Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best binos under $600

Having just returned home in FL from WY antelope hunt early this week, am now fully aware that my compact Leupolds are not going to cut it for longer range hunting, as in out west hunting. Mannlicher was gracious enough to loan me his Columbia 10x42 binos (made by Kruger) for the duration of the hunt and they worked great, although I did experience some eyestrain from glassing all day. I wear glasses. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.

Am looking for Fire members opinions on best values in binos available right now. Combination of clarity, eye relieft, exit pupil, fov, ease of adjustment.

Have seen these all over the place on "Best Binos" reviews.

Vortex Diamondback roof prism 8x42 $219
Vortex Diamondback roof prism 10x42 $229
Vortex Viper roof prism HD 8x42 $488
Vortex Viper roof prism HD 10x42 $499
Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 $329
Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 $345

And if price window extended.

Meopta Meopro HD 8x42 $749
Meopta Meopro HD 10x42 $752

And then of course the Leica and Swarovski above that.

Appreciate any and all input.

LD

Out of that first bunch it would be the Viper HD. The diamondback is a $200 binocular and that's about what it's worth. I had a 8x32 Terra ED and it was pretty good, build quality not so much.

If you get into the $700 range, the Tract Toric has no peer. You have to spend at least $1500 to find something better, and even then it isn't very much at all. I could tell very little difference in my Toric and SLC HD side by side, and it is better (slightly) than my Meostar HD and Conquest HD.

Good stuff, JG. Thanks for the input. In all the digging I've been doing, have heard and read similar responses to the Diamondback and Terra ED. They sure do sell a heck of a lot of both, though!

BTW- I am not at all averse to buying used.

I got the 10x diamondbacks a year ago on an after season sale. Hey are pretty nice for the money (I think I paid 150 or so) I compared them side by side with non HD leupold bx3 and Nikon monarchs and couldn’t tell the difference. In the field I’ve been able to make out hogs and deer way before I could with high end scopes. So they work good enough for my sub 200 yard hunting scenarios. If going out west to might want something with a little better glass.

The Monarch 7s are dang good glass for under your budget too....

I’m thinking it’s just about time to eat a big plate full of crow.... and order a 10x Toric.

Dog, if that 10x Monarch 7 is as good as the 8x30 then it's a darn good one for sure.

I have the Trac 8x42 for the price they would be hard to beat, can not say enough good about them for glassing near & far here in the Dakota's.

I like my Nikon Monarch 7 10x42 binocular. The glass is quite good and the build quality is OK although I don't think it's as durable as higher level glass. I've been using it for a few years and for $400 it's been a good deal.

My sons got me one of the new 10x42 Diamonbacks last year for Christmas. It's much lighter than the ones they bought for themselves not long before, and according to them better to look through as well. I've never had even a decent bino before, so this one was a revelation for me. Can't imagine what a good one would be like.

I'd look at the Tract Toric. They really are an incredible value.

For that price range, I'd go with Zen Ray ED4's or the Prime HD's in 10x.

If your looking to determine small differences in head qualities of an animal, 10x is my preference over 8x all day long.

If shedding weight is important & you're just using the glass for casual looks at nominal animals, the 8x's will do.

JMHO, JMMV.

MM

LD-
Just one man's opinion, but both the Viper and Terra are priced about 2x higher than what they actually offer in performance (build quality and view).
On the lower end of your bracket, I'd likely go Monarch 7 and Tract Toric for the higher side.

I have a high end Minox 8.5 that I'm rather fond of.

Fellas, thanks for all the feedback. I ended up reaching up above my $600 budget I'd set quite a bit, but I feel it was warranted by what I got in return.

Picked up a BNIB 2016 version set of Swarovski 10x42 SLC HD binos 58310 from Waldron's Outdoor Sports, in Roseburg, OR for $1299. $500 off retail price. I figured that was a pretty darn good price for new in box, so I went for it. Had to shift a couple dineros around for a couple days, but what the heck. When opportunity knocks, you best get moving.

Paid a few dollars extra for shipping to have them insured for $1300, but I would hate to have a box of shattered expensive glass show up on my front porch from Fedex next Thursday afternoon with no recourse.

I'm pretty stoked. Can't wait for next hunt!

You won't be sorry. Hellacious deal there on world class binos.

Well, that sea changed in a hurry.
You did really well on your purchase and you surely won't be disappointed.

Congrats, that is a great buy!

Nice purchase, good deal too!

Can't go wrong with those.............good glass will never be a regret.

MM

Good job - they are what I use but it took me several set le to get there. They are about the best pure hunting binoculars and you got them for a steal. After looking through mine a few times my cousin dumped his Vipers and is happy he did.