Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: bowhunter851 on September 12, 2010, 08:11:03 PM

Title: binoculars
Post by: bowhunter851 on September 12, 2010, 08:11:03 PM: looking for some binoculars in $100-200 range that dont fog up and are relible any suggestions..? i
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: DeerHarvester on September 12, 2010, 08:33:14 PM: Yeah... spent more money. Don't mean to be a downer but you get what you pay for and $200 won't buy much when it comes to optics.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Jellymon on September 12, 2010, 08:40:20 PM: What me and my brother use are nikon monarchs. They compete with binos in the 500-700$ range and are very light. Low light performance is great and the crispness, clearness is amazing for 300$ binoculars. Look at the chest of the guides in tons of hunting videos that arent sponsored by a bino company and you will be suprised to see a TON of monarch binos. Trust me the little bit extra will be very worth it because these are the best deal there is.:twocents:
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: high country on September 12, 2010, 08:50:03 PM: leupold yosemites, you should be able to find the 6x30's for 75 bux......the are very nice. I carry mine quite a bit and I have 5k in binos to choose from......give them a peek.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: sako223 on September 12, 2010, 08:53:10 PM: If your set on that price range the Steiner 8x30's are are solid choice. They perform quite well even in low light. I have had a set for many years and they are still very good.
The no focus feature is very handy and works unlike some cheaper lines.
Don't think I will tell you they "as good as" the best brand. Seeing as how I have a pair of $2000 Leica's that are very nice. The Steiners are still worthy performers that deliver game in a light compact package. Also have the 7x50 steiners that have brought home the meat in low light situations at more cost though.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=steiner+8x30&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5062041676008497480&ei=7p2NTIz6MsWBlAf8uMVg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q8wIwAA# (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=steiner+8x30&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5062041676008497480&ei=7p2NTIz6MsWBlAf8uMVg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q8wIwAA#)
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 13, 2010, 01:47:32 PM: I have a pair of Leupold Acadias that I paid $180 for. I saw that Cabela's has them on sale right now for $170 (if you are close to either Lacy or Post Falls, ID). I like mine. Nice and clear.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: SkookumHntr on September 13, 2010, 02:06:53 PM: -Steiner 8x30 military marine's are awsome bino's! They were around 230$ but I think the price went up. Light weight, durable, dont have to focus. I love mine!
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: runamuk on September 13, 2010, 02:10:38 PM: Quote from: high country on September 12, 2010, 08:50:03 PM
leupold yosemites, you should be able to find the 6x30's for 75 bux......the are very nice. I carry mine quite a bit and I have 5k in binos to choose from......give them a peek.

yep they also come in 8x30 i think :dunno: but not in the pink camo :rolleyes: so far I love mine very clear work great in low light mine were like 85 including shipping...
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Tony 270 on September 13, 2010, 02:29:11 PM: Zen Ray ZRS HDs. From my experience they're better than Nikon Monarchs, cheaper too.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: adam.WI on September 13, 2010, 03:13:17 PM: I'll speak up on the nikon monarchs as well. Great set of Binos.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 13, 2010, 03:14:23 PM: I have looked at the Monarchs side by side with my Acadias. I like the Leupy's better.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Deep Forks on September 13, 2010, 03:30:42 PM: Quote from: Pathfinder101 on September 13, 2010, 03:14:23 PM
I have looked at the Monarchs side by side with my Acadias. I like the Leupy's better.
:yeah: Bought my grandson Leupy Acadias and they are good glass for the money, also like them better than Monarch's and I had a bad experience with Nikon's warranty. :)
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 13, 2010, 04:02:32 PM: Quote
looking for some binoculars in $100-200 range

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=262 (http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=262)

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=261 (http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=261)

Bought a pair for my son. Loves 'm! He's had them out deer and duck hunting. They've held up well and not fogged.

I think they are the best glass you can get for that money. A bit on the heavy side. But very nice focus control. Decent case. Eye cups could be improved, but the light gathering and clearity is better than anything in that price range.

-Steve
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: BlackRidge on September 13, 2010, 04:03:30 PM: For those interested, THIS (http://www.samplelist.com/Binoculars-C5.aspx) site usually has the best deals on optics

Good luck bowhunter851
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Curly on September 13, 2010, 04:06:09 PM: Vortex Diamondback
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: FC on September 13, 2010, 04:23:43 PM: I would give the zen-ray binoculars a try if there was somewhere nearby that I could actually look through them without just ordering a pair. I've been using a pair of $35 Bushnell 16x32's, work great, pocket size, light and my butthole doesn't pucker when I drop them :P Some of you people carry some crazy expensive glass!
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Tony 270 on September 13, 2010, 06:25:00 PM: I think with Zen Ray you have 30 days to return them if you aren't satisfied.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: high country on September 13, 2010, 07:15:39 PM: Quote from: runamuk on September 13, 2010, 02:10:38 PM
Quote from: high country on September 12, 2010, 08:50:03 PM
leupold yosemites, you should be able to find the 6x30's for 75 bux......the are very nice. I carry mine quite a bit and I have 5k in binos to choose from......give them a peek.

yep they also come in 8x30 i think :dunno: but not in the pink camo :rolleyes: so far I love mine very clear work great in low light mine were like 85 including shipping...

I really warmed up to the 6x30's on the advice of a friend of mine from montana, who also has endless glass to choose from.

you are going to get way more from a porro prism then a roof n the low price range.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: CSOUTFITTERS on September 13, 2010, 08:21:20 PM: Go to CameralandNY or just google camera land NY. They have a demo or refurbished section for around 30-40% off of new. Ive seen the camo Nikon Monarch 10x42's for under 200. I bought a Vortex demo spotting scope and it was like new. Email Doug and tell him your budget and what quality you are looking for and he will set you up and he wont pressure you to buy something out of your price range.

Buying demo or refurbished binos are fine just stay away from any electronics like rangefinders. Im battling right now with Nikon because their 1200 yd rangefinder wont range over 100 yds and they want to charge me $200 to fix it. I never even had a chance to use it in the field. Got them in Feb, stored in a safe and went to try them bear hunting and they didnt work.

I suggest the monarch's or vortex for the money.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: high country on September 13, 2010, 08:53:30 PM: dougis a good guy, I have been buying from them for 10 years. I kept their lights on last year....lol
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: adam.WI on September 13, 2010, 09:30:34 PM: Quote from: FC on September 13, 2010, 04:23:43 PM
I would give the zen-ray binoculars a try if there was somewhere nearby that I could actually look through them without just ordering a pair. I've been using a pair of $35 Bushnell 16x32's, work great, pocket size, light and my butthole doesn't pucker when I drop them :P Some of you people carry some crazy expensive glass!
I use a Crooked horn harness. I couldn't drop them if I tried, and they are always right there.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Wapitawacker on September 15, 2010, 09:34:27 PM: Look in the sportsman guide. Fujinon binos. All sizes n shapes. Outstanding glass. Own 9 seperate pair. Hunted with them for years. Cant beat the prices right now.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: high country on September 16, 2010, 05:03:29 AM: I had a pair of fuji porros that rockedoptically, but the individual diopeter adjustments drove me nuts and they were really chunky for what they were....but very good optically.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 16, 2010, 07:06:54 AM: I went through several pairs of the less expensive ones and finally picked up the Leupold Pinnacles 10x42. They were a great investment. I have had no issues with them.
Title: Re: binoculars
Post by: Hornseeker on September 17, 2010, 01:25:24 PM: For the money... those Vortex are tough to beat, but I have also heard good about the Zen Rays... I've got low end Zeiss and I've yet to see any glass that compares to them for under $1000..... Really happy with them!