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best binos under $500 #9141748 11/20/24 08:55 PM
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Longshotjames Offline OP
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I know there are great Binos once you get above $1K like Swaro but I wonder what kind of quality could I get for under $500? thinking 10x42
Thanks
James


James
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141754 11/20/24 09:09 PM
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gr8fuldoug Offline
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There's great options from Kowa, GPO, Zeiss, Athlon, give a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what might be best for you


Doug @ Camera Land

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www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000

Thanks for the support we receive
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141755 11/20/24 09:21 PM
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I got a new set of Vortex this last year they are great for the price

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141765 11/20/24 09:38 PM
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Doug's crew sold me a pair of Hawke 10x42 that are pretty nice. We compared them against Leupold BX-4 (or BX-5) and until we got to about 2000 yards you couldn't tell a difference. Even then it was negligible.

I've also seen a set of Maven's that were very nice pretty close to your price.


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Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141771 11/20/24 09:47 PM
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Okie Newton Offline
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I bought a pair at Cabela's a while back. They are the HD model in 15x56. A bit heavy but really nice sitting in a blind or tripod.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141779 11/20/24 09:55 PM
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Longshotjames Offline OP
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Doug, I think I bought a Sightron scope from you about 8yrs ago. Glad to see you are still rockin & Rollin!
James


James
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141783 11/20/24 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Longshotjames
Doug, I think I bought a Sightron scope from you about 8yrs ago. Glad to see you are still rockin & Rollin!
James


Thanks James. Still here, same crew of guys. cool


Doug @ Camera Land

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www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000

Thanks for the support we receive
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141799 11/20/24 10:35 PM
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It’s a little above but I have Tract. Glass is great for the money. Schott glass.

I would look for a Black Friday sale.

https://tractoptics.com/10x42-binoculars



Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141815 11/20/24 11:26 PM
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I don’t worry so much about the brand on a binocular as much as the power, objective size, weight and clarity. As long as it’s an established brand you likely won’t have a problem if an issue with it develops.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141822 11/20/24 11:43 PM
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Maven C series.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141875 11/21/24 01:39 AM
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Look for some used Leica, Zeiss, or Swarovski.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141931 11/21/24 03:46 AM
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Nikon Monarch is a nice bino for about $400 or less. Very good glass for the price.


GO TRUMP!
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141949 11/21/24 04:34 AM
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Call Doug. He'll know the good stuff

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9141995 11/21/24 12:11 PM
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Teal28 Offline
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Ive owned Nikon, Leupold, Vortex and Zeiss. Zeiss is the clear winner. I Guided hunts for years with my Zeiss and they perform better than any other mid-grade Bino's I've used.
I Bought the Terra about 10ish years ago (when they came out?) and still use them on every hunt. At the time they were $600+ at SWFA. My only upgrade would be to the Victory model because I can't really tell the difference between the Conquest and the Terra.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/zeiss-terra-ed-10x42-binoculars?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&gclid=20710b039619169dabca6c3cb6ee5fd0&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=20710b039619169dabca6c3cb6ee5fd0


Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9142085 11/21/24 02:55 PM
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I bought a pair of Steiner about 30 years ago for $500. Not sure how much they are now. Also can still get them serviced, had the rubber cover replaced a couple years ago for $50.



Re: best binos under $500 [Re: scottfromdallas] #9142122 11/21/24 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by scottfromdallas
It’s a little above but I have Tract. Glass is great for the money. Schott glass.

I would look for a Black Friday sale.

https://tractoptics.com/10x42-binoculars





I recommend same. Been using my pair for a few season now and I never get eye fatigue. I glass almost nonstop with them. Very sharp/crisp view. Other options would be vortex viper or meopta optika

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9142627 11/22/24 04:23 PM
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Bass pro has viper hd 10x42 Bkack Friday $299

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9142651 11/22/24 05:02 PM
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You notice Doug did not mention Vortex, at that price point I would avoid them.
Their upper end stuff is great sounds like but lower end gets warranty work frequently it seems.
They do have a great warranty.


Might be because he does not carry Vortex brand so their is that maybe.

Last edited by Wytex; 11/22/24 05:03 PM.
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9142910 11/23/24 12:38 AM
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I would like to compare the Maven C1 to the Athlon Midas G2 in 8x42.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Teal28] #9143154 11/23/24 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Teal28
Ive owned Nikon, Leupold, Vortex and Zeiss. Zeiss is the clear winner. I Guided hunts for years with my Zeiss and they perform better than any other mid-grade Bino's I've used.
I Bought the Terra about 10ish years ago (when they came out?) and still use them on every hunt. At the time they were $600+ at SWFA. My only upgrade would be to the Victory model because I can't really tell the difference between the Conquest and the Terra.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/zeiss-terra-ed-10x42-binoculars?ds_e=MICROSOFT&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&gclid=20710b039619169dabca6c3cb6ee5fd0&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=20710b039619169dabca6c3cb6ee5fd0


100%. Love my Conquest HD 10x42's.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9146639 12/01/24 02:00 PM
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I am sorry that I am late in responding to this but I have been out of town.
I have a Steiner like 68rustbucket mentioned. I also bought it years ago
for a great price and it has been a fantastic pair of binos for me.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9146669 12/01/24 02:49 PM
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Viper HD's at $299 will be very hard to beat. I like Doug and his service at CL alot, but he doesn't sell Vortex products so he doesn't recommend them, and rightfully so.

Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9146671 12/01/24 02:52 PM
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There are so many great options from Kowa, GPO, Hawke and Athlon. Just give a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what would be best for you. Everything is on sale for Christmas right now so there's plenty of amazing deals to be had.


Doug @ Camera Land

gr8fuldoug@aol.com
www.cameralandny.com
516-217-1000

Thanks for the support we receive
Re: best binos under $500 [Re: Longshotjames] #9147590 12/03/24 02:43 AM
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Bushnell legend ultra hd


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