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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 830
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 830 |
scottprice-
General knocking-around type? What's more important to you - compact or bright as possible? Do you wear glasses? I would not treat them like beaters. But I’m also not going to baby them. Low light capability is important
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,747
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,747 |
[Donning my serious hat] I'll assume from the "PA" moniker that you're not in the Rockies, and your hunting area is not 10,000 acres of wide open ground. Accordingly, I'd recommend a quality 8x32. The Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 is also a great low priced binocular that sells for <$200. https://amzn.to/317uQKRIt’s been around a while and for 50%-100% more $ it would have a lot of competition. That particular Sightron model has way more fans than most, so there's probably a good reason for it. Getting it from Amazon would be about as no-risk as you could get. I'd also add the Leupold Mojave BX3 8x32 (one model previous to the current one) for your consideration: one could probably find used specimens for $300. I snagged the Cabela's Guide Series version of that one, and I'm still blown away by it. I've seen good things about the Athlon Midas bins (and have very pleased with an Athlon scope & spotter), but I don't believe they offer it in a 8x32. The Ares line is supposed to be a step-up from the Midas, and they do offer a 8x36. It shows a bit heavier than the Sightron, and it runs $60 over your price limit. Maybe give Doug a call, and see if he could work you a special deal to give one a try. He is the consummate optics enabler, y'know... I’d consider anything JG recommends without reservations +1.FC
Last edited by Folically_Challenged; 10/10/19.
"Every day is a holiday, and every meal is a banquet."
- Mrs. FC
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,168 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,168 Likes: 6 |
I am wanting to get a smaller set. I currently have Steiner 10x50s. I was thinking Vortex or Nikon.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,070 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,070 Likes: 1 |
If you can get the viper for 300 then that's a different story for vortex, but they are 500ish usually which puts them up against better binos in that category.
If buying new I would get the steiner predator af porros unless you just want roof, which is alright, then I'd buy the best minox deal I could find.
Never know what can pop up used.
Kent
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,210 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,210 Likes: 3 |
Meopta optika 6 (8 or 10x) retail at $289 or $299. Doug at Cameraland (optic forum’s sponsor) can hook you up.
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,785 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,785 Likes: 3 |
Do an eBay search with $300 as your parameter and see what pops up.
It isn't what happens to you that defines you, it's what you DO about what happens to you that defines you!
NRA life member
Illinois State Rifle Association member
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,210 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,210 Likes: 3 |
Gadget guys.
Need 12’s for this Need 10’s for this Need 8’s for this Need 6’s for this
Lmao. 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. I bet Sandbilly and blackhart could really swap some stories.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,125
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,125 |
Dense woods you don’t need glass.
Bull Shït, especially if there are antler restrictions. Lmao. Put your feeder closer.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,931 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,931 Likes: 3 |
Binoculars change so fast anymore it’s hard to keep up, especially the mid- low price range. And then again, everyone’s eyes are different and what they expect/are able to see in an image differs too. I would just ask Doug at Cameraland. If I were looking I’d also browse birdforum.net where you’ll find in depth evaluations of prob’ly every binoc on the market. Optics4birding was a good reference site in years past but it looks like they ain’t updated since last year, ergo given the rapid change in the binoc market are out of date. From their website tho the compact 8x32 Optichron Traveller BGA which they recommend caught my eye, discounted to $329. https://www.optics4birding.com/top10binoculars.aspxCompact Binos used to be horrible, but now are appearing in the necessary 4:1 objective lens to power ratio. At this point, ifI was looking, I’d google on em at birdforums.net.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,931 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,931 Likes: 3 |
At $300, Plan “B” would be a pair of 6x30 Yosemite’s AND a a Taurus 32c 9mm, cheap stuff that ain’t junk 🙂
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,070 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,070 Likes: 1 |
unfortunately 300 is in between quality levels... not enough better than some 100 to 200 binos... and not into the decent HD models. What happened to all the chinese HD brands touted a few years ago? Things do change fast I guess.
Kent
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068 |
For a little more $ there was a crazy deal on the Steiner Wildlife XP 8x44, <$500 https://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/wildlife-xp-8x44I 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/317uQKRIt’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, If we start talking about upping the budget I'd be VERY curious to look at the Kowa Prominar from Doug for $425: https://cameralandny.com/shop/kowa-...0134-b5d9-00163e9110c0?variation=1666056
Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,871 |
For a little more $ there was a crazy deal on the Steiner Wildlife XP 8x44, <$500 https://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/wildlife-xp-8x44I 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/317uQKRIt’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, If we start talking about upping the budget I'd be VERY curious to look at the Kowa Prominar from Doug for $425: https://cameralandny.com/shop/kowa-...0134-b5d9-00163e9110c0?variation=1666056 Their new model just came out. I bet you could score a deal on those from Doug
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,273
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,273 |
Binoculars change so fast anymore it’s hard to keep up, especially the mid- low price range. And then again, everyone’s eyes are different and what they expect/are able to see in an image differs too. I would just ask Doug at Cameraland. If I were looking I’d also browse birdforum.net where you’ll find in depth evaluations of prob’ly every binoc on the market. Optics4birding was a good reference site in years past but it looks like they ain’t updated since last year, ergo given the rapid change in the binoc market are out of date. From their website tho the compact 8x32 Optichron Traveller BGA which they recommend caught my eye, discounted to $329. https://www.optics4birding.com/top10binoculars.aspxCompact Binos used to be horrible, but now are appearing in the necessary 4:1 objective lens to power ratio. At this point, ifI was looking, I’d google on em at birdforums.net. Very good point. A bird forum is where I found two of my binocular sets. Pentax 8x42 DCF HR II and Swift 8x42 "Ultra Lite". Both excellent glass. This was a few years back, sooo, things do change.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,960 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,960 Likes: 1 |
Meopta has a new HD version for around $300 made in Czech Republic First thing I would look at- or through, as long as you weren't wanting something more compact.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of . Confucius
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,896
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,896 |
Recently got a pair of the Meopta 8X42s through Cameraland and am very happy with them. You can not go wrong by giving Doug a call.
Some mornings, it just does not feel worth it to chew through the straps!~
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,109 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,109 Likes: 6 |
I've got a pair of NIkon Monarch 3 10x42 that I'll sell to you cheap. No box but strap and case included. Look and perform like brand new. PM me if interested. I'll let them go cheap.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,430
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,430 |
Good a consensus has been reached.
"I can't be canceled, because, I don't give a fuuck!" --- Kid Rock 2022
Holocaust Deniers, the ultimate perverted dipchits: Bristoe, TheRealHawkeye, stophel, Ghostinthemachine, anyone else?
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
Dense woods you don’t need glass.
Bull Shït, especially if there are antler restrictions. Lmao. Put your feeder closer.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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