Neep opinions on binos

darcy32171

darcy32171

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I`m saving up for a good set. I have a cheap set that I now have to manually move the eye pieces and looking too long through them...I get a headache. I coyote hunt and I also like shooting at paper at 200 plus yards and want to see the holes with ease. Looking to spend anywhere from $250-$400. More than likely from Cabelas since I have collected 4 gift cards so far
 
Look at site sponsor CameraLandNY's website to see what is in that price range. (They can export binoculars, no trouble.) They are very competitive and stock a lot of different makes and models. (They also have open box, demo stock, and factory refurbished stuff sometimes that can be a bargain.) Keep it simple so the maker is more likely to be spending the production cost on good quality components than on gadgetry.

The law of diminishing returns is very applicable to optics. It costs increasingly larger increments to get smaller and smaller improvements. $250 binoculars may easily be twice as good $125 ones but $500 binoculars are unlikely to be twice as good as $250 binoculars. A $4000 set is certainly not ten times better than a $400 set. When someone comes along and tells you need to spend twice as much or ten times as much as your $250-400 budget to get anything worth having they are often looking for validation of their choice to throw money at a problem they can't be bothered to think about or they need to show off that they have that much money. You know your budget and you need/want the best you can get for your money.


E.g. from Camera Land NY

Meopta 8x42 MeoPro new c. US$450, open box US$270
Zeiss 8x42 Terra ED new c. US$400, demo unit US$290
Zen-Ray 8x43 ED3 new c. US$400, open box US$330
 
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For a maximum of $400, you can find serviceable binoculars, but they certainly won't be what many of us consider to be good binoculars. As for purchasing binoculars to use to clearly see bullet holes at 200 plus yards, you are in for nothing but disappointment. For that application, you should be looking for a spotting scope, and to clearly see bullet holes in a black bullseye at over 200 yards, a decent spotting scope is necessary.
 
If your not in a rush keep an eye out for end of season sales that occur before new product line comes out. I picked up a nice pair of steiners for half price at xmas time for not much more than I paid for bushnells and the brightness and clarity blows them away.
 
If you can get any used vortex binos that sell new for $500 and up at a discount of say 30-40% I'd go for it.
Good glass and an even better VIP warranty means that if there is any issue with the binos you will get a new pair. Including scratched glass or other physical damage done in use.
 
I got some Minox's from Cameraland as well last fall. The price was good, the optics are good, they are heavy for their size.

Maybe it's just my eyes, but I don't notice much difference between(besides the weight) the Minox and another pair of similar priced Celestron's that I got from Costco and the one's from costco come with a lifetime satisfaction warranty from Celestron and Costco. Looks like the Minox may have a no fault warranty as well but it also looks like I was supposed to register within 30 days to get it and I'm not sure if it applies to Canada? Doug from Cameraland didn't mention anything about warranty when I bought it.
I like companies like Vortex and Leupold who don't worry about paperwork or online 30 day registration windows when it comes to their product.
 
I bought the Zen-Ray 8x43ED3 from cameraland and they are nothing short of spectactular. They were about $400 to my door and are undistinguishable from my buddys vortex razors that he spent $1200 about two years ago.
 
One pair of binocular that I still use fairly often, are old Swedish army-once-issued Zeiss Jena Silvarem in 6x30 (new in 1942)

Bino-4.jpg~original


While I'm sure they aren't as shockproof/fogproof as the newer optic... the images are surprisingly crisp, and the ranging reticle is nice when trying to guess how far is this or that thing...
 
big boar said:
Cantgetright, what Steiners did you get that you like so much?
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predator extreme 8x42, my bushnells are 10x42 but I find with the steiners things are still clearer with less mag. and I'm not moving as much if glassing for extended periods. The CAT(color adjusted transmission) coatings are excellent for hunting situations. Makes the browns really 'pop' out which is great for scanning a bush line at last light.
 
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nevanevan said:
I bought the Zen-Ray 8x43ED3 from cameraland and they are nothing short of spectactular. They were about $400 to my door and are undistinguishable from my buddys vortex razors that he spent $1200 about two years ago.
Click to expand...

I own the 10X43 ED3's and they are a great bino for the price. Very happy with them
 
Everyone seems so intent on helping him find a deal on binoculars, that they seem to be overlooking the fact, that binoculars are a poor choice for his application. He really needs a spotting scope to check bullet holes in targets at 200 yards plus.
 
Well, the OP hasn't been back... so I guess he didn't like our suggestions... eventhough it's said a few times that a scope would be better tonsee bullet holes...

and if he takes the time to call Doug, explain his needs and expectations, Doug will also tell him the same ;)
 
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Wow thanks guys. I guess I am going to give Doug my business. As per: Seeing bullet holes at 200 yards, I`m thinking I`d be using binos for more coyote hunting than target practice. These "Zen-Ray" ones....is there a huge difference between the 8x and 10x as per cost?
 
I had the same problems as you with cheap Bino's.I bought a pair of Steiner Merlins 10x40 never looked back they also have a 10 year warranty.Go to ebay.ca they got used German army surplus Bin's for sale.Good Luck
 
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