Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best binos under $300

Have you ever looked through any Athlon optics?

I say this with no binocular experience but own one riflescope of the brand that is uber clear, and just without anything to complain about. It ain't some NcStar or such.

I don't need nor can afford alphas and have several pair of binoculars. The 6x Yosemites are damned handy in the woods. Really. Depending on the type of hunting. If you are sneaking through trying to spot something before it jumps, binos can help. For realz.

I bought the Nikon Monarch 5 and my hunting partner bought the Vortex Diamondbacks. We both like his better. The Nikons are not as clear near the edges and the lens cover absolutely blows. I have had at least 4 pairs on Nikon binoculars in the past and have been pleased with them. Perhaps I just got a bad set, but they are not as good as I expected. Both were 10x, by the way.

Buddy, I probably have better glass than you’ve ever dreamed of. I just don’t need 8 different. I damn sure won’t sit here and try to justify it if I did.

Stretch the budget by <$100 for pair of Nikon Monarch 7s. Not sure what used prices are but the best binoculars for universal use are Monarch HG next stop would be specialized astronomy Nikons for about $6000.

Don’t be shy....Let’s hear about your glass. 😎

It’s been posted plenty. Before 2018. Use the search function.

Not that curious...😎

I would look for a used pair of Pentax DCF WPs in 10x42.

If it was me I'd look for whatever 300 buys in a minox, pentax or steiner porro.

I have 3 sets of binos, pentax sp 8s for elk hunting in timber plus distance, minox hd 10s for coues with steiner 15s on a tripod. I glass distance with the 15s and periodically scan close with the 10s.

Reality is I've glassed animals well past a mile with the 8s, but those are the easy animals in the open... and I've picked out an eyeball at 250 yards in grass that I'd never had seen without the 15s on a tripod.

Get the best glass you can even if it's 300, that won't be vortex. Then learn to glass by doing it, teach your mind to see.

A good glasser will find animals with 25.00 binos and someone uncommitted will struggle with 2500 ones.

Kent

Look through all the glass you were recommended today, then you make the call. Most talk a lot, don’t hunt much. Some are famous for their biscuits, some ain’t.

https://aaoptics.com/Viper-HD_c_140.html

$300 vortex viper 10x40

That's a good price, vortex viper is decent glass. A couple years ago the guys at Cameraland got me into open box Minox BL 10x44 HD for around $300. I'd phone them and see if they have any demo / open box deals.

BigStick

Bull Shït, especially if there are antler restrictions.

CAN YOU GUYS SHUT THE F*** UP AND STAY ON TOPIC. Jesus Christ you’re both embarrassing

For a little more $ there was a crazy deal on the Steiner Wildlife XP 8x44, <$500

https://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/wildlife-xp-8x44

I bought a set just to see the view. You might find someone who got in on that deal who would sell theirs.

I don’t know where you hunt in PA, but in the mountains, my camp is in Warren Co., I’d prefer a 6-7x. That said, I most often use an 8x42 Leica Ultravid HD Plus, because I haven’t been able to score a deal on the 7x42 of the same.

The Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 is also a great low priced binocular that sells for <$200. https://amzn.to/317uQKR
It’s been around a while and for 50%-100% more $ it would have a lot of competition.

The Tract Toric is another option, but pushing $500, if you find a deal.

I’d consider anything JG recommends without reservations,

I'm sorry.

scottprice-

General knocking-around type? What's more important to you - compact or bright as possible?
Do you wear glasses?

Yeah, let's get back to the OP's query, dammit!


[Your favorite binocular] SUCKS!




FC

Guess I'm not a gadget guy - I don't have the 10's in that lineup.

Are you channeling your inner blackheart? If so, put it back.