Gotta go shopping - New binoculars
 

So since some loser decided to steal my binoculars, I need to go buy a new pair.

Don’t need anything fancy, but decent in low light is what I’m looking for, most likely in a 10x. With everything on the market it’s almost impossible to know where to start. Also not looking to break the bank, as I only really use them during waterfowl season.

Any suggestions on good binos under $500?

Pending how old you are save some more money and get a pair that'll last you the rest of your life you'll be paying a lot more than $500 for Quality binos.





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I have the vortex crossfire’s in 10x42 and love em!

They have the crossfire’s on Amazon on sale I believe still and they have been doing the trick for me!!

I have the Bushnell 10x42, very light weight, can use them whether wearing glasses or not. I like them for their light gathering in early morning and evening spotting. I've had mine for about 8 years now and am sure I paid just under $200.

Get a set of Maven B1s

Check these out I've had a pair for almost 25 years 20 years of guiding very good in low light conditions not 10 power though but well worth the money I paid for themhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d3a62ebe34.jpg

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They were actually these ones highly recommend them I put them up against Zeiss, Leica , everybody like these ones.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1bbd96cfec.jpg

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I wouldn’t buy anything from Bushnell. I had a pair of 8x42 legends and the finish came off the lenses and I used a lense pen to clean them all the time and Bushnell would warrant them, so I ditched all my Bushnell optics and bought all vortex stuff. I would buy the diamond backs 10x42 they are on sale for $300.52 free shipping right now on amazon.ca I’m going to pick up another pair for my son. You won’t be disappointed.

In that price range you are probably looking at Chinese glass and IMO Bushnell Legends are the best of that bunch. Contrary to above, all top end Bushnell scopes and binoculars are covered by a no fault lifetime warranty, no receipt required and yes I have tested it out.

While binocular shopping I was also very impressed with these from McBain https://www.mcbaincamera.com/product...ain_id=2410110

Leupold bx-2 Acadia binoculars are on sale at cabelas right now. I picked up a pair about two years ago, they’re pretty decent, and have a great warranty. Vortex, and Nikon both have decent binoculars in your price range as well. Might even be able to find a pair of zeiss terra’s In that range too! If you want something that is functional without breaking the bank, there’s tons of options out there.

No the Bushnell legends aren’t a no fault lifetime warranty. I had owned my for 2 years when the coating came off the lenses. I sent them away for warranty 3 months had passed, never heard from them, so I contacted Bushnell directly they had told me it was going to cost $320 to replace the lenses they weren’t going to warrant them. They sent them back not repaired. They are still sitting in my basement. My vortex bingos are way better then the legends. I wouldn’t waste my money on any Bushnell product.

I have the 8x42 diamondback as well, great binos for the money, I wouldn't go anything less than 8 power. These days there are lots of quality binos for 500.00 or less. . I have two Vortex scopes as well, quality product at a descent price. I think I just read that Vortex was the number 1 selling optic company for the second year in a row.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. While I could go out and pick up a pair for a more money, I just can’t justify high end glass for the use they get. The last pair literally sat inside the console of my truck since last waterfowl season.

Strongly considering something from the vortex line right now...

Ive some barsaka storms Ive been running for a few years now, quite decent. I think I got them around 180 on a black friday sale

Vortex gets my vote also. I agree that there are better but with less than 500 you cant go wrong with vortex. lifetime warranty and no receipt to boot.

I have the vortex razor 8 42 made in Japan about 1200. on ebay as high as 1700. Cdn. awesome binos.

I have the Vortex Diamondback 10x42 and have zero complaints.

No fault warranty, and the glass is pretty good for the price.

I'd go with Nikon myself. They were quite a bit better than the bushnell's i compared them too in fading light. You shouldn't have any issue finding a pair within your budget either.

Leupold gets my vote.

Next woul dbe the Nikon Monarch 5's.

Vortex Diamondback 10x42 have been serving me well for a few years now, if I wanted to spend a bit more, Nikon would be my next choice. Have Nikons as my scopes, quality products.

I went with Nikon monarch 5 off of Amazon as they were the cheapest I could find anywhere at the time. I like them.

I use Bushnell Elite 8x42, Japanese made with ED glass. You may be able to find them for sub $500.

These would probably be decent. My brother has a pair of the "E" series (down one tier in the range) and they are a lot closer to my Elites than the price would suggest. Prophet River has the Elites as well.

https://store.prophetriver.com/bushn...f-prism-black/

That is an awesome deal.

Vortex 10x50 diamond back. Have had them for 6 years still impressed with them for there price


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X2 on the Monarch 5 in that price range. I just sold my Geovids from lack of use, and went thru the exact same scenario as you, wanted something in the 8 or 10 power under about $500. Tested several pair out, including the Vortex line. Was only impressed with the Vortex when I got into the Viper and of course the Razor, the sub-$500 stuff from them didn’t do it for me in comparison with the Nikon’s. The Nikon Monarch 3 wasn’t that great to my eye, the Monarch 5 and Monarch 7 were both great for me, with my nod going to the 5’s as the noticeable difference didn’t justify the extra cost for my limited purposes.

I have the Vortex Vipers 10x42...The started out great but i can't get the clarity out of them. I have had constant problems with the eye pieces coming loose, the rubber cups come off the eyepiece and constantly losing the sense covers..
Im not impressed with them . I am sending them back to factory for repair which means the start of hunting season will be with borrowed ones.

You've got to remember some of these companies have only started in the last 10-15 years like vortex I would save a little more money and get something that'll last you the rest of your life instead of relying on warranties and getting new ones every few years just my opinion I did the same thing with Bushnell and all the other cheap brands

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Monarch 5 12x42 are on sale for $360 on Amazon.ca right now.

I've been looking at the sub $800 range but probably going to pick these up.