Last year I bought a Leupold VXIII 3.5 x 10 x 40mm scope. When I bought it, I was thoroughly impressed with the quality and clarity. Well, now that I've been looking through it a lot more during the last fews weeks, I still have to say it's pretty damned good. BUT ... now all of my other optics look like crap in comparison.

My backup rifle has a Tasco 4x12x50 that used to be good enough, now I feel like I'm looking through a pinhole in a piece of cardboard. My Tasco binoculars are better 8x21 Futura LE's (about 12 years old).

And now after scouting my new deer lease last weekend, I'm thinking I need to upgrade a bit. My primary concern is being able to distinguish young does from button bucks at distance. I can shoot one trophy quality buck and four does on this lease.

I saw some Leupold Wind River 10x binoculars at Walmart for $100, but I really couldn't figure out if I were gaining anything since I'm using a 10x scope. They also had like a Bushnell 20x spotting scope for $40, but I didn't look through it.

I also looked at some 16x Bushnell binoculars ($50) and a cheap 20x handheld spotting scope ($40)at Academy, but again, the images looked like crap.

My dad bought a Bushnell spotting scope 15x45x50 ($120) and it's ok, but it seems kind of unweildly to take in the field and use in a stand.

I guess the easy answer is go spend $500 and get a pair of Gold Ring Leupold binoculars, but I'm trying to stay around $100, any suggestions?

When I think of good optics, I concentrate on light amplification. I want a pair of binocs and/or scope that gives me the last couple of minutes of hunting light. I loved my old Weaver scope. However, I used my Steiner binocs and saw a huge buck. When I put the scope up, I couldn't identify which deer he was and passed up the shot. I bought a Leupold like yours. Haven't seen a huge buck since.

Stay away from the mini binocs. I have a pair of Zeiss that I have sent back to the factory. We have done side by side comparisons and they still work no better than Tasco.

For my money, and it's hard to come by, I would go with a good set of high power, armored, Steiner binocs. They will last a lifetime. However, unless you are into precision shooting or a pro hunter, I wouldn't spend big bucks on a spotting scope.

You can't go wrong with either Nikon Monarch 10x42 or the Leupold Gold Ring binocs 10x42. I have a pair of both and am very happy. I wouldn't get anything less than 10 power and I would not get the mini binocs either. Good luck.

Well have i got the deal for you...i just bought some Bushnell Banner Dusk till Dawn 10-13-40 and it's an awesome scope...BPS had them for 98 and I found them at Academy for 92. BPS also has some Leupold binos for 78 dollars, I cant remember the magnification but they looked good (inside the store)

I just bought me a pair of Leupold Pinnacles 10x42 for about $500, and can't wait to try them out this weekend.

Awesome feel, and great light capturing ability. After looking through some $100-200 binoculars, you can tell a BIG difference between the higher end models. I would spend the extra $$ for the quality.

Binocs are like diamonds: you get what you pay for.

Be carefull with the bushnell's if you ever carry then in your truck with a/c on they will fog up for ever!!! I have three now that will be clear as a bell then fog up on a clear warm day ??? I have sent two back to the factory, but still have trouble after getting them returned.

You can't beat good optics. I love my Steiner's. Anything can magnify but the clarity at that magnification is what is important. Tape a dollar bill at 50 yards and look through different optics and see what you can see/read with the different brands. Steiner, zeiss, swaro, etc do the job.

With anything, you get what you pay for. My rifle for example I bought a Nightforce scope and parked a gun under it You can't say enough about good optics

I went through the same optic revolution several years back. Purchasing 1 good rifle scope cost me a pile of money by the time I had to upgrade all of my optics. I finally settled in on a pair 0f 10 x 40 Zeis bino's. The clarity, especially at long ranges is unbelivable. I had a nikon spotting scope that got put up forever after purchasing these binos. Even though the spotting scope had much higher magnification the zeis binos are much clearer, thus making it easier to distinguis my prey.

I am with Dave, Grinder and ArticTexan Steiner's for the clarity with out cleaning out the bank account.

For scopes I am a Leupold and Kahles man.

One of my co-workers was telling me yesterday that he saw a set of Steiner Predators on sale for less than $300. He said they were last years model or something. I use the Steiner NightHunter 8x56. Best optics I've ever used!

I know it's hard to cut loose of the cash but if you're going to spend money on anything (related to hunting), it ought to be optics. I can glass for hours on end without any eye strain of getting a headache.

I agree, good optics really spoil you. You can purchase a cheap pair every couple of years or for not that much more you can get a pair that will last a lifetime. The rancher on our lease has had his Zeiss glass since he was a kid and they still look good. I have dealt with these folks and can highly recommend them
http://www.samplelist.com/

Buy some WindRiver binoculars. They are made by Leopold, but a cheap version. I got a pair of 10 X 50 on e-bay for around $250.00. They are good binoculars

Sightron makes some really good optics.Great glass,crystal clear sharp images.I have a pair of 10x50's,they are awesome.