I'll be straight forward and honest about this. I'm a huge hunter, would do it daily if I could...and have never used binocs. That's partly due to the area I hunt, but I've come to wish I had them more and more each year. Looking towards this next year and a couple gun (sorry bow...you'll still be taken) hunts where I'll be hunting some more open places and binocs wouldn't just be helpful they will be a necessity. (just a small disclaimer)I'm not looking to spend $200+ on a set of Swarvoskis or some $500 or $1000 pair, so don't waste your time typing about how "You get what you pay for...blah blah". I'm entering this knowing with $100, $150 or whatever it may be will get me precisely that, nothing more nothing less. Any of you have a pair of binocs you like in the $80-$180/$200 range?
In that price range I would take a serious look at Alpens... I've owned a set for probably better part of 5 years and have beat the h*** out of them and they are still going strong. I can't remember my exact model but when I purchased them, I was comparing them to the Nikon Monarchs which were more expensive but still within my price range. The optics guy at the store and I took them outside right at dusk and I felt the Alpens looked at least as good as the Nikons if not a touch better.... With the money I saved, I bought a second pair and gave to my dad for his birthday - ha ha... Read the reviews at Optics Planet - pretty much sums them up.... $142 on line there... http://www.opticsplanet.net/alpen-pro-10x42-long-eye-relief-binoculars-390.html Alpen also has a "No blame, No Fault, No Problem" lifetime warranty.... As they word it, "If you have any problems with your Alpen product for any reason, send it back and we will repair or replace it for free, period... No Store Receipt Required"
I recently tested a pair of vanguard optics and awas amazed at how clear they were compared to a pair of bushnells. I believe they have a smaller pair for 80 and one step higher for 140. I really wish i had the money to dish out on them right now. Id definatly look into them!
Have a pair of Vanguard endeavors and like them alot. 10x42. Was very surprised when I first checked them out how well they were made for the money.
Great choices guys! Never heard of Alpen till now...looking into the options...leaning to Vanguard or Alpen unless someone else has good rec for something else.
Anyone have the Bushnell Permafocus ones? Some of my hunting buddies say great things about them, anyone else?
Love the perma focus have had them a few years now and buying 2nd pair for in the house to veiw my feilds And only like $70 well worth the money
My dad bought a pair of Redfield 10x42. Got them for 129.99 I believe on sale. Only has had them for this season but we really like them. I used them a couple of days and I like them better than my Nikon Monarchs.
I have bushnell powerviews. They arent the highest end, but I'm much like yourself, don't have a huge need. I keep them in my truck and mainly use them to watch fields. Side by side with a more expensive nikon, i thought the bushnells performed great. Also, in dealing with them about trailcams, i know their service is top notch.
Man thanks guys, you've been a big help! I've actually placed an order on some 8x32 Bushnell Permafocus ones for under $20 on amazon just to see what I think and have a pair of cheap ones for truck or go-bag (yes yes I know)...if I like it I'll probably throw some 10x42 Permafocuses into the mix for my hunting pair.
$20.00 doesn't buy a good magnifying glass, Cheap optics WILL give you a headache. You should go to an optics store and look at every pair in your price range. Mis-alignment of the lenses is the main cause of problems.
Oh trust me I know...I don't expect them to be amazing, nothing more than a tackle box pair or something like that. However hopefully it will just give me an idea whether I like the permafocus concept.
Nikon Monarchs in 8X. Great low light optics. I have had mine for about five years now. I will go without a rangefinder or other gear before I leave them at home.
I bought a pair of Zen Ray Binos last year and love them,they were about $130.00 http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/
