Im looking to buy a pair of binos. Im currently looking around the $200 price range and was thinking of nikon trailblazer atb's, or bushnell trophy xlt's. Not too sure about magnification either. Im leaning towards 10x42 but not opposed to looking at 8x42. Anyone have any tips or ideas on other models? Mostly moose hunting through the cuts but i do bush hunt deer as well and im not too sure if 10x is too much.
Binos
- Thread starter canaan1919
- Start date
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Cabelas Canada has the Nikon Monarchs on sale right now for around $269...which is $100 off. The best deal I've ever seen on binos, these are great.
Same here!
I suggest you also consider the weight and size of the bino. I learned a while back carry a pair of full size bino comparing to sub compact for a day hiking makes a big difference.
I prefer a smaller size good quality bino. However, if I have to look through them all day long I would take the full size bino.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I agree, 8X is the best answer, and my 8X32s have given top performance and are used almost everyday throughout the year. For me a good pair of binoculars are a life saving tool. I wont skimp on this item, and IMHO $200 for new binoculars, considering what they must do, is a bit low. If you can't nudge the budget up slightly, then opt for quality used glasses. A look in the new Cabelas Catalog shows Steiner Military Marine 8X30 binoculars for well under $300. I find them a bit bulky, but the individual eye piece focus is a nice touch. If your binoculars are going to be used under harsh conditions, you will also find that roof prism binoculars, the ones with the straight barrels, are more compact and more resilient to bumps and knocks than are porro prism binoculars, those with the off-set eye pieces, the pre-mentioned Steiners excepted.
10X is too strong to hold steady and you really don't need the magnification. 8x is more than enough and will do the job. Consider quality used bino's, you obtain a better use for your money and most people don't really put them to hard use.
I bought a couple of pairs ex- US border patrol Swift 7x50's and they were worth it. Maybe on the big side, but the quality was there.
I bought a couple of pairs ex- US border patrol Swift 7x50's and they were worth it. Maybe on the big side, but the quality was there.
Earlier this year I ordered a Minox BV 10x42 BR from Camera Land and have been very happy with them so far.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62168
I have no problem holding the 10x steady. I have yet to take them hunting or use them in cold and wet weather, but from using them all summer I am happy with the optics and size of them. They also feel very solid and well made.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62168
I have no problem holding the 10x steady. I have yet to take them hunting or use them in cold and wet weather, but from using them all summer I am happy with the optics and size of them. They also feel very solid and well made.
Some things are easily checked on a binocular. (No "S" after binocular, unless you have two pairs you are talking about.)
Hold them out considerable distance from your eyes and look at the end your eye looks through. You will see a light about 5 or six mm across. With a quality binocular you will see a perfectly round object. Cheap ones will show a somewhat square hole.
While looking through them, slowly move them sideways until something like a telephone pole shows up on the side of your view. With quality glasses the pole will appear perfectly straight, while in the extreme edge of your view. Inferrior glasses will show the pole as being somewhat rounded, to fit the curvature of your field of view.
With any binocular, but in particular if you are getting a used one, be sure the two sides are lined up. Look through them steadily for several minutes, then take them from your eyes. If you feel any discomfort, whatsoever, in your eyes, it means the prisms were not perfectly lined up and your eyes were adjusting to the them. Using glasses with misaligned prisms will give you a headache, after a period of time.
Hold them out considerable distance from your eyes and look at the end your eye looks through. You will see a light about 5 or six mm across. With a quality binocular you will see a perfectly round object. Cheap ones will show a somewhat square hole.
While looking through them, slowly move them sideways until something like a telephone pole shows up on the side of your view. With quality glasses the pole will appear perfectly straight, while in the extreme edge of your view. Inferrior glasses will show the pole as being somewhat rounded, to fit the curvature of your field of view.
With any binocular, but in particular if you are getting a used one, be sure the two sides are lined up. Look through them steadily for several minutes, then take them from your eyes. If you feel any discomfort, whatsoever, in your eyes, it means the prisms were not perfectly lined up and your eyes were adjusting to the them. Using glasses with misaligned prisms will give you a headache, after a period of time.
Castincowboy
Member
Redfield
Give the Redfield's a look see. I've got a pair of the 10X42 and was very impressed. They are extremely bright and clear and only $199.
I've also got a pair of Bushnell Ultra Legends HD 10X42 as well. WOW! I originally had them sent to me to test as I wanted to write a product review article. Well, they impressed me so much I ended up mailing back a cheque... However they are $399.
Now I'm lining up a review on the new Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC rangefinding binos. I'm a little worried I'm gonna like them too... 'cuz I can't afford 'em...
Give the Redfield's a look see. I've got a pair of the 10X42 and was very impressed. They are extremely bright and clear and only $199.
I've also got a pair of Bushnell Ultra Legends HD 10X42 as well. WOW! I originally had them sent to me to test as I wanted to write a product review article. Well, they impressed me so much I ended up mailing back a cheque... However they are $399.
Now I'm lining up a review on the new Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC rangefinding binos. I'm a little worried I'm gonna like them too... 'cuz I can't afford 'em...
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
I use 7x35 Nikon porro prism Action Extremes bought for $150, they are super sharp, water proof and with almost 500' at 1000yds fov they are all I could ask for my kind of hunting b/c any other roof prism binoculars at equal quality would cost at least $500.
