Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics I'm Tired of Trying Budget Bino's

Personally, I've never even handled really high end binoculars. My dad has a decent, old pair for bird watching, but something like a 10x30mm Simmons (cheap) has always been good enough for the shorter woods ranges of the indiana/ohio/Illinois/Tennessee/Kentucky area. As I grew up at shotgun range, rather than rifle range hunting.
My best pair of binoculars was given to my wildfire fighting son, as he needed them more. But I am missing them from time to time. I have never owned a range finder as well. I am thinking of a combined bionics/range finder. Something cheap, but good for @300yards.
Any Suggestions?

Edit: there are several pages of offerings on ebay for used bionics. Some good names in optics. A lot for less than $100.00.

Bet ^^^^ your favorite beer is Old Milwaukee 😂

Nope, afraid I don't care for beer much. Though feel free to imbibe, it will not offend me if you like that swill.

But I don't understand this need to buy the bestest, newest, most awesomest, while the best of last year is still up for grabs. Quality gear that was designed for decades, yet cast aside for this year's new color. If it was worth buying then as quality, it still is quality, so why not buy used?

My only experience with a bino/rangefinder combo is with the Bushnell Fusion ARC, in 10x42 persuasion. 'Twas a used item purchased here on 24HCF, that was much better than I was anticipating. The glass was clearer/sharper than the price point would have suggested, and the rangefinder worked flawlessly to the full range claimed, as verified by both Swaro and Leica stand alone range finders. This was in 2014 - I'm not sure of the actual date of production.

I don't know if you could find a unit from another mfgr priced lower, but I'd be suspicious of it if you did. Perhaps buy from a trusted source, like Doug, who'd make good on it if it crapped-out.

In the meantime, I believe Doug has some package deals with stand-alone binos/rangefinders, that might be intriguing. I wanna say he had paired-up some Athlon units for south of $300, though would probably have better glass than what you've been using. My own experience with 2 Athlon products has been quite positive.

Good luck,

FC

It's always my pleasure to "meet" the members here, talk optics and give the best deal we can. Just give a call, 516-217-1000

Thank you for the input. I'm shooting .450bushmaster, which is designed as a 300yard accurate ammo. (Short range rifle) so what you describe sounds ideal. 10x42mm with range finder. I'll see if I can locate a used pair.

FC, any issues with color? There seem to be a lot of comments about a blue/green poor quality view. Reviews are not altogether favorable.

I would think a tripod in the ground blind would be a great help steadying the binos and rifle. If no tripod, how about a monopod?

They were Ready's. Since he posted this in the open forum 4 years ago, I'll throw it back out there (emphasis mine) :





Perhaps PM him, to see if he still feels the same.


FWIW, I could also live with the blue tinge.



Also, while searching for Ready's assessment, I came across this 1/22/13 post from Mule Deer:






FC

Excellent. Thank you for that.

Yep. I did. Doug did. Grateful.
Jim

If you're using the 12x for just picking them up and looking at something, the 12x50 will indeed work. If you're going to continually glass with them, I would recommend a tripod or stepping down to a 10x.
As well, if you're used to using low-end optics, a 8 or 10x in some of the better makers will blow you away.

In recent weeks, I used a 12x50 Meopta Meostar based on a recommendation from GregW. And I'll probably need to buy him dinner at some point.
If you need a 12x, don't mess around - sell one more thing and get the Meopta Meostar from Doug.