Going to Newfoundland, and I am broke. I know I need descent yet waterproof/ fog proof binocs. I have read some of you talk about Nikon Monarch3's ..which are in my price range. Are they good binoculars or just a good value? Not a lot of experience with optics, down here in Texas our feeder pens are usually about 20 yards !
(I just wanted to say it before someone else did!)
suggestions?
I really appreciate any help you guys can offer, this moose hunt is already gonna cost me a marriage, so I can't afford a bad purchase also!
I have a pair of Redfield Rebel's and they are a fantastic pair of binos. I have the compact, lower powered model and I think I gave 129.99 for them. Money well spent IMO.
With all due respect "cheap" and cold, wet, windy weather do not mix well.
Don't let the Redfield's price fool you.
I have Alpen Apex 10x42's that I absolutely love. Bright clear image. Feel and appear durable. Seem to be a great pair of binocs, real happy so far. Made in Japan, lifetime warranty. The MSRP is around $600 but you can prolly find em for $350-375 online.
I agree with Jim, good, waterproof and cheap aren't necessarily in the same sentence. That said you really don't need Bino's in Newfoundland if you are broke. Your guide will have a good pair and will be looking for you. My goal on my last years hunt was to spot a moose before my guide did. Finally on the last day I did but we were already stalking it so it wasn't a real spot :) Have a good time, NFLD is a wonderful place.
there is a pair of vortex vipers in the classified's 400.00, great price on great binos and the warrantee is your for life once you purchase even used ones.
sorry they sold.
Pentax DCF.. check them out.. Nikon's are pretty decent for the money. Put them in some kind of bino pouch and you should be fine as long as you don't submerge them
Buy yourself a set if Leupold Yosemite 6x30 (8x will work to) for about $100. Outstanding glass for the money. When my Swarovski didn't come in before an elk hunt last year I ran to Dicks and grabbed a set of the Yosemite and was very impressed with them. I've had several sets and all were great, very highly regarded by the likes of Phil Shoemaker and John Barnsness as well and they review binoculars for a living. If they don't work for you I'll give you your money back! If you never listen to anything else I say, listen to this.
As stated directly above^ you can't go wrong with a pair of Yosemites. I don't go out the door without mine once Archery season gets here. Great glass and Cabelas have them on sale right now.
Good Shooting,
Craig
Skip Cabelas, Google is your friend. Several places showing less then $90
You could also check out Vortex Diamondbacks. Really good glass for the price. Great warranty too
I absolutely agree with the positive comments about the Leupold Yosemites. I have no experience with the 8x30s but do own the 6x30s. They are I.M.O. just about perfect for hunting in both eastern "woods" and western "timber", excellent glasses all the way around and if I were Leupold, they would cost more.
Not sure what your price range is but if you have a cabelas close to you check the bargain cave for their euro binos. You can find them for around 500 and they will be a once a life time purchase. They are made by meopta and as good as you can get at any price.
Leupold Yosemite as the very best value around. They perform like a $350-400 pair of glass optically at a $100 price tag and are very light weight. They are bright and clear from dark thirty or dark thirty and even have a fairly neutral color hue. You really have to skip up to higher end glass to start improving on these.
The monarchs are good binos. Not the best, but good. I don't know if they'll put up with being dunked, dropped from a cliff, stepped on etc cause I don't have the balls to try any of that with mine. They seem sturdy, and have handled all the rain and humidity I've been able to throw at them. Clarity is good too.
Bushnell Legends HD was ranked a best buy and was ranked higher then ones costing 2 or 3 times more. The Nikon's are always ranked very high for the money Optically mine are great but the cheap twist down for eye glass wear cup broke. Widow