Sub $200 8x binoculars, who rules the roost?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sub $200 8x binoculars, who rules the roost?

Posted: 8/8/2017 9:45:38 PM EDT

Been wanting to get my wife a pair of compact 8x for sometime. She has hinted multiple times that it would be nice for the occasional birding and for hunting season.

I have a $200 budget, I have a Cabelas in town and I have a $25 credit and a $25 off coupon.

Mojave BX3 how bout dah?

These are on sale, are they made in the states? Are they much better than the $100-$150 Nikon/Bushnell/Vortex/Leupold offerings?

Posted: 8/8/2017 9:48:44 PM EDT

[#1]

Look at vortex

Posted: 8/8/2017 9:54:29 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Look at vortex

View Quote

This. Diamondback series.

Posted: 8/8/2017 9:59:07 PM EDT

[#3]

Vortex is always the answer.

Posted: 8/8/2017 10:00:24 PM EDT

[#4]

IMO, the Leupold offerings in that range are a lot heavier than the Vortex, Nikon, Bushnell stuff.

Posted: 8/8/2017 10:03:46 PM EDT

[#5]

/thread

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WREWHPS/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_-0MIzbGJERD0Z

Made in Germany Steiner 8x42s, fog proof, shock proof, water proof, lifetime warranty, $130 shipped

Posted: 8/8/2017 10:05:06 PM EDT

[#6]

Vortex Diamondback is what I went with.

Posted: 8/8/2017 11:14:51 PM EDT

[#7]

So the Bx3s that are normally $300-$350 aren't worth any more than some of the sub $150 offerings?

Posted: 8/9/2017 1:04:28 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
So the Bx3s that are normally $300-$350 aren't worth any more than some of the sub $150 offerings?

View Quote

From seeing how they handled wear and tear as display models vs all the other brands, I really am not impressed with leupold binos. Love their scopes a ton, but, their binoculars really don't seem to be on the same level of build quality.

I personally got a set of Steiner Az830's off EE here recently and love them. I'm quite a big fan of the steiner binos, but if you can find them at your price range the Zeiss Terra seem to have slightly better glass.

Posted: 8/9/2017 1:15:30 AM EDT

[#9]

Nikon. Spend over $100, and they'll be pretty good.

Posted: 8/9/2017 1:19:34 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
/thread

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WREWHPS/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_-0MIzbGJERD0Z

Made in Germany Steiner 8x42s, fog proof, shock proof, water proof, lifetime warranty, $130 shipped

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41OJnL-QMSL._SL1500_.jpg

View Quote

I bought these when they were $55 shipped a few years ago.

They've been used hard and put away wet on two continents and continue to work perfectly.

They're on par with most ~$500 optics of similar specs.

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:12:41 AM EDT

[#11]

Thanks for the observations, I'll be checking out Amazon!

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:17:16 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

I bought these when they were $55 shipped a few years ago.

They've been used hard and put away wet on two continents and continue to work perfectly.

They're on par with most ~$500 optics of similar specs.

View Quote

I have these as well. You will not find a better value. Fantastic bino's and actually made in Germany.

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:19:04 AM EDT

[#13]

Vortex.

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:28:24 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Nikon. Spend over $100, and they'll be pretty good.

View Quote

I found a pair of 8X Nikon on the road once. I brought them home and compared it against my 7X East German Steiners. The Steiners were sharper.

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:30:44 AM EDT

[#15]

I bought a pair of Bushnell Trophy XLT Bone Collector binoculars on a clearance deal and was blown away at the quality and clarity of them. I have some very nice and expensive binos, but I was just looking for a pair to throw in the car. I find myself using the Bushnells more than any of my other binos.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bushnell-Trophy-XLT-Bone-Collector-Binocular-Green-Roof-10-x-42mm/17163523

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:31:28 AM EDT

[#16]

hands down, the sightron blue skys. Read up on them. Second ones are the midas athlon binos, they are nice as well.

Posted: 8/9/2017 9:46:29 AM EDT

[#17]

Those Steiners have me interested!

Posted: 8/9/2017 10:20:50 AM EDT

[#18]

Amazon Steiners

Posted: 8/9/2017 10:28:13 AM EDT

[#19]

Steiner Military Marine. 7 x 30, about that price.

Posted: 8/9/2017 10:52:19 AM EDT

[#20]

Vortex Diamondback. Mine or 10x

Posted: 8/9/2017 11:04:16 AM EDT

[#21]

ETA - NVM, linked wrong binos.

Posted: 8/9/2017 11:14:12 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
BX-3 8x32 are $84 at Midway link

View Quote

Those are BX 2 and manufactured in China. Maybe they are great for the money.

I tried getting the Clearance Bone Collectors but my buddy got the last pair

Posted: 8/9/2017 11:17:51 AM EDT

[#23]

The Bone Collectors are nice, but not as clear as the Vortex Diamonbacks. I used a set of the BC's for three years. Got a good deal on the Vortex, gave the BC's to my wife. We can be sitting in the same blind and I'll see things she can't.

Posted: 8/9/2017 11:21:14 AM EDT

[#24]

My vote, based on limited experience, is Vortex. By that I mean I have two pairs of Vortex binoculars and my brother has one, and we love them.

Buy through Active Junky for 6% cashback on top of your coupon and store credit

Posted: 8/23/2017 9:36:48 PM EDT

[#25]

Bought some Nikon Prostaff 3s 10x42s on clearance at walmart for $64 today. They aren't the bone collector bushnells that were on clearance last year, but they seem pretty clear. I could read cereal boxes down at the other end of the store, and since these seem to sell for $120 online with decent reviews, I FO'd.

It seems that the boxed version was on clearance and the newer clamshell packaging was normal price.

Posted: 8/23/2017 9:43:27 PM EDT

[#26]

Steiner safaris 10x26

Posted: 8/23/2017 9:49:31 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:
Been wanting to get my wife a pair of compact 8x for sometime. She has hinted multiple times that it would be nice for the occasional birding and for hunting season.

I have a $200 budget, I have a Cabelas in town and I have a $25 credit and a $25 off coupon.

Mojave BX3 how bout dah?

These are on sale, are they made in the states? Are they much better than the $100-$150 Nikon/Bushnell/Vortex/Leupold offerings?

View Quote

I love my Mojave 10X.

My son also has a pair of the Vortex diamondback that are great for the money.

Posted: 8/23/2017 9:54:47 PM EDT

[#28]

Before you spend more $$ try to look through some vortex. They really are a great value in binos

Posted: 8/23/2017 10:10:05 PM EDT

[#29]

Steiner 8X30 military. I've seen them for $180 not to long ago.

Edit: disregard, looks like Amazon has them for $209 with free shipping. Worth the extra $9 in my opinion. I've have mine for over 20 years and they still work great.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sub $200 8x binoculars, who rules the roost?

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