Inexpensive binoculars

[Fred Fuller]

The eyecups on my old tired Israeli surplus Steiner 7X50 M&M binos finally gave up the ghost, and I ordered a set of replacements. Twenty bucks delivered- ouch!

Well, the day after I ordered them, along comes ol' GO's _Sportsmans Guide_ flier in the mail. It lists Meade binos on sale. Cheep! Among them is a pair of 7X50s for less than $15. They listed a pair of Rocky boots I needed to replace a pair that died, so I figured what the heck and ordered the binos too.

Now I've only been using them for a couple weeks, and haven't dropped them in water/carried them in rain/etc. They don't really fit me, the IPD is too narrow and the tubes don't open up far enough apart (no 'big head' remarks, please). But they are surprisingly decent binos for the price. They are available in other flavors too- 8X42, 10X50, 12X50.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=127174 if anyone is interested. I just ordered another pair to give our neighbors, the better to help keep an eye on our place, so have at it. And recommend anything you've run across in the 'cheep' optics category lately that you found impressive, please.

lpl/nc

 

[DougCxx]

A while back I needed some cheap mini binos for my range bag (I shoot at indoor-ranges only, there are no outdoor ones in my area). I saw that Wal-Mart had some in the $12-$18 dollar range, so I got a pair (I forget which exactly) and they work okay for what I needed them to do. .22 holes at 25 yards works well enough.
.....
A while later a friend into hobbyist lasers needs a certain size lens, and I mention my cheapo binocular find at Wal-Mart. So we visit and grab a pair that looks like it would contain a suitable candidate, and return to his house. When he tried to disassemble the binos, he found out two things: first is that nearly the entire thing is plastic except for the glass optics and the steel ball-bearing center pivots. Second is that although they appeared to have been assembled in the usual fashion (for optical instruments--retaining rings with spanner notches everywhere),,,, ALL of the pieces were cemented together. He has a pricy collection of optical tools and yet he ended up ripping one side apart with pliers and nibblers.
So basically--these binos are disposeable.
They can work for some things, but they won't last long and can't be fixed if they fail or get damaged. This isn't real surprising I guess--but it was the first time I can remember seeing a fairly-complex consumer product that has no replaceable parts. Everything was glued on, and was damaged when removal was attempted.
~

 

[shoot870p]

were the SG binos metal or plastic housed?

 

[Fred Fuller]

They're rubber armored, everything that's exposed (hinges, loops for the strap, etc) are aluminum, the focus wheel is plastic tho. Made in PRC, of course. I wouldn't expect them to stand up to a lot of abuse, but for the price they seem like pretty decent glasses.

lpl/nc

 

[DigMe]

Sportsmansguide had a small Barska monocular listed in their clearance section that would have been PERFECT for what I needed it for. They were only asking 13 bucks but when I went to order it it was out of stock. Doh! The next day it showed back up in the non-clearance section for 70 bucks! I guess I just missed the old stock.

brad cook

 

[shep854]

I really like the palm-sized 8x21s. I have a pair by Simmons, but Tasco, Bushnell, and others sell them. They run less than $20, and fit into a shirt pocket. I find them quite satisfactory. You can get them at any sporting/hunting store or dept.

 

[greg531mi]

I have inexpensive binoculars too, about 3 pair....I think the best value out there is the Steiner Military Marine 8x30....not the best, but the best for the money...cheapest I have seen them is around $160, when Galyans were having their turn to a Dick sale around Christmas...., but I got mine from my sister, that wanted a smaller pair...for nothing!!!! Nice Sis.....