Need some "cheap" binos

Suther

Suther

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So I need some binos for hunting, but I don't have a lot of money to spend. It seems I have 3 options, buy used, buy something on sale, or don't buy anything and keep using the crap-tastic 10x25mm $10 binos I have now. I am looking to spend no more than about $50 (I know, thats very little for binos) and hoping to get something in the size range of 7x35mm to 8x42mm.

I feel like buying used is my best bet, but I am not sure where to start. There are lots of things on Craigslist, mostly older stuff. If I went this route, what should I be looking for (and avoiding?) I am assuming most older binoculars will not be waterproof? (How important of a feature is that? I don't plan to take them swimming, but it does rain a lot here)

Here is Craigslist for my area. https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=binoculars&sort=rel

Specifically, I see two adds for cheap older bushnell products, https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/atq/6150357765.html and https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/spo/6163301091.html

I also see a lot of much older stuff, with names like Karl Schmidt, Carl Hoffer, and then others with no name like these ones: https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/spo/6162568842.html


So, advise? I'm pretty lost here...

edit to add: Buying new would most likely require some sort of compromise. Either I get something bigger than I want (Costco sells some 12x50mm Bushnells for under $30) or I will probably have to spend more than I want. I can get the size/price I want from Amazon, but not being able to hold it in hand and test it out makes me weary of buying from Amazon.
 
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You are on the right track. Used, good condition, old might be worth having for $50. New ones that will sell for that won't be worth having.
 
At my local CT I got a pair of 9-27×50 Outbound brand binos for 39.99. They were regular around $100. For an off brand they have excellent clarity and smooth controls, even at 27x.
I was looking at more expensive options, but for the price I couldn't resist and was surprised at their performance.
 
CJ972 said:
At my local CT I got a pair of 9-27×50 Outbound brand binos for 39.99. They were regular around $100. For an off brand they have excellent clarity and smooth controls, even at 27x.
I was looking at more expensive options, but for the price I couldn't resist and was surprised at their performance.
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I know the ones you speak of. But they are pretty big and bulky, i was hoping for something smaller (otherwise I'd just buy the 12x50mm ones from Costco)... do they have any way to mount to a tripod?
 
I think it was WWS who has a cheap Leupold binocular on for $100, regular $230 iirc.

I know that's double what you're trying to spend, but they are new and a well known brand. I haven't looked through them myself, but am in the market for a cheap binocular too!
 
Prairie Plinker said:
I think it was WWS who has a cheap Leupold binocular on for $100, regular $230 iirc.

I know that's double what you're trying to spend, but they are new and a well known brand. I haven't looked through them myself, but am in the market for a cheap binocular too!
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I saw those, and was really tempted, but they are too small. Im looking for 7 or 8x magnification with a 35-42mm lens, these have more mag than i want with smaller lens which will limit my field of view...

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B06WVBJBKX/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A1K7RYQVZ52FF1&psc=1

Anyone try cheap Amazon binos? These ones claim 60 day money back guarantee and 18mo warranty... and all 4 reviews are 5 stars...
 
I just picked up a set of the Leupold's from WSS. They are quite nice. I am not sure I would pay full retail for them, but for $100 I don't think you can go wrong. The Redfield Rebels that were there were quite impressive; and if the they were the same price I think I would have chosen them over the ones I picked up.
 
Canadian tire Bushnell 10x42 binoculars with the funky plastic camouflage skin worked great for the previous season. Bought them on sale when they were in the $50.00 range and added the $15.00 binocular strap from princess auto.
 
After stepping up to some 180 dollar Vortex's I will never again buy a cheaper Bino. I'm not saying that $180 Vortex's are the best by any stretch, just that there was so much difference from the 50 dollar Canadian Tire binos I was used to it changed my whole experience.

Save your pennies and buy something better. If you spend any time glassing you'll thank yourself in the long run. My next optic purchase will be a set of high end binos. Buy quality and take care of them and they'll last more than a lifetime.
 
Mr.Crumbz said:
I just picked up a set of the Leupold's from WSS. They are quite nice. I am not sure I would pay full retail for them, but for $100 I don't think you can go wrong. The Redfield Rebels that were there were quite impressive; and if the they were the same price I think I would have chosen them over the ones I picked up.
Click to expand...

Welp. I ended up picking up the Leupold Binos on sale at WSS.

They are Leupold Yosemites, regular price $230 on for $100. I choose them because at the end of the day, they hit the most important features I am looking for. They are a good brand, with warranty (although I"ll get to that in a sec), the glass quality seems decent, the FOV is better than I would have expected for a 10x30mm, they are pretty light, and while the price was more than I wanted to pay I feel like the value is there considering other features.

When looking online for binos, I came to an interesting realization. Somehow, these 10x30mm binos have a field of view that is better than a lot of more expensive 8x42 binos and the such. My only guess is that these ones are Poro, while others are roof prism of whatever??

At any rate, here are a few stats on these (according to the packaging): FOV: 351ft@1000yds, Angular FOV: 6.7 Weight: 482 gr. length 4.5"


Now, as for the Warranty. This is not a Leupold Gold Ring product. It does not get the fully transferable, no questions asked warranty that most scopes carry ("Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee".) It does however get the "Leupold Lifetime Warranty" which is a non-transferable warranty for "defects in materials and workmanship and to function satisfactorily under normal use conditions".... So it seems to be the same Leupold warranty, just non-transferable?

I will be doing a full review on these binoculars, with a comparison to my 10x25mm binos and maybe a rifle scope or two for clarity ect. So stay tuned for that.
 
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