Picking up first binocs. Greatly apprieciate any input. Needs are..
Inexpensive
Pocketable
8 or 10 magnification
Water/fog/humidity resistant or proof
Atleast multi coated
uses>> general/hunting
Under $20 I'm decinding on the celestron upclose g2 in either 8x21 or 10x25
Prefer the higher mag and can keep steady enough.. so my main question (being unexpierienced).. about how much more viewing time would the 8x21 provide over the 10x25 in low light.
I hear the 8x21 lets more light in.. but would only opt to choose that one if say.. id get 20+ more minutes of viewing before sun comes or goes.
Hope its OK to post link..if not plz delete
http://www.celestron.com/sports_outdoors/series/upclose-g2-binoculars/
Chris
Ps. Reluctant to look at Bushnell.. heard bad things.
Leica 10X
Leica dosnt exactlly fit the inexpensive ($20) req.. not any ive seen.
Binocs are a very precision instrument, so don't plan on getting much binocular for $20. For that money go with a porro prism design from a dealer that will let you return them. I would recommend the 8 power and unless you really NEED them to be small, at least a 30 mm objective lens. My daily carry binocs are 7x30.
Leupold Yosemite's, not exactly under 20 bucks but excellent glass for the money.
Not meant to be sarcastic but $20 binoculsrs are a waste of $20.
John
There are some nikons and celestrons I like in the range of 7-10 x 35-50 for around $60-$100 that got good reviews I plan on getting in the future but for now just wanted a cheaper pocket size.
Heard some good things on the upclose G2 in the low cost category. Just curious how those might compare in low light preformance.
Np John ur input is welcome.
anyone feel in that price/size there's anything away from the "toy" category?
Eagle Optics
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/eagle-optics
I have a pair of Eagle Optics and I'd put them up against all the high price brands. I have used a friend's Leicas and these are so close you can't tell.
Sorry just noticed the $20... good luck.
Bought the Cabela's Alaskan guide compacts and really pleased with them. But they are not in the $20 range either.
The great Swami predicts you will get exactly what you pay for... :)
I started with small cheap binos and ended up never using them. They just sucked. Really turned me off to binos in general and I went years without a pair. I was finally convinced to get a pair for a trip I had out west. I saved up and bought a nice pair of 10x42's. not small enough for a pocket but they fit in a bag and I don't even notice them when I wear them with a bino harness. I take them on every single hunt now. I love them. If I were you I would make do without them for now, as ones in that price range will suck( sorry) and just save as long as it takes to get a nice pair that you will love and use for years.
Afraid you will need to spend a little more than $20.00.
I have two pair of Nikons, Venturer II's 8 by 23 and Sporstar I's, 8 by 20, that are great for hunting. Small enough to put in your shirt pocket but they are $100.00.
Well dang Hehe. Ty all for the info. I think ill scrap the low cost idea then. Don't like throwing my money away.
Think ill grab something like the celestron outland x or Nikon action Monarch series or leupold
Given your constraints and budget the 8 power will let in slightly more light with the emphasis on 'slightly': .026 vs .025-not enough to worry about. Like others have suggested don't buy either-save a bit more money.
I bought a cheap pair of Bushnell's the first time I went deer hunting $*&^ years ago. I wound up throwing them off a cliff. Then I bought some Zeiss glasses and have never looked back. I am, though, considering some Leupold compacts since I no longer need the 10x magnification I needed when I lived in the desert of SE NM.
QuoteOriginally posted by Andy Cooper:
I bought a cheap pair of Bushnell's the first time I went deer hunting $*&^ years ago. I wound up throwing them off a cliff. Then I bought some Zeiss glasses and have never looked back. I am, though, considering some Leupold compacts since I no longer need the 10x magnification I needed when I lived in the desert of SE NM.
Lol.. maybe ill save the $20 and go looking around the bottom of cliffs.
Same as Huntryx. Leica 10x.
Grouse
QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Butler:
Leupold Yosemite's, not exactly under 20 bucks but excellent glass for the money.
x2
I understand being broke but $20 binoculars in reality probably won't help out much unless its broad daylight. The times that they are most useful, especially when bowhunting, is at first and last light. Then is when the critters are moving and then is when cheap optics become worthless.
I saved Gander Mountain gift cards for a while from family/friends until I could buy the 8x30 Yosemites. I looked through about 30 different pairs of binoculars priced from $30-$200 before settling on the Yosemites. To my eyes they were as bright and clear as any pair I tried under $200. Their color holding true to the original image wasn't as nice as one other pair I tried but it is more than good enough. They are fairly small, light weight, and have a lifetime warranty. I've hunted them a good bit now and love them. I can see things through them for about 15-20 minutes past when I can see without them to give you an idea of the image quality and brightness.
They are not as nice (optically speaking) as some of my really high end scopes ($500+) but they are
extremely good quality for the price paid. I'd say optically they are on par with the Leupold VX-2 line of scopes in general.
For anyone that isn't in a position to buy the best regardless of cost, I'd highly recommend them as they are an exceptional value for what you get.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Butler:
Leupold Yosemite's, not exactly under 20 bucks but excellent glass for the money.
Good advice, also check out some of the Vortex offerings.
Nikon on the low end are be had for around $100, $20 would be throwing your money away. Shawn
Try these out - if they are half as good as the birders say, they are amazing.
Sightron Blue Sky SII 8x32. $179!!!
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5650310/Sightron_Blue_Sky_SII_8x32#Post5650310
Eagle Optics for sure. Even here in Romania, Europe :)
My Ranger Platinum is the best binocular I ever have, and I owned quite a bunch
I carry a pair of Leupold Wind River 10x28's in door pocket of the car. I forgot my Nikon Monarch X 8x45s one year and used the little ones because they were along. They were totally worthless until the sun was fully up and stopped being useful in the evening when I could still see reasonably well with the naked eye.
I'm seriously looking at picking up some 6x32's as most of my hunting is pretty close in. No way though, will I spend money on something that doesn't have a 5mm exit pupil or very close to it. Also, those bargain basement glasses for $20 - $50 are so far off from being properly aligned, there is no way you can adjust them to get one, solid, clear image. I've used the el cheapos and a borrowed set of Swarovskis. If I could afford the Swarro's, I'd buy them in a heart beat. I can't unfortunately, but I don't feel handicapped with any of the better $200 glasses out there.
I think I'm sold on the luepold yosemite 6x30 I'm digging the natural or black. Is $79 shipped the best price on the web? If u know better plz PM me!
thanks again for the help,
chris
Check out the small Bushnell PermaFocus, around $60 at WalMart, for a great little inexpensive bino. I've owned autofocus for years, won't carry anything else for hunting the pines, thickets, and beanfields around eastern NC. I like being able to look back past the edges and into the cover without having to adjust a darn knob constantly! I bought a pair of these to pacify my wife when she decided she wanted to go hunting(she never did...)and after using them once for bowhunting I've taken them over. Anything in sight is automatically in focus, even back in a thicket, and it makes dissecting cover ahead to find an ear or a tail flicking a breeze...
Nothing wrong with Yosemites. I have a pair and have given them to son-in -laws for gifts.
Having said that, I have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of the better glasses. It is worth saving up for if that is an option for you.
I currently have a pair of 10x Leica's, but the 8x swaro's were probably my favorite. For pocket glasses I use my 8X20 zeiss quite a bit.
I have an older pair of Bushnell trophy 10 x 25 and love em. Great little binocs.
X2 with Shawn! :dunno:
I'm ready to pounce on the Yosemite for $79 unless someone can clue me in on any st patty's day sales tomorrow
+1 for Leupold Yosemites, lots o bang for the buck!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Butler:
Leupold Yosemite's, not exactly under 20 bucks but excellent glass for the money.
They make these in a 6x that are FANTASTIC for hunting in the woods - sometimes too much magnification is a bad thing....
Edit - looks like you found the same ones that I was thinking of. If you get them, I'm sure you'll enjoy them.
I bought and used a Vortex 10x Monocular last year, used it for elk and whitetail, might of used it for sping turkey too I believe, I really liked it, not a very wide field of view, but I could carry it in my pants pocket and it is very light in weight. Sure if your doing serious glassing, it ain't the ticket, but just checking out something it was great and didn't take up any room and was very inexpensive.
I promise you that you will not be sorry with the Yosemite 6x30 binos. I have looked through lots of binos, and I believe those are a fantastic value in their price range
You will not be sorry. Get them.
QuoteOriginally posted by wolf413chris:
I'm ready to pounce on the Yosemite for $79 unless someone can clue me in on any st patty's day sales tomorrow
Thats about the best they get in price. I got the 8x version because I do a lot of small game hunting and wanted the extra magnification for squirrels. I'd recommend the 8x if you also hunt a lot of small game or if you hunt really open areas. If you mostly hunt woods for deer/hogs/turkey etc, then go with the 6x to get a bit larger exit pupil (brighter) and wider field of view. You won't miss anything by by loosing that 2x in zoom at archery distances anyway.
Went with the Yosemite 6x30 from Adorama. Very impressed with their service. Should be quick I hope NY to MA.
Thanks everyone, doubt id find those on my own. Sound just what I need. I was looking at an 8 & 10 mag with 42mm. Probably not the best for wooded areas.
binos should be one of the most expensive part of your hunting equipment....IMHO they make a world of difference
I think you'll be happy with the Yosemites. :thumbsup: