Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: Abolt338 on August 07, 2008, 02:54:20 PM

Title: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Abolt338 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
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: huntnphool on August 07, 2008, 03:17:01 PM: Nikon
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: cohoho 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...
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: T-ROY on August 07, 2008, 03:56:39 PM: i looked threw a set of 8x42 alpens the othe night. they seemed pretty nice to also and there were 200$.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Sagedawg on August 07, 2008, 05:08:10 PM: +1 on the Nikons.

Sage
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: DeKuma on August 07, 2008, 05:10:47 PM: Love my Nikons. Just under $400 a few years ago.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: hunterbuilder on August 07, 2008, 05:13:18 PM: I've liked the Pentax that are in that price range.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: tlbradford on August 07, 2008, 05:23:31 PM: x4 on the Nikons.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Abolt338 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
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: TheKid#10 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Red Dawg 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: FOsteology 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: rackattack on August 07, 2008, 08:35:55 PM: I like my Leupold Wind River 8x42. Really clear and comfortable for about $220 dollars.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Bean Counter 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:
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: bowhuntin on August 07, 2008, 08:46:07 PM: Quote from: hunterbuilder on August 07, 2008, 05:13:18 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Skyhigh 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...
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: wastickslinger 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Abolt338 on August 07, 2008, 10:51:18 PM: What size were the Gold Rings, and are they that price online?

RW
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: MountainWalk on August 07, 2008, 11:55:30 PM: Nikon or Minox would be a good buy.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: andrew_12gauge on August 12, 2008, 10:20:51 PM: alpen, nikon, or burris are all great glass
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Wacenturion 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Coasthunterjay 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: GoldTip on August 13, 2008, 12:28:00 PM: I've been very happy with my Nikon Monarch ATB's.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: PacificNWhunter 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: rjm5 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: huntnphool on August 13, 2008, 10:02:40 PM: Quote from: rjm5 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.

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:
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: NORRISKI2 on August 17, 2008, 06:37:24 PM: Pentax IMHO. I have two pairs and both are great glass.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: buckhorn2 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: tlbradford 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?
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Bean Counter on August 18, 2008, 08:41:47 AM: Quote from: Abolt338 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

RW,

How have the Diamondbacks worked out for you so far? Let us know!
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Intruder 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 $.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: huntnphool on August 19, 2008, 11:19:57 PM: Quote from: buckhorn2 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.

LMAO :bs:
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: follow maggie 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: buckhorn2 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.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: bobcat 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?
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: klickriverchromer on September 01, 2008, 06:41:45 AM: Quote from: Skyhigh 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...

I agree totally, I've had mine for going on 2yrs. now and absolutelly love them.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: Kent Hunter on September 25, 2008, 05:02:09 AM: Leupold "Cascade" "Katmai" or "Olympic" are all great glass in that price range.
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: rasbo on September 25, 2008, 06:24:58 PM: Ive been real happy with leopold 8x42 :twocents:
Title: Re: Best binos between $300-$400?
Post by: high country 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.