All the press is about Swaro/Meopta/Zeiss, but is there any 15x+ binos worth looking at in the under $750 range?

Nikon Monarch 5's for example? Any budget priced porro's worth looking at, ala Leupold Yosemites?

The new Athlon Cronus 15x56's were just announced at $699.99. If they are as good as their other Cronus series binoculars they will be great and $699.99 is a steal

Ohhh! Those look nice.

I had a Minox 15X, that were really nice, before I switched to the Meopta. I think they were well worth the price of admission.

I have the Nikon Monarch 5, 16x56, and I really like it, a good value in this price range.

I also have the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56, and a Swaro. SLC 15x56, both better, but in another step up.

Any guess as to how an Athlon would compare to the Meoptas?

The M5 16x56 is discontinued & what's left they want 8 bills or 9 for the 20x56 I'd pass at those prices. The Vortex Vulture HD 15x56 is still available. OP has it for 499 which comes to 449.10 after 10% off. I have one and for the price/warranty I consider it a good value. I have a M5 20x56 & like it. But, I paid several hundred less than the current asking price. Once the larger vendors sell out of discontinued wares those that are left raise their prices back to what they fetched when new on the scene. Good deal for them not so good for the buyer.

I do not. Have not seen them yet. SHOT show if they do arrive before

Thanks. In the market for some 15s before next season.

A couple of years ago I was ready to pull the trigger for the Swaro 15x's I went on the Cabelas site to check prices since there were points to be burned.

They were running a sale on the Vortex Kaibab HDs in 15x56 for $799. With my points they were about $500. Couldn't pass it up for good serviceable glass.

Good luck in your search, gotta be some great deals this time of year.

MadMooner,

A buddy in Enumclaw has a rand new set of Nikon 15’s, I think they are monarch 5’s that he was wanting to sell. If interested pm me and I’ll oil you guys up.

Thanks Mallard! I’ll let you know.

I need to stop by a store and take a peek at them. The new Athlons look nice as well.

I’m going to sell my 10x, go back to my 8x for carry, and try 15’s on a tripod. May regret selling the 10x! Lol.

Doug, what about the Kowa 15x56? Any idea how they stack up against the Athlons and others?

Kowa makes a 12x56, not a 15x56

It's a pretty good time to find some used glass as guys unload binos after the season,

Check out coueswhitetail.com, there has been a pretty steady trickle of 15's on there.

I started with used Docters, then Zeiss 15x60s, then Minox 13x, then Kaibabs and now Zeiss Conquest. Kaibab's were really good glass for the $$, just got a great deal on the Zeiss about this time of year in 2015.

There is a used 15x56 SLC WB set on there now for $1300.