Sypher....
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2019
- Messages
- 97
that won't break the bank. I'm looking for a budget of $200 or under. These will mainly be for hunting.
Leupold makes a "Rogue" 10X25 compacts, for about 150, OTD. Very nice, compact, lightweight, great glass. Nikon makes a Prostaff 3s--(10X42) also a nice lightweight, for about 130$. I've used both these myself, the Nikon is a little larger, but they are both great compact field binos.
Find that Walmart closeout thread on AR15.com There are almost always great binoculars on closeout, most recently Bushnell and Nikons. I didn't even need a pair but couldn't turn down a set of Leupold binos last year for $29 (regular over $300).
Magnification is about all you'll get for $200....and that may be all you're looking for. After a few hours of glassing through them the eye strain will literally give you headaches. They won't be able to pick up true colors well or perform in low light as better optics do. If magnification is what your after, that will work.
Maybe it's like watching tv. Ever use a old tv and it hurts your eyes to watch it.Funny, I haven't gotten any headaches, I hunt a lot, yotes, wild boar, feral cats, and wild dogs, the year round, and I haven't gotten any eyestrain, just a clear view. Have you actually gotten a headache from using either of those two sets of binoculars, or is this just more internet BS?
Dibbs said:Funny, I haven't gotten any headaches, I hunt a lot, yotes, wild boar, feral cats, and wild dogs, the year round, and I haven't gotten any eyestrain, just a clear view. Have you actually gotten a headache from using either of those two sets of binoculars, or is this just more internet BS?
$200 isn't going to get you much. But some tips.
Avoid the compacts in that price range, you're more likely to get a better quality with full size binoculars. Same advice with magnification,you want lower magnification at that price point. And you want the front objective to be at least 5X the scopes magnification. In other words you want 6X30, 7X35, 8X40, etc. If you start looking through something with 8X32 then having high quality glass is far more important. An 8X42 or 8X43 for example would be better. Avoid scopes in 8X22 or 10X25 sizes like the plague. At that size they will be useless in all but bright daylight, especially with a sub $1000 binocular. It is harder to make decent inexpensive roof prism binoculars than inexpensive porro prism binoculars. Stay with porro prism to get the best glass for the money.
Honestly this is the one I'd buy. I have a pair that I keep in the truck and they are the best thing under $200 I've found. The fact that they are under $100 is even better. I'd rather have these than anything else at or under $200. They make them in an 8X30 and 10X30. Avoid those, the 6X30's are what you want. Buy these for now and save the extra for something better later.
https://www.swfa.com/leupold-6x30-bx-1-yosemite-binocular-5.html?___SID=U
I have the 8x Mckenzie and like them. A little heavy but clear and focus nice. They are about 5yrs old so I'm sure the new ones are better.I just ordered a pair of Leupold McKenzie 10x42 for $129 (new, eBay). I’ll come back for an update once I get them.
I just ordered a pair of Leupold McKenzie 10x42 for $129 (new, eBay). I’ll come back for an update once I get them.
Not sure what two sets of binoculars you're referring to. If you are using them to occasionally glass, doubt you'll experience the eyestrain or headaches.
I frequently use binoculars for as long as 6-to-7 hours a day glassing for trophy game. Budget binocs just don't have the clarity or lens quality found on better units. Went with Swarovski's 10X40 and the difference was day and night. Can glass all day and it doesn't feel like your eyeballs are being pulled out of their sockets. The other major difference is the ability to pick up colors more vividly. While deer hunting once we weren't sure if a buck had been hit....was able to confirm it had by glassing and seeing blood on the deer at half a mile away. Have picked up the colors of red fox where others had missed and overlooked them. That's just my experience and why I went with the Sarovski's.