Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best binoculars under $300?

I am one of the lucky ones to draw an AZ bull elk tag this year and I am in need of some decent binoculars. As the economy sucks and diesel keeps going up I have less to spend on a new pair of eyes. I am leaning toward 10x42 for size and weight. I do not want to carry a tripod with 15x glass. So give me your opinion on whats good, whats bad, and what you use in this price point. I realize a $2000. pair of swarovskis is likely a once in a lifetime purchase but that just isn't going to happen this year. Thanks in advance for your responce.

I have a cheap pair of Zen-ray 10x42's for $215, not bad at all for the price. They're not high end optics, but lifetime guaranted, my opinion is you cant go wrong. Good luck on the elk!

Minox BD 10x44 BP porro on closeout from cameralandny.com

If you are willing to go china made

Zen Ray ED binos
Theron wapiti ED

My last choice would be something like the new Nikon Monarch with diaelectric prism coatings.

Also look for a Minox BD 10x42 BR roof.

May I suggest the Minox BV 10x42 BR on sale for just $179.99.

The best binoculars for less than 300 dollars is without a doubt the Minox porro that was mentioned and if a roof prism is desired the Olympus Magellan EXWP I 10x42. I own both of these and the Olympus pair can hold it's own with binoculars costing 1000 dollars easily. This is not hyperbole, but the literal truth. They are made in Japan, fully multi-coated, phase corrected, water proof and built like a tank. An objective review of the Olympus along with objective ratings against other binoculars, as well as the Minox can be found at www.allbinos.com. The specific review of the Olympus is at www.allbinos.com/107-binoculars_review-Olympus_10x42_EXWP_I.html and the Minox at www.allbinos.com/166-binoculars_review-Minox_BD_8x44_BP.html. Actually, the review is of the 8x44, but should give you some idea of what the 10x42 will offer. Both are excellent choices and excellent values. By the way, the Minox is made in Japan also.

For me it comes down to the 7-15X35 Nikon. I use them on 7X most of the time. But when I really want to check something I get on rest and turn it up.

I paid $165

Go up to $350 and buy these :

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5145273/1

Call Doug and talk to him or Neil.

I own the Minox 10X44BP and 8X44BP Porro models and sent down the road other "alpha" binoculars I owned after stackin' 'em and lookin' close and far.

I gave a pal one of the Minox 8X44 BP's from Doug and he is over the moon. A retired camera-optics shop manager - so, hard to please but knowledgeable about optics.

Doug will treat you right. If you are not interested in the Porro models the roof that Doug suggests is great, too.

I have some of those BV's doug talked about. I think they are a decent unit. however I think the nikon monarch ATB's are better. I think they are discontinued. you might have to go ebay for them. but for $300 I don't know of anything better.

nowadays there is actually getting to be some decent units below $150, the leupold yosemites, and redfield rebels come to mind.

A used pair of Pentax DCF-WP are up there IMO and the Leupold Yosemites under $100.

The field of view on the Minox is too narrow when comparing to other comparable binocs, which is why I could never warm up to them. The Zen Ray ED2 is super good.

I own a pair of 10x 40 Leopold Casecades and I like them.

+1

Great glass you can look through all day long.

Congrats on the tag BTW....

Pentax WP

I have a pair of Bushnell Infinity 10.5x45 and love them,Very clear and very good in dim light.
I bought more than one pair and am keeping a pair and selling another pair New unopened in the box ,just listed in the classifieds.

Best pair under $200?

Redfield Rebel 10X42
A very nice piece of glass for $150 bucks.

Best pair for around $200 is the Zen-Ray ZRS HD. A little bit more money, there are some ZEN ED 8x43 for $250, which is an amazing deal.

I am new to this forum and do want to step lightly.I have all high end optics mainly zeiss some others. my fried bought a pair of vortex that really impressed me.usually you get what you pay for but some of these new imports are really good.
Vortexoptics.com

I agree with DOLPHIN the OLYMPUS EXWP are hard to beat for the money, I am really happy with my pair

Other than the already mentioned ZRS, you might consider looking at the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD. You get ED glass with these which other less than $300 binoculars do not have. The view is very good.