Best binoculars under $100
- Thread starter Poke-E
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I am a bino freak,You can not get a good pair of Binos for $100,if that is your budget, it is better to buy used,I like Japanese glass.So Nikon and Pentax are popular; I also think the lower power is better. I use 8x, and my favorites are 8x32, then 8x42. I like Porro Prism, but they tend to cost a little more...I love my Nikon 8x30 Monarchs,I use them the most because they are handy,I have TOL Burris and Pentax,the Burris are actually Pentax,I also have Swarovski,which are great,just not as handy.There are a bunch of different Bushnells,it hard to get a good one.
Sorry, I went on and on, studying the reviews and following them will help you more
Sorry, I went on and on, studying the reviews and following them will help you more
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I had a pair of these Sightmark Solitude XD 7x36, got them on sale for about 100 bucks. They have ED glass, fov is 477ft which is massive with a very nice clear view, excellent at their respective price point. I gave them to my sister in law when I purchased a pair of Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32's which have a crystal clear view. Wait for the Sightmarks to go on sale....
Sightmark Solitude 7x36 XD Binoculars https://a.co/d/cFxfQ8C
Sightmark Solitude 7x36 XD Binoculars https://a.co/d/cFxfQ8C
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Whoooaaaa.... You are a lot more interested in Binoculars then I am, that's for sure!!! Lol I am actually just looking for a pair as a Christmas gift and don't want to break the Bank! I do recognize some of the names and know that they do not sell anything cheap! I also understand you get what you pay for so I believe the price they sell there equipment for is worth it. I appreciate it tho!!
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I think the only way you will get a good pair of binoculars for less tan $100.00 would be from a pawn shop whose owner was clueless.
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This is the truth. When it comes to binos, buy once, cry once,. Here's what I learned about binos.... 7x or 8x max for handheld to give you the steadiest view in the field. The glass is important, but the coatings (which are proprietary to each company) is what is important.
I spent time on birdwatching sites and learned from them what are good binos.
I settled on a pair of these
Vanguard ED2 and have been on all my Squirrel hunting trips from 60F Sept- Oct days to 1 degree F Feb days. Good clarity, no fogging. great eye relief ( I wear glasses) and have stood up to everything I have put thru them. The logo came off but other then that. Money well spent.
Just my .02
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Look at Swift Birders, 8x. The best you can buy for under $500.00. Lens coatings are the secret. Search the Bird Watching sites. Those folks spend hours behind their glass. (cheap glass, major headache)
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Maaannnn .... If air gunning has taught me anything that it is by once cry once best policy!
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i got a 10x vortex on sale for like $150 a few years ago. best binocs i've ever had, and they work for my use - scanning the field behind us....
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Budget ones I get are pretty nice new , but as time goes on they start telling on themselves. Especially yellowing . ( I guess it called that ) The nice clear glass slowly goes less and less clear . Then the focus wares and gets a little wonky ( knob tube rails not as tight) .
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10 or so years ago I wanted a new pair of binoculars & mentioned to my wife my intention to buy some. Christmas was around the corner so she told me to wait & sure enough Christmas morning there was a new pair of Nikon 8-15x25s I think they were. She was very proud of herself & I of course thanked her graciously. While the gift was well intentioned & well received, they were nearly useless for my intended purpose & havnt seen the light of day since.
I offer this story as a warning. Good glass is expensive & if the intended recipient is in any manner discerning, while they will be overtly pleased by the gift they too will likely never see the light of day again either. Better off choosing a different gift that might be better received.
Now if you are thinking about getting it for a kid, they will be delighted by a $100 pair of binos.
I offer this story as a warning. Good glass is expensive & if the intended recipient is in any manner discerning, while they will be overtly pleased by the gift they too will likely never see the light of day again either. Better off choosing a different gift that might be better received.
Now if you are thinking about getting it for a kid, they will be delighted by a $100 pair of binos.
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I found the best pair I ever owned is a pair of athlon cronus 10x42 gen 2....used maybe $300 life warranty
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But I also have to recommend a pair of vortex diamondback 10x42 ...they are also pretty nice for the money.
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Find a coupon for $3500 off on Swarovski optics...
In all seriousness, there aren't any great binos for $100. Monstrum (check Amazon) have been pretty amazing for the price, but I'm guessing a decent set, even from them, is going to be over $100.
BUT!!! Can you tell the difference? When will you be using them? If you don't notice chromatic aberration, and fringe focus hasn't annoyed you, and you only use your binos in bright light - you probably don't need anything special. Optics in general are about paying much, much more for a little bit of improvement. Imo, the one thing that most people can discern between good and bad optics is light gathering. Not so important if your primary use is field trips around the mid-day Sonoran desert. Still $100 is a pretty meager budget these days. I'm not mocking you, but I know of nothing good for $100 or less.
GsT
In all seriousness, there aren't any great binos for $100. Monstrum (check Amazon) have been pretty amazing for the price, but I'm guessing a decent set, even from them, is going to be over $100.
BUT!!! Can you tell the difference? When will you be using them? If you don't notice chromatic aberration, and fringe focus hasn't annoyed you, and you only use your binos in bright light - you probably don't need anything special. Optics in general are about paying much, much more for a little bit of improvement. Imo, the one thing that most people can discern between good and bad optics is light gathering. Not so important if your primary use is field trips around the mid-day Sonoran desert. Still $100 is a pretty meager budget these days. I'm not mocking you, but I know of nothing good for $100 or less.
GsT
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I got some Vortex 10x binoculars this summer for 129.00 regular price was 289.00, very bright and clear. Cant remember model name off top of my head.
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I have owned several types of binoculars over the years. My best have been made by Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss - your preference may vary!
Spend once, cry once vs crying many times with what did not suit me. My use is from close range 10 yds + (small game) up to several hundred yards for varmints and deer, etc.
Suggestions- visit a dealer who has many brands that you can handle - look thru at something a few feet from you to several hundred yards if possible and compare as many models as you can.
It is worth the drive to find a dealer with bino selection to do this.
Good luck
Spend once, cry once vs crying many times with what did not suit me. My use is from close range 10 yds + (small game) up to several hundred yards for varmints and deer, etc.
Suggestions- visit a dealer who has many brands that you can handle - look thru at something a few feet from you to several hundred yards if possible and compare as many models as you can.
It is worth the drive to find a dealer with bino selection to do this.
Good luck
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