I'm Very happy with my Nikon Monarch 8x42. For the $$$, (about#300) they do everything I want in optics.

I had a pair of Nikon binos that lasted me along time, they were good binos. They got tore up on the return trip from Africa??? a lens got loose in them some how.

J

Thanks all...a lot of mixed reviews here.  The Nikons keeps popping up.  I was sold on the Burris based on a lot of good points made by Allan.  

Would you guys say the Nikon and Burris are very comparable in quality, etc??  

If not, what specifically would you say is the difference?

Thanks again....CJ

I have a pair of Leupold Wind River Katmai in 8X32 and absolutely love them. I have never had the pleasure of looking through a $1000+ pair of binocs simply cause I don't want to spoil myself since I can't afford them, but I feel these Katmai's will "hang with the best". They are small, but not small enough to be discomforting to look through like pocket models usually are, have awesome light gathering capabilities, and are very very clear and sharp.

Generally they run almost double what your stated price range is, but I found mine online as display model and got them for under $200. They are also available in 6X32 if you prefer a lower power.

QuoteOriginally posted by Lin Rhea:
Leoupold Yosimite 6 X 30's.  $100 or so. Great image for the money and waterproof. Lin

I'll second that. For less than $100 you'd be hard pressed to find anything better.

If you hunt around on some bino forums, there's a common theme of Vortex being one of the best for the money out there right now.

Based on this I bought a pair of Vortex 8x42 for something like $200...all I can say is...wow...

It would be very difficult for someone to find better bino's for the money, and to top it off with their guarrantee...basically you can send them the parts in a shoebox and they'll repair or replace...LIFETIME

Just want to piggy-back on this thread.  What is the best size optic for light gathering and yet still small enough for mobility?  I have the Leupold Mesa 8x23 (  http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-8x23-wind-river-mesa-binoculars.html  ) I got them because I wanted small enough for one-handed use and I have to say I'm disappointed in them.  The last twenty minutes of light I just put them away because I can see better with my naked eyes.

There's a huge difference between 8x23 and 6x30. There is a coefficient directly related in the factor of the first number as it relates to the second number. I don't remember it except that the factor of 5 is the max that the human eye can deal with or something like that.

In an 8x23 that factor is roughly 3....so the light gathering capability will be less than stellar in that pair.

I wrote a review of the 6x30 Yosemite by Leupold- I owned Leica 10x42's and Swaro 8x30's for a long time and I am telling you, for eastern US work, the 6x30 is a fantastic pair of binos - inexpensive, waterproof, and the image is fantastic. Lin Rhea knows what he is talking about.

This is just a thought but if you need very expensive binos to gather all the light you can at the last moment so you can see an animal far away, wouldn't it be to late to start the stalk on him anyway? If I carry a pair, I don't need anything higher than a 4X because the woods are so thick here its useless to use anything bigger. I could see the need for a strong set in the wide open spaces out west though.

Leopold Katmai 6x32 is the best I have used seperating brush and fur.

I am with Bjorn on the Katmai 6x32. A little more expensive than what you are looking for but well worth the investment.

Oh Yeah,,,right now optics planet has some of the best prices I have seen on most bino's mentioned. Plus free shipping and great customer service.

I just went with the Leoupold Yosimite 6 X 30's based on all of the comments. Can't wait to get them.

I have used Stieners 8X30's for 4 or 5 years and have found them to be excellent! In good weather and in bad, they have never let me down.