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Optics are one of those things where the more they cost the better they are. But, like many things, there is a point where more money gets you less improvement. You can find binoculars for anywhere between $40 and several thousand dollars. For me, the sweet spot is between $600 - $800.
Even budget binoculars like Tasco can last 40 to 50 years with reasonable care. I know because I still have some that work like new.
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I guess I said "quality binoculars will last the rest of your life" as a plug for buying at least decent quality.
Even toy binoculars should last many lifetimes if reasonably cared for, that is, don't scratch the lens with inept cleaning, don't drop and break them.
If you don't want to spend big, do consider the usual mail order sporting goods vendors, and in particular pawn shops, you can sometimes score a very good optic in a pawn shop for small money.
I guess I said "quality binoculars will last the rest of your life" as a plug for buying at least decent quality.
Even toy binoculars should last many lifetimes if reasonably cared for, that is, don't scratch the lens with inept cleaning, don't drop and break them.
If you don't want to spend big, do consider the usual mail order sporting goods vendors, and in particular pawn shops, you can sometimes score a very good optic in a pawn shop for small money.
One of the hunting forums I visit- geared towards western hunting, ALWAYS have folks listing their bino's for sale looking to upgrade. There are often screaming deals on Vortex, Meopta, Leupold and occasionally some of the higher end ones like Leica, Swaro and Zeiss (not $200 though, lol)
In general Vortex and Meopta are very good bang for the buck brands. I have never been disappointed with any Leupold optics.
And like anything else, once you get past "very good" quality and head into "excellent" territory, the price goes up a lot, but the improvements are not as attention getting.
Also look at Deutche Optik's website. I didn't spell it right but you can find it.
It really depends on what you want to use them for. There are very small collapsing binoculars called "opera glasses" that give you about 4 power that can fit in your shirt pocket. There are a bunch of small ones good for bird watching. Then you have big military grade binoculars with massive 40 or 50 mm front lenses so they can gather a lot of light in the dark, used prior to night vision goggles. There are also binoculars used for hunting that have the same magnification as a rifle scope so you can check game out without having to hold your rifle up all the time. So decide what you want to use them for then go down to Cabelas or some other big sporting store and talk to the sales people.
I run a pair of Athlon Midas 10x42s for hunting which are pretty nice and have a transferable lifetime warranty. But, even though market price is below MSRP, they are probably still over your budget. MSRP is about $390, I think I got them for about $270.
In general Vortex and Meopta are very good bang for the buck brands. I have never been disappointed with any Leupold optics.
And like anything else, once you get past "very good" quality and head into "excellent" territory, the price goes up a lot, but the improvements are not as attention getting.
Also look at Deutche Optik's website. I didn't spell it right but you can find it.
I beg to differ. I hunted with a guy this year that has high end vortex and I had my Swaro pures. At a 1,000 plus yards he could make out it was a buck, I could count tines and see if they’re outside ears. Plus my FOV was substantially better with no aberration on edge. It’s not a small difference.
I’m saving my coin for a Swaro spotting scope.
I’ll add this- we use our binocs every day. Bird watching, watching deer and pronghorns from our kitchen windows, hiking, hunting... I know it’s high end but we’re happy to finally own optics like this. When I travel across the state they always go with me (us).
Last edited by Threerun; 02-14-2024 at 07:22 PM..
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