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What binos for around 500?
#1977076
01/04/11 12:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
Looking at buying some new binos. looking at spending around $500 anyone have any ideas as what the best binos i can buy for that price would be. nikon monarch x are they really that much better than the regular nikons monarchs. also leupy green rings and mojave. and have heard a few people talk about the vortex viper. any help would be greatly appreciated looking at 10x42. live in panhandle not to great of an oppurtunity to scope them all out. although could probably look at nikons and leupy
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Texeye]
#1977118
01/04/11 12:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200 |
Check with Doug at www.cameralandny.com and get his recommendation. The high end Vortex or Meopta would be my guess. If you want to spend a little less, look at the ZenRay ED2 binos--Doug has them too--and I agree with all the serious birdwatchers that these are the best buy on today's market. My ZR binos closely approach my Leicas....they fall off only slightly with clarity at the margins, but they seem to me to be brighter with a wider field of view than my Leica 10x42.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: dawaba]
#1977150
01/04/11 12:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
ok ill look at them thanks for the input
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Texeye]
#1977164
01/04/11 12:35 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
know anything about the customer service with the zen rays or the vortexes. I will call doug and talk with him
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Texeye]
#1977182
01/04/11 12:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 8,422
obryankl
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 8,422 |
I've got a set of Leupold Cascade's that I like. I think they run around $350 at Gander/Academy.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: obryankl]
#1978493
01/04/11 05:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,836
SLT
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,836 |
Anyone can own a fancy gun but can you shoot it ?
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: SLT]
#1979291
01/04/11 04:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
what size/config? use? rifle from a stand? bowhunting?
I use a set of Nikon Monarch 8.5x56 fabulous binos, especially low light great resolution and clarity
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: ccoker]
#1979320
01/04/11 04:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 793
tx270
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 793 |
Look at the Minox HG's that Cameraland has for just under $500. The HG's are fantastic glass and built rugged as heck.
Vortex Vipers are very good but I'd put the Minox HG above them in image quality.
The high end Meoptas are very, very good but will cost you well over $500.
I have no experience with the Zen Rays, but others rave about them. The Zen's are China made so that turns me off a little.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: tx270]
#1979439
01/04/11 04:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,396
Lone Ranger
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,396 |
All of my rifle scopes are Leupold but when it comes to binoculars I thought that the Nikon Monarchs were clearer and sharper than the comparable Leupolds. I have had a pair of Nikon Monarchs for several years and couldn't be happier with them. I have thought about upgrading, but I really can't find a reason too. Mine are very clear, sharp and easy to focus.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Lone Ranger]
#1979659
01/04/11 05:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 31
kman
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 31 |
Tx 270 has it right, you can't go wrong with Cameraland. The Minox's are great, and they also have good deals on the Pentax DCF SP's.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: kman]
#1979773
01/04/11 06:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424 |
I received some Bushnell Elite 10x42's that I will not use since I already have binos. They are new still in the sealed box and retail for $500. If you are interested, I'll make you a good deal on them.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: jeffbird]
#1979848
01/04/11 06:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 309
56txoval
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 309 |
Leupold 10.5 x 45 Northforks. Work great with glasses on and are not to large. My wife found a pair on the internet for under $500 to include shipping.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: 56txoval]
#1980258
01/04/11 08:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
Thanks for all the replies. seeing how someone asked, i will be hunting mainly rifle with shots between 100-400, deer mainly over feeder and spot and stalk, some coyotes. hunt in panhandle open country with a few draws that have some larger trees. looking at 10x42. Jeffbird, havent heard to much about the bushnell elites how do they compare to the others being suggested and pm for what you are asking for them. again thanks for the responses
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: kman]
#1980289
01/04/11 08:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 486
bigharge
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 486 |
Check out the special on the vortex razors, best binos for 500 bucks.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: bigharge]
#1980299
01/04/11 08:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320 |
Check out the special on the vortex razors, best binos for 500 bucks. X2
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: BMD]
#1980310
01/04/11 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320 |
Minox are great glass as well, cant go wrong with www.cameralandny.com
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: BMD]
#1980477
01/04/11 09:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
what power would you all suggest on the minoxes and vortexes. thanks
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Texeye]
#1980488
01/04/11 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,124
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,124 |
Your first number should be nothing higher than 10x in my opinion or you will have a hard time holding still
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: Brother in-law]
#1980722
01/04/11 10:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 793
tx270
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 793 |
Your first number should be nothing higher than 10x in my opinion or you will have a hard time holding still +1 Your original choice of 10x42 would be good.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: tx270]
#1981099
01/04/11 11:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424 |
Here is a link to a ratings chart from tests for Birdwatcher's Digest. The Bushnell Elite was the highest rated moderately priced bino tested - and it was $800 at the time, now only $500. The higher rated models are all at $2,000/pair. Pentax is the other moderately priced bino to consider from the ones I have seen. fwiw - the "bird" in my handle is not my name, but comes from my involvement in bird conservation and activities including leading birding tours. http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2008roundup/chart_main.htmlPM sent.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: jeffbird]
#1982894
01/05/11 02:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,462
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,462 |
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#1984389
01/05/11 09:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Texeye
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36 |
Think i've narrowed to vortex razors, minox german hg, or possibly a pair of bushnell elite. Talked to doug at cameraland and i liked what he had to say about the minox. gonna spend a little more on minox but hey sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do.
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: kman]
#1985203
01/06/11 12:16 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307 |
I have a pair of Nikon Monarchs 8x40 and they have served me very well
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: BowsnRods]
#1985315
01/06/11 01:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,320 |
The minox are great, buddy on lease has a pair and we have compared to my swaro's and they are great glass for the money!
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Re: What binos for around 500?
[Re: BMD]
#1986494
01/06/11 11:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,335
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,335 |
About 15 years ago I was hunting with a couple of guys. As we were driving back to camp in the evening I noticed a wheat patch that was loaded with about 100 deer. I got out my pair of Gen 1 night binocs and started hitting buttons. Another guy jumped out with his Steiners and started looking. Before my night binocs got started he said they were all does. My night binocs confirmed it.
When I got home I bought a set of Steiners. Never seen a reason to buy anything else.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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