Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Hunting Binoc for Gift, budget 150 (200 max)

I would like to purchase binocs as a gift.

They'll be used 50% deer hunting from a stand (mixed fields/hardwoods) and 50% on the beach in the summer, looking at boats etc... beach needs are superfluous, so brightness and crisp image for picking out deer in the dark shadows and in brush along big fields would be the most challenging usage.

Looking for 7 or 8x, as 10x likely wont have the quite that level of FOV.

They currently have 7-15 x 35 bushnell powerviews (older model) and 8x vivitars. He's not super pleased with either. He tried my Viper 8x42 last year and was stunned (as was I). Tried my 6x30 Yo's and said they were "real crisp".

He has bought me gifts in the past, but he would never buy something over $25 for himself. SO...

I'd like to take advantage of some of the deals on last years stock/open box etc.

$ is tight, but i can squirrel together a spare $150, so lets stretch it and call it $200.

Yo's are an obvious choice, but just to try something different, I'd like to get something different.

THINKING so far

Promaster infinity Elite 8x42 $200 (zen ED "lights"?)
ZenRay ZRS 8x42 $205
Kruger backcountry 8x42 $120
Kruger timberline 8x42 $80


thanks in advance... suggestions based on experience and the current crop of closeouts really appreciated.

Leupold Yosemite 6x30. About 80 bucks online and you'll be hard pressed to beat them for twice that.

Check out the minox open box sales at camera land any of the artic hunters are great for price and at 200 dollar level the bls are great ive never seen the bds but i hear they are by far the best optic you can get at 200 dollars

Call Cameraland and ask for Doug. He's advised me on several purchases, led me astray several times but he's always been right and the advice top notch. If it were me, I'd just straight up tell Doug what the budget was and accept his advice. You and your lucky friend will both be happy.

I did happen to see some of the Kruger stuff branded by Columbia Sportswear while on a forced Christmas shopping trip. Didn't have anything to compare it with but it looked pretty good. Ward

I have done the same thing with a friend. He got the Minox 8x42.

Call Doug and you both should be pleased.

stumpy

Crockettnj,

Since I have never tried the Bushnell 7-15X35, I have no idea how they compare with the Nikon 7-15X35. Most certainly I suggest you go to a store where you can see them and compare with a known binocular. I retired my 6.5X32 Vertex Raptors this year to the pick up and restored the Nikons back to the bino-buddy for the future.

Ringman-

I found the bushnell 7-1x35 zoom marginally usable. CLoudy image, difficult to focus, dim. I have bushnell scopes (low and mid priced) and am very pleased with both, so i am not anti-bushnell.

Doug is currently at the SHOT show, and I plan on checking any deals he posts upon return and talking to him. He's helped me in the past to VERY good effect. Big fan.

Oregon- I love my 6x Yo's, and wanted to use this as an opportunity to try something different.

Thanks

Get the Vortex 10x42 Diamondback and don't look back--

Crockettnj,

Recently, in fact just before I restored my Nikons to their rightful position, I considered Leupold 6X. The image was good, but the eye cups were shoddy on the one I tried. In the case was an 8X so I tried it. It was the same. And I can't turn them above 6X.

On my 6.5X32 Raptors the eye cups are solid, but wont stay turned out for the right eye relief. I wrapped some tape around them and they stay put. It's a bummer to have such a nice binocular with this tiny anoiance.

Get a set of Vortex or Minox. One of the nicest pairs I have used were the 12x50 Vortex Vultures. Those are discontinued tho. See what they have in your price range.
But Vortex and Minox would be my top two choices in that price range.

Kique

I'll go along with that one. I've got a pair I've used for two seasons now.

Friends don't let friends buy zoom binoculars. There is a whole article on the subject (with that title) that's a good read. Maybe for another post. Edit: Just Google the title. It's the first thing up.

Tell that to my son-in-law. He and I use 7-15X35 Nikons. What's wrong with a binocular that start at 7X and on 15X can show me the same thing I see with my 13X56 Minox?

I have the Yosemites and you can find great deals but for a one and only I would prefer a 7x35 like the Nikon Action Extremes. I think 7x35 is the perfect size for most applications. I have 6x30, 7x35, 8x42, 10x50. If just for sitting in a stand and not worried much abuot carrying I recommend Buchnell Legend 8x42. Do not get a roof prism binocular at this price point and you will be happier. These are all porros and are fine. Oh- and if possible a bino harness - bra-like thing for easier toting.

Cant go wrong with Yosemites (6x or 8x). I am one of the few that prefer the 8x. There is lots of good written about the Yosemites. Hard to find anything bad.

I am impressed with the ZRS HD. But don't overlook the Zen-Ray VISTA. I have seen some good reviews on them

I agree with Hawker on the Zen Ray ZRS Summit, it offers alot at this price point.

Randy

My brother just got a pair of Redfield rebel 10x42 binoculars. They seam great! If I was looking for a new pair I would look in to those. They were $150 at cabelas.

Doug at Cameraland has two sleepers in his Minox show specials - the Minox porro BP binoculars. 8 and 10 X 44 -

At their show special prices, nothing comes close.

If I did not already have one of each I'd be buying...

They'll be used 50% deer hunting from a stand (mixed fields/hardwoods) and 50% on the beach in the summer, looking at boats etc...

On the beach, in summer, boats is not what they'll be looking at.