Any good Binoculars for under $100?

Great idea, but my suggestion would be a gift certificate from his favorite hunting store for $100. Put a note on it that it is only good toward binos.

Couple of reasons:

1) I am not sure you will find good binos for $100 (I am sure others will chime in).

2) There is such a variety of optics available, it is hard to chose the "right" ones, even without a budget. For example, I have some small lightweight ones for hunting the thick stuff during archery season, some mid-sized ones for eastern Oregon (more wide open) still-hunting, I use a spotting scope for eastern Oregon sit and glass, and my range finder is also a fixed power set of binoculars.

Was this the most un-helpful answer ever...:confused:
 
Any good Binoculars for under $100?
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Do you want the short answer or the long answer?

Short answer: No. Spend at least $300.

Long answer: Would you want to go afield with a pair of binoculars that will not focus clearly, distorts the image of what you are looking at, shows colors different than what they really are, and gives you a terrific headache by the end of the day? Of course not. Spend at least $300.

FWIW, my father refused to spend more than $50 on a pair of binoculars, because that is what he paid for his binoculars in 1955, and they were very good (I assume that is true, but that was about 1 week of average wages in 1955). Good lenses are expensive, but there is no need to splurge unless you can afford it. Look at Cabela's Alaskan Guide series for a decent pair of binoculars for a reasonable price.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...arentType=index&parentId=cat601539&id=0006545
 
I've got some Leupold binocs, 10x50's, that are quite nice. Outside of your price range by about double, though.

I've got an inexpensive Bushnell set too, though: 10x42's. They lasted about 5 years of heavy use before the housing was breached somehow (either a lens shifted or the rubber/plastic housing warped) and the inert gas leaked out to be replaced by ambient air. Now they get slight condensation in one lens in extreme environments, but they are still serviceable.

I think they cost me about $40 when I bought them, and they may have breached from my own dang fault rather than manufacturer defect.

All I know, is I see just about the same with both sets when the Bushnells aren't fogged up. The Leupolds are nicer for all day glassing, but I could spot antelope on a hill with the Bushnells well enough.

The Leupolds were a splurge, and I certainly appreciate them.

But companies are putting out decent binocs in the sub-$100 range. I would suggest heading to your nearest sporting goods outlet and trying out Bushnells in the sub-$100 range that are smaller than 40mm objective size.

Heck, I've got some Simmons pocket binocs that I've taken out wildlife scouting and had no complaints about their clarity. They're something around 8x24 power and could be better in low light, but for a near-disposable $20 set they do a good job.
 
Nikons

I've had a pair 8x42 for a few years, top quality,dropped them good and even got the repaired for free, Good company and waranty. You can pick them up for about 250$. Cheap binocular are hard on your eyes and you won't use them like you should. Good binos are a joy.
 
Check The Sportsmans Guide and see if they still carry the Brunton 10x40's.I think they were about 70 dollars at one time.Waterproof and coated glass.I have peeped through a pair and they are ok.
 
Leupold Yosemite. I use them for woods hunting or when I really don't want to carry my larger binocs. Very pleased with them for the pice.
 
Watch ebay for lightly used Nikon Trailblazer binos, decent quality and should get close to your price point. Also watch gunbroker for deals, I saw a set of as new Bushnell Excursion EX in 10X42 go for $75 recently.
 
anyone will tell you that you need to spend almost as much as the hubble telescope or your just wasting your money. they may be right but i have gotten along just fine and never spent more than 100 bucks on a pair. i guess iam am not alone because they sell a hell of a lot more of the cheaper glasses than they do those 4 figure glasses.
 
The used binoculars on Astromart can be quite excellent for under 100 and the sellers are consistently better than Ebay IMO for this type of stuff (I'm one of them:)). If you want to buy new for under 100 I would consider Orions or Celestrons, they are higher quality than the Bushnell, Tasco stuff you find in department stores.

If you want more assistance you can PM me, I'm an amateur astronomer and I use a lot of binoculars.
 
Carl Zeiss makes some nice ones, but you won't get 'em for $100. I'm thinking the gift certificate is the best route. Let Dad decide if there are decent $100 binoculars to be had.

I don't know how many things people bought me as gifts that I just don't use because it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I have stashes of brand new stuff all over the house. Gift certificates aren't real glamorous, but I wish I got more of them.
 
I agree with Davlandrum....

You might choose some for him & they might not suit HIS eyes :eek: Let him choose...... get him a general gift card for a store, not just for bino's.

The reason I say this, is the binoculars I use cost me $9.95 (I got 3 sets) from an el cheapo shop. I keep one in each car and one in my range bag. Some of my friends have +$300 bino's at the range, I dont see $290.05 worth of difference from my set.... mine are all 3 years old and dont have any fogging or anything.... If I drop them, get them dirty or lose them, I can get more for $10 a shot.... let him buy some binos, a knife and some other stuff rather than just one expensive set of bino's :D When it comes to presents, more is better

Just my 2c worth :D
 
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