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Binos under $500

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helo18 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Binos under $500
    Posted: June/06/2017 at 08:27
I have lots of binos in the $1000+ range, but am looking for the best bino under $500.  I would prefer 10x but am open to 8x as well.  Thoughts?  I am also fine buying off the Sample List.
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BeltFed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/06/2017 at 09:30
I was impressed with the pair of Vortex binos my cousin had. They were 8x42, but I don't know if they were Diamondbacks or Vipers. He makes trail cams, so he got a deal on them at a trade show.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/06/2017 at 11:15
The price points are kind of weird in that range with the China vs Japan thing. Then there's Leupold closing out some lines for an updated version. I know that doesn't help. I'm just pointing out that it might be more appropriate to look at specific models rather than expecting price to be as good an indicator as usual.
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helo18 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/06/2017 at 14:59
I don't really expect $500 to be an overall indication of good or bad.  If I remember correctly several years ago, ZenRay was getting good reviews and I had never heard of them.  Also on the sample list, you can get some really good deals.  Or closeouts.  

Currently I have the following (or access to)

Lieca Geovid 10x42 with rangefinder (my most used and owned)
Swaro EL 8.5x42
Swaro CL 10x32

Bought my dad the Burris Sig Select 8x56 when they closed out and am still amazed at how good they are.  If I could find a deal like I did on the Burris I would jump all over it.

I just don't know binos that well and as you can see, I run a few high dollar optics, but am looking for something I can throw in the utv or boat and not worry as much about them.  Range is $200 to $500 in my mind whether it is new or demo off Sample List.  I have bought lots of sample list items and you couldn't tell they were used.  

For the company I work for, Skylar hooked me up with some closeout Monarchs that were 200 or so in price and they work great for the work trucks and supervisors.
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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: June/06/2017 at 17:25
Looking through the samplelists, here are some options:

Pentax SP
Pentax does not get enough street cred, but these are well built binos with good optics.

Leupold McKinley:
I think the McKinley is the same bino as Zen Prime HD, but with Leupold's customer support.  Do not quote me on this though.  It's been a while since I have seen them.

Hawke Frontier ED seem to be on sale:
Best I can tell, this is a very good price.

Sightron SIII LR is a pretty nice binocular as well, if I remember correctly and it should be right around your price range.

ILya
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/06/2017 at 17:25
I bought a pair of Sightron s2 blue skys 8x32s.  They were around $170 IIRC.  Honestly they are pretty nice for the money.  They are my side by side bino's and I use them a lot.  My Meopta 8x32s are much nicer, but the Sightrons work great for my needs. 
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helo18 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/07/2017 at 07:16
The Hawke might be hard to pass up at that sale price.

Are Steiner binos decent?  I saw this one on the sample list.

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robbie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote robbie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2017 at 12:53
Originally posted by helo18 helo18 wrote:

Bought my dad the Burris Sig Select 8x56 when they closed out and am still amazed at how good they are.  If I could find a deal like I did on the Burris I would jump all over it.


I have a pair of the Burris Signature Select 8x56 new and in factory sealed box.  If interested, let me know.
At the time I bought 2 of them and my Mom uses her pair daily on the farm.
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