Budget 15x binos

[BREAKCONTACT]

I'm considering expanding my optics setup, and am leaning towards carrying higher magnification binos over a compact spotter, which I own neither currently.

I'm considering the Maven C4 15s, the athlon 15s, burris 15s, or the bushnell 15s. All are in the $6-700ish range. For those of you with experience behind a few diffrent of the higher magnification binos, are any of the sub $1k higher magnification binos a really solid choice, or are they generally a waste and waiting to be able to get something from the next general tier($1200-1500) of these class of binos a huge leap in preformance?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

As a long standing supporting vendor here it's always our pleasure to assist the members here. Please feel free to give us a call, 516-217-1000, so we can assist you personally with different available options and special opportunities .

 

[Steve300xcw]

Can find used maven b5's on here for under a grand often enough.

 

[flyfisher117]

Can find used maven b5's on here for under a grand often enough.

This is the way.

The more I use my B5s the more I fall in love with them. May not find a pair this fall but I guarantee as seasons wrap up you’ll start to see more and more popping up in here for sub 1k. There were quite a few last year.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I think I paid $900 for mine on here. A set sold for $1k in july. Seems to be the goin rate for 15's.

I've been very happy with mine as well. Though I keep wondering about a set of 12's. And somebody really needs to buy that $700 set on here and save me from myself

 

[hereinaz]

Buy used and save a few bucks for the best glass for the money.

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm considering expanding my optics setup, and am leaning towards carrying higher magnification binos over a compact spotter, which I own neither currently.

I'm considering the Maven C4 15s, the athlon 15s, burris 15s, or the bushnell 15s. All are in the $6-700ish range. For those of you with experience behind a few diffrent of the higher magnification binos, are any of the sub $1k higher magnification binos a really solid choice, or are they generally a waste and waiting to be able to get something from the next general tier($1200-1500) of these class of binos a huge leap in preformance?

The ZeroTech 15x56mm binos are the only “budget” 15x’s that I have used or seen that are worth buying. The center 60% or so of the FOV is very good, and the outer edges are acceptable.

 

[24valve]

I'm considering the Maven C4 15s, the athlon 15s, burris 15s, or the bushnell 15s. All are in the $6-700ish range. For those of you with experience behind a few diffrent of the higher magnification binos, are any of the sub $1k higher magnification binos a really solid choice, or are they generally a waste and waiting to be able to get something from the next general tier($1200-1500) of these class of binos a huge leap in preformance?

I've looked through maven C4's and zerotech's side by side, maven B5's and zerotech's side by side, and bushnell 15's on a separate occasion.

The zerotech's are better than the C4's in overall clarity, and the B5's have slightly more clarity around the edges than the zerotech's. The bushnell 15's have less clarity than those three, and seem to have a narrower FOV as well, but I have not compared them side by side with another set of 15's to confirm this.

Below is a photo through zerotech's just before dawn. Actual optical quality is a bit better when looking through them and not handholding a cell phone behind them...

 

[TxLite]

I picked up a set of maven b5 18x56 in like new shape for 900 on eBay. 18’s and 15’s show up fairly often on there in good shape

 

[nm.otter]

I decided to try the ZeroTech 15x56e after reading this. No regrets, especially at the price. Almost zero CA, and easy on the eyes for extended periods. I've seen my share of initially impressive binos that turn fatiguing after 30 minutes of focused use.

So far, my only real complaint is with the eyecups: They could be a bit more flexible and they don't extend far enough for me to get a good seal on my eye socket. A non-issue when using a tripod, but it makes handholding them just that much more of a challenge.

 

[cgkevin324]

Just picked up a pair of maven 18x56 for under 1k.

 

[LCguy]

I like my Maven C4's. Haven't seen a need to upgrade over 3 years.

 

[ericmcd]

Burris makes the most underrated 15x binoculars. They are Japanese, everything else under 1k is made in China.

 

[neandth]

I am extremely impressed with my Tract Toric 15x56 bino, even compared to my 10x42 Geovid HD-R. I'm not saying that I prefer the Toric across the board, but it does excel in some ways (edge-to-edge clarity is truly excellent). Not apples to apples comparing a 15x to a 10x, I know, but I doubt you'd be all that disappointed by the Toric. No experience with other options, like the Meostar for example, but the feedback I've seen leads me to believe that they are also great.

 

[Steve O]

15x is not where you want to be for a budget binocular.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

Steve O is correct with statement.

 

[BREAKCONTACT]

15x is not where you want to be for a budget binocular.

Not necessarily. Budget is always going to be a comparative term, what's the minimal cost that achieves the acceptable minimum preformance level for a given class of things, or where does the chart of increased cost vs gained preformance start to level off.

It seems there's at least one option at the categories I set forward, but the real breakdown begins at the second category. And I'm probably personally going to wait to be able to snatch up a pair of the Meoptas on the second hand market. Those with the experience shown here are pointing to there being at least one option, which looks to be going for $550ish. I appreciate the insight given here, as this is one area that isn't nearly as well documented as the smaller binos.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

The secondary market opens a lot of good glass to those not wanting to spend the money on new better glass. I have the 15x Meoptas that I bought second hand, they have been great. My son uses them now.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

WTS Thread 'Maven C4 15x56 NIB'

Sep 4, 2025

Bought these and never ended up using them.
Outdoorsman stud installed, also still have the OEM cap for the stud hole if you don’t have a need for the stud.
$425 shipped to your door USPS priority mail. OBO

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• SkinnyPete
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Optics Classifieds

 

[Formidilosus]

Not necessarily. Budget is always going to be a comparative term, what's the minimal cost that achieves the acceptable minimum preformance level for a given class of things, or where does the chart of increased cost vs gained preformance start to level off.

It seems there's at least one option at the categories I set forward, but the real breakdown begins at the second category. And I'm probably personally going to wait to be able to snatch up a pair of the Meoptas on the second hand market. Those with the experience shown here are pointing to there being at least one option, which looks to be going for $550ish. I appreciate the insight given here, as this is one area that isn't nearly as well documented as the smaller binos.

The Meopta B1 Plus is a very good binocular. However, which Meopta having USA division anymore, and no service center in the USA- warranty is not good. With two experiences, it’s expensive and not straight forward how to get them serviced. As well, Meopta is moving everything to Chinese made, so I wouldn’t expect any long term ability for service regardless of price.