Binoculars
- Thread starter Storz
- Start date
CSG
Explorer
"Good" and under $75 are opposing forces. At that price range, go compare a few brands and just pick whatever seems to work for your eyes. You'll probably get better binoculars if you get porro prisms instead of roof prisms at that price point.
One of many online guides:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-buy-binoculars.html
One of many online guides:
http://www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-buy-binoculars.html
adventureduo
Dave Druck [KI6LBB]
I have a oldschool pair of Bushnell's Rangemasters that seem to work better than some i've seen new. They're used and abused and have been in the family for 30 years. " These were touted as being "the finest wide-angle binoculars" and were selected for use by troops in Vietnam. "
They work bitchen. I found a pair on Ebay. If i lost ours, i'd probably just buy them again.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BUSHNEL...-SUPERIOR_W0QQitemZ220319174057QQcmdZViewItem
They work bitchen. I found a pair on Ebay. If i lost ours, i'd probably just buy them again.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BUSHNEL...-SUPERIOR_W0QQitemZ220319174057QQcmdZViewItem
CSG
Explorer
I'm at a stage in life where some of these things in better quality are finally affordable. While I've got some good glass in various configurations, my favorite, always-with-me binoculars are the Zeiss Victory 10x25's. The 8x20's are a bit less and have a wider field but they are both small, extremely good optically (better, I think than Swarovskis and Leicas in the same config) but in the $400 range.
The thing is, they are light and compact and *see* as well as most 10x30's in lesser brands. That means they are always along for the ride, both in the vehicle or in my pocket on a hike.
Yikes! I was going to link them but they've shot up in price to $600+! I only paid $350 for mine a couple years ago on sale.
The thing is, they are light and compact and *see* as well as most 10x30's in lesser brands. That means they are always along for the ride, both in the vehicle or in my pocket on a hike.
Yikes! I was going to link them but they've shot up in price to $600+! I only paid $350 for mine a couple years ago on sale.
go4aryd
Adventurer
You can also get Pentax DCF WP 8x42 every once in a while for a great price. The local Audubon had a local tour one morning several years ago and I stumbled into them while I was out. One of leaders shared his $600+ Pentax with me. They were awesome, even after having looked through swaros, leicas, and zeiss under the same conditions (all excellent, and outrageous color contrast). I found the same model open-box for $220 later that year. They stay with me in the rig all the time and they don't fog up. They now retail for between $250-300. The Nikon Monarchs are also pretty good, and show up on Craigslist a bit more often used for a reasonable price, but the Pentax seem sharper to me and have great eye relief (for my eye glasses).
I guess our collective advise is buy something cheap at a garage sale, then save your pennies. I still have the first pair I bought over 30 years ago, 10x50 Mercury for abt $25, I still use them and my kids use them all the time, but I prefer the WPs. Pentax's very high end of ED binocs are probably overpriced. They are no clearer nor brighter than mine...maybe just a hint more color saturation/contrast. Their spotting scopes, however, have excellent optics.
I guess our collective advise is buy something cheap at a garage sale, then save your pennies. I still have the first pair I bought over 30 years ago, 10x50 Mercury for abt $25, I still use them and my kids use them all the time, but I prefer the WPs. Pentax's very high end of ED binocs are probably overpriced. They are no clearer nor brighter than mine...maybe just a hint more color saturation/contrast. Their spotting scopes, however, have excellent optics.
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bronconite
Observer
I have these http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true in 10X42. I got them on sale for $50 and feel they are great for what I paid. I found reading through the reviews on the Cabelas website very helpful. I also learned a lot about optics on opticsplanet.com. That is a great website.
"...a set of binoculars to keep in the truck..."
Binoculars are like golf clubs. There are models for all sorts of situations. Some are general-purpose, others have trade-offs to work better in certain conditions.
Give us some additional information about how you plan to use your binoculars.
1. Do you want the binoculars to fit in a shirt pocket? A jacket pocket?
(the best inexpensive general purpose binoculars are kind of bulky)
2. Do you plan to use the binoculars around dawn and dusk?
(large objective lenses help gather light under these conditions)
3. Would you like to use the binoculars to look at nearby objects (like a butterfly 10 feet away)?
(a lot of binoculars won't focus under 15 feet or so)
4. Will you use the binoculars in rainy or humid conditions?
(inexpensive binoculars are usually not sealed against dust and moisture)
Chip Haven
Binoculars are like golf clubs. There are models for all sorts of situations. Some are general-purpose, others have trade-offs to work better in certain conditions.
Give us some additional information about how you plan to use your binoculars.
1. Do you want the binoculars to fit in a shirt pocket? A jacket pocket?
(the best inexpensive general purpose binoculars are kind of bulky)
2. Do you plan to use the binoculars around dawn and dusk?
(large objective lenses help gather light under these conditions)
3. Would you like to use the binoculars to look at nearby objects (like a butterfly 10 feet away)?
(a lot of binoculars won't focus under 15 feet or so)
4. Will you use the binoculars in rainy or humid conditions?
(inexpensive binoculars are usually not sealed against dust and moisture)
Chip Haven
RHINO
Expedition Leader
like haven said, binos have many functions and i think if we had more info on your needs it would help. you can buy good binos for that price, but you will make a compromise on a few things, mag, FOV or coatings.
and like csg said,,, it seems odd but some will fit your eyes better than others.
my everyday go anywhere binos are bushnell 10x25 roof prism with a 325 ft. FOV. i like them for the small size, light weight and general use optics.
but i have a few others for different uses, i,e; long range, low light and star gazing.
so let us know what you want to do mostly and i think we can help narrow down the choices.
and like csg said,,, it seems odd but some will fit your eyes better than others.
my everyday go anywhere binos are bushnell 10x25 roof prism with a 325 ft. FOV. i like them for the small size, light weight and general use optics.
but i have a few others for different uses, i,e; long range, low light and star gazing.
so let us know what you want to do mostly and i think we can help narrow down the choices.
Having dealt with binoculars for a few years I would highly recommend going with something like a set of Steiner 8X50 military marine or similar. The Steiner Safari 8X30 is an incredible set and can be found at extremely reasonable prices on the net. Search Ebay and there are great deals to be had. Make sure you get the old style and not the new PRO style. The old safari version look just like the Full Military versions.
Also, if you must go a little cheaper I recommend the waterproof set from www.bigbinoculars.com
I have this set and they are great, plus I would not cry if they ever got stolen out of the jeep.
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/1050.htm
I would not hesitate to buy another pair of these. They have been worked hard and are still in great condition.
Also, if you must go a little cheaper I recommend the waterproof set from www.bigbinoculars.com
I have this set and they are great, plus I would not cry if they ever got stolen out of the jeep.
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/1050.htm
I would not hesitate to buy another pair of these. They have been worked hard and are still in great condition.
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