I am planning a trip to Alaska this fall with the old lady and wanted to get a set of binos that will last for years. Looking to use it for future hunting trips as well so I wouldnt need something HUGE and akward to carry. Already have a spotting scope so would just be a neck strap set up. I am just not too familiar with quality binos so some help pointing me in the right direction based on experience would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys.
Recommendations on binos under 1k?
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Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
What are you hunting and in what terrain?
Do you have a rangefinder already or looking for a combo setup?
What are you hunting and in what terrain?
Do you have a rangefinder already or looking for a combo setup?
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
This trip is just a vacation. Never been to Alaska and always wanted to go so we are just going sight seeing. Future hunts would be from open land to forrested areas. Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Elk and deer primarily. I will purchase a rangefinder down the road. Just looking for binos only.
This trip is just a vacation. Never been to Alaska and always wanted to go so we are just going sight seeing. Future hunts would be from open land to forrested areas. Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Elk and deer primarily. I will purchase a rangefinder down the road. Just looking for binos only.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
After milling on this same question for months before Christmas, we went with the ZEN-RAY 10x43 ED2's.
Happy with my choice. With a forum discount, you should be able to get them just under $400. Reviews (especially the birding forums as a good source) were stellar about the glass - better than the vortex vipers at 800+
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2-10x43.html
After milling on this same question for months before Christmas, we went with the ZEN-RAY 10x43 ED2's.
Happy with my choice. With a forum discount, you should be able to get them just under $400. Reviews (especially the birding forums as a good source) were stellar about the glass - better than the vortex vipers at 800+
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2-10x43.html
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Fujinon M-24s are hard to beat if you can come across a set.
Been there/done that with the Steiner M-22s. Great binos for driving around in the truck with. Once on foot, something of the quality and form factor of the M-24s is where it's at.
Fujinon M-24s are hard to beat if you can come across a set.
Been there/done that with the Steiner M-22s. Great binos for driving around in the truck with. Once on foot, something of the quality and form factor of the M-24s is where it's at.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
See that, there is a benefit to starting a thread. I would have never heard of that brand ever. I will look into them. They already look promising. I was actually looking at the Vortex binos. Thanks for the tip. Any more recommendations from others would be appreciated.
See that, there is a benefit to starting a thread. I would have never heard of that brand ever. I will look into them. They already look promising. I was actually looking at the Vortex binos. Thanks for the tip. Any more recommendations from others would be appreciated.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
How about the Canon Image Stabilized binoculars? Many users claim they can see even more detail with those than with $2K+ binoculars.
How about the Canon Image Stabilized binoculars? Many users claim they can see even more detail with those than with $2K+ binoculars.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Fujinon is another I would have never heard of,lol. Appreciate the tip. I will look into those as well. Already off to a good start on my search.
Fujinon is another I would have never heard of,lol. Appreciate the tip. I will look into those as well. Already off to a good start on my search.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fujinon M-24s are hard to beat if you can come across a set.
Been there/done that with the Steiner M-22s. Great binos for driving around in the truck with. Once on foot, something of the quality and form factor of the M-24s is where it's at.</div></div>
+1,000 on the fujinon M24's
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Fujinon M-24s are hard to beat if you can come across a set.
Been there/done that with the Steiner M-22s. Great binos for driving around in the truck with. Once on foot, something of the quality and form factor of the M-24s is where it's at.</div></div>
+1,000 on the fujinon M24's
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
M-24 binos = hard to find on commercial market. Difficult to find on the .mil surplus market but the place to get them from if you can.
M-24 binos = hard to find on commercial market. Difficult to find on the .mil surplus market but the place to get them from if you can.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
kowa genesis are nice, the monarch x binoculars are excellent for the price too, my first choice would be a zeiss show sample victory or a conquest binocular.
http://www.sportoptics.com/kowa-genesis-10x44-prominar-binoculars.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/nikon-monarch-x-binoculars-10x45.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/zeiss-conquest-binoculars.aspx
kowa genesis are nice, the monarch x binoculars are excellent for the price too, my first choice would be a zeiss show sample victory or a conquest binocular.
http://www.sportoptics.com/kowa-genesis-10x44-prominar-binoculars.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/nikon-monarch-x-binoculars-10x45.aspx
http://www.sportoptics.com/zeiss-conquest-binoculars.aspx
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I can also recommend the Fujinons, they are great optics, but i would advise you to get a civil version without laserfilters because they give a strange tint.
. A good alternative, although more than twice the price of the Fujis is the Swarovski Habicht series.
I can also recommend the Fujinons, they are great optics, but i would advise you to get a civil version without laserfilters because they give a strange tint.
. A good alternative, although more than twice the price of the Fujis is the Swarovski Habicht series.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Thanks for all the info guys. Leaning towards a Zeiss Conquest. Ill keep my eyes out for a good deal though. Especially on the recommended brands. I have till Sept so plenty of time to shop. Unless I come across a deal I just cant pass up.
Thanks for all the info guys. Leaning towards a Zeiss Conquest. Ill keep my eyes out for a good deal though. Especially on the recommended brands. I have till Sept so plenty of time to shop. Unless I come across a deal I just cant pass up.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I have the Leupold 8x30 Yosemite binoculars that I use for deer hunting and they are excellent. Very clear/crisp glass, great light gathering, small and light weight for carrying around. I don't have tons of bino experience, but I love these for their intended purpose.
They're on sale for $99.88 at Cabelas. SWFA only has the blaze orange mossy oak model, for $99.95 and it says "discontinued closeout price".
I have the Leupold 8x30 Yosemite binoculars that I use for deer hunting and they are excellent. Very clear/crisp glass, great light gathering, small and light weight for carrying around. I don't have tons of bino experience, but I love these for their intended purpose.
They're on sale for $99.88 at Cabelas. SWFA only has the blaze orange mossy oak model, for $99.95 and it says "discontinued closeout price".
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
In the price range that you are looking, IMO, the highest quality would be one of the following Minox Open Box Specials:
#62188 - Minox German HG 8x33 BR only $629.99, reduced from $1295.00. This is a nice small sized unit that you may enjoy always carrying with you.
#62189 - Minox German HG 8x43 BR only $649.99, reduced from $1345.00
#62190 - Minox German HG 10x43 BR only $679.99, reduced from $1395.00
#62192 - Minox German HG 10x52 BR only $749.99, reduced from $1595.00
These all have lifetime no fault warranties and compete with the big three as far as optical quality.
Please feel free to give a call with any questions
In the price range that you are looking, IMO, the highest quality would be one of the following Minox Open Box Specials:
#62188 - Minox German HG 8x33 BR only $629.99, reduced from $1295.00. This is a nice small sized unit that you may enjoy always carrying with you.
#62189 - Minox German HG 8x43 BR only $649.99, reduced from $1345.00
#62190 - Minox German HG 10x43 BR only $679.99, reduced from $1395.00
#62192 - Minox German HG 10x52 BR only $749.99, reduced from $1595.00
These all have lifetime no fault warranties and compete with the big three as far as optical quality.
Please feel free to give a call with any questions
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I just traded a pair of Steiner Predator C5 10x42s off. Only used them on 1 elk hunting trip here in Colorado but had no problems with them. Great glass and with the 42mm obj they were not huge. Well I guess I did have 1 problem with them... They only showed me elk the DAY BEFORE season opened!!
Traded them off since the barreled action I came across was what i had been looking for and figure the binos are easier to find at random.
I just traded a pair of Steiner Predator C5 10x42s off. Only used them on 1 elk hunting trip here in Colorado but had no problems with them. Great glass and with the 42mm obj they were not huge. Well I guess I did have 1 problem with them... They only showed me elk the DAY BEFORE season opened!!
Traded them off since the barreled action I came across was what i had been looking for and figure the binos are easier to find at random.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Went with the Minox 10X43 that Doug showed links to. I havent had my hands on it but had it sent to my better half. She already loves them. Thanks for all the recommendations guys and Doug for the great deal.
Went with the Minox 10X43 that Doug showed links to. I havent had my hands on it but had it sent to my better half. She already loves them. Thanks for all the recommendations guys and Doug for the great deal.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bp78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After milling on this same question for months before Christmas, we went with the ZEN-RAY 10x43 ED2's.
Happy with my choice. With a forum discount, you should be able to get them just under $400. Reviews (especially the birding forums as a good source) were stellar about the glass - better than the vortex vipers at 800+
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2-10x43.html </div></div>
I won a pair of Zen-ray binoculars in SWFAs photo contest. I had never heard of the brand. I'll tell you they are real sleepers. I allready owned several sets of binos some of them costing twice the price of the Zen-Ray and the ones I won are better. Rugged and they come with lens covers and a hard case and have great glass. http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-Binoculars-C2698.aspx
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bp78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After milling on this same question for months before Christmas, we went with the ZEN-RAY 10x43 ED2's.
Happy with my choice. With a forum discount, you should be able to get them just under $400. Reviews (especially the birding forums as a good source) were stellar about the glass - better than the vortex vipers at 800+
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2-10x43.html </div></div>
I won a pair of Zen-ray binoculars in SWFAs photo contest. I had never heard of the brand. I'll tell you they are real sleepers. I allready owned several sets of binos some of them costing twice the price of the Zen-Ray and the ones I won are better. Rugged and they come with lens covers and a hard case and have great glass. http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-Binoculars-C2698.aspx
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I looked through some Zens... Optics were alright, but I wasn't impressed with build quiality. Screamed Made in China
I looked through some Zens... Optics were alright, but I wasn't impressed with build quiality. Screamed Made in China
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Well you will like the Minox, they are good. I have a pair of them. I was impressed with the Vortex Razor's also.
Well you will like the Minox, they are good. I have a pair of them. I was impressed with the Vortex Razor's also.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I've had a set of these for a couple years, and honestly I couldn't be happier with 'em. Very bright and clear edge to edge. Also use them for spottin predators coming to call on those snow covered moonlit nights. They work really well.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-10x50mm-wind-river-olympic-roof-prism-binoculars.html
I've had a set of these for a couple years, and honestly I couldn't be happier with 'em. Very bright and clear edge to edge. Also use them for spottin predators coming to call on those snow covered moonlit nights. They work really well.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-10x50mm-wind-river-olympic-roof-prism-binoculars.html
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I bought some Minox binos of Doug at camerlandny and couldn't be happier. Great price and great service.
I bought some Minox binos of Doug at camerlandny and couldn't be happier. Great price and great service.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
good glasses are more than a life-time investigation. keep than in mind when you want to save a bit of money on decent glasses.
i'll inherit the swaro bino and spotter from my old man at some stage (hopefully not soon) and every schilling he spend on them back then will likely benefit even my children.
good glasses are more than a life-time investigation. keep than in mind when you want to save a bit of money on decent glasses.
i'll inherit the swaro bino and spotter from my old man at some stage (hopefully not soon) and every schilling he spend on them back then will likely benefit even my children.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Cannon 10x30 Image stabilized. They rock and cost about $400.
Cannon 10x30 Image stabilized. They rock and cost about $400.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
I bought a set of vortex viper hd 10x42 for elk hunting this year for just over 600 and I am very impressed with them. I would say they are the best set I have looked through other than swarovski and the razor hd binos from vortex. Another thing is their lifetime warranty is very impressive. I was looking at zeiss but I could not justify the extra money for binos that were not as comfortable, had a lesser warranty, and in my opinion at best equal glass.
I bought a set of vortex viper hd 10x42 for elk hunting this year for just over 600 and I am very impressed with them. I would say they are the best set I have looked through other than swarovski and the razor hd binos from vortex. Another thing is their lifetime warranty is very impressive. I was looking at zeiss but I could not justify the extra money for binos that were not as comfortable, had a lesser warranty, and in my opinion at best equal glass.
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
for hunting you'd also want a rangefinder ... so for the given price range ... how about the bushnell fusion 1600?
for hunting you'd also want a rangefinder ... so for the given price range ... how about the bushnell fusion 1600?
Re: Recommendations on binos under 1k?
Look for some quality, used binoculars from Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leica.
I had been looking for several months for a pair of Swaro 7x42 SLC Neu binoculars in like new condition. Found them today in a pawn shop for $850, like new, in box with all the goodies. They are perfect and I will have them forever! Take your time doing the research/looking and buy the right pair the first time.
Look for some quality, used binoculars from Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leica.
I had been looking for several months for a pair of Swaro 7x42 SLC Neu binoculars in like new condition. Found them today in a pawn shop for $850, like new, in box with all the goodies. They are perfect and I will have them forever! Take your time doing the research/looking and buy the right pair the first time.
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