Best binoculars under $400 right now?

[Michael54]

Our pleasure to assist you as always. I would however, suggest you take a look at the Athlon Cronus 10x42 & Cronus 8.5x42, both of which we have on promo sale for only $319.99

• E2ES System- Edge 2 Edge Sharpness system: E2ES System is a field flattening system that produces sharper, clearer images all the way from one lens edge to the other
• ED Glass- High definition glass: ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings a clearer and sharper image to your eyes
• ESP Dielectric Coating- Enhanced Spectral Prism Dielectric Coating: ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
• Lightweight Magnesium Chassis: Magnesium chassis give you the strength of a metal chassis while reducing the weight as much as 35%
• XPL Coating- Xtra Protective Layer coating: XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
• Phase Corrected prisms: Phase corrected prisms produce images that have better contrast, a higher resolution and better color reproduction
• BaK4 prisms: Bak-4 glass prisms reflect more light to your eyes which will give you brighter and sharper image.
• Advanced FMC: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
• Locking Diopter: Locking Diopter keeps the diopter adjustment knob from accidentally moving from the optimal setting
• Long Eye Relief: Long eye relief can be particularly important for eyeglass wearers because longer eye relief allows them to still see the entire field of view.
• Close Focus: Close focus is important for those who are nature observers and especially important if you are going to watch butterflies or insects
• Twist Up Eyecups: Twist up eyecups with intermediate stops allow you to set the eyecups to the ideal eye relief for you eyes
• Waterproof: Waterproof to protects the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater
• Argon Purged: Argon purging gives you better waterproofing and thermal stability

How do these compare to kowa bdii?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

How do these compare to kowa bdii?

IMO, optically they are superior, however, they are heavier and do not have as wide a FOV. The Athlon does have 22mm of ER which I believe is the most of any binocular

 

[KineKilla]

I'm glad someone mentioned the focus wheel on the BX-4's...that was the one big drawback I noticed when comparing $500 binos in the store the other day. The bx-4 focus wheel moves way too easily to me. Seems like it would be "twitchy" when wearing gloves or with semi-numb, cold fingers. It really should have a little bit of tension to it.

Do not count out the Nikon Monarch 7's. They are in the same price range as the Leupold but to me they felt more ergonomic and although the specs say they weigh the same, they actually felt a touch lighter in hand.

 

[Ghayes15]

Bx 4 are my go to and I love them.
I have never had the experience to try 1000+ glass in a field setting

 

[Newtosavage]

I have not tried the bx4s. But have the Maven C1 8x42 and they have been great for my uses. $325 on mavens website.

I know when Avery tested them he said there wasn’t anything else under $600 that compared. But I do believe that was before the bx-4s came out.

The image from the C1's and BX-4's are close, from what I recall of my C1's. But the handling and build of the BX-4's is worth the extra hundred IMO.

 

[Newtosavage]

I'm glad someone mentioned the focus wheel on the BX-4's...that was the one big drawback I noticed when comparing $500 binos in the store the other day. The bx-4 focus wheel moves way too easily to me. Seems like it would be "twitchy" when wearing gloves or with semi-numb, cold fingers. It really should have a little bit of tension to it.

Do not count out the Nikon Monarch 7's. They are in the same price range as the Leupold but to me they felt more ergonomic and although the specs say they weigh the same, they actually felt a touch lighter in hand.

Monarch 7's have been a great buy for a long time. I actually compared the M7's to the BX-4's side-by-side before I bought the BX-4's. The 10x42 BX-4's were the same brightness as the M7 8x42's, which kinda surprised me. The M7's have the BX-4's beat on field of view and focus wheel, but in all other areas, I prefer the BX-4's.

 

[Montucky]

Another vote for the Bushnell Legends “L series”, hard to beat for the price

 

[KineKilla]

I've been using Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 for several years. I paid around $280 back then and realize they don't hold their value but for me they have been great, still are. Looking through those and a friend's bx-2's they are real close in optical quality, maybe a touch below the Leupold's but not by much.

I'm thinking a move to the bx-4 or similar would be one step up, a move to the Monarch HG, Razor HD, etc. would probably be 2-3 steps up. Not many offerings once you pass the $500 price point. Seems like it goes from 5-6 offerings per brand $100-$500 then nothing until you hit $1,000 +

 

[Newtosavage]

I think that's about right. My buddy had/has a pair of those original Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's, and they aren't bad at all for the price. Oddly enough, the older non-HD models of the Legends are actually a little better binocular, esp. the ones made in Japan. But that's not what marketing tells us.

I think right now, the class of the $400-500 range is IMO the BX-4's. Viper HD's are close for overall build/handling/image but the image quality is a bit lacking compared to the BX-4's or the C1's.

 

[Fatcamp]

Been using BX-3 10X42 for a couple years with good results. Made the switch to 8X Meostars this spring but have no doubt the BX-4 would have worked well.