Whats your price range? I just bought Vortex Crossfires 10x42 and I am really happy with them. Vortex offers a great lifetime unlimited unconditional warranty. I bought mine for pretty cheap because they were going on sale before the Crossfire 2 came out. I really like them and they are everything that I need them for. I havent compared them to the diamondbacks to know the difference between the two, but they are both the same price Looks to me like the diamondbacks are a bit bulkier.
I went cheap and got the Bushnell Bone Collector 8x42's. I'm quite pleased with them. Up here in NH, I don't do tons of glassing, so they are fine.
My price range is under $150. I've saved to my wish list Nikon 10x50 Actions, Barska 10-30x50 and Bushnell 16x50.
Dont leave out Vortex, They have some great binoculars. I have the crossfire 10X42 and for the price you cant beat them. Like stated before the warranty its great as well.
I have bushnells and I really like them. I wish I would have spent a little more and went with a 42 or more (mine are only 32 or 36 can't remember). I've always used bushnell products and have always been pleased. Once I had some problems with a trail cam and they replaced it quickly with their high end model. Great people to deal with.
I have the same ones if you have the 8x42 Bone Collector XLT Trophy model. They are great binos for the price. Love mine.
If you can hold off, save up for a good pair. Over the last few years, I've come to value good glass. I too have budget constraints. I started researching, and I saved up and set myself a budget of $500. My rules were simple: good optical quality, and nothing made in China. You really have to dig deep to find out where optics are made, plenty of manufacturers don't advertise where they have them made. I first bought a set of Steiner Merlin binos, they fogged up like crazy, and were difficult to focus in the field. Burris has purchased Steiner, and their CS leaves a lot to be desired. Basically they told me to pound sand, or pay them to take a look at my lifetime warranty binoculars, and then pay for parts. (basically the message is that they don't honor the warranty). I'll never purchase anything from Burris again. Luckily my retailer took them back, and agreed to fight the battle with Burris. I did some more looking around, and settled on Leupold Mojave MX3 binos in 8x42. They have done everything I could ask of them and more. They are made in Japan. These are the best I can afford, and have performed admirably. I hunt day and night, shoot 3D and even do a little stargazing with them. I fantasize about someday owning some Swarovski, high end Zeiss, or Leica; but these will last me for years to come. Do some research about what makes them "bright", and how to determine how much magnification you really need. All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure - Mark Twain
Nikon are always great but if i could afford i would buy a pair of Cannon Stabilizer bino's i used these things in Afghanistan, and they are amazing. I could spot "sheep" from 2k meters plus away. And the Stabilizer effect made it that much more clear.
Yep that's what I got. I like them. I used a cheap pair for years, so these are such a huge improvement for me.
I went and got the Bushnell ones after looking through my sister in law's. I haven't opened them yet, I'm letting my kids give them to me for my birthday on Sunday
I have Redfield® Rebel™ 10x42 Binoculars at BPS. Check them out. Great buy for the money and in your price range.
I have owned many different brands of binoculars. Bushnell, Tasco, Nikon...All have failed and it was because I was on a budget. I now own multiple Vortex products, from the diamondbacks to to Viper HD line. Have a Crossfire II scope and a Diamondback Scope. Also picked up the rangefinder. All I can say is, think of it as an investment. You hunt right? You like looking out the window of your vehicle to see that big buck in the field? What happens if you make the mistake of dropping them from your tree or oops left them on the tailgate and fell off and you backed over them? Vortex stand their products once they leave the doors. No matter who's hands they are in. No receipt needed. Their warranty and customer service is everything. I have owned Vortex products for several years and never have been disappointed or let down. Dont leave them out when deciding.
