Best Middle of the Road 8x32 Binos?

[jam66]

Looking for a set of 8x32 Binos in the 250-400 range

 

[gr8fuldoug]

heck out the Kowa BD32-8XD 8x32mm Prominar XD Binoculars which we have on sale for $279.99

 

[zeroforhire]

Sightron sii blue sky get my vote. If you can save a bit more, the maven b3 is very hard to beat.

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[jam66]

Ok I’ll check those out...


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[jam66]

I had and returned the Leupold BX4 Pro Guides. Eye cups did not have a positive click and focus wheel made a noise that made them feel cheap


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[zeroforhire]

the sightrons feel cheap, but have a really good view. The mavens are higher quality.

 

[nastynick]

In 8x32, you may be able to find an older pair of Swaro SLC habicht 7x30 or 8x30 for what would be near the top end of your budget. Just a thought and you’d get good optical quality. I have a pair of 7x30 that are 30years old and work great.

edit: I’m not an optics snob, so not pushing for spending a ton to get out of your budget. Just a suggestion on something that has been good for me.

 

[shedfinder7]

Another maven b3 vote

 

[jam66]

Anyone have the Carson 3D 8x32 HD?

 

[Bezamaelee]

heck out the Kowa BD32-8XD 8x32mm Prominar XD Binoculars which we have on sale for $279.99

I went with these and love them. For the $ they're hard to beat.

 

[coyotecreek]

This might be helpful

Can $200 binoculars possibly be any good?

I just bought my 2nd pair of Bushnell Engage 10x42's. I bought a pair about a year ago and was immediately impressed. The image quality was so close to my $1K Zeiss Conquest HD's that I could hardly believe it. The compact size and ergonomics were just superb too. Unfortunately that...

www.rokslide.com

 

[jam66]

I got a deal on a pair of Carson TD 8x32 ED Binos. Anyone else have these?

 

[WestNE]

I just picked up Fujifilm KF 8x32 new on the 'bay for $75, same as the Sightron BS that has a near legendary status.

Seller still has some available, hard to go wrong for the money.

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[Felix40]

I like my Maven C1s a lot. I paid exactly $300 for them

 

[Newtosavage]

My favorite pair of budget 8x32's is really a toss-up between the excellent Sightron Blue Sky II (made in Phillipines) and the older, original Bushnell Legend 8x32's that were made in Japan. They both have outstanding image quality, great ergonomics, very useful eyecups that hold their position, and really nice focus wheels. They just won't be quite as bright as higher priced 8x32's and may not have as wide of field of view, but the image quality is excellent.

I used the little Sightron's for years as my tree stand bowhunting binocular. Nowdays, I have the 8x32 Legends sitting next to my back window for feeder watching, for a loaner pair, and as a backup hunting bin if I ever need them.

Those are on the lower end of your budget.

On the upper end, if you can be patient, you might snag a deal on an older pair of Swaro SLC 8x30's, but they have the odd focus wheel in the wrong place (on the objective end, not the end by your face), and that was a deal-breaker for me. I doubt you'll get them for $400, but I've seen a few in the $450 range. You also cannot fit them to a standard binocular adapter because of the focus wheel location.

I refuse to recommend any binoculars that are made in China. Sorry, but I've lost too much money and spent too much time and frustration dealing with Chinese made bins. I know Doug pushes them a lot, and I respect his expertise, but they are going to let you down sooner or later, I can assure you.

 

[Squirrels]

Meopta MeoPro HD

 

[Newtosavage]

These are a real sleeper in the sub-$200 range. I really like them, and find myself using them all the time. Maybe the best focus wheel I've ever used, at any price. Zero slop and just the right amount of buttery smooth tension.

When Bushnell moved production to China and slapped the "Ultra HD" label on their Legend line, they screwed up a very good thing IMO.

 

[Newtosavage]

Meopta MeoPro HD

Probably the best "new" 8x32 I've seen in the $400 price range so far, even though they no doubt have Chinese components. Being assembled in the U.S. does have some advantages.

 

[Mike Islander]

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD M-Series. Bought for my wife; now they're mine. ED glass. Smooth focus. $200.

 

[zeroforhire]

I just picked up Fujifilm KF 8x32 new on the 'bay for $75, same as the Sightron BS that has a near legendary status.

Seller still has some available, hard to go wrong for the money.

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I also picked up a pair of these. Love them. They are my son's pair now. Really hard to beat for the money.

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