Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best Binocular around $500.00

These are a steal......

https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlo...0135-d061-00163e90e196?variation=1605494

In the classifieds now.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...876199/gonew/1/wts-meopro-8x42-hd#UNREAD

Interesting....Even though I really liked my Monarch 7 8x42s, I bought the tract 8x42s with plans of selling my Nikons.

After lots of evaluation and comparisons, I sold the Tract and kept the Nikons. The Nikons fit my face better and didn’t give up anything optically in my opinion. Crazy I know cause they are made in China. I really wanted to convince myself to keep the tracts but just couldn’t do it.

The best binocular around $500 is the Steiner Wildlife XP 8x44 demo model at Camera Land for $549.99. I would talk Doug about these are an absolute steal, normally retailing for $2000. That is what I would get.

This is why you always call Doug first...you never know what he has up his sleeve lol.

Those Steiners are optically excellent...but they eye cups blow goats and I don’t mean the wing everyone bitches about. The wings are great. They rattle and move fairly freely and are all around jenkey and very fragile...ask me how I know.

Also pretty heavy imho...mine weigh a good deal more than published weight

But for $550...yea Best Buy material depending on personal preferences.

I keep hearing great things about the 8x42 tract but haven’t looked through one...and zen ray has me spooked about d2c type products.

If it were my money and I had $500 to use for a new Bino...I’d pick up meopro hds. 1000 opens the sky’s for Nikon HGs and Meostars which are both alpha level imho but some here are more experienced

One of the great things about the Burris binoculars is the light weight. My 8x42 weighs 28 ounces WITH the excellent strap and lens covers. Many 8x42s weigh more than that bare.

When I stated they cost less than $500, that was a general price-point. When they first appeared in 2017 the real-world retail price was $300. It has gone up a little since then, but various models are still around $400, give or take.

Have been using the 8x42 a LOT since then, and it has held up perfectly.

Great info, JB.

Have you tried their 10x42 or 12x50?

Jason

Interesting indeed.
My monarch 7 are my daughters 8x30
While tract is 10x42.
Don’t get me wrong I love the size, weight and what they offer.
But the tracts just fit me better and “I” love them

Damn...28oz is fantastic. I will be checking these out

I am surprised no one has mention Maven's. When I was looking 6 months ago they were an oft recommended bino.

I like my Monarch 7 10x42's more than my Zeiss conquest 10x42's which cost double. LL Bean is always offering 20% off and carries the Monarch line often with free shipping. The Burris John mentioned are intriguing, I'd definitely check them out. I have no experience with the Tract's, but prefer the Nikon to comparable Meopta and Vortex.

Burris Signature 8x42s are really good glass. Not sure about Droptine cheaper model. One of my friends has a Signature 8x42 and I’ve taken them for a test drive. Very good glass, indeed. Not sure they are on par with my Leica Trinovids but excellent nonetheless. I think if I’d seen the Burris first, I’d have them instead of the Leica’s. Happy Trails