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binocular suggestions?

tx_hunter
Hello all,
I know that good binoculars are an absolute must and you get what you pay for. But, I am currently in school and can maybe swing $100 for a pair. I know that this isn't enough for a great pair but its all I have and hunting season is fast approaching; once out of school I can look for a better pair. What brands and specific binoculars should I look for to find something I can use for the next 5 years or so. Thanks in advance for helping me to find the 'best of the worst.'

-JC

-Jason
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • p3skyking
    Hit the hock shops and flea markets.
    Steiner obviously, but Baush and Lomb,
    Zeiss, Nikon, Pentax are all good glass.


    wings2.gif
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  • sandwarrior
    I would look into some of the auctions and look for a refurbed pair of Nikon "action" series. I got a pair at 99.00 bucks a short while back.

    We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>
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  • bperdue21
    go to wal-mart. they have wind river leupold binos for $99.95 they also have some compact nikon team realtree binos for $79.99 and some larger nikons for $99.95.

    I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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  • young n dum
    you can also take a look here: www.Binoculars.com ....and welcome to GB!

    To all the liberals.....bite me!
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  • He Dog
    Try also www.eagleoptics.com and www.scopenmore.com for values. I suggest you avoid the compact binos, you really give up too much interms of optical quality and light transmission.
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  • salzo
    If you only have $100, I would definately stay away from roof prisms. You will not be able to find good roof prism binoculars for that price.
    If you go with Porros,, you can get some good binoculars. Pentax has several for around $100(if you look around), Bushnell legends are about $100. Make sure you get waterproof models. Porros are as good if not better optically, but they arent as compact or as durable-most important aspect to consider is how well you can see with them.
    I agree stay away from compacts. Get yourself a good 7x50/42, 8x42 porro binocular and you will be happy.

    "Waiting tables is what you know, making cheese is what I know-lets stick with what we know!"
    -Jimmy the cheese man
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  • buddyb
    I have a pair of the Nikon Action refubs and I highly recommend them.
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  • asop
    I've been using compact Nikon's 10X25 "travelite" for years hunting white tail and turkey and have been very pleased with them. Oviously if you are hunting at longer ranges the Windriver with greater magnification would be my choice.
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  • bobrammer
    I have some Steiner 8x compacts and love them. I think they were around that $100 mark.
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  • tx_hunter
    Thank you to everyone for the responses.

    Salzo: Thanks for the education on the different types.

    It seems that the Nikons are getting the most votes and I have to say that the action series look to be right in my price range (ebay). The idea of Leupold binocs for $100 is nice too, but are they just low grade binocs with a good name?

    -Jason
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  • bperdue21
    go to wal mart and check them out, then you tell us what you think. i use the team realtree compacts myself, so i have no idea about the wind river leupolds.

    I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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  • beachmaster73
    ditto what salzo said! any objective diameter less than 35 on a 7 power scope will give insufficient clarity in low light situations. My vote would be for a Bushnell 7X50. There is a reson that 7X50's are so popular....even with moderate quality lens the light gathering capability of a greater objective diameter offsets the moderate lens quality to a great degree.
    That said when you have tons of money to burn look at the Steiners and Zeiss binos. You might try going to Sierratradingpost.com they sometimes run super deals on dincontinued binos. Beach
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  • tx_hunter
    b: Next time I'm in there I'll check them out and let you know.

    beach: Absolutely on the the objective diameter and good point on the 7x50. But, where I'm at (TX panhandle, read flat and no trees) 200 and 300 yard shots are not uncommon. Would 10x50 be better here or would 7x50 still be better due to the points in your post?

    Thanks again.

    -Jason
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