$100-150 binoculars

[sven556]

I'm looking for a new set of binoculars. They'll be used for deer hunting in central Kansas, both open terrain and wooded areas. I have a bushnell excursion 10x42 and I like it okay. The glass is good enough for my uses. Their a little bit bulky while hunting but I can live with that. The 10x magnification seems a bit much.

So, now I'm thinking I should get a set of binos in the 8x30mm to 42mm range. I've been looking at the Redfield Rebel 8x32, I've been impressed with the new redfield scopes. I've also been looking at the cheaper Leupold binoculars.

Is there much difference between the leupold Rogue 8x42, Yosimite 8x30, Wind River Mesa 8x42, Wind River Yosimite 8x30? Are they good quality binoculars? Is there a difference in the Leupold warranty between the gold ring and green ring leupold products?

How are the vortex crossfire binos?

In this price range, is there much difference between the roof prism types, and porro prisms?

What would you suggest for a nice compact hunting bino in the $100-$150 range?

Thanks,
sven

 

[336A]

I bought the Leupold 8x30 Yosemite binos last year and love them. They are very bright and clear and I'm sure you will enjoy the reduced weight.

 

[castingdonkey]

I really like the nikon action series they are super tough, clear, and have good eye relief. I had a couple sets of bushnells and have always had an issue with one eye magnifying a little more that the other giving me headaches. I have a good pawnshop in town here that sells a lot fo new products cheap. I reccomend going to one once you have an idea of what you want and saving some cash.

 

[texas chase]

I bought some of the Redfield Rebel (?) and love them. Made by Leupold with Leupold warranty.

 

[22-rimfire]

I own and use the Leupold Yosemite 6x30. Love them for woods hunting and general use. They are small enough that you really don't pay much attention to them until you want to use them. Great pair of binocs for about $100. I suspect you will really like the Leupold 8x30 binocs if you want a bit more magnification. 6x is plenty for me for everything other than big open fields at longer range.

Added: A few years ago when I was looking to replace my Bushell cheapo binocs, I thought 10x was too powerful and went with Nikon Monach 8x42 binoculars and was really pleased with them for the price. Used them hunting and decided 8x was more than I needed and I didn't want to spend another $300 on another pair, so I went with the 6x30 Leupold Yosemite and have been very pleased. I seldom even carry the better Monarchs anymore. So you are looking at stepping down 2x in magnification just like I did for my first "better" binocs. I think you will be happy but you may well be happier with the 6x. I always felt that 10x was too powerful to hand hold for very long and not necessary for hunting other than where you are searching for game at long distances.

 

[35 Whelen]

If you can find them, grab a pair of Minolta Activa 8x40WP's. A few years ago Consumer Reports tested binos and these were rated fairly high especially considering their price. I bought mine for about $125.
My Dad hunts with a pair of nice Pentax binos that he paid around $400 for and they're no better than the Minoltas.

35W

 

[22-rimfire]

You have to ask yourself what are you going to use the binoculars for? I carry binoculars to avoid using the rifle scope to "scope things out". Once you see game, you can use your rifle scope as you at that point are probably not scoping another hunter which is bad mojo. Hunters get very pissed if they see you looking at them through your rifle scope.

If you are counting points... higher power is better but have a more limited field of view. Looking for bedded animals, higher power. If you are looking for deer or simply identifying deer once you see them, then a lesser power works and they are smaller to lug around. Then you can move to your rifle scope. Most of my scoping with binoculars is done in the woods at under 100 yds. You catch a glimpse of what you suspect or hope are deer moving at distance and up come the binoculars to check it out. Sometimes it might be another hunter. Hence you don't use your rifle for this part. Once you are certain of your potential target, the scoped rifle is fine.

 

[jmr40]

The Yosemite's have earned a reputation of being one of the few optics where you really get a lot for a little. The 6X30's are the ones you want if you go that way. Never tried the 8X version, but have read several reports indicating they are just not quite as good.

They are not perfect for everything, and only time will tell how long they will hold up, but they may be the best $79 I ever spent. I have $600 binoculars that stay home now because these are "almost" as good, and are a lot lighter and easier to carry. If you can live with only 6X they are a great.

 

[Kernel]

I looked at them both, side-by-side, for an long time, and in my vew the Vortex Raptor 6.5x32 Binocular is better than the Leopold Yosemite on all counts except price. It costs a few bucks more. Water proof, decent glass, excellent eye relief, no fault lifetime replacement warranty. Low power binos have SO MANY advantages over those silly 8x, 10x, and up power binos greedy manufacturers have tried to convinced every hunter they need.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-raptor-6-5x32-binocular

 

[35 Whelen]

Low power binos have SO MANY advantages over those silly 8x, 10x, and up power binos greedy manufacturers have tried to convinced every hunter they need.

Amen.

35W

 

[MachIVshooter]

I bought Leupold Wind River 8x32 a few years ago for ~$150, IIRC. Don't know if they still make 'em, but I've been very happy. Large FOV, clear, easy to focus. They're a tad heavy, but work extremely well.

 

[Skylerbone]

Won a pair of Vortex Fury 6.5x from cameralandny a few weeks ago. So far so good in regards to quality and features. I actually prefer them to the Nikon Monarchs my dad bought for clarity and 6.5x is awesome for glassing fields with.

I hadn't done much research on features in a while but twist-up eye cups work great, the centered diopter adjustment stays where it's put with solid clicks and the attached caps mean nothing is getting lost again. $129 on clearance right now: http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexfury6x32 and I'd gladly have paid that if they weren't free.

FWIW, when I compared the Nikon, Leupold and Bushnells last year at Cabelas I felt the Leupold won out on image but I think the Vortex is even better (judging by memory). Typing this from Montana and will be putting the binos head to head starting tomorrow across the boarder in Alberta.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

Nikon Action or the Action Extreme are hard to beat as are the Leupold Gold ring series.