nikon, Pentax, Leupold, and Vortex in that price range.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2008, 08:47:31 PM by FOsteology »

Offline rackattack

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2008, 08:35:55 PM »
I like my Leupold Wind River 8x42.  Really clear and comfortable for about $220 dollars.

Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2008, 08:38:40 PM »
I got my Nikon Monarch ATB's in camo print for a pretty good deal via Froogle.  It was some knife shop midwest.  $250 + 10 S&H.  Good IQ for the money.  My only small gripe is that I wish the eye cups were angled to keep light out of my peripheral vision.  However, I also wear glasses so this is a case of me wanting to eat my cake and have it, too.   :DOH:

Offline bowhuntin

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2008, 08:46:07 PM »
I've liked the Pentax that are in that price range.

I will second the pentax, I looked through some Nikon ATB and both are good glass. They seemed the same to me, but the ergonomics of the pentax were alot better IMO.

Offline Skyhigh

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #15 on: August 07, 2008, 09:12:39 PM »
Just got a set of Vortex 10x50 vulture model..I am very impressed, they compare to my swavorski real well...
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Offline wastickslinger

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2008, 10:50:33 PM »
I just got a flyer from Cabelas advertising a huge blow out on Leupold Gold Ring HD. They are like half price. I think they are still about 500 bones. Looked like a steal.

Offline Abolt338

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #17 on: August 07, 2008, 10:51:18 PM »
What size were the Gold Rings, and are they that price online?

RW
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Offline MountainWalk

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #18 on: August 07, 2008, 11:55:30 PM »
Nikon or Minox would be a good buy.
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Offline andrew_12gauge

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #19 on: August 12, 2008, 10:20:51 PM »
alpen, nikon, or burris are all great glass

Offline Wacenturion

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #20 on: August 13, 2008, 06:19:10 AM »
Checked out some Vortex spotting scopes this weeekend and while I was there tried the Vortex Viper and Razor binoculars.  Both exceptional...and the Razors...10x42...@$749 were almost everybit as good as a pair of Swaroski EL's....10x42...@$1989, sitting next to them.....but $1300 less.  The Vipers were a little over $500 and almost as nice as the Razors.
I would suggest anyone looking for new bino's in the $500-$800 range to check these out.  Lifetime VIP warranty.
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Offline Coasthunterjay

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #21 on: August 13, 2008, 06:49:39 AM »
i have a pair of leupold wind river binos and they are awesome got mine on sale(big sale).........they also sell the katmai? or something like that.......but i think there only about 350-400 bucks and well like most people say you cant go wrong with leupold.

leupold makes a great glass.

Offline GoldTip

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #22 on: August 13, 2008, 12:28:00 PM »
I've been very happy with my Nikon Monarch ATB's.
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Offline PacificNWhunter

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #23 on: August 13, 2008, 09:37:09 PM »
I have the Nikon Monarchs..so that's my vote.

Might look at the Leupold Leupold Wind River Cascades..they are pretty close to the Monarchs for the price.

Offline rjm5

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #24 on: August 13, 2008, 09:46:04 PM »
If you can get the gold rings for 500 bucks thats what I would go with. My buddy has a pair of 12x50 and there pretty good.

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #25 on: August 13, 2008, 10:02:40 PM »
If you can get the gold rings for 500 bucks thats what I would go with. My buddy has a pair of 12x50 and there pretty good.

FWIW, I find it almost impossible to hold a pair of 12X binos steady enough to be effective, I have always needed a tripod over 10X :twocents:
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Offline NORRISKI2

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #26 on: August 17, 2008, 06:37:24 PM »
Pentax IMHO.  I have two pairs and both are great glass.

Offline buckhorn2

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #27 on: August 17, 2008, 07:20:01 PM »
I have a pair of fujinon 7x50 and have sat next to my buddy who has swaroski  binos and I can see deer at daylight way before you can see through his. I have 20x80 swaroski spoting scope and I am not knocking them but I would;nt trade my 400 dollar glass for his 1200.

Offline tlbradford

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #28 on: August 17, 2008, 07:28:00 PM »
I'll buy you a Fujinon scope and trade you straight across for the swaros if you want to unload it?
Dreams are forever on the mind, realization in the hands.

Offline Bean Counter

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #29 on: August 18, 2008, 08:41:47 AM »
Found a deal on some Vortex Diamondbacks (150 shipped priority) and thought I would give them a try.  If I don't like them, I'll look at something else.  At this point, anything has got to be a step up for me, and these have been getting great reviews.

RW

RW,

How have the Diamondbacks worked out for you so far?  Let us know!

Offline Intruder

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #30 on: August 18, 2008, 01:22:18 PM »
Leupold Greenrings, Nikon Monarch, BV Minxo, & Vortex Vipers (they may be over 400) are all pretty nice for the $.

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #31 on: August 19, 2008, 11:19:57 PM »
I have a pair of fujinon 7x50 and have sat next to my buddy who has swaroski  binos and I can see deer at daylight way before you can see through his. I have 20x80 swaroski spoting scope and I am not knocking them but I would;nt trade my 400 dollar glass for his 1200.

LMAO  :bs:



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Offline follow maggie

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #32 on: August 20, 2008, 10:04:40 PM »
I have a set of Leupold Olympic, 10x50, for @$380.  Love them.  Clear picture, comfortable to hold.

Offline buckhorn2

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #33 on: August 22, 2008, 08:35:58 AM »
I was;nt being a smart ass about my fujions but I like them. I have a 20x80 swavorski spoting scope and there range finder. I had a 1200 yard leica but on opening day of elk season with a little fog they would;nt range so I sent them back to cabelas and got the swavorski.

Offline bobcat

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #34 on: August 22, 2008, 07:59:15 PM »
Get the Vortex Diamondback's for $129.99 from www.cameralandny.com. I know you want to spend $400, but what the heck, you could use the  extra $270 for gas, right?

Offline klickriverchromer

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #35 on: September 01, 2008, 06:41:45 AM »
Just got a set of Vortex 10x50 vulture model..I am very impressed, they compare to my swavorski real well...

I agree totally, I've had mine for going on 2yrs. now and absolutelly love them. 
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Offline Kent Hunter

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #36 on: September 25, 2008, 05:02:09 AM »
Leupold "Cascade" "Katmai" or "Olympic" are all great glass in that price range.

Offline rasbo

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #37 on: September 25, 2008, 06:24:58 PM »
Ive been real happy with leopold 8x42  :twocents:

Offline high country

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Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
« Reply #38 on: September 25, 2008, 07:51:10 PM »
doug at cameraland did a test where he sent out unlabeled binos, that did not have any info on the price....a bunch of guys put em' in the hunt with top shelf glass..........the brand, promaster.....not endorsing, but worth a look.

 


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