$200 binos for my daughter

[270quest]

After her hunt this fall, my 13 year old daughter said she really wanted her own binoculars as she got tired of borrowing others - as a dad who is hoping my daughter falls in love with hunting, this is magic to my ears....lolol. Time for some Christmas gift shopping.

For her 3-5 days of hunting a year with me she doesn't need anything crazy at least not for the next few years. So my thought immediately went to a Vortex Diamondback HD 8X42. Not because I love or am fixed on vortex, just seems like a good value for the cost ($179-199 online) and I will say if she breaks them or something goes wrong, they will cover it no questions asked. 8x will help with steadiness and larger field of view as she learns how to glass.

But before I do that and get some purchased for her, anything else I should consider in an 8x42 for sub $200? I have seen the Athlon Argos HD for about $169-79 online, but no experience with any Athlon product.

 

[5MilesBack]

I bought my daughter a pair of Zeiss 10x25 Pocket TL's for $125 on sale earlier this year. I liked them so much I got myself a pair too.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I looked through some Hawke bino's at this past summers expo. I was pretty impressed. I own Vortex Viper HD 10x42's and thought all the Hawkes I looked through were solid, competitive options. If you (and your daughter) are not opposed to something used, you can generally get serious discounts on used Bino's on ebay. I bought my Viper's for $300 and they appear basically brand new. I actually was looking at some 8x42 Diamondback's for my dad 2 days ago and saw crazy cheap prices for used ones on Ebay.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Hands down the Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 - Black on sale for only $179.99

• Extra-low Dispersion glass for optimum clarity
• Fully multi-coated optics to produce sharp images
• Focus knob with 1.2 turns — close focus from 6.6ft/2m
• High resolution phase corrected BAK-4 roof prisms
• Lightweight rubber coated mid-size top hinge chassis
• Stay-on lens covers for maximum lens protection
• Twist-up eye cups with position stops for eye relief

 

[270quest]

Doug

Whats the warranty like on Hawke Products?

 

[keystone112]

I’ve found the Nikon Monarch binos are actually pretty good. If you can find any of the Japanese made ones, they are worth a look.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Doug

Whats the warranty like on Hawke Products?

Lifetime warranty

 

[rookieforever33]

I picked up set of vortex triumph 10x42s with a harness for $90 on Amazon. Much better than I expected glass and the harness is great for a first harness

 

[Unckebob]

I have an inexpensive set of Leupolds that are fantastic.

 

[swavescatter]

You could try Costco and return guilt free if they don’t suit her.

https://www.costco.com/Rainier%20HD%2010x42%20Binocular.product.100887421.html?NATAPP=SEARCH&COSTID=iosapp_24.10.3&TRACKING=NO&sh=true&nf=true

They actually have a couple different options. But used vortex would be a great buy.

 

[Cannonball]

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars - 10x42 mm, Refurbished - Save 37%

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars - 10x42 mm, Refurbished in Green at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.

www.sierra.com

 

[timbernomad]

Get on eBay and it’s not hard to find some very good binos like the Athlon Midas gen 1 for under $200. Similar warranty to vortex. The Hawke binos Doug mentions are also excellent for that price.

 

[kcm2]

Used Nikon 8x23 Venturers for $35 or so on Ebay. Excellent definition, low price. I have 2 pair for my 4x4s in the glovebox for both. I bought a pair for a young kid who was beginning to hunt. Used a similar pair for years.

 

[Blowdowner]

How about $100 for Oberwerk Explore 6.5x. I love them.

 

[Boonie327]

I’d be patient and look for a good Black Friday sale online. Especially if something like Nikon monarch m5’s go on sale. There are some decent binos available for what you want…I can’t believe how good my cheap Sightron blue sky 8x32 look every time I use them. I carry them in my console.

 

[MustangHX]

Check the Audubon Bino review or the one from Cornell Lab: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/best-affordable-compact-binoculars-review/

The Celestron Trailseeker got high scores in both reviews, at $200-300 range.