Best hunting 10x42 binocs under $200

Ok - I know some of you will say spend more on good quality optics.  But this is my budget, so I have to stick with it.

I'm looking seriously at the Bushnell Trophy 10x42's, but I'm wondering if someone would recommend other binocs in this price range.

Thanks,

KP

Consider Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 and Pentax PCF WP 10x50.  If you choose to go with a roof prism, I would strongly suggest that you do not purchase anything without P-coating (phase corectied).  Porro binoculars like the ones above are a little bigger but offer a lot more optical performance for the money.

Ilya

The YK also known as the Yukon series from what I have been told are good but there is a noticable difference between those and the XM.  I went through Cabelas when I bought the XM's.  Most places I found on the internet that carried the Carson Xm's wanted $299.00 so I figured that at Cabelas price of $199 that was a pretty good buy.  Plus the YK through them is only about 50 dollars cheaper. 

I checked Cabelas web site and they have the 10x42 for $219.  Im not an optics expert but I read that by going to a 10x over an 8x you only gain minimal magnification but with the same size lens objective of 42 the lower power will be brighter. 

Just courious did you check the archery link above and do a seach for Carson?  I'm curious if it will let you search without being a member????  If it didn't let me know because I can try to get the information to you by linking the pages.

I would never tell someone that you should buy Brand X.  I think optics are a personal thing.  What may look good for me wont for you.  BUT, I am VERY happy with the Carson XM's everyone of my friends and family members I've showed them to have also been very impressed so much so some will be buying them for next hunting season. For the moeny I think they are the best kept secret out there.

Actually, I bought the Carsons sight unseen.  It was a big risk but I was impressed with what I was reading on the archery forums so I took the risk and couldn't be more happy.  I think for the money they are hard to beat.  I don't know if Cabelas has a return policy but it couldn't hurt to ask.  That way if you order the Carson or other brand and it is not up to your expectations you could return them for a different pair.

I don't know if the Sportsman Warehouse carries the binoculars or not.  I did I "Google" search before I bought mine and most places listed the XM's at $299.  I thought that Cabelas had a great price on them for $199.  I found the following links:

http://www.fogdog.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1820813&am p;cp&searchId=15610&brandId=15610&parentPage=sea rch

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-carson-optical-brand-sh op--fi-1182448.html

http://www.sportsauthority.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=7 02345&cp=1346878

I am only going to chime in to defend a product.  I wont tell someone to to buy this brand over the next it is going to be his decision.  However, unless you personally have handled the Carsons I think that is an unfair statement.  Many fellow hunters have been VERY impressed with the overal quality and clarity or the XM series binoculars.

On a side not I did find this review from a "non" hunting source

http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0404/je0404-1.htm l

Like I said for the money you'd be hard press to beat this binoculars.

You can buy the following 10X42 binoculars from a variety of different dealers for your stated price range, all of which will outperform the Carsons.  (By the way I HAVE personally handled Carson binoculars)

Bushnell Legends for around $130

Nikon Action Extremes for $200

Pentax PCF series I and/or II for $230

Bausch and Lomb Discoverers for $220

Obviously you will buy whatever you choose to buy, but in your price range any of these binoculars I've listed will far out-perform anything else available.