Looking to purchase first pair of binoculars

[MRP]

Poor people buy everything three times.

Sounds better in Romanian.

Some times? I've got a set of 10x50 Tasco road around in a box on the front of my big red from 85 until I got a quad in 2009. And it's been in it ever since to out in the shed year round. Have sets of Bushnells and 15x50 Celestron, truck, car, camper, front room, shop. At least 8.5 pairs a clumsy frend sat on one so I cut it in half and use it as as a monocular in my day pack for at least 25 years. Some I bought on sale others yard sales. Guns axes power saws potato chips you can't have just one.

I just got a another used pair they are maybe 40 or 50 years old not sure but definitely old. 15x50 sears, who made them for Sears?. But definitely top quality stuff. There was a small problem though, it had dubble vision. This is a easy fix, the front lens are eccentric so all you have to do is unscrew the front cover ring, loosen the locking ring, there are some times 2 of them but not often. You don't have to loosen it much half to 1 turn most times. With a sharp pic the lens is set in a ring and can be turned in place and most times you don't have to move it much. Resting them on something so you're not shaking, line up on something that is a shap contrast, vertical and horizontal at a 50 + yards. These are definitely not packing glass at 3.8lbs but super clear they will be my new truck long range lookers. So keep your eyes open for deals on old stuff to.

 

[TriggerHappyHippy]

Probably looking to purchase my first set of binoculars over the Black Friday sales. Most likely Cabelas but I'm open to shop with anyone, they're just convenient. It would just be general purpose use, 10x42 probably, something common. Any suggestions based on sales

My bud bought a set of cheaper Vortex binos in May. When I asked if I could check them out, I was shocked how good they are. 10x 42 Warranty for life
Amazing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

 

[TriggerHappyHippy]

Probably looking to purchase my first set of binoculars over the Black Friday sales. Most likely Cabelas but I'm open to shop with anyone, they're just convenient. It would just be general purpose use, 10x42 probably, something common. Any suggestions based on sales you see?

I had a set of mid level Leopold binos
These Vortex were so much better for 1/5 cost.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/170720/vortex-triumph-hd-10x42-binoculars

 

[KaneZoR]

OP found his binoculars but for anyone else looking, IMO the best that you can get for $500 price range are the vortex viper HD’s

Cabellas has both the older and the newer ones, the older ones they frequently have “on sale” for $499, which they are now.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/59911/vortex-viper-10x42-hd-binoculars

The newer model of the same binoculars have some minor improvements but these are an excellent pair.

Check out people reviews to see how they stack up.

 

[SuperCub]

I personally think the vortex crossfire or diamondbacks are best bang for your buck especially if you get them on sale.

I have had a pair of Vortex 10x42 Diamondbacks for over 10yrs now. I like them.

.

 

[kamlooky]

Buddy scored a beat up well used set of Nikon Monarch 7.
Impressive clarity.

 

[BigRobb]

Have the vortex diamondbacks in 10x42 and 8x32 for travelling. For all round general purpose, I couldn’t justify spending much more for my needs. I’d love to someday upgrade and I see the benefits of nice glass, but they’re near the bottom of the priority list

 

[Big Bad]

I used to be an avid birder, or at least an involved one, and at the top of the pyramid of quality are Zeiss Victory 10x42 binos, the next brand down is considered to be the top Swarovski ones of similar power. That said, binoculars these days are about 15 times better than they were 50 years ago so any investment in quality is bound to pay off. When you get into less expensive ones, 10 powers might be problematic though, and an 8 power might be better. What is really nice is to go to a store like Cabelas where they have a huge indoor space and a wide range of binos to try, with targets off in the far corners ("check out the tail feathers on that pheasant"). Cabelas however do not carry top line Zeiss binos anymore; at least not where I live, they might have the next step down which are Zeiss Champions for about $1K less.

There's a store in Leamington ON that's online and well worth checking out, they're called 'Pelee Wings' and with a fanatic birder clientele visiting Point Pelee National Park are able to stock and sell the top lines of everything at discount prices. If you can go there in person, you're likely to be all set.