Best bino $500-$1k

[JGRaider]

Sure, but he was allowing up to $1k budget. Those Tract are optically equivalent to binos that are $300 more

Agree, I have the Toric UHD in 8x42.

 

[Austin Kaufman]

I have the maven b2 11x45 and really like them, however my buddy had Leica trinovids in 10x42 and I think low light they were a little brighter than my mavens. Maven b1.2, b2, or those leicas have my vote. I had vortex razor 12x50s and I’d say those are a step behind maven or Leica.


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[lawdogx]

I have a pair of vortex viper hd 10x42 curious if there is anything optically better in this price range?

I have a pair of like-new Razor UHD’s in the classified for sub-$1K, and they’re a huge step up from Vipers.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I agree with this one, but I'd go with the 10.5x44. You can find deals that bring them under $1k.

I have the 10.5x44s as well. I use those for scanning sessions off the tripod. The 8x33s are always in an AGC chest pack and quickly available all day while on the move.

 

[Steve300xcw]

$1k will buy some damn nice used glass

 

[Snowhunter11]

Another vote for Zeiss conquest 10x42. https://www.allbinos.com/ Was helpful in my search. Birding forums seem to lean on these reviews heavily. Look through as many as you can outside.. good luck

 

[nphunter]

I’d 100% buy used glass way more bang for your buck. I’d be happy with Razor HD’s for around $5-600 or Meostars. If you want to be closer to $1K there are some Swaro EL 8.5x42s on eBay right now for $1200 OBO that would be hard to beat for that price, you could sell the vipers to make up the difference.

 

[kthomas]

Kowa Genesis 10.5x44

CameraLandNY regularly has open box and demo deals on this for sub $1k.

 

[bwhntMT]

Zeiss Conquest HDs for me. They were significantly better than the two sets of Nikon HGs I owned, and they blow the doors off of every Vortex I've tried with maybe the exception of the Razor UHDs. Haven't tried image stabilized ones yet, like the Sig, but they are intriguing.

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

GPO passion HD gets my vote. Spent a week using them side by side with Swaro STC and the difference was unnoticeable by my eye.

 

[MOLC09]

I've been using 10x42 Vortex Vipers for several years now and they have been really good for the price i paid for them, no issues or complaints thus far.

 

[wind gypsy]

I had zeiss conquest HD 10x42 and hated how shallow the depth of focus was. Had to be on the focus wheel nonstop but when in focus they were very sharp. I replaced them with Nikon Monarch HG and I prefer them. Wide FOV, light, better depth of focus than the Zeiss. Could get them pretty cheap, think i paid $700 for them over 5 years ago.

 

[JimIsland]

I can damn near see Deer in the dark with my Meostars. But as said earlier, everyone's eyes are different.

 

[douglasfir]

Meostars or the refurbished Razor UHDs.

 

[Strider]

I would start the process of buying and selling binos. I eventually landed on b1.2s. Im happy with them but it took trying a few pair of different ones to get there. Buy used.

You really need to get behind a few different manufacturers glass and see what tickles your fancy.

 

[TaperPin]

I love progress in optics and $500 optics today should be better than the inflation adjusted same cost from years gone by, but I’m not so sure. I never owned a pair of these, but every older hunter I was around in high school had them in the glovebox and a borrowed pair was my introduction into glassing. These old Leupolds were old Fudd binoculars even to me and a first pair of good binoculars were as good if not better (compact Leica’s) and more or less forgot about the old style. Back then these were around $200, which when adjusted for inflation would be $500ish today - about the cost of BK4 Leupolds not on sale. The BK4 isn’t great, but it’s usable and definitely better than nothing. Anyway, long story short the old binoculars can be found for under $150 so I ordered a pair to compare and see the nephews roll their eyes when I bring em out. lol They will be put on a little tripod for the grandson to bird watch. For some reason he is fascinated with large birds - probably from watching Disney cartoons.

 

[Bridgerland]

The Nikon Monarch HG’s are selling for $699 refurbished at Focus Camera/Ebay. I just had an 8x42 pair delivered today and I’m convinced you won’t find a better pair of binos at that price range. I’ve looked through most of the models mentioned in this thread besides the conquest HD. I also can’t speak to the HG 10x42, but very excited about these 8’s. Others have mentioned CA issues with the HG’s. I’m simply not seeing much of any, or any at all when putting them on my white vinyl fence posts in the sunlight. The clarity and color contrast punch way above the price point.

They’ll be paired with NL 14’s as a chest bino. Excited to put this setup through this next season.

 

[cafemike]

Razor UHD's can be found refurbished at Sierra and Europtic has the 8x42 for $949. Alpha glass and build.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Taking for granted we’re focused on primarily 42mm glass, the Monarch HG, Zeiss Conquest HDX and Maven B1.2 would be all be a noticeable improvement over the Vipers - and there are others. But as many have already pointed out = it is best to develop a short-list of candidates and sample each. Even the three I mentioned, although all quality optics have very different images / view characteristics = color bias and saturation, glare, sweet spot, field flatteners, aberrations, depth of field, etc. In addition, the build, haptics, weight, balance, focus mechanisms, eyecups, skin, etc, all have an impact on the overall experience and joy / frustration in the field.

 

[Hoodie]

Opticron Aurora BGA VHD. All the benefits of the Nikon Monarch HG but a bit sharper and substantially less CA. Better warranty too.