What r the best BINOs for under $1000
- Thread starter nomames
- Start date
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Personally, I would check out Leica's. Gr8fuldug on here is a dealer in the states, and has GREAT prices on new and pre-owned Leica's. www.cameralandny.com
Lots of choices
The big change in most optics is when you go from the high 400's to well over $1000.00. The Bushnell Legend line is good glass for the money and well below $1000.00, Nikon makes good glass in the $500.00 as well as Pentax. Great value for the money can be found in the Celestron Noble line real nice roof prism 10x50 and 10x42. Another lesser know brand is Kowa, a highly regarded spotting scope manufacturer, have a newer series called BD42 they would retail in the $700.00 dollar range. FS
The big change in most optics is when you go from the high 400's to well over $1000.00. The Bushnell Legend line is good glass for the money and well below $1000.00, Nikon makes good glass in the $500.00 as well as Pentax. Great value for the money can be found in the Celestron Noble line real nice roof prism 10x50 and 10x42. Another lesser know brand is Kowa, a highly regarded spotting scope manufacturer, have a newer series called BD42 they would retail in the $700.00 dollar range. FS
I have looked at quite a few the big boys Leica, Swarro & Zeiss are very good but for the money I found that Minox are stunningly sharp and very very good in low light, and at more than half the price less,of the bid three. I sold my Bausch & lomb elites 10x 42 they did not compare to Minox
Here's a good link for bino comparisons. Also check out the Minox HG, Vortex Razor, Meopta Meostar, Zeiss Conquest 8x40 *T ABK
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html
If by best you mean based on usual optical quality criteria.. you could probably get the Fujinon 7x50 FMTR-SX for under that price... they would be the best for under $1k .. eg sharpest, brightest, flattest field etc. And waterproof.
Heavy.. but optically the best.
The FMTR-SX models are not tested on the Cornell site...
A pair of clean used 10x50 or 7x,50 Swarovski SL porroprism's could be found for that as well.
The Nikon SE series are not too shoddy either
Heavy.. but optically the best.
The FMTR-SX models are not tested on the Cornell site...
A pair of clean used 10x50 or 7x,50 Swarovski SL porroprism's could be found for that as well.
The Nikon SE series are not too shoddy either
As mentioned, check out what the serious birders use, no one is as fussy about glass as they are. - dan
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I recently bought a Minox BL 8x42 from Gr8fuldug, I'm very happy with them.
Here's a reivew done by Bird Watching Magazine July 2007
http://www.minoxuk.co.uk/review BL BWG comparison 0707.htm
If I had more $$ to spend on a pair of bino, I'd like to get Swarovski SLC 7x42 or a Leica Trinovid 8x42...
Here's a reivew done by Bird Watching Magazine July 2007
http://www.minoxuk.co.uk/review BL BWG comparison 0707.htm
If I had more $$ to spend on a pair of bino, I'd like to get Swarovski SLC 7x42 or a Leica Trinovid 8x42...
I have a pair of Bushnell Legend 8X42. FAR below $1K (~$400 IIRC)
These don't really compare to >$1K binos, but they are tough, bright and clear.
Where the clarity of optics really comes into play is if you're looking for 10X and up IMO.
8X are easier to look through for longer periods as shake/mirage etc aren't magnified as much.
These don't really compare to >$1K binos, but they are tough, bright and clear.
Where the clarity of optics really comes into play is if you're looking for 10X and up IMO.
8X are easier to look through for longer periods as shake/mirage etc aren't magnified as much.
steiner
I've had a pair of steiner military/marine 10x50s for about 10 years now and find them hard to beat especially out here on the wet coast, the quality of the optics is really noticable on a dull rainy day. I hunt with a guy that has both steiner and swarovski and there is not that much of a difference between them for my eyes. The down side is that they are quite heavy so a good carrying strap is important. just my opinion.
I've had a pair of steiner military/marine 10x50s for about 10 years now and find them hard to beat especially out here on the wet coast, the quality of the optics is really noticable on a dull rainy day. I hunt with a guy that has both steiner and swarovski and there is not that much of a difference between them for my eyes. The down side is that they are quite heavy so a good carrying strap is important. just my opinion.
