Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best quality 8x32, 8x42 or 10x42 Binoculars for under $300?

Hi all,

I'm trying to help a younger buddy who's new to hunting and has a limited budget. I'm a big believer in paying as much as you can afford, but he's in his early 20s and won't spend more than about $300.

Any ideas? He's mentioned some traditional brands that I know (like Nikon), but a bunch of newer ones that I've not looked at myself: Vortex, Kowa and Athlon.


Thank you in advance.
CL

Stay away from the newer Chinese crap, look for a good quality used Jap bino

Nikon Monarch 7, buy used if necessary to stay at 300.

Steiner

Phi

This^

I bought a used pair of Leupold BX-3 Mojave 8x32 on the Classifieds for under $250 and I'm real happy with them. I like the more compact size of the 8x32 for the type of hunting I do.

I bought a couple pairs of the BX3 mojave because I liked the first pair so much. The 8x32's weigh in at 17 OZ's and used prices are at or below $250.00-$300.00

I was in the market at this price point about 8 years ago. I bought Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8x42's. They are really pretty decent. I've since moved to Torics but Bushnell's are certainly serviceable. They can be had new old stock for about $150 now. If $300 is the absolute top, I would consider spending half of that now and saving until he can purchase one of the very impressive options now available in the $600-$1000 range... Toric, Meostar, Conquest HD, Trinovid, etc.

FWIW, the Athlons linked above are likely very good but stretching the budget $20. Doug has Meopro HD 8x42's for $399. If the budget can be stretched, I'd try to stretch it that far.

I haven't really had anything to compare them with but I have a pair of Vortex 10x42 Diamondbacks that I've been using for about 6yrs now and they have been good binos for the price. I think I paid around $200 for them maybe a little less. They have worked great for my type hunting which is from a box blind with shots out to around 400yds. I think they have a newer HD version now and if these stop functioning I'll probably give those try.

If you get a hold of Doug at Camera land NY you might also ask him about the Meopta Optikas. They should be right around $300, I have a pair of the 10x42's and have been pleased with them.

Exactly. I sold both my Leica and Zeiss glasses after buying Monarchs. Yes, they are that good. And mine are 5's, not 7's.

Best glass in your price range for a non Chinese made bino, these are super bright and build quality is excellent

If you could swing $389 Powers Metalworks has some Zeiss 8x42s

We are doing the Optika 8x42 and 10x42's for the members for $259.99

Our pleasure to discuss different options and special pricing if you can give us a call, 516-217-1000
Doug

That's a great deal on quality glass from a great company!

I've personally bought from Doug before and he's been really good to work with.

I found one review that has a photo of the Optika HD 10x42s with a " glare/halo effect seen in the pictures.." showing some hazy rim around the edges
:
https://www.amazon.com/product-revi...iewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar

Anyone else experience this? I'd recommend them to my buddy and to have him give Doug a call.

There are a couple other models that my buddy is looking at; he wants to pull the trigger soon and what seems to be at top of his list is the Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 10x42 Binoculars for $199? but he's waiting to go look through them at Bass Pro this weekend.

Thank you all.

Tell him to set his sites higher than " Made in China"

Find used Pentax DCF WP. They are not made anymore but are wonderful. Very highly rated. I have one and so does my son. NOT the WPII's

https://astromart.com/classifieds/a...ntax-8x42-dcf-wp-10x43-dcf-sp-binoculars

That helps. I didn't know that Vortex was 'made in china'; for some reason, I thought it was a U.S.A. brand. Thank you.