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Started By
Message
Any good binocular recs for around $500?
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:19 am
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:19 am
Need an update from my 1980 Tasco... Tia 
This post was edited on 11/14/22 at 10:22 am
13
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:22 am to LSUballs
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:25 am to LSUballs
I have Steiner & Nikon, both purchased around your $500 budget, both have been outstanding
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:27 am to LSUballs
Been very happy with my under $500 Vortex, but seems the guys here that know their stuff say Mavin is better.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:30 am to LSUballs
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:33 am to LSUballs
Meopta Optikas are around $400 and are some of the best binos you can buy under $1k. Take a look at some if you can. They punch wayyyyyyy above their weight class.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:51 am to LSUballs
Wow what a coincidence. I was just about to start a thread with this exact topic. 
Look at Zeiss Terra ED, Vortex Viper HD, Leupold BX-4, Maven C.1, Athlon Cronus G2, Athlon Midas G2
I've look through them all except the Mavens. The Mavens have the least amount of FOV by a good bit but they get good reviews by forum members. However, in other reviews by comparing other binoculars to each other, they don't do as well as the others mentioned.
Zeiss Terras were a little dark for me and didn't get to use them outside.
Viper HD were my top choice for overall performance. Locking Diopter was very nice and the 10x42 was as bright as the Athlon Midas 10x50s. Incredible ergonomics and clarity at low light. I used the 10x42 in field against the rest and plan on getting the 10x50s for even brighter.
Athlon Cronus would be my top choice if they offered a 10x50 as they were close in brightness to the Vipers but were a decent amount clearer. Clarity diminished compared to Vipers in low light.
Athlon Midas is about 95% of the Cronus without a locking diopter and edge clarity system. The 10x50s were a fantastic binocular.
I didn't get to try the BX-4s in the field but they were nice in store. I don't think you can get a discount as big as the Vipers and they compared very closely to them. I had some BX-2s and they were pretty bad compared to this group. I believe the Vortex Diamondbacks are better for that price range. If you can get BX-4s at similar price to Vipers discounted, I might would go that route as they have magic coating that makes everything brighter. I have heard their warranty is hard to deal with though.
26 Binocular Test Review
Here is a review of a lot of binoculars that were tested together. Notice the Cronus was top in the segment but I found that the Vipers did better for me. You really need to look through the optics yourself.
Look at Zeiss Terra ED, Vortex Viper HD, Leupold BX-4, Maven C.1, Athlon Cronus G2, Athlon Midas G2
I've look through them all except the Mavens. The Mavens have the least amount of FOV by a good bit but they get good reviews by forum members. However, in other reviews by comparing other binoculars to each other, they don't do as well as the others mentioned.
Zeiss Terras were a little dark for me and didn't get to use them outside.
Viper HD were my top choice for overall performance. Locking Diopter was very nice and the 10x42 was as bright as the Athlon Midas 10x50s. Incredible ergonomics and clarity at low light. I used the 10x42 in field against the rest and plan on getting the 10x50s for even brighter.
Athlon Cronus would be my top choice if they offered a 10x50 as they were close in brightness to the Vipers but were a decent amount clearer. Clarity diminished compared to Vipers in low light.
Athlon Midas is about 95% of the Cronus without a locking diopter and edge clarity system. The 10x50s were a fantastic binocular.
I didn't get to try the BX-4s in the field but they were nice in store. I don't think you can get a discount as big as the Vipers and they compared very closely to them. I had some BX-2s and they were pretty bad compared to this group. I believe the Vortex Diamondbacks are better for that price range. If you can get BX-4s at similar price to Vipers discounted, I might would go that route as they have magic coating that makes everything brighter. I have heard their warranty is hard to deal with though.
26 Binocular Test Review
Here is a review of a lot of binoculars that were tested together. Notice the Cronus was top in the segment but I found that the Vipers did better for me. You really need to look through the optics yourself.
This post was edited on 11/14/22 at 11:10 am
Posted on 11/14/22 at 10:57 am to ChatRabbit77
ill second this. picked up a pair last year and they are great!
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:01 am to ChatRabbit77
I guess these are a no go.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:03 am to LSUballs
I did a side by side of the Maven C.1’s ($425 for 10x42) and the Vortex Viper HD’s ($500 for 10x42) in the elk woods this year.
Both great Bono’s. The FOV on the vipers is noticeably larger as stated in the specs. Gave the slightest edge in clarity to the C.1’s. Everyone rants about Vortex’s warranty, but Maven offers the same.
If they were the same price, I’d probably go with the Maven’s. Them being $75 cheaper made it an easy decision for me.
Side note: use that extra $75 to get a Marsupial Gear bino harness. My favorite piece of new gear this year.
Both great Bono’s. The FOV on the vipers is noticeably larger as stated in the specs. Gave the slightest edge in clarity to the C.1’s. Everyone rants about Vortex’s warranty, but Maven offers the same.
If they were the same price, I’d probably go with the Maven’s. Them being $75 cheaper made it an easy decision for me.
Side note: use that extra $75 to get a Marsupial Gear bino harness. My favorite piece of new gear this year.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:03 am to LSUballs
I bought a pair of BX-4 8x32s last year that I really like. I’ve always been happy with my 10x40 bx-2s also.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:11 am to OeauxMy
quote:
f they were the same price, I’d probably go with the Maven’s. Them being $75 cheaper made it an easy decision for me.
Side note: use that extra $75 to get a Marsupial Gear bino harness. My favorite piece of new gear this year.
With that said, The Mavens are usually around 350-375 and the Vipers are going to be on sale for 299. The Vipers seem to be the better deal.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:43 am to LSUballs
I have been totally satisfied with my Vortex Diamondback HD's for the deer hunting I do in LA and MS. They were well under $500.
If you're looking for something to take out west, I'm not sure they would cut it...
If you're looking for something to take out west, I'm not sure they would cut it...
Posted on 11/14/22 at 12:26 pm to LSUballs
CameraLand NY has some very good deals and year end specials right now. Free shipping and no sales tax as I've been a satisfied customer for 30 yrs. Doug and Neil will take care of you and stand behind their products.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 12:35 pm to Got Blaze
I recommend the Vortex Viper HD's. I did see some refurbs with full warranty on a web site for $150 off. I will let you know if I find it. I got the 10x50's.
*Found it, sierra.com
*Found it, sierra.com
This post was edited on 11/14/22 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 11/14/22 at 2:34 pm to Joe Cigar
How much did you pay for those 10x50s on sierra? I only see the 10x42s on there right now.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 3:23 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
I didnt get mine from there. I think I paid around $400 for mine a few years ago from another site.
Posted on 11/14/22 at 11:18 pm to LSUballs
To answer this question, we should know how you plan to use them and for what purpose.
One might be great looking at deer ears at long distance while resting on the edge of a deer stand or attached to a tripod.
Another would be better hand-held for seeing birds at medium range.
One might be great looking at deer ears at long distance while resting on the edge of a deer stand or attached to a tripod.
Another would be better hand-held for seeing birds at medium range.
Posted on 11/15/22 at 12:59 am to OeauxMy
Get a good pair of vortex’s and save a few hundred
Posted on 11/15/22 at 4:32 am to Rabby
quote:
we should know how you plan to use them and for what purpose
Just general making objects at a distance seem closer. Whitetail primarily. From a deer stand and maybe condo balcony.
Good recs here. Going to look thru some today
This post was edited on 11/15/22 at 4:34 am
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