Do decent bino’s exist around $200?

[nrh6.7]

I've got a pair of Steiner predator pro's in 10x40 that I'll let you borrow if you pay the shipping. Pretty decent glass, but they are porro prisms and don't fit in a lot of bino pouches.

Steiner Predator Pro 10x40 Waterproof Binoculars 214 | 5 Star Rating Free Shipping over $49!

 

[ckleeves]

Even with cheap binos you can tell Bulls from cows at well over 1k yards just based off color. I always though Nikon Monarchs were pretty decent glass for the money.

 

[Justin_the_EDG]

If you're planning to upgrade to more "legit" glass anyhow, why not go super cheap? I got a pair of Celestron 10x42s for $40 on Amazon and they would be plenty clear for your described purpose. They definitely don't feel like a "quality build" and I have to make micro adjustments to the focus if I go from looking at 200 yards to 800yds or something, but at least I won't feel like I "wasted" $200 on mediocre glass when I go to the $500 or $1k tier.

I'll say that I think my cheap Celestron's are indistinguishable from the ~$200 binos I borrowed last year from a visual perspective. They only lack in build quality and the aforementioned need for focus dialing in comparison. Perhaps slightly more fringing at the most.

 

[Gerard Marcaurele]

If you're planning to upgrade to more "legit" glass anyhow, why not go super cheap? I got a pair of Celestron 10x42s for $40 on Amazon and they would be plenty clear for your described purpose. They definitely don't feel like a "quality build" and I have to make micro adjustments to the focus if I go from looking at 200 yards to 800yds or something, but at least I won't feel like I "wasted" $200 on mediocre glass when I go to the $500 or $1k tier.

I'll say that I think my cheap Celestron's are indistinguishable from the ~$200 binos I borrowed last year from a visual perspective. They only lack in build quality and the aforementioned need for focus dialing in comparison. Perhaps slightly more fringing at the most.

My only issue with that is that I don’t know how long it’ll be until I upgrade. I’ve gone through cheap binos in less than a year just sitting in deer stands and having them permanently fog up. If I spend a little bit more, I can at least have something worthy of carrying for a couple years. And when I do upgrade, I’m planning on a spotting scope

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

My buddy just got some Maven C1s when they were on sale around fathers day, he was using 6yr old vortex diamond backs and these are an improvement (not clue how the newer diamondbacks compare to the older ones). It'd be hard to argue not spending the extra $100 on the mavens if spending $200 already.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I think good advice would be to buy a pair of binos with a lifetime warranty so that you can sell them for some cash when you upgrade.

I’ve owned both the Diamondbacks and the Maven C.1s. The Mavens are worth the uptick in price. If you get the C.1s you honestly might never have to upgrade.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

I’ve owned both the Diamondbacks and the Maven C.1s. The Mavens are worth the uptick in price. If you get the C.1s you honestly might never have to upgrade.

Good advise here!

 

[black dawg]

I have a pair of Cabelas Intensity 10x42 that I really like. I haven't used anything more expensive than the Cabelas but I really like them. You can get them for $200.

bought my daughter a pair of the 8x40s and have been very impressed with them. much better than the diamondbacks.

 

[Zbot]

Go used and get a little more for your money. Check eBay and forum classifieds or check with cameralandny to see what they can offer you in that price range.

Minox has great offerings...Maintenance | Camera Land NY[name]=Minox-BV-10x44-Binocular-%2362238-Binoculars-and-Scopes&catalog[product_guids][0]=1251692


Lots of options here...minox in Hunting Binoculars | eBay

 

[quackaddict]

Don't forget to check out ZenRay either. I have a pair of ZenRay ed2 8x43 that I found for $100 on Craigslist, and they are really good glass.

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[mtmuley]

The Theron binoculars get some good reviews. mtmuley

 

[RussGS]

I pm'd you my favorite used binocular to watch for on ebay.

The prevailing wisdom is that lower magnification is more forgiving for manufacturers. In other words, the 8x42 will have a better image quality than the same model binoculars with higher magnification. This is especially true with cheaper binos.

I also think the Maven C.1 is the best value out there under $500. But since the question was about binos in the $200 range, I would recommend the vortex diamondbacks.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

IMO, the $500 price point is one of the worst for binoculars. I haven’t seen any that are significantly better than a quality $200 pair like Leupold BX-2’s or Vortex, but you’re spending a good chunk of change and will still be wanting to upgrade in the future.

$200 is a small enough expense that it’s not a big deal to jump up to the Zeiss Conquest/Meopta Meostar/Used Swaro SLC in a couple years, and have a backup or loaner pair.

10x42’s are probably the best all around choice, but if you’re realistically looking at upgrading pretty soon, it might not be a bad idea to get a compact 8x pair to complement quality 10x.

 

[mj23polaris]

Maven C1 like what 340$ shipped if you get a demo pair

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[Greg Beck]

I've ran Vortex Diamondbacks for quite a few years. No real complaints other then in low light. I definitely want to upgrade sometime though.


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[Greg Beck]

The Theron binoculars get some good reviews. mtmuley

I helped my nephew buy a pair of Theron. My Diamondbacks outclassed them by a long shot. Maybe he got a bad pair because all the reviews we read they seemed like a decent optic.


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[lif]

diamondbacks

 

[NebraskaStickHunter]

Camofire has some sig Zulu 5’s for just over $200 today and they get decent reviews

 

[Owenst7]

I paid $220 for my Leupold bx-3 mojaves in 8x42 and liked them so much that I bought them in an 8x32 for Chukar hunting and general hiking.

 

[Fatcamp]

Paid $315 for Mojave 10X42. More than happy and won't change until I can afford to make the leap.