I have a hunting partner who wants to buy a binoculars right after Christmas but doesn't want to spend more than $250. He doesn't see why anyone would pay for top shelf optics so suggestions about saving for the big 3 would be a waste of time.

I suggested Cameraland and Doug for a demo model or eBay looking for a used higher quality binocular....I Suggested Nikon Monarch 10x42 would work as well as any I'm aware of in that price point.

Anyone have a better suggestion?

Thanks

ive got a couple pair of high dollar binoculars but also have a pair of 8x monarchs and bang for the buck there the best bargin on the market

Go for a Leica Trinovid 10x25 - the best value for your money and I am sure You won´t regret that it cost slightly over your limit...

But finding something seriously in the 10x42 range with that price is doubtless junk in my experience - don´t waste You money for it!

Scubapro,

Thanks for the suggestion - I agree that top quality optics are a good investment, but the person who is interested is not in agreement that the investment is worthwhile for the hunting he plans on doing.

My hunting partner asked me the question because he wouldn't have the interest to scan the AR or any other optics forum and knows that unfortunately I certainly will. So I'll try and help with a suggestion that might help him not waste his money.

He has more than $2K invested in meat processing gear that is well used so he doesn't see the need to spend $2K on glass....hard to measure an increase over filling every tag you get without top quality glass.

Have him call Doug at Cameraland. There are some Minox in that price I believe, and if he doesn't mind Chinese, The Zen Ray gets outstanding reviews. Doug will have something and with the money back if not satisfied gaurantee, he can't lose.

Nikon monarch 10x42. For the money, they can't be beat. I bought a pair this year and love them.
Mike

im a fan of good optics whether it be scopes or binoculars. Im not an optics snob though either. Not everyone needs a 2000 dollar pair of binoculars. Most would be very well served by something like the nikon atbs. If you havent tried them dont bad mouth them. Look around on the internet and see what the experts say about them. Ive seen alot of good comments and not a single bad one. They are far from crappy junk

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
Go for a Leica Trinovid 10x25 - the best value for your money and I am sure You won´t regret that it cost slightly over your limit...

But finding something seriously in the 10x42 range with that price is doubtless junk in my experience - don´t waste You money for it!

Lloyd is right. Remember, we're talking about a $250 budget. You can't beat the atb for this price.

Mike

In my experience, there is no better bino for the money than the Nikon Monarch series. If low light is in the mix, consider the 8x42.

That said, with sales going on you might be able to find a Zen Ray with ED glass in an 8 power in nearly the same price range. I've not used these but have seen favorable reviews of them.

I want to cast my vote for the Vortex Diamondback 10 x 42. They have to be seen to believe they cost $200. I don't have experience with Nikon binos, but have used other high $$ binos and the vortex is right up there with them. I have a set of Vipers, my buddy has the Diamondbacks and If I had tried his out before buying mine I could have saved myself a few hundred bucks.

I just got a Nikon Prostaff 10x25, very nice for the price.

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
Go for a Leica Trinovid 10x25 - the best value for your money and I am sure You won´t regret that it cost slightly over your limit...

But finding something seriously in the 10x42 range with that price is doubtless junk in my experience - don´t waste You money for it!

IMO, there's not a worse binocular in the world than anything 10x25, especially for a primary hunting binocular. If you're going to the zoo or opera, it might work okay, but nothing I'd waste my money on.

quote:

Originally posted by Buster:

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
Go for a Leica Trinovid 10x25 - the best value for your money and I am sure You won´t regret that it cost slightly over your limit...

But finding something seriously in the 10x42 range with that price is doubtless junk in my experience - don´t waste You money for it!

IMO, there's not a worse binocular in the world than anything 10x25, especially for a primary hunting binocular. If you're going to the zoo or opera, it might work okay, but nothing I'd waste my money on.

When is the last time you used Leica Ultravid 10x25's in the field? I am guessing never.

I have used just about all of the best glass in competition on the range and/or in the field for game. The Leica 10x25 Ultravids stomp a mudhole in the ass of damn near all 10x42 binoculars between the hours oif 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after sunset.

If you have not tried thwm in the field, you may want to do some homework before making usch a bold statement.

I have a pair of Steiner Bighorns that are 9x40 and they are great for the 225.00 I paid for them new about 4 yrs ago. There are better Steiners on the market now for a similar price. They have individual diopter eye adjustments which I like, are clear/bright and very well made. Check them out.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:

quote:

Originally posted by Buster:

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
Go for a Leica Trinovid 10x25 - the best value for your money and I am sure You won´t regret that it cost slightly over your limit...

But finding something seriously in the 10x42 range with that price is doubtless junk in my experience - don´t waste You money for it!

IMO, there's not a worse binocular in the world than anything 10x25, especially for a primary hunting binocular. If you're going to the zoo or opera, it might work okay, but nothing I'd waste my money on.

When is the last time you used Leica Ultravid 10x25's in the field? I am guessing never.

I have used just about all of the best glass in competition on the range and/or in the field for game. The Leica 10x25 Ultravids stomp a mudhole in the ass of damn near all 10x42 binoculars between the hours oif 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after sunset.

If you have not tried thwm in the field, you may want to do some homework before making usch a bold statement.

You'd probably be surprised at what I've used and Leica 10x25 Ultravids aren't even in the top ten. You did provide me a new signature line though. You just can't make that kinda shitt up.

AWSOME signature line! Glad I could be of a little value in this thread

Thanks for the help guys.

From the posts I have a recap:

Monarch, Vortex Diamondback, Zen-Ray ED, Minox or Steiner in the price range. I did already suggest going to Doug.

And the ever popular - "only buy the best".....which isn't bad advice - but not applicable for my question. He does still have a kid in college (good use of his money) and an ex-wife I haven't met.....but I doubt he thinks that is his best value for the dollar.

Steiner binos simply cannot be beat for the price in my opinion.

Steiners are great, as long as you never look through a Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, Meopta, Nikon Premier/LX, etc....

Buster, sell me a pr of those classy eye popping pieces of glass for 250.00 and I will agree with you. The topic here is what is the best glass for this particular price point.....not what is the best glass any amount of money can buy. I never seen Cadillacs sell for Volkswagon prices...but if I did I would surely buy one.

Steiners would be overpriced if they were free. I posted above what I think is the best bargain for under $250.00.

quote:

Originally posted by Buster:
Steiners would be overpriced if they were free.

Yeah, right.

quote:

Originally posted by Oddbod:

quote:

Originally posted by Buster:
Steiners would be overpriced if they were free.

Yeah, right.

Well, there goes another good thread. Mine are better than yours....

Go to EBAY and buy a pair of Bausch&Lomb that were made in Rochester New York. Not the current overseas made junk. Recently I saw a big bird in the top of a tree across the river and a distance away. I got my 10x B&L that were NOT New york made.( I bid on a pair of "VINTAGE" B&L that turned out to not be NY made--Vintage is a bogus description). Even with 10x I could not make out the bird. I then got my 7x35 that are New York made. They are so clear I could readily make out that it was not a bird afterall--but a broken limb. 10X do come up but 7x in good clear optics is plenty. The old Rochester New York B&L is the best buy in binoculars PERIOD. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

FWIW +1 for the 10x42 Nikon Monarchs in that price range.

quote:

Originally posted by Oddbod:

quote:

Originally posted by Buster:
Steiners would be overpriced if they were free.

Yeah, right.

+1

Buster,

How exactly did you come to this conclusion?

I read it in Field & Stream

Sounds like it....

quote:

Originally posted by neazor91:
Nikon monarch 10x42. For the money, they can't be beat. I bought a pair this year and love them.
Mike

+1 here! I have had monarch 10x42 for 3 or 4 years now and for the money they're great. I would like to compare them for a while in the field vs. swarovskis or ziess, leica etc, but have no complaints with the monarchs

I am also umimpressed with Leica 10x25. I have a pair and never use them for hunting. I carry them inmy car for casual use. Worthless for hunting IMHO. My Zen-Rays are better.