I am looking to buy a pair of 8x42 binoculars for hunting. I am looking at the Leupold Mojave's, the Nikon Monarch 7's and the Vortex Talon HD all around the $400.00 price range. Anyone have any experience with these or know of a better choice in this price range? I already have a pair of Leupold 10x50's and they are excellent but sometimes need a smaller pair with excellent optics. Any comments on personal experience or knowledge will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Best hunting binoculars for reasonable price
- Thread starter KBP75
- Start date
With optics, like most things, you generally get what you pay for, and all the good name brands tend to be high quality.
While I don't think you could go wrong with any of the ones you named, I'd lean towards the Nikon, simply because of their longstanding reputation for producing high end optical products
While I don't think you could go wrong with any of the ones you named, I'd lean towards the Nikon, simply because of their longstanding reputation for producing high end optical products
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
If you can go to $400, then without a doubt, get these:
http://swfa.com/Zen-ED3-C3915.aspx
Best there is in that price range by far, according to most.
Or under $400, get one of these:
http://swfa.com/Zen-ED2-C2703.aspx
But you're in PA - for woods hunting, to spot game, I prefer a porro, for a better depth of field.
I like the Kowa YF 8x30 or the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 for that use.
http://swfa.com/Zen-ED3-C3915.aspx
Best there is in that price range by far, according to most.
Or under $400, get one of these:
http://swfa.com/Zen-ED2-C2703.aspx
But you're in PA - for woods hunting, to spot game, I prefer a porro, for a better depth of field.
I like the Kowa YF 8x30 or the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 for that use.
Check out Minox before buying the higher priced - better known brands. Cameraland of NY is a great source.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62034
I bought a pair of these a few years ago before going to South Africa. I asked my pH about them as far as quality and because he was using a pair of more expensive Zeiss. He stated that while he felt the Zeiss were slightly better, for the price difference Minox were a great alternative.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62034
I bought a pair of these a few years ago before going to South Africa. I asked my pH about them as far as quality and because he was using a pair of more expensive Zeiss. He stated that while he felt the Zeiss were slightly better, for the price difference Minox were a great alternative.
Here's another place with good pricing:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
oldandslow
New member
KBP,
I tend to avoid Nikon now since a bad experience with a pair of their binocs. I bought a pair of new 8 power ATB binocs for about $250 three or four years ago. Within one year the rubber "armor" coating had peeled off. I sent it back to Nikon for their warranty service at my expense. They email me that only the optics are covered by their warranty and that I would have to pay for the repairs and for their return shipping. I paid the stated amount and they sent me a new set of ATB binocs. Only thing was one objective lens was blurry and looked like some substance had melted on the inside of the lens. I wasn't going to get burned by another of their "warranty" services and just use it the way it is- the unblurred lenses work OK. So no more Nikon products for me.
good luck- oldandslow
I tend to avoid Nikon now since a bad experience with a pair of their binocs. I bought a pair of new 8 power ATB binocs for about $250 three or four years ago. Within one year the rubber "armor" coating had peeled off. I sent it back to Nikon for their warranty service at my expense. They email me that only the optics are covered by their warranty and that I would have to pay for the repairs and for their return shipping. I paid the stated amount and they sent me a new set of ATB binocs. Only thing was one objective lens was blurry and looked like some substance had melted on the inside of the lens. I wasn't going to get burned by another of their "warranty" services and just use it the way it is- the unblurred lenses work OK. So no more Nikon products for me.
good luck- oldandslow
Image stabilized for me. I'd NEVER go back.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-10x30-IS-Image-Stabilized-Binocular-Bundle-/321548061032?pt=Binocular&hash=item4addc20968
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-10x30-IS-Image-Stabilized-Binocular-Bundle-/321548061032?pt=Binocular&hash=item4addc20968
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Well, yeah, good point - get the image-stabilized Canon 10x30s, or ZR ED3s if you can hit that $425 mark.
Call these guys.
http://www.cameralandny.com/
Tell them your budget and what you want to use it for. They often have unadvertised optics that are display models.
I did this 4 years ago and they sold me a pair of these for $250.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=dcfsp8x43
They were a display model that had been handled, but they were just fine. Of course 4 years ago the regular price was $399, not $579.
I think these guys will work with you and get you the most for $400.
http://www.cameralandny.com/
Tell them your budget and what you want to use it for. They often have unadvertised optics that are display models.
I did this 4 years ago and they sold me a pair of these for $250.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=dcfsp8x43
They were a display model that had been handled, but they were just fine. Of course 4 years ago the regular price was $399, not $579.
I think these guys will work with you and get you the most for $400.
Txhillbilly
New member
You won't be disappointed with the Zen-Ray ED3 binos,they are excellent optics.
Check out Zen-Ray's website,they always have demo's for sale at a great price,and they have their lifetime warranty.
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo.html
Check out Zen-Ray's website,they always have demo's for sale at a great price,and they have their lifetime warranty.
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo.html
Vt.birdhunter
New member
I did a search similar to this; a company called "Vanguard" kept coming up.
Check them out, mine are super crisp with true to life color.
Check them out, mine are super crisp with true to life color.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Yeah, Vanguards are good values too (the Endeavor model and others). Quite a few good values out there, really. It's been a couple years since I haunted the birding sites but that at time, they were raving mostly about the Zen Rays.
Swift Audubon brand offers some great values. In fact the 8.5x44 Porros are by all accounts an excellent and then some optic:
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...77.5&ei=yBRYVJ24OcKoNsrTgvAP&ved=0CIYEEKYrMAE
They get great reviews but are also over $400.
Swift Audubon brand offers some great values. In fact the 8.5x44 Porros are by all accounts an excellent and then some optic:
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...77.5&ei=yBRYVJ24OcKoNsrTgvAP&ved=0CIYEEKYrMAE
They get great reviews but are also over $400.
IS
no "or"......the IS Canons are remarkable. Stabilization gives them performance far beyond what the size indicates. You push that button and the image just "stops" vibrating. Quality optics. Clear and bright edge to edge....true to color.
Worth every penny.
I have had mine on cold Pennsylvania hunts and on the steamy green edges of the Amazon....they work just fine.
no "or"......the IS Canons are remarkable. Stabilization gives them performance far beyond what the size indicates. You push that button and the image just "stops" vibrating. Quality optics. Clear and bright edge to edge....true to color.
Worth every penny.
I have had mine on cold Pennsylvania hunts and on the steamy green edges of the Amazon....they work just fine.
waveslayer
New member
Swarovski EL's, but for the money, the SLC will do