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New binocs? Under $200
#7525225
06/02/19 08:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,695
603Country
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,695 |
For my ATV. I’ll give away the Minox, if I get them fixed. I hunt with Leica, but the new ones will be knockaround and expendable. For $200 or less, what’s my best option for 10x42s? Redfield, Nikon, Bushnell, Leupold, Vortex?
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7525254
06/02/19 08:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,986
gr8fuldoug
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,986 |
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7525310
06/02/19 09:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,695
603Country
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,695 |
Why not. Never had anything Athlon in my hand. What can I get for under $200? I’m off to Ireland tomorrow, so it’ll be a while before I need new binocs.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7525896
06/03/19 03:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,716
duckhunter175
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,716 |
Leupold binos on sale for $99 from $179 at Cabelas for father's day. Not sure how they compare, hard to get hands on the Athlon stuff.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7533065
06/12/19 02:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,414
ZK-315
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,414 |
For under $200 I'd take a hard look at the Nikon Prostaff 7s. I have a pair that were meant to be my "throw around" binos, and they've held up well enough that I never picked up another nicer pair. They've been rode hard and put up wet multiple times (literally) and they just keep taking a beating. When not at the lease, they ride on the dash of my truck 100% of deer season. When at the lease, they are on the dash of my UTV or with me in the blind.
Pretty decent glass for under $200 and I can personally see better out of them than my dad's a little bit higher end Leupolds.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7533419
06/12/19 08:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
okstatefan
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539 |
I have both Leupold BX3 10x42 and Athlon Midas 8x42. It is hard to compare binos of different magnification, but I do believe the UHD glass on the Athlon might be a bit better then the BX3.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7533635
06/13/19 01:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563 |
The BX3 leupolds are a mixed bag. 10x42 are not great. 8x32 are absolutely fantastic. I have a pair, and they're hands-down the best sub-$200 bino I've seen. They run over $300 new, but you can find them for $175-$200 used. Lightweight, good FOV, and great image quality. And made in Japan to boot.
I do think Doug sells some good moderately priced Athlon binos if you want to buy new. But if I was looking for the absolute best glass quality for the money, the Leupold 8x32 BX3 Mojave's are really hard to beat.
If you want 10x, I'd consider the Vortex Crossfire as well. They do have good image for the money, but I've not compared them to the Athlon.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: patriot07]
#7533932
06/13/19 03:51 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,433
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,433 |
Just curious. I always hesitate to get even a little off topic but I gotta ask. I think its great but how do so many of yall know so much about different binos? I understand experimenting/playing with different rifles and scopes. I know that there are big differences in price and quality on binos but once you make a choice within a certain price range do yall just keep experimenting and jumping around? In 1991 in a buck contest I won a pair on 10x40 Leupolds and they are alI I still use today. I do a LOT of hunting and a LOT of glassing and they have been rode hard and put up wet a bunch. I have toyed with my friends higher end binos and I know theyre better but ive never had reason to buy another pair. To me binos are a once or twice in a lifetime purchase so I don't have any reason to even know whats out there unless I want to upgrade in price/quality. Of course ive used the same M70 3006 rifle for 47 years and never even heard the word creedmore till last hunting season or the word Tikka till I started paying attention to this forum a few months ago. Doesn't add much validity to my 2 cents but it is what it is.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: freerange]
#7533968
06/13/19 04:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563 |
Just curious. I always hesitate to get even a little off topic but I gotta ask. I think its great but how do so many of yall know so much about different binos? I understand experimenting/playing with different rifles and scopes. I know that there are big differences in price and quality on binos but once you make a choice within a certain price range do yall just keep experimenting and jumping around? In 1991 in a buck contest I won a pair on 10x40 Leupolds and they are alI I still use today. I do a LOT of hunting and a LOT of glassing and they have been rode hard and put up wet a bunch. I have toyed with my friends higher end binos and I know theyre better but ive never had reason to buy another pair. To me binos are a once or twice in a lifetime purchase so I don't have any reason to even know whats out there unless I want to upgrade in price/quality. Of course ive used the same M70 3006 rifle for 47 years and never even heard the word creedmore till last hunting season or the word Tikka till I started paying attention to this forum a few months ago. Doesn't add much validity to my 2 cents but it is what it is. I knew almost nothing about binos a year ago. Since our family has started to take more vacations and most of them include locations where wildlife is a major attraction, I started looking at high-end binos. Bought and sold a ton overthe past year or so. My recommendations: Best 8x or 6x under $100 - Kowa YF Best 10x under $150 - Vortex Crossfire 10x42 Best 8x under $250 - Leupold BX3 Mojave 8x32 Best 8x or 10x under $1k - Meopta Meostar Best no budget - Leica or Swaro I've tried a handful of other Bushnell, Vortex, and Leupold options. Looked at some Meopta Meopros. Maybe some others I can't remember. Lots of testing on my back porch where I can see out to about 700 yards.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7534079
06/13/19 06:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,174 |
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7534116
06/13/19 08:01 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548
SenkoSamurai
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 548 |
I have a pair of vortex crossfire II 8x42 that aren't to bad in that price range. At least for me, they may not be the crispest glass of the bunch, but they do really well in low light conditions for me
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7534883
06/14/19 09:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442
aggiegolfer09
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442 |
You missed out on this deal from optics planet the other night. Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x50mm for only $49.99. 97% off It was mis-marked so they canceled my order though
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7535102
06/15/19 02:44 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 131
hornetfan63
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 131 |
Wish they honored their mistake.
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7535886
06/16/19 05:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271 |
If you're a veteran, check out GovX before you buy. They have really good prices on optics!
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7553737
07/11/19 10:46 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240
WendlingKnives
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240 |
i have the 8 and 10x42 vortex. Very happy with them
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Re: New binocs? Under $200
[Re: 603Country]
#7564282
07/25/19 05:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585
hetman
"Trash Master"
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"Trash Master"
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 5,585 |
Steiner M750r LPF Gen I Binoculars $350 https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...ed-from-1-199-99-to-only-349#Post7544205 Offers exceptionally bright images in all light conditions, especially useful for nighttime ops. Crisp resolution and a wide field of view help you locate and identify targets faster and more accurately. Floating Prism System uses flexible silicon lens mount to absorb severe shock, impact and abuse without damage Multicoated Optics are state-of-art for brighter picture, higher contrast and sharply contoured images with natural color definition. N2 Injection™ system seals 14-psi pressurized dry nitrogen into the optic, for fogproof clarity in any condition - from arctic cold to desert heat. Sports-Auto Focus™ System lets you focus each eyepiece to your vision once, then keeps images razor sharp from 20 yards to infinity. No more chasing focus on moving objects. Cylindrical Eyecups shield the eyes from sun, grit and wind, and can be folded down for viewing with sunglasses or gas masks. NBR Rubber Armoring is durable, slip-proof and noiseless to ensure secure, chassis protecting grip in all conditions. Makrolon® housing is durable polycarbonate with NBR Long Life rubber armoring, creating a lightweight, rugged chassis that withstands 11 Gs of impact. Impervious to harsh conditions for generations of trusted use. Ranging Reticle a versatile ranging reticle found on all "r" models that can be used to judge both the height and distance to a target. Waterproof up to 5 meters. Pressurized nitrogen-filled tubes resist water intrusion even when submerged. Compact Design shifts the center of gravity into the palms for confortable long-term observation, and teh round shoulders won't hang up on the hatches of armored vehicles and tanks. Focus System Individual Eyepiece Focussing Optics Systems Fully multi-coated Close Focus 20 m (66 ft) Exit Pupil 7.1 mm (0.28 in.) Luminosity 51 Twilight Factor 18.7 Compass No Eyecups Cylindrical Rubber Armoring NBR Long Life Waterproof Submersion to 5m (16 ft.) Weight 1.04 kg (37 oz) Dimensions (HxWxL) 14 x 20.5 x 7.5 cm (5.5 x 8.1 x 3.0 in.) Neck Strap Yes Neck Strap Attachment Standard Objective Cover Yes Rain Protection Cap Yes Special Features Level I Laser Protection, Mil Ranging Reticle, Restricted
Last edited by hetman; 07/25/19 05:48 PM.
"Lesser mortals are pitied for the misfortune in not being born Texan."
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