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Best hunting 10x42 binocs under $200

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kphunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kphunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2005 at 10:10
Bought these at Sportsman's Warehouse. I compared them with several binocs, including the Nikon Monarchs, Pentax DCF-HRIIs, and a few others. In my opinion, the Alpens were superior and the price was right. For $199, phase coated and fully multi-coated optics, waterproof with Rainguard, lifetime warranty. Great clarity, and good light transmission.

Can't wait to use 'em on my pig hunt.

http://www.optics4birding.com/item.aspx?cid=2768
http://www.kpoutdoors.com

Please visit my website and click on the appropriate link to place an order with Bass Pro Shops, Cheaper than Dirt! and Sportsman's Guide, Inc.
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Acenturian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2005 at 13:20

Very good choice.  I totally forgot to mention the Alpen's. I looked at the Shasta Ridge series (very nice),a buddy of mne has a pair of Alpens great nocs.

 

 

Happy hunting

 

If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous

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gremlin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/30/2005 at 20:59
Best under $200?  From mentioning the Trophy's, I'm guessing that you're interested in Waterproof Roofs.

IF you look for a while, you can find Bushnell Legends in 10x42 for about $210 to $220 on e-bay.  They are a HUGE upgrade over the Trophies and feature laden to boot.

One of my birding friends who just got out of college bought a pair of Audubon Equinoxes in 10x42 that are waterproof roofs with nice twist up eye cups and 16mm eye relief.  They were pretty lightweight and I'm guessing probably started life in the same factory as Celestron and Leupold.  They were very crisp and bright for the money--$200 on eBay or $209 from Eagle Optics.

You'll occasionally find the Nikon Monarchs available for under $200 on a sale somewhere.  While they're nowhere near as good as some binocs that sell for $300, if you could get them for $199 they'd be a better picture than the Trophies.

I love the Bushnell Trophy riflescope series--the amber lenses are bright, the eye relief is good, they hold center even after being drug through the woods and dropped a few times.  I can't say that I like the binoculars near as much as I like my 3x9x40 scope.  It's a GRRRRRRRRRRRREAT buy for a hundred bucks or so.  The Trophy binoculars aren't quite as good a product for the money as the scopes are.

If you're tempted to buy the Trophy's and you HAVE to have a roof, just save the money and buy the Bushnell Explorers that Chris runs for $49.95.  They're waterproof (or at least as waterproof as the Trophy), twist up eye cups, and the same as the old 28 series Bausch & Lombs.  I own a pair of the Bausch & Lombs and they're my number one "loaner" pair to family and friends who want to borrow binoculars.  The view is good but not great.  They're solid built, they focus easy, they come with caps you won't lose, and they can take a lickin'.

Which makes them about the same as the Trophy's for 1/3 the price or less.

Just my two cents...

Take the long way home.

PS: AFTER I POSTED THIS I SAW PENTAX DCF HR'S ON THE SAMPLE LIST FOR $199.95.  RUN, DON'T WALK, TO SWFA IF YOU WANT THE BEST ROOF BINOCULAR UNDER $200 AND SNAG ONE OF THESE!


Edited by gremlin
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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 13:38

You CAN get Quality roof prisms for $200.  Audubon Equinoxs!

 

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=13& pid=3811

http://www.optics4birding.com/RevAudubonEquinoxClassics.aspx

 

 



Edited by elkhorn98
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 14:14

I've seen Audubon Equinox binoculars.  I do not think that they qualify as quality binoculars.  THe cheapest roof prism binocular that I would recommend is a Sightron S3 (almost as good as Pentax SP).  Cheaper roof prism binoculars can't hold a candle to comparably priced porros. 

 

Audubon Equinox (I tried an 8x version) gave me a monster headache in just a few minutes.  Also they seem to have a reputaion for not being especially durable or particularly waterproof.

 

Both eagleoptics and optics4birding are in the business of selling optics.  Have you seen any bad reviews on their websites?  To listen to them, every binocular they sell is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

Ilya

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 14:51

One of those websites doesn't rate the Nikon Monarch that great. 

 

Also if these reviews were just to sell binoculars why wouldn't they steer customers to expensive models and make more money?



Edited by elkhorn98
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 15:03
True.  They still try to push it though.  Anyhow, they still review it as a pretty decent binocular for the money.
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