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Binoculars for around $400

Posted on 12/11/14 at 1:28 pm
Posted by joeygalloway9
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2007
157 posts
Posted on 12/11/14 at 1:28 pm
I am looking for binoculars in the $400 range. What would you recommend? I am looking hard at the Nikon Monarch 7 - 10x42.
Mainly used for deer hunting.
Posted by ChatRabbit77
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
5873 posts
Posted on 12/11/14 at 1:29 pm to
Vortex Talon HD
Posted by slinger1317
Northshore
Member since Sep 2005
6260 posts
Posted on 12/11/14 at 1:34 pm to
I ordered these last month and couldn't be happier. Great clarity and the large objective lens is nice. I have a 50mm Zeiss scope on my rifle and these glasses show up brighter than the Zeiss in those last few minutes of daylight. I highly recommend them.

Eagle Optics Ranger ED 10x50mm
Posted by Tigris
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Member since Jul 2005
12606 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 4:54 pm to
Thanks again for recommending these. I've birded for almost a decade with Eagle Optics regular 10x50 and wondered if the ED was worth it. I really didn't get anything I wanted for Christmas and my old Rangers are beat up and I have a trip to Costa Rica which often has low light conditions in the rain forest. The new ED binoculars just came in. So, is the ED coating enough of an improvement to justify the extra cost? I'd say definitely. The difference in brightness between my old Rangers and the new ones is quite noticeable. The new binos are also sharper than the old ones which I was very happy with for a long time.

1. If you are going to use binoculars much in low light get the ED coating, it does make a difference.
2. I'm also a fan of Eagle Optics.
3. If anybody wants a 10% discount on Eagle Optics binoculars call them rather than order on the internet. And tell them you have a discount from their pro referral program. The code is PRP-10 and is for Debi Shearwater. With the discount these ran me $329 which is a bargain.
Posted by Tail Dragger
Member since Aug 2012
344 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 5:34 pm to
Leupold BX2 cascades 10x42
Paid abt tree fiddy I believe...best hunting tool I have other than my gun
Posted by 300HOGSLAYER
south of I10
Member since Nov 2014
313 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 5:57 pm to
The Monarch 7 is a really nice piece of equipment.
I found this company Zen-Ray and researched the hell out of it and can't find a bad review, I bought the new model ZRS summit 8x42's and couldn't be happier spent less than 250.
Very very bright in low light and crystal clear during the day!

LINK
Posted by beHop
Landmass
Member since Jan 2012
14569 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 6:04 pm to
quote:

I've birded for almost a decade


Are you retired military by any chance?
Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 6:07 pm to
$400?

Jesus Christ just squint man


I always just use the scope, because if I can't figure it out through the scope, I shouldn't be shooting
Posted by Rize
Spring Texas
Member since Sep 2011
16581 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 7:03 pm to
Isn't the scope sucks, I would much rather use Binos. The new Nikons are great and I would get the 12 power.
Posted by Tbobby
Member since Dec 2006
4358 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 7:06 pm to
quote:

get the ED coating


From my limited understanding, ED is not a coating, but rather a fluorite lens, which is a lot better than glass and much more expensive. Same with all optics, telescopes and camera lenses too.

With camera lenses, Nikon calls their flourite lenses ED and Canon calls theirs L-glass. Telescope manufacturers call these lenses APO or apochromatic.
Posted by DownSouthDave
Member since Jan 2013
7448 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 8:07 pm to
If it makes it more expensive, why are they still under $400? Why hasn't this been used in rifle scopes? It has it?
Posted by Tannehill_Kid
Winnfield
Member since Nov 2014
108 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 8:37 pm to
I got these for Christmas and couldn't be more happy for the price
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
9725 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:13 pm to
I have this same pair by Pentax and could not be more happy with them. I have also had a pair of Swarovski binos that were excellent until I dropped them. For the price difference I would never buy another pair of Swarovskis. They are just not that much better. Years ago the European glass was light years ahead but not anymore.
Posted by Hermit Crab
Under the Sea
Member since Nov 2008
7248 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 9:40 pm to
quote:



I always just use the scope, because if I can't figure it out through the scope, I shouldn't be shooting


so much easier using binoculars. don't have to lift the gun and manuver it in a tight stand and a whole lot lighter.

I just bought a pair of nikon prostaff this year for $160ish and love having them.
Posted by Citica8
Duckroost, LA
Member since Dec 2012
3671 posts
Posted on 1/15/15 at 10:35 pm to
quote:

Isn't the scope sucks, I would much rather use Binos. The new Nikons are great and I would get the 12 power.


I have 12x42 Monarchs. They are great during daylight hours, at dawn and dusk they leave a lot to be desired, not the optics fault the exit pupil on a 12x binocular makes them poor in low light.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
23069 posts
Posted on 1/16/15 at 5:07 am to
I got some Zeiss 9x42 (I think) for xmas. They are awesome.

Only gripe is that I wish they were more compact.
Posted by Citica8
Duckroost, LA
Member since Dec 2012
3671 posts
Posted on 1/16/15 at 5:41 am to
quote:

Only gripe is that I wish they were more compact.


Absolutely.... There's a time and a place for midsize binoculars. I thought I was being smart probably 6 years ago before I knew what I needed by getting the 12x42 instead of a 10x42 since they were the same size. I really want to down size the ones I use on a regular basis to something more compact. 6-8x32 range and keep the 12x42s for certain areas.
Posted by TigerATO
Member since Dec 2013
220 posts
Posted on 1/16/15 at 7:03 am to
The wife gave me a pair of Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 for Christmas.

LINK
Posted by Tigris
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Member since Jul 2005
12606 posts
Posted on 1/16/15 at 7:11 am to
quote:

ED is not a coating, but rather a fluorite lens, which is a lot better than glass and much more expensive.


You are right, it is higher quality glass. And there are different varieties:

ED: Extra-low dispersion glass
FL: Fluoride glass
HD: High-definition glass

The ED glass added $80 to the cost of the binos I bought, and it was well worth it.
Posted by TigerMikey
Sportsmans Paradise
Member since Dec 2007
103 posts
Posted on 1/16/15 at 9:19 am to
I got some Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 a couple months ago and they are awsome. They are amazing for those minutes before sunrise/sunset. I paid a little under $400 through Amazon but here's a less expensive link.
Zeiss Binos



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