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Travel Binos for Mom's B-Day present. $350 Budget

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frozentundra View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote frozentundra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Travel Binos for Mom's B-Day present. $350 Budget
    Posted: June/21/2017 at 22:29
Trying to buy mom some binos for traveling.  I don't know much about binoculars and neither does she.  Not sure about size/weight vs capability.  What would you be looking at under these circumstances?  

Thanks.  
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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: June/21/2017 at 23:16
Zeiss Terra 8x32 are nice....reasonable price....great warranty....v-good optics and build quality.....

gunut
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urbaneruralite View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 09:25
I have never had great luck buying binoculars for someone else. Narrowing it down and then going shopping together might be best.
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frozentundra View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote frozentundra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 12:30
This is precisely what I hope to do, but I would like to have a good baseline list to start from and go from there.
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frozentundra View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote frozentundra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 12:39
So after talking to her some more, it sounds like she wants to be able to carry them around and use them mostly offhand while hiking and at baseball games. I think lightweight/compact form factor and ability to focus comfortably under less than stable conditions will be more important than magnification or gigantic field of view.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 12:46
Vortex Viper 6x32
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JGRaider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 13:33
Leupold Mojave 8x32, or Cabelas Guide Series 8x32.  They are the same binocular, and perform way, way above what they cost.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2017 at 20:59
Cabelas guide 8x32,or Sightron Sii 8x32.
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CycloneMan View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CycloneMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/24/2017 at 15:25
I second the recommendation for the Cabela's Guide Series 8x32 or Sightron Sii 8x32.  I own the Cabelas Guide Series bino. It is a re-badged Leupold BX-3 Mojave.  I am very impressed with the high quality of the optics, field of view, eye relief (I wear glasses), and the overall light weight feel and ergonomics of the bino.  It also works well in low light conditions.  I was surprised by the quality of the case and neoprene strap.  So, I do not feel the need to upgrade those items.  The bino reviewed good reviews in a couple of outdoor sporting magazines.  I liked the Cabelas Guide Series 8x32 so well that I purchased the other 10x42 Guide Series bino.

The Sightron Sii 8x32 is also a great bino and would offer many of the same advantages as the Cabelas guide serices.  It has near cult status in some bird watching forums.  I own a different Sightron bino and riflescope that I purchased from SWFA on closeout plus rebate about 4 or 5 years ago.  Many forum members highly recommended those items.  I felt it was like a leap of faith to order optics that I did not handle prior to purchase.  But, I have always been impressed and happy with my purchase to this day.  It really surprises me that Sightron does not get much attention or retail space.  Their optics can easily compete with the other major brands.

Finally, I really liked the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 bino.  The optics on that bino are probably a step up from the Cabelas or Sightron binos.  However, the eye relief was a deal killer for me, especially with my eyeglasses.  It seemed like the 8x32 style bino were more touchy in regards to eye relief.  It was also more expensive but within a $350 budget.  I own and really like my Nikon Action Extreme binos (10x50 and 7x35 porro style) and other rifle scopes, so Nikon is a good choice.

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frozentundra View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote frozentundra Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/24/2017 at 21:06
We ordered a pair of Vortex Viper HD 6x32.  They were apparently discontinued, so there was a good deal on some reamaining stock online.  This way she can check them out against the Cabela's Guide, Zeiss Terra and Sightron if we can find them at the local big box stores.  Have 30 days to return the Vortex if she finds them wanting.  

I figure Mr. Koshkin knows his stuff and has good reasons for recommending them based on intended usage.    

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I look forward to checking them out.  


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Dyane Nollman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dyane Nollman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2022 at 06:28
Mate, if I were you, I would offer my mum a traveling voucher or a ticket to someplace she has never visited, Europe, for instance. I believe this gift is much better than traveling binos. Moreover, nowadays, it's pretty easy to book a ticket online. All you have to do is buy the ticket. Anyway, this is my opinion. Just trying to give you some advice. At the end of the day, you should decide what present will delight your mum. I wish everyone a blissful day!

***content edited by Moderator***


Edited by Kickboxer - June/25/2022 at 09:10
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