View Full Version : If you only had 100-150 for Bino's....
Moosie
10-24-2005, 10:10 AM
.. What would you buy ?
I have a Buddy thats a tyro hunter but likes to get out and wants to buy a Pair of Bino's. He can't justify the "TOP" end models so I was wondering what people have bought in the past around that price range that you'd recomend.
Cough up the info peoples..............
wilecoyote76
10-24-2005, 10:34 AM
I bought a pair of Brunton Lite Tech 10X42's on ebay a while back and they're okay. Definitely not the high end but........you get what you pay for.
noharleyyet
10-24-2005, 11:01 AM
..the nikon 10x50 actions are in that range & are similar to the wind river mesa...I think they are very good for the $$$...porro prisms & on the heavy side though.
Moosie
10-24-2005, 11:21 AM
thanx guys. Thats what I'm looking for. Keep um coming.
Washington Hunter
10-24-2005, 12:19 PM
In that price range I'd be looking at porro prisms by either Nikon or Pentax, possibly Burris also. They're a little heavier than roof prisms, but for $150 or less, I think you're better off sacrificing lightweight for better quality optics.
Washington Hunter
10-24-2005, 12:24 PM
Took a look at Bear Basin...go to www.bearbasin.com, and look at the Pentax PCF WP II Series, the 8x40 is $149. That would be my choice.
danr55
10-24-2005, 12:26 PM
Seeadler builds a pair of 10X42's that sell for $125.00 and are way beyond that in quality. It's currently the best buy for the buck in optics that I know about.
http://www.seeadler-optik-usa.com/roofprism.htm
Model 3126. They are available by contacting
Archil Shartava at caryatis@msn.com
:cool:
T Bone
10-25-2005, 04:43 PM
Pentax PCF WP II Series, 8x40
TheTone
10-25-2005, 06:01 PM
I have the Nikon 10x50 Action Extremes, as mentioned above, and I'm pretty happy with them. My cousin has some bushnells that I used the other day when I forgot mine and I couldn't believe how much more I like mine.
Elkhunter
10-25-2005, 08:43 PM
I would get them at a yard sale for like $2.00 - $5.00.
snake river rufus
10-26-2005, 01:03 AM
I bought a pair of celestron 15x70 for skygazing and am pretty impressed with their optics. Can't comment on how well they will hold up, but for the money,,,
http://www.celestron.com/prod_pgs/bino/index.htm
noharleyyet
10-26-2005, 08:30 AM
Hope this doesn't sound too stupid but...what is a tyro hunter? Mountainous?
Moosie
10-26-2005, 09:57 AM
It's another word for learner, student, Trainee....... Very good question. I showed him the Post and I called him a "Buddy thats not a hunter but likes to get out". But indeed he has hunted and is picking it up again. We restructured the sentence to Imply he's new at hunting without dissing him....
I know,Alot of work to do justto get info on a 100-150 buck pair of Binos huh :D
Thanx for hte help guys. He's looking at several you guys mensioned. Nows he's in the.... WTF is the big difference mode .... HAHA !!!
noharleyyet
10-26-2005, 10:15 AM
Well....if he's gonna hunt like you guys do, I would think he needs to think 'light'...so a roof prism is the ticket. 8 or 10x42's should work well. Think he'd be wise to try and raise his budget at least to the high 200's if at all possible.
schmalts
10-26-2005, 05:02 PM
I would tell him to stop being a cheap ass and at least cough up 225$ for a pair of Nikon Monarchs 10x40s I talked with a lot of optic dealers and they all say the same thing, its junk unless you get into the 200$ range. Make sure they are phase coated (corrected) Check ebay for a pair of Nikon monarchs. I got a brand new pair as a warrenty replacement for my old nikons and they are far better than the old ones were. in fact i could hardly tell a difference between those and my leica's in good lighting.
schmalts
10-26-2005, 05:06 PM
Tell him to call Doug at camera land. tell him he wants the 24hr campfire price.
212-753-5128
another nice glass for the money is the Minox 9.5x42mm IF binos.
Moosie
10-26-2005, 05:30 PM
Schmalts, Anyone that hunts like you, Owns land like you and Owns stock in their own private plane like you would think $225 is nothing to throw around. To some, remember, It's ALOT of money. to some, It's a Weeks worth of money, not an Hour ;)
Not saying he couldn't afford it, But just making a Statement.
schmalts
10-27-2005, 02:46 PM
I am just trying to say that there is a price range that he should try to get into just so he doesnt waste money... take it from a guy who "Anyone that hunts like you, Owns land like you and Owns stock in their own private plane" a pair of 250$ binos will be a better investment than a 150$ pair that will break, go out of alignment, and not be up to his standards in a couple years after he looks through his buddies 250$ pair..... you know the drill, there are some things that a guy can cheap out on and other things a guy should go without until he can afford better.
Moosie
10-27-2005, 03:51 PM
.................10-4 :d
I probably spent $500.00 all together on many pairs of crappy binos before I finally caved in annd bought a "good" pair for around $250. I agree with schmalts. Hold off until he can buy a good pair. Maybe take the hunddred bucks and spring for gas to go with someone who has a really good pair of binos. :D
Why not get some of these Zeiss 7x40s? http://stores.ebay.com/Army-Specials-Shop_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQdptZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm
They're military, and not real modern, but they're good Zeiss glass. My boss and I compared a pair of them to his new Leica's and couldn't tell the difference in image, neither one of us. These military Zeiss's were heavier, harder to focus, but they were like $1000 cheaper.