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Binos under $500 |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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Posted: June/06/2017 at 08:27 |
I have lots of binos in the $1000+ range, but am looking for the best bino under $500. I would prefer 10x but am open to 8x as well. Thoughts? I am also fine buying off the Sample List.
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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I was impressed with the pair of Vortex binos my cousin had. They were 8x42, but I don't know if they were Diamondbacks or Vipers. He makes trail cams, so he got a deal on them at a trade show.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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urbaneruralite
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 479 |
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The price points are kind of weird in that range with the China vs Japan thing. Then there's Leupold closing out some lines for an updated version. I know that doesn't help. I'm just pointing out that it might be more appropriate to look at specific models rather than expecting price to be as good an indicator as usual.
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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I don't really expect $500 to be an overall indication of good or bad. If I remember correctly several years ago, ZenRay was getting good reviews and I had never heard of them. Also on the sample list, you can get some really good deals. Or closeouts.
Currently I have the following (or access to) Lieca Geovid 10x42 with rangefinder (my most used and owned) Swaro EL 8.5x42 Swaro CL 10x32 Bought my dad the Burris Sig Select 8x56 when they closed out and am still amazed at how good they are. If I could find a deal like I did on the Burris I would jump all over it. I just don't know binos that well and as you can see, I run a few high dollar optics, but am looking for something I can throw in the utv or boat and not worry as much about them. Range is $200 to $500 in my mind whether it is new or demo off Sample List. I have bought lots of sample list items and you couldn't tell they were used. For the company I work for, Skylar hooked me up with some closeout Monarchs that were 200 or so in price and they work great for the work trucks and supervisors.
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Looking through the samplelists, here are some options:
Pentax SP Pentax does not get enough street cred, but these are well built binos with good optics. Leupold McKinley: I think the McKinley is the same bino as Zen Prime HD, but with Leupold's customer support. Do not quote me on this though. It's been a while since I have seen them. Hawke Frontier ED seem to be on sale: Best I can tell, this is a very good price. Sightron SIII LR is a pretty nice binocular as well, if I remember correctly and it should be right around your price range. ILya
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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I bought a pair of Sightron s2 blue skys 8x32s. They were around $170 IIRC. Honestly they are pretty nice for the money. They are my side by side bino's and I use them a lot. My Meopta 8x32s are much nicer, but the Sightrons work great for my needs.
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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The Hawke might be hard to pass up at that sale price.
Are Steiner binos decent? I saw this one on the sample list. |
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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robbie
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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I have a pair of the Burris Signature Select 8x56 new and in factory sealed box. If interested, let me know. At the time I bought 2 of them and my Mom uses her pair daily on the farm. |
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