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best binoculars for 300 to 400 dollars

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cowski View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cowski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: best binoculars for 300 to 400 dollars
    Posted: July/25/2016 at 19:54
whats the best binoculars for 300 to 400 dollars? i would like about a 8 x 40. i was looking at zen rays. thanks
never corner something meaner than you are jbc
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2016 at 21:44
i think that zen ray will be very good and excellent value for your money. I have not looked through them, but people rave about them on the net. 
i have used this one for one day and found it excellent.
http://swfa.com/Hawke-8x42-Sapphire-ED-Binocular-P70625.aspx

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PhilR. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PhilR. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2016 at 22:53

A demo Zen-Ray ED3 can be had for substantially less than your $400, and will provide as much or more performance than anything else you will find for up to $400.

However, there are two others you should also look through.  The 8x42 Nikon Monarch 7 and the 8x42 Vanguard Endeavor EDII can both be had for right around $400.  Both are very good binos as well, and would compete well with the ED3.  All three of these binos do things a bit differently from each other, but none really stands out above the others.  If a particular characteristic (FOV, weight, texture, eye relief, etc) has great importance to you, then get the one that fulfills that particular need.   Otherwise, try all three if you can, and get the one that speaks to you.

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Cold Trigger Finger View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cold Trigger Finger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2016 at 23:13
How well does the Vortex Viper or Diamondback stack up in this lineup ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2016 at 17:24
Viper would be the best bet in this lineup but your looking closer to the $500 dollar range. Not the $300-$400 range.
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DCAMM94 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DCAMM94 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2016 at 17:30
I have the Zen Ray ED2 7x36, and for the money, they are awesome.  I use them for bowhunting.  For comparison purposes, I also have Leupold Katmai 10x32 and Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32.  The Zeiss are the best, obviously, but the Zen Rays hold their own, and do a great job for gathering light and rendering sharp images at dawn and dusk - critical when you hunt in special antler restriction counties in Texas (trying to tell a spike from a forkhorn and measuring spread).

With that said, you'd be hard-pressed to beat these:


or these:

Vortex 8x42 Talon HD BinocularVortex 8x42 Talon HD Binocular
Stock # - VORTLN4208HD
  • Green
  • Roof Prism
  • HD Glass
  • XR Lens Coatings
  • Phase Correction
$469.95


Edited by DCAMM94 - July/26/2016 at 17:36
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gunut View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gunut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2016 at 17:48
check out the Zeiss Terra.....Zeiss oversight in manufacturing.....full Zeiss warranty....nice little blue badge on binoculars..Cool
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PhilR. View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PhilR. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2016 at 22:29

Originally posted by Cold Trigger Finger Cold Trigger Finger wrote:

How well does the Vortex Viper or Diamondback stack up in this lineup ?

As pointed out, the Viper is not in the ~$400 price category.  It is a very good binocular, but IMO not better enough over the ED3 to justify the price increase.

The Diamonback is a low-end binocular that provides a decent amount of performance for it's price, but it ranks below the binos currently being discussed.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2016 at 10:46
PhilR's comments are spot in IMO, on all points.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bennettbrian1982 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/04/2016 at 19:54
The zeiss terra is the best binocular at that price point!
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cowski View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cowski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/2017 at 22:11
i ended up getting the Vortex Viper hd. thanks for the input.
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fishermanhunterguy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fishermanhunterguy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/12/2017 at 18:19
How much did you spend? Please tell me it wasn't over $500. Otherwise you should've bought a Tract Toric.
If your not a liberal by 20 you have no heart. If your not a conservative by 30 you have no brain.
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