Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Thoughts and recommendations on a decent/good 8x42 under $300($200)

Looking to see if anyone has first hand experience with any 8x42 binoculars that have good brightness early and late in the day and isn’t over $300 would really like it not be over $200 but know that’s a stretch

Here ya' go - https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlo...0135-0285-00163ecd2826?variation=1613845

Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42

Found these with a quick search under $260 shipped. Really good ones for the $$$.

https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2011midpricebins/review_vanguard_ed.html

I was surprised what I could get from Bushnell for $70 on an Amazon deal. That was the 10x42 bone collector, which I think is rebadged Trophy series. They are essentially on par with a pair of Steiner XC 10x42s that I bought for ~$300. None of these are top quality optics, but they are very decent for hunting.

Decent for hunting depends on a number of factors including how much glassing you do. If, like most hunters I see, you occasionally look through your binoculars to evaluate a deer or to check a particular spot, you can get by with lower quality binoculars. If you spend hours searching hillsides, thoroughly searching terrain, inexpensive binoculars will make your eyes feel like they are being pulled out of their sockets.

Steiner 8x30 Marine are about the perfect compromise of capability, weight, and the hard to define ease of use for me as a hunting binoc. Have tried a lot of others but always go back to it.

Ok but we’re talking about $300 Max, preferably under $200. I’ve used the binoculars I mentioned for years and never had my eyes pulled out.

You have lots of options in the current market. Cheapest I know about are Nikon Prostaff 7. Those are short eye relief, not for long hours glassing but bright enough for legal light in open terrain anywhere in the US. I personally couldn't use them but they fit what you posted.

Quit trolling and trying to over think it. Get a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks and solve your problem and be happy.

I don't think you can do better for $300: https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlo...0135-d06f-00163e90e196?variation=1605497

I'd actually second that one. A "poor man's Swaro" is a quote from a birding forum.

Op, if you can stretch to $300 bucks, these are a great buy. Yes, I have them - bought some for my truck binos which my oldest son quickly commandeered and won't give 'em back.

He uses 'em from the Flint Hills of central Kansas to woodlots in Missouri.

I'll third it. Hard to beat for the money. Sharper and brighter than diamondbacks.

Call us and the Cronus 8.5x42 will be $269.99 in our Black Friday sale but we will start honoring that price starting today, just call 516-217-1000
Doug

firefighten_cowboy, I'd jump on that quicker 'en a bunny.

Doug had the Meopta Optika Binos for like $269 or something I recall, can’t go wrong with Meopta glass on anything.

I have the Cronus. They’re not bad for the money. Very clear and not fatiguing. I’ve spent a lot of hours behind them the last 3 days. You could do a lot worse.

Yes, we were talking about $200-$300 binoculars and then you said that a $70 binocular is on par with those.

The Cronus surprised me for China-best. Only cons are size and weight.

I talked about two. One was $70 on a special deal. Normally was about $160. The other was $300. What are you suggesting?

Perhaps you should wait until the tract black Friday sale...