Affordable good binos for High desert Mule deer

N

nitis

Member
Jun 6, 2012
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We try and hunt Northern California Xzones Nevada and Idaho routinely and would like to get some quality binos.

I know you get what you pay for but Swarovski and the others that are $1000 and up just are not in the cards right now. I know some of the upstart companies have some good stuff as well as some that have come out with some budget minded stuff made with cheaper labor

I am thinking I want 10X42s

Highly considering ZenRays, The new Zeiss and anything else in that $400 price point
 
hardstalk

hardstalk

Veteran member
Sep 13, 2011
1,550
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vegas
I would give a good look to the talons by vortex. Seem close to your price range and really good bang for the buck! I sent ya a pm also.
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
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North Umpqua, Oregon
Up until last year, all of my binoculars and spotting scopes were Swarovski since the mid 1990's. Last year I ordered a Vortex Razor HD spotting scope, later Vortex Talons for a son's graduation, and today Vortex Diamondbacks for my younger sons birthday.

The glass is excellent and a big piece of my strategy is with the Vortex no fault lifetime warranty (fully transferrable and no paperwork) it will be great if/when it's time to resell and upgrade.
 
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Musket Man

Musket Man

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Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
Buy the best you can afford. I had $400 binos (steiner predators) and after 2 or 3 years they got blury. I got Swarovski EL 10x42 after that (they were only about $1400 at that time). That was over 10 years ago and they are as clear today as the day I bought them. IMO cheap glass is the most expensive thing you can buy after you have to replace them. I know there are quality binos available for alot less then Swarovski's and at todays prices I would look at other options too if I were looking for new glass. Cabelas Euro's look good for the price but I have never used them. You may also want to look around on ebay, sometimes you can find something thats barley used for alot less then new.
 
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packmule

Veteran member
Jun 21, 2011
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TX
No doubt on buying the best you can afford. I've got an old, old pair of aus Jenas that are still very clear compared to most mid level binocs.
 
hvfd21walker

hvfd21walker

Active Member
Dec 18, 2011
483
36
Bitteroots
Vortex is hands down the best glass for the money IMO. BB will be chiming in here pretty soon I imagine. He is the forums optics guy.
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
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North Umpqua, Oregon
Buy Vortex today, shop around and get yourself a smoking deal. Save up for Swarovski's and in a few years sell the Vortex on Ebay (along with the lifetime warranty) and buy the Swarovskis. It will probably cost you less than $25 or $30 a year to own the Vortex if you hold on to them for 5 years.
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
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Montana
Thanks for the intro guys!

Buying the best you can afford is great advice, but you already told us you can afford $400. As predicted, I really like the Vortex Talons for $400. I am with UH that warranty plays a big role here. Although I wouldn't expect the Talons to go south in 4 years, but if they did I am absolutely confident Vortex would take care of you, and QUICKLY.

I do think the Zeiss Terra is worth a good look, but as good as Zeiss' customer service and warranty is, it isn't as good as Vortex. I would never hesitate to get a used Vortex binocular either, because Vortex takes care of their customers whether they buy used or new.
 
clacklin009

clacklin009

Active Member
Apr 1, 2012
189
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SLC, UTAH
Right now the Nikon Monarch 5's are either on sale or will be going on sale. Sportsman's Warehouse has them marked down $40. Nikon is putting ED glass in all the Monarch 5's so the "old" model should be getting cleared out. Some places will have them marked down others will not. At the regular sales price the Monarch 5 is seen by many in the optics industry as being the best for the money. If you are looking at spending more money the Monarch 7's are awesome. All the rest that have been talked about are great also, just didn't hear the Monarch being brought up so I thought I would give it a mention.
 
S

shootbrownelk

Veteran member
Apr 11, 2011
1,535
196
Wyoming
clacklin009 said:
Right now the Nikon Monarch 5's are either on sale or will be going on sale. Sportsman's Warehouse has them marked down $40. Nikon is putting ED glass in all the Monarch 5's so the "old" model should be getting cleared out. Some places will have them marked down others will not. At the regular sales price the Monarch 5 is seen by many in the optics industry as being the best for the money. If you are looking at spending more money the Monarch 7's are awesome. All the rest that have been talked about are great also, just didn't hear the Monarch being brought up so I thought I would give it a mention.
Click to expand...
I have a pair of Nikon Monarch X's and have no complaints so far. They're clear & bright & Cabela's had them on sale, just over $400
 
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jarheadhunter

Member
Jun 11, 2013
56
0
I would say if what you can afford is $400 right now I would either get the Talons or take out a loan for another $200 and get the Viper HD. They are very nice glass for the price.
 
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digger11

Member
Oct 23, 2012
71
0
Central Valley California
Take a look at Hawke Frontier with the ED glass.I bought a pair as nock around truck binos and find my Swarovski Slc
staying home a lot.If I drive off and leave them on a rock it's
not the end of the world.
 
E

ELR

New Member
Apr 6, 2013
27
0
MN
If you have a Scheels Sport anywhere near you check out the Paragon and or the Paragon HD. They have, 8x42, and 10x42. Check em out at scheelssports.com, they are very clear and have a warranty that's unbelievable
 
N

nitis

Member
Jun 6, 2012
101
0
Ok. Went to sportsmans today and unknown you can't really tell by looking at things in a building. But one little thing I noticed was with the zeiss terra was as I was using the dial to focus it seemed as if there was a smaller place for a clear focus in the adjustment. Meaning the others I could move the adjustment a little bit and still have focus but with the terra if I wasn't spot on it got blurry quick.

How could or would that translate to real world? I am not a binocular snob by any means. I want to like the zeiss because o their price point and with the basspro sale I can get some for about 329. But what is their warranty

Looking at the vortex talons I am pretty sure they are the same as the zen ray as the look so much alike. Zen ray are less $$ but will they be there in 5 years I I need warranty?

Finally will the vipers be worth the difference in$$.
 
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