cheap binoculars
- Thread starter foxhntr69
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wildbillb02
New member
I have a pair of Nikon Actions 8x40's (I believe) I use them all the time nice, crisp and clear. I use them from deer hunting, to scouting, woodchuckin, and so on. I think they are going for around $80-$90 in Cabelas or Bass Pro right now. I would check both, if I remember right one was cheaper in this falls catalog.
TheOpticZone
New member
I would also recommend taking a look at the Nikon Action Binoculars. Very nice glass for the price. The 7x35's you can get for just over $50.00
IMHO, $50.00 binos are a waste of money, as is anything BSA (BSA = Been Screwed Again). Just tonight I saw an add for Schmidt and Bender riflescopes that made perfect sense. It said, "Only a rich man can afford a cheap scope" (in your case binos). The gist of the add is that you'll end up spending more money in the long-run buying cheap optics than you would if you buckled down and saved for good quality stuff. You might be thinking there can't be much difference between a $50.00 pair and a $1,000.00 pair, but believe me, there's a world of difference.
I used to use cheap glass myself, but one day I made the mistake of looking through a buddies Swarovski's and there was no turning back! If I could do anything different in my hunting career, it'd be that I would've forgone a couple of rifles and scopes years ago and spent the money on good quality binos and a spotter. A guy on another board I frequent summed it best when he said, "You ever heard of anyone who looks through top quality glass and says, What's all the fuss about?"
Having said that, I realize not everyone can spend $1k or more on binoculars, and with today's advancements in optics technology, $400.00-$500.00 buys a lot more binocular than it did even 5 years ago. In fact, you can get a great pair of binos for under $400.00 (Pentax 8x43 DCF SP's), but again, I think you're wasting your time and money looking for $50.00 binos.
If you're at all interested in the Pentax DCF SP's, go to the www.24hourcampfire.com forums and look in the hunting optics section for a thread titled "Special Campfire Pricing on Pentax DCF SP's". I guarantee it'd be well worth your time....
I used to use cheap glass myself, but one day I made the mistake of looking through a buddies Swarovski's and there was no turning back! If I could do anything different in my hunting career, it'd be that I would've forgone a couple of rifles and scopes years ago and spent the money on good quality binos and a spotter. A guy on another board I frequent summed it best when he said, "You ever heard of anyone who looks through top quality glass and says, What's all the fuss about?"
Having said that, I realize not everyone can spend $1k or more on binoculars, and with today's advancements in optics technology, $400.00-$500.00 buys a lot more binocular than it did even 5 years ago. In fact, you can get a great pair of binos for under $400.00 (Pentax 8x43 DCF SP's), but again, I think you're wasting your time and money looking for $50.00 binos.
If you're at all interested in the Pentax DCF SP's, go to the www.24hourcampfire.com forums and look in the hunting optics section for a thread titled "Special Campfire Pricing on Pentax DCF SP's". I guarantee it'd be well worth your time....
berettaman
New member
What Buster just said!!
I have a pair of Bushnell's Nature view that I use quite a bit and find them very satisfactory for the price. I also have a pair of Swarovski 10x42 to compare them with so I can vouch for their quality. Best price is at Adorama, a very reliable place for optics.
http://www.adorama.com/BS132000.html
http://www.adorama.com/BS132000.html
I bought a pair of the Lepold/Windriver, Mesa last year from Cabelas. $99.00.my wife wanted something to check out the birds on the feeders 8X23 I think. I like real well for the cost.
Not like a real nice set of Binos but much better than I expected.
Carl
I just checked Cabelas tehy are still there. 99.00
Not like a real nice set of Binos but much better than I expected.
Carl
I just checked Cabelas tehy are still there. 99.00
Until recently, I would have lambasted cheap optics too!
That is until I bought two pair of 10X50 NcStar binocs.
The pair set me back just 80.00 (40 per).
I find them to compete with 300.00 glass.
I wont phoo phoo good stuff. Sometimes that's all that will do, but sometimes econo stuff makes sense as well.
From my experience with Nc, I am going to try out one or two of their rifle scopes as well ....... low magnifications first and install them on "lesser rifles".
Three 44s
That is until I bought two pair of 10X50 NcStar binocs.
The pair set me back just 80.00 (40 per).
I find them to compete with 300.00 glass.
I wont phoo phoo good stuff. Sometimes that's all that will do, but sometimes econo stuff makes sense as well.
From my experience with Nc, I am going to try out one or two of their rifle scopes as well ....... low magnifications first and install them on "lesser rifles".
Three 44s
SmokinVarmits
New member
I recently replaced my scope because I had bought one of those $60 scope-in-a-plastic-wrapper 'deals'. It was a Bushnell and very well made. However, the optics warped around the edges. The center was clear but forget trying to see anything not dead-center. Good beginner scope for $60 but for a little more money you can have a great scope. Same could be said of some binoculars I've looked through.
For what it's worth, I bought another Bushnell for around $150 dollars (still not top end by any means!!) and the quality of optics is no-comparison.
Just my two cents. That's all I have left after having to buy two scopes...
For what it's worth, I bought another Bushnell for around $150 dollars (still not top end by any means!!) and the quality of optics is no-comparison.
Just my two cents. That's all I have left after having to buy two scopes...
222shooter
New member
IMHO, if you plan on looking thru your binos for long periods of time, spend the money and get some high quality glass. Your eyes will appreciate the clearity, alignment and sharpness. If you don't, then size and weight become more important.
Poor alignment of the prizums will give you the headaches. The binos will force your eyes to align un-naturally. You can sometimes feel this in your eyes when you look thru the binos then take them away.
There are some very clear inexpensive binos out there. Check the alignment and distortion also. I also recommend taking the binos outside, with the store clerk, to look thru them. All binos seem to look good indoors.
Poor alignment of the prizums will give you the headaches. The binos will force your eyes to align un-naturally. You can sometimes feel this in your eyes when you look thru the binos then take them away.
There are some very clear inexpensive binos out there. Check the alignment and distortion also. I also recommend taking the binos outside, with the store clerk, to look thru them. All binos seem to look good indoors.