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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 439
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 439 |
I have an older Bushnell 8X32 Japanese Legend binocular that I've had for many years. They're good, but I'm thinking I would like to get a 8x40, 8x42, or 8x43 binocular for better visibility in twilight conditions. I need them pretty tough, waterproof, and eyeglass friendly as well. I would also like to keep the price around $400-$500 or so. What's some good options?
Thanks in advice
"All I want is to enter my house justified."
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2008
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,963
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Weaver Grand Slam, here. Ihave one of these and love it. Good Japan glass.
Mauser Rescue Society
Founder, President, and Chairman
I don't always shoot Mausers, but when I do...I prefer VZ-24s.
jdi do píči
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Pentax SP's if you can find them on here secondhand.
Great glass for the money.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,463
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
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I have a pair of ZenRay 8x43's that I really like. They're a great deal when you can find an open box special. Zen Ray 8x43 Dan
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
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Pentax SP's if you can find them on here secondhand.
Great glass for the money.
I bought a set of these several years back, they are my favorites for personal carry, and go virtually every where I go. The 10x50 leicas only come out during hunting season, and half the time I still reach for the Pentax. They are above your listed price, but well worth saving up for.....optics is no place to skimp. Kaiser Norton
The Kaiser- "If it ain't broke, I can fix that!"
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Frankly these days there is no poor glass in the $4-500 range. There has been a lot of competition in that segment and the quality of that whole price range has gone way up.
In my opinion personal fit, function, and the match of the particular binocular to your face, especially the way they fit your face and eyes is way more important.
Any of those suggested should be just fine as well as offering from other outfits. My suggestion is to find someplace that has a few and try them. If one says to you, and it probably will, that you like it, get it.
Way the heck and gone to much time is wasted arguing supposed merits of brand A vs brand B. You are the guy who needs to like it.
Steve
Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can where you are with what you have"
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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It's my pleasure to discuss options with you. Please feel free to give a call
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Campfire Tracker
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By the used Nikon LX 8x42s Doug has posted at 499. They are a steal and really good alpha glass.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,534
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2005
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Bushnell Trophy XLTs are pretty good, but the eyepieces move a little too easily for me to be REAL happy with 'em. That might just be MY pair, as they were demos.
The glass is excellent, though. They run $180 or so, 8x42s. Bright and clear, even at that price. They surprised me.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
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Pentax SP's if you can find them on here secondhand.
Great glass for the money.
I bought a set of these several years back, they are my favorites for personal carry, and go virtually every where I go. The 10x50 leicas only come out during hunting season, and half the time I still reach for the Pentax. They are above your listed price, but well worth saving up for.....optics is no place to skimp. Kaiser Norton I have the older non-ED DCF bino. Very satisfied with them. Barsness said they were a best buy when they came out and I found them at Sierra Trading for less than $300.
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Campfire Regular
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Minox HG also hard to beat for the $$$
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,944
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Minox HG also hard to beat for the $$$ +1. I have an 8.5x43 German made Minox HG that is fantastic.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 439
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OP
Campfire Member
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Many thanks for all the help!
I think I will call Dough tomorrow morning
"All I want is to enter my house justified."
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,272 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
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I'd be all over the Cabelas Euro (non HD) that Cabelas has marked way down. A super package that should last forever.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Euro-10x42-Binoculars/720657.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcabelas%2Beuro%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=cabelas+euro&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Sent you a PM as I'm about to list my my German Minox 8x43HG
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Campfire Regular
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I will throw a vote in for Vanguard's Endeavor ED. Low light performance is great for a bino in this price range and edge to edge clarity seems to hang in there with the rest in this tight market.
My loyalty was solidified this weekend as I was driving between hunting locations. My tailgate must not have been latched completely and unbeknownst to me came open at 55mph on gravel. After retracing my path I found lying right there in the road. After digging small pieces of gravel out from under the eyecups, focus wheel, and diopter adjustment I came to the conclusion that functionally everything was in great shape. The rubber armor was scratched a bit in places but even the eyecups twisted up and down with all the smoothness that they had right out the box. In this price range there are countless options offering great optics it is things like durability that may suffer. Not with the Vanguard's.
Thanks,
Nick
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Joined: Feb 2003
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OP
Campfire Member
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By the used Nikon LX 8x42s Doug has posted at 499. They are a steal and really good alpha glass. Just talked to Doug a few minutes ago and bought them, along with a camera for my daughter.
"All I want is to enter my house justified."
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