Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics $30 binoculars?

I found a 10x42 and an 8x21 combo for $60.

With a case to boot.

Got a 4 star rating so I ordered them.

The 10x42's for ear-tag reading pickup bino's.

My dad can replace his really bad viewing 15x32 saddlebag binoc's with the 8x21's.


I am actually curious to check these out.




Anyone admit to slumming something like this?

my truck bino's $35 walmarts on sale bushnells

I have a pair of the 6x Yosemite's. I think I paid $35 for the pair. Mostly use them for hunting deer and checking calves.

I don't think I'm responsible enough for a high end pair, but wouldn't mind trying something with a few more X's.

Since you posted this one, what are they?

A 4 star rating, sounds good, I think.

Not like eating at a five-star restaurant kinda good, but 4stars sounds kinda like a old cigar-chewing army general good....

BB, the 'other' pair of dirty truck binos are some 8x40 Bushnells.



Ben, I know what you mean. I'm not willing to sacrifice my 'old' Nikon ATB3's yet, they are fine for the dash on my farm pickup but not the muddy dog-mobile.


Farmboy, Cabelas has a Simmons(or possible Bushnell 8x21 sub) combo listed on the internet.



Don, quick view only needed. Think Arby's drive through....

Yeah a thousand dollar chew toy... Grin.

Wouldn't mind picking up a decent spotting scope. Nothing too crazy, but something a little better than decent.

Exactly, expensive snack......grin


I bought a new rope and am halfway worried about the dog chewing on that! He won't though. Learned his lesson as big pup when he chewed the honda off a rope last year.



Spotters are tough, doesn't seem like they are going in price.

Well Sam, you are liking to keep a secret, report back
when you get to know your new binoculars.

Simmons and Barska come to mind.

I bought a set of Meade 8x42s a few weeks ago...I think I paid about 35 for them after some discounts. I just wanted a set I could throw in the truck and not worry about. So far I have been more than impressed.

We shall see...

I'll let you guys know how they turn out.

I have a couple pair of 10x binos from Campmor that are OK, but think that they would give the user a headache if used for a long period of glassing. These are a Campmor-branded version of a previous, not current, style of Orion 10x42 ShoreView.

Good, cheap, truck binos though. The truck has low expectations and is never brand specific in its wants and needs.

damn, Sam.....I found you a spotter to go with the new binocs....

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-60-x-60mm-spotting-scope-with-tripod-94555.html?hftref=cj

The last Chinese optics I had was a short, 4x, scope that came to me via trade on a sporterized SKS. When I tried to focus it, it fell apart, not a good way to make a first impression.

Brother Sam, is the binocular a secret or can you give some more info. I need a cheap pair to keep in the kitchen to look down in the pasture with. powdr

Brother Sam, is the binocular a secret or can you give some more info. I need a cheap pair to keep in the kitchen so I can look down in the pasture. powdr

You guys need to learn to read a little better.

"Farmboy, Cabelas has a Simmons(or possible Bushnell 8x21 sub) combo listed on the internet."

Cabelas Simmons Combo

Don, Harbor Freight has the good chit for sure. Gotta pay a little extra for the quality but it's well worth it.....



260, these might be horrible for extended viewing but that will be okay.



Powdr, see above, the secret is out!

Don't forget about the 25% coupons that are always in the paper. Brings the prices down to a realistic level..grin

Ben, TFF!

Harbor Freight is a great place to buy stuff that you don't mind loaning to unreliable people or if (when?) it is stolen out of your truck toolbox. Well, the wood workbenches aren't bad and the plastic storage boxes are pretty good too.

I think I have a cordless drill that came from that outfit.


It is a total POS, battery is a joke.

I bought the $75 framing nailer when I started working on my house. Built two porches, sheeted my roof, etc. Went through three or four boxes of nails and no problems so far.

There's a harbor freight store near by so you can check it out before you buy. Some stuff chit, and other stuff is less schitty.

Don't even try to compare cheap tools to cheap optics.

There is a big difference.

Ben, well you certainly got your money out of that purchase.



Farmboy, the bino's I ordered are gonna be a cheap tool.

I love the ones with the big rose colored lenses...

I got home a little while ago and the bino's were here, just gave them a quick look see.


$45 10x42 Bushnell Sportviews and a mini set of $15 8x21 Simmons.

In a sweet plastic case.


Provided they don't fog up the 10x42's are gonna be fine for a quick glance. Fuzzy edges, sloppy focus wheel(or whatever it's called), but definitely good enough for their intended purpose.



Judging a 2 minute trial period they get a 5 star rating.


The 8x21's might be able to tell if it's a cow or a dark juniper bush from a couple miles away. My wife claimed them.

"focus wheel".....I like it!


I'll bet those mini-Simmons are Uber-sweet!

I bought a set of Zeiss binos here at the 'fire for $30 a couple years ago. 6x24 WWII-era binos. Sent them to a restoration service back East and they came back perfect. $87 for the restoration, but they are the best small binos I own. My kids LOVE them.

I used rose colored tasco's for a few years as a young hunter.still managed to kill a few critters.

one of my first branch antlered bulls..found him with the tasco's..

Loose focus and fuzzy edges, sure that wasn't the bud light

Bud light and the woman he took home that night...

Ben, Bud Light helps with the focus, that's just part of what makes it so great.



I did a quick test from my house.


Stop sign 1165 yards away....


I could tell it was a stop sign with the $15 Simmons 8x21's....


The $45 Bushnells allowed me to distinguish the letters were white.

Some fancy 8x42's allowed me to actually read the letters.

Sounds like they'll work good for cows (black blobs), but might not be as nice for deer (brush).

The 8x21 will be able to see blobs.

10x was supposed to be for reading ear tags but they might be too chitty.....grin