Best cheap binoculars?

[nphunter]

A friend is looking for some binos for archery elk, he doesn’t have much at all to spend. Probably $200 or less, curious if anyone has found anything decent for cheap? I have zero experience with cheap binos besides some diamondbacks and crossfires my kids have won at archery shoots. I see a lot of overseas off brand binos for sale. Has anyone compared them to any of the more common brands?

I told him he’s going to want used for sure and probably 8x32’s or 8x42’s for what he’s doing.

He doesn’t have money for good glass, he just started hunting last year and bought a bow, rangefinder and all the accessories. He was asking me about binos a few days ago so I figured I’d post on here. He’s currently packing some old giant binos that look like something my grandpa used.

 

[TNHunter18]

My dad just got a pair of Hawke Endurance ED 8x32 I believe and they are pretty good little binos. SHould be able to find on ebay for under 200. I used to have a pair of the Athlon Midas UHD in 10x42 and was happy with them. Not normally under 200 but got lucky on ebay and got for about 150 or so. Those are the only two I perosnally have experience with.

 

[Moosehunter]

I bet @Matt Cashell had experience with some.
I just sold some maven c1's for 225 I think. They're a decent bino at that price point. New they're 400 ish tho.
A few friends of mine are avid archery hunters and are somehow happy with vortex diamondbacks. Priorities and proper funding I ges. U don't need much but just don't let him use your Swaros. Might ruin him.lol
Some people don't like their marketing but the gpo passions would be interesting to try. Used market should put em close to 200

 

[FSB12B]

Vanguard Endeavor are probably your best bet. But honestly for elk, Diamondbacks will do the job just fine.

 

[Macintosh]

I got my wife a pair of zeiss terra ed compacts. I think msrp they are 350. Nice and small, light. If you could find a used pair like that or similar the glass is pretty good for the price compared to what Ive looked thru. I think youre going to find a lot of inexpensive glass isn't clear edge to edge, which really limits field of view and effectiveness, these stood out to me at the price point because they are pretty crisp across your field of view. For sure I would get 8’s, and not 10x or higher.

 

[jfk69]

Be hard to beat these at the price…

W

Sold Thread 'Athlon Midas ED 10x42 binoculars'

Apr 24, 2025

Selling a pair of green gen 1 Athlon Midas ED binoculars in 10x42. They are unused and come with the original box and accessories. No issues at all. The IPD at 57 mm isn't quite narrow enough for my wife and her small face, otherwise we'd keep them!

$170 shipped to you.

• westsloper
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Optics Classifieds

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Hawke Endurance ED 8x32 for $174.99

Hawke Endurance ED 8x42 for $179.99

Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 for $199.99

• Extra-low Dispersion glass for optimum clarity
• Fully multi-coated optics to produce sharp images
• 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

 

[lawdogx]

Check out the Rokslide classifieds (and I say that not just because I’m selling a pair of binos for sub $200). Some good deals on Vortex, Swaro, and others

 

[flyfisher117]

I had Diamondback HDs. Honestly for what they cost I was pretty happy with them. Snag a pair of Sierra or used. Sierra restocks frequently so keep your eyes open. There’s also good deals here in the classifieds. May even be able to talk someone down a bit more to hit a budget.

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars - 10x50 mm, Refurbished 5YNGJ - Save 33%

Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars - 10x50 mm, Refurbished 5YNGJ at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.

www.sierra.com

 

[kevingm1987]

I like Nikon binos. Their prices very from entry to intermediate. Have experience with both ends of the scale.

 

[nobody]

At $200-ish, the only new bino I would entertain is the Vortex Diamondback. People like to dog on them, but I honestly think vortex owns that price bracket. They’re $250 for a pair of 10x42’s, but can be had for $200 on sales. Sportsman’s warehouse has “vortex month” during either June or July where they sell the optics for full price but give out gift cards with the purchase, that could help offset some of the cost and help him get into other gear maybe.

 

[Macintosh]

I've had 2 pairs of vortex diamondback HD's, and still have a pair of x28's that I use for a super-light truck bino and in the treestand, traveling, etc that I dont mind if they get trashed. I like the size and I like the shape and ergos a lot. And I love the price. However, they are noticeably darker in low light than other binos I've owned or looked thru that arent THAT much more $, and they have terrible edge to edge clarity and depth of focus, which are two aspects of glass that I think are really important. I'd buy a used pair of other binos if I could, before I bought another pair of diamondback HD's. I'd say its a solid option depending, but would encourage you to get the lowest magnification possible to get the most out of the available field of view, and before you buy compare side by side with something else if at all possible.

 

[JasonT]

I don't have any experience with quality binos, always had vortex diamondback HDs, and i wouldn't buy them for anything but tree stand hunting timber plots.
The reason I say that is cause I took the 10x50s on a mule deer hunt in Alberta and used them a lot, more than I ever have in the past, and every day I would get a headache and my eyes would hurt.
This morning I was sitting on my porch messing around with the binos looking at some birds and it didn't take long for my eyeballs to start hurting. Could just be me, but that's my experience.
I got a good deal on some Sig 10x30 HDX 6 IS binos that I hope don't do the same thing, because i love the IS option. It makes such a huge difference when you can't keep steady like me.

 

[NM13]

I have a hand tremor issue that required finding low power binos. I picked up a pair of 6x Kowas but didn't like the controls. I noticed a pair of Opticrons that looked identical for $100. They are surprisingly bright and clear and the controls work much better. They won't win any contests but are decent and cheap. Maybe there's a version that would work for your friend.

 

[w.travis]

Nobody mentioned Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32...
If you know, you know. and not made in China.

 

[Agross]

Nobody mentioned Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32...
If you know, you know. and not made in China.

Always wanted to try a pair of those.

 

[westsloper]

I'll second the recommendation of the Athlon Midas and the Hawke Endurance. I was really impressed with both.

 

[Maverick1]

Nobody has said it yet…..but if this friend just got into archery elk hunting last year, he really doesn’t need binoculars to go on a hunt.

The reality is the learning curve is so steep he’d be better off to save up some money and buy quality binoculars next year. Having $200 binoculars this year won’t impact the outcome of his hunt one way or the other this season. He can be successful (or not) with or without the binoculars.

 

[kcm2]

Used Nikon 8x23 Venturer on Ebay for $30-$40. Optically pretty darn good, light.

I have a pair in the glovebox of both my 4wd vehicles. They were around $80-$100 new. Are they as good as my 8x30 Swarovskis? No, but when I bought my first pair, we compared them side by side to the Zeiss compact and they were optically so close that we could not tell the difference. Yes, the other binos are more robust but they are not available for $35 delivered, either.

 

[roadrunner]

Nobody has said it yet…..but if this friend just got into archery elk hunting last year, he really doesn’t need binoculars to go on a hunt.

The reality is the learning curve is so steep he’d be better off to save up some money and buy quality binoculars next year. Having $200 binoculars this year won’t impact the outcome of his hunt one way or the other this season. He can be successful (or not) with or without the binoculars.

Incorrect. A pair of binos will mean the difference of bumping and elk or not as you work through timber.

Yes, stopping occasionally to frequently to glass up ahead of you will make a world of difference.