Can $200 binoculars possibly be any good?

[Newtosavage]

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 particular pair had a very subtle collimation issue that I only discovered after hours on a tripod adapter out west. So when i got home, I returned them. But my plan was always to get another pair eventually. Today my 2nd pair of Engage 10x42's arrived, and once again, I am thoroughly impressed. $207 shipped from Amazon. What an incredible deal. I will spend a good amount of time glassing with them on tripod to determine if they are properly aligned. So far, they seem to be.

The size, weight, shape, eyecups and even the focus wheel are just a delight to use. And the locking diopter adjustment is brilliant.

Other than my wife's Legend M's (another Bushnell sleeper) I just don't know of anything in the $200 range that can come close to the Engage. I'd love to hear from other users to hear their thoughts.

 

[huntfishry]

My pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42 were right around $200.

While I have not owned many different binoculars, they have been some of the best I have owned.

Also, with the low cost I am not half as worried about dropping them as I am with more expensive optics.

 

[idcuda]

I've used vanguard 10x42 ED binoculars for over 5 years now - can't find a reason to switch. They were about $150 (open box) on Amazon. I would never claim they're as good as alpha glass but I don't think I'm missing game either.

Now, I did also try the vanguard endeavor spotter and, no matter what people say on here, it's not good.

 

[ChrisAU]

My pair of Vortex Diamondback 10x42 were right around $200.

While I have not owned many different binoculars, they have been some of the best I have owned.

Also, with the low cost I am not half as worried about dropping them as I am with more expensive optics.

I have also been impressed with mine side by side with much more expensive binos.

 

[Gumbo]

If you are happy then that is all that matters. But I'd bet that at least in certain situations you would notice a dramatic difference between those and top-end models. Is it worth an extra grand or more??? To me it is, but it's a lot of $$$, especially if things are tight.

 

[Newtosavage]

I've used vanguard 10x42 ED binoculars for over 5 years now - can't find a reason to switch. They were about $150 (open box) on Amazon. I would never claim they're as good as alpha glass but I don't think I'm missing game either.

Now, I did also try the vanguard endeavor spotter and, no matter what people say on here, it's not good.

Agreed on the spotter. I sent mine back the same day I got it. If people think it's good, then their eyes are a lot different than mine - which may very well be true.

 

[Newtosavage]

If you are happy then that is all that matters. But I'd bet that at least in certain situations you would notice a dramatic difference between those and top-end models. Is it worth an extra grand or more??? To me it is, but it's a lot of $$$, especially if things are tight.

The main difference I see is a slightly narrower field of view and some internal stray light reflections. Those are mildly annoying, but they don't affect the main image. They are really more of a distraction than anything else.

I agree on the Diamondbacks - they have always represented a nice benchmark in their price range.

I don't know what Bushnell is doing differently than so many other binocular brands that have their products made in China, but I like it. Most Chinese made optics, including some higher priced stuff, have so much distortion that I cannot bear to use them. I have returned literally dozens of Chinese made bins and spotters over the years for this very reason. However, my wife's Legend M's and these Engage don't have any unpleasant distortion that I can detect, and they are razor sharp. So props to Bushnell for cracking the code and offering inexpensive made in China bins that are actually worth using. They are the only binoculars I'm willing to use that aren't made in Japan or Europe.

My wife won't part with her Legend M's now, and I've shown her Swaro SLC's, Nikon Monarch HG's, Zeiss Conquest HD's and several other pairs. She is not having it. She wants those Legend M's. Every time I look through them I laugh because of how good they are and what I paid for them.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

The lower end glass has came a long way from blurry "toy" binoculars. If you're off hand glassing for an elk they can certainly cover you. I think if you are hand holding binos you'll have a hard time noticing differences and some critters are alot easier to spot so they don't really even require a crisp image to notice them.

That said there is absolutely improvements in the image with the nicer glass but as you climb you quickly realize its incremental and diminishing returns and not everyone needs or wants (for the cost) that level. Put them on tripods and start looking for very hard to spot critters that blend in well and thats where the incremental clarity and colors start favoring better glass. Thing "pop" out more. You often don't know what you're missing till its pointed out to you. But as noted not every hunt, hunter, budget, situation justifies the better glass. For the new hunter or the hunter needing to get their kids binos or the hunter that doesn't need or care that much the options these days are nice.

 

[Newtosavage]

There is no comparison between entry-level binoculars today, and those from 20-25 years ago. Night and day difference. I still have several pairs of old Bausch and Lomb and Swift and Nikon binoculars from the 80's and most of them are simply awful compared to what you can get for $200 today. And those weren't "cheap" binoculars at that time either!

The gap between $200 and $1K binoculars has closed significantly in the past 10 years to the point where it makes it harder and harder to justify spending a grand on binoculars. That competition is great though, because it pushes those companies who offer $1K binoculars to make them even better so the customer can still see a difference that will justify the $800 premium. So we all win.

 

[LongWayAround]

I have some $200 Nikon monarch 3 binoculars that are pretty decent. They work fine and I don't notice anything off about them glassing offhand.

However, I have sent them in on warranty for alignment twice. The second time they sent me a new pair in return. Good on Nikon's behalf but they won't be getting any more of my money for budget minded products.

The Nikons haven't seen much action since I got a set of vortex vipers...

 

[Newtosavage]

Vipers are another one that are a good benchmark for their price range, but Monarch 3's are not in the same class as Vipers or Monarch 7's or other $400-500 binoculars.

I've always been impressed with Nikon products for the price you pay. Usually some of the best optics in their respective price range.

 

[JWP58]

Depends. I bought a used pair of brunton 8x45's for 150.00 and they suprised me. Pretty damn good glass for the money.

The viper HD I tried I was not impressed by...

I bought some trijicon 10x42's on closeout (meopta glass) and they are almost as good as the brunton's.

 

[kevlar88]

I have hunted with a pair of BX-2 Acadia’s ($200 range) for the past ten to twelve years and never once felt handicapped with them. That being said I have had the pleasure of using some friends higher end stuff and there absolutely is a difference but you will pay for it. I have never felt like I missed an opportunity on an animal because of lesser quality binos so I never thought there was a need to upgrade. I just keep putting that $1000 or so towards my next hunt and keep putting critters on the ground with the $200 binos. Weather its houses, trucks, clothes, rifles or optics, they all have a point of diminishing return and incremental gain.

 

[Newtosavage]

Depends. I bought a used pair of brunton 8x45's for 150.00 and they suprised me. Pretty damn good glass for the money.

The viper HD I tried I was not impressed by...

I bought some trijicon 10x42's on closeout (meopta glass) and they are almost as good as the brunton's.

Bruntons were a sleeper for years. Their Made in Japan Epoch binocuars were near alpha quality glass.

 

[Laelkhunter]

Most important is the eye strain you get after long periods of time behind them, glassing over the hunting area. If all is well in that dept, then you are good to go.

 

[LostArra]

Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32
Good glass, solid build, great price at under $200.
Sure, at last light my Swaros are better but not overwhelming.
I hunt with the Sightrons a lot.

How a binocular fits to your face and eyes is very important. No Vortex bino works for me.

 

[Dos Perros]

I've compared side by side the Bushnell Legend Ultra, Swaro EL's, and Zeiss Victory HT's, all in 10x42. In daylight I couldn't tell much of a difference. As it got darker the Zeiss came alive, and the EL's were more like the Bushnell's than the Zeiss. I know people say buy the best glass you can afford, and after all this side by side stuff I ended up with some Maven's, but I wouldn't feel handicapped at all if you made me hunt this fall with the Bushnell's. Edge to edge clarity maybe isn't there, eye cups and focus wheel aren't near as good as the others, but who cares, the image is pretty darn good, and very good for the price point.

 

[Newtosavage]

Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32
Good glass, solid build, great price at under $200.
Sure, at last light my Swaros are better but not overwhelming.
I hunt with the Sightrons a lot.

How a binocular fits to your face and eyes is very important. No Vortex bino works for me.

Those little Sightrons are amazingly sharp. I've owned a pair for about 6 years now and used them quite a bit. I'm only just now considering replacing them with a set of 8x42's but not because they are bad. Quite the contrary. They are exceptionally sharp for a sub-$200 binocular and very easy on the eyes.

 

[Newtosavage]

Had my Bushnell Engage side by side with my Cabelas Outfitter HD's this evening after sunset. Those Outfitter HD's are no slouch and have been my truck bins for years because they are so darn close to Conquest HD optics and build quality. Well, there was no denying that the Bushnell Engage out-resolved my beloved Outfitter HD's this evening.

Test was a chain link fence against a light colored metal building at about 600 yards.

Those Bushnell Engage 10x42's are a steal at $208 (Amazon). I'm tempted to buy 2-3 pairs just to have as backups down the road. Once they sell out, I'm sure I'll regret it if I don't.

Super build quality, some of the best eyecups I've ever used, and ultra-compact for 10x42's. They are the same size as my 8x32 Sightrons.

 

[hawk45]

Good read. I'm looking for my first pair of "real" binos. Been using a 20 year old pair of Bushnells that are heavy and optically underwhelming to say the least. I've been looking sub $500, but this thread makes me want to check out a few of the $200 binos. Anything will be a MAJOR upgrade from what I have now. The wife actually uses them more than me for bird watching out the back door than I do for glassing.