Best affordable binos

[macdaddy]

If you can find a pair of used Brenton Icons, buy them. They are great.


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[JustJustin]

I have Vortex Diamondback 8x42s and Viper 12x50s. Got the Diamondbacks for like 120 Black Friday special if I remember right, the vipers for 450 ebay new open box. The Diamondbacks are decent, especially for the price, but the vipers are a lot better in comfort and glass quality.

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[KyleS224]

I have Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42, that I got for well under 200. For the price, they're pretty good

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

After trying several brands I bought the Nikon Prostaff 7S and for the price point I am extremely pleased, check them out.

 

[Newtosavage]

I was thinking less than $500

Under $500 - the best are clean used "tier B" optics like Meopta Meostars or older Zeiss Conquests. But those are hard to find for under $500 (not impossible though).

New, I still think the Viper HD's are a lot of binocular for the money. I tried two pairs of MeoPro's and they had so much distortion I literally could not look through them for 2 minutes without getting a headache. They both went straight back. Meostars on the other hand, are superb hunting optics.

Maven C series are a good value. Stellar optics you can look through all day. Down sides are a narrow field of view and eyecups that won't hold their position. But the optics are really good.

Nikon Monarch 7's have long been a "best buy" in that price range. Can't go wrong with those.

Vanguard Endeavor ED IV's are getting great reviews on the birding forums but I have yet to look through a pair myself.

Honestly, you really can't go wrong with a pair of Nikon Monarch 7's or Viper HD's. They are really good functional bins with better than average image quality and superb ergonomics.

 

[idahohikker]

Maven C series are awesome. I’ve seen dozens of deer with them the last couple days in heavy cover and tough lighting conditions. Very clear glass. Well deserved rave reviews.

The next step up is $800+ for binos where you’ll notice really any difference.

If you want real cheap, the Diamondbacks are decent.

 

[Nate_Beres]

Nate have you used the Meopta Optika binos? What would you compare them too? I was thinking of picking up a set for my wife.

I've got a pair right now and used them for a 10 day hunt this year.
More ergonomic than some meoptas of the past.
They sit on top of the diamondback, leupold bx2, Nikon monarch bunch. I never got any eye fatigue but wasn't glossing for multiple hours at a time.
Glass clarity, especially on the edges seems like they should cost a lot more.

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[dreamingWest]

Since I haven't seen them mentioned yet, be sure to take a look at GPO Passion EDs.

 

[bojangles808]

Under 500, I would buy a used pair of Brunton Epoch off eBay. I handed them to a buddy that has the vortex range binos, and he said holy sheet those are clear. Dad won them at a banquet and I quickly traded him for them. 8.5x43 right now for 390, several 10x43 for $500.




I have yet to be begin to procrastinate.

i scored these for 230 or whatever when brunton discontinued their hunting line. i think they were around 1500 new. great glass

 

[EastMT]

i scored these for 230 or whatever when brunton discontinued their hunting line. i think they were around 1500 new. great glass

Yes they were 15-1700 MSRP I think, they wanted to compete with the big boys but that’s a hard market to break into no matter how good they are. My only complaint is the eye relief is a hair short for my sunglasses. Works great with my reg glasses but my sunglasses stick out a bit farther.




I have yet to be begin to procrastinate.

 

[Usmcff]

For Christmas last year, I bought my son and daughter, Vanguard Endeavor ED ll binoculars. I think they are a terrific glass for the $ and they carry a lifetime warranty. Check out the review on allbinos.com

Only thing about vanguard is the lifetime warranty is only for original owner so if you buy used, it goes out the window. I just dealt with this.

 

[brooney3111]

He isn't selling anything on this thread, and with the age of the thread, I doubt he's watching anymore. I saw those binos in the classifieds, just respond to the thread in the classifieds same as you did here, then he will see it.

Thank you