decent/Good compact binoculars recommendations?

[disney]

Good morning all. I am hoping you can help me spend some money (wisely) I am searching for a decent pair of compact binoculars mainly to carry while backpacking. budget is ideally between 100-150$. Would go higher only for large improvement/warranty/or zoom. Weight and size are very important, so that likely means folding (roof prism) and I believe that eliminates zoom. if choice is between 8, 10x, would likely take the 10 power. As far as I know, I have no special eye needs (not cross eyed, both eyes equal, etc) Thanks in advance.

 

[RNeumann]

Glass is a largely personal choice. You are in or near a big enough City it would be wise to find someplace that sells several brands. I’ve purchased and sold Bushnell and Vortex because I didn’t like them. I didn’t like Redfield at all but love Leupold (same company)- I have several Leupold products. Trijicon sells good stuff too. Near the bottom of the price scale I like Simmons. I spend most of my time looking through glass that costs thousands- but fo some reason Simmons isn’t bad to my eye.

 

[teejk]

My newest binocs are Nikon (not compacts) but I have been very happy for the price...very clear optics and light gathering. Check out OpticsPlanet.com for a wide selection of brands. I see they have a Nikon compact 10x for about $90.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Luepold and Nikon are two great choices. Check on the warranty and repair issues on what ever brand and product it is you decide you might buy.

 

[disney]

Currently leaning towards Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x25mm partly due to their warranty, but still open to all options.

 

[/pine]

Before you spend more than $50 go in some sporting goods departments and check out the selections of some of the less costlier products...it is amazing how good some of the small, very light, very ergonomic, fast focusing glasses are these days that don't cost a fortune...they may not have the German or Swiss monikers but some of the very inexpensive glasses are well worth a look (pun intended)...

 

[Otto Syracuse]

I have used Nikon and Bushnell, those will be in your price range. I recently purchased a pair of Vortex, and they are far better than any of my previous binoculars. The pair I have are the Diamondback 10x42 and I am very happy with them. Lifetime warranty too! I purchased them from Cabelas because I had points to burn, I think Amazon has a better price on them. Of course I would love to have a Leopold, but I could never bring myself to spend that amount of money for something I might leave behind in the back of a bus.

 

[RNeumann]

I have used Nikon and Bushnell, those will be in your price range. I recently purchased a pair of Vortex, and they are far better than any of my previous binoculars. The pair I have are the Diamondback 10x42 and I am very happy with them. Lifetime warranty too! I purchased them from Cabelas because I had points to burn, I think Amazon has a better price on them. Of course I would love to have a Leopold, but I could never bring myself to spend that amount of money for something I might leave behind in the back of a bus.

I’ll second Cabela’s. They typically have about 100 pairs to try. As you can see from the posts Bushnell and Vortex have both elicited good and bad reports. It’s hard to just purchase based on reviews and opinions. Learned that the hard way!

 

[thatguy]

I just bought a pair of Vortex Viper 8x28 to take to Alaska - these compacts but the image is very sharp and bright.. They will run you about $300 though

Before I had a pair of bushnell compact Legend HD 10x26 that are a good value I thought..

As mentioned binocs are highly personal, you need to go look at a lot of different ones to see what fits you best..

brian

 

[disney]

Nearest Cabela’s is over 400 miles away, Sports Academy had few choices in compacts--all basic/economy models--told me to look online... will try to get to bass pro shop, but that's more than an hour drive... Again thanks to all who have responded.

 

[Firemanbuck82]

Nearest Cabela’s is over 400 miles away

There's a Bass Pro in Orlando. Same-same.

 

[japody]

Just got a pair of Vanguard Orros 10 x 25 from Cabelas for my wife. They have an offset design. Very comfortable and the objects are crystal clear. Good deal for only about $80 on their website. She really likes it.

 

[coobie]

Pentax fan here.If you can locate older used Pentax DCF-WP model great binos for $$ spent.I found one for $150 used in great condition I believe they sold for close to $600 new..There are some on ebay now used 8X42 for $122 shipped..

 

[Wagtail]

I recently bought a CELESTRON OutlandX 10x pair. Thy're a mob out of California but the binos are from Taiwan... not China.

I did all of my research via the Googles; mostly to figure out the 'lingo' and make an informed decision (much like using TBN ). I bought them on-line and couldn't be happier.

 

[RNeumann]

I did a search in your price range. Hard to beat these- brand, price, features and reviews all good. They make and 8x as well.

Leupold 119198 BX-1 McKenzie Green Ring Binoculars, Black, 10 x 42mm Amazon.com: Leupold 119198 BX-1 McKenzie Green Ring Binoculars, Black, 1 x 42mm: Sports & Outdoors

 

[oosik]

I have two pair of Leopold binocs. The larger pair are Wind River Olympic - 10x50. The smaller pair are fold up - 9x25 - I take them on hikes and with me when riding the motorcycle. Both pair were in the $300 to $350 range. I also looked at Nikon and Swarovski - - didn't need to spend that much on a pair of glasses. Swarovski would be my choice if I used them for work and used them every day.

 

[Bird]

I've had my Nikon Travelite II (7 x 20) ever since my wife got them for me for Christmas, 1988.:laughing: Not quite as powerful as what you want, but they obviously make good binoculars that will last.:laughing:

 

[/pine]

My problem was most of the times I wanted the binoculars they were not handy and the opportunity was lost (mostly glassing birds and wildlife)...I have a high quality (expensive) pair of glasses but I also have several pairs of good quality glasses (less than $50) that I use most often because I have them handy and can reach them quickly...one pair in the truck, one pair on the end table next to the swing on the porch and a pair inside by the big picture window...

I also have a so-so quality pair that has a built in camera...

 

[95XL883]

I really like my Leupold Yosemite 10x30 binoculars. Caught them on sale at Cabelas for $100. (They don't run that sale often so you may to watch a while.) My main use is hunting, usually whitetail. But, I just got back from an elk hunt. The ability to see elk with a fair amount of clarity at about a mile was amazing. The images at that distance were small but it was easy to tell the adult cow from the calf. It was easy to see two members of our party following them and the distance was literally a mile. I was able to spot a porcupine at 800 yards. I wasn't sure what it was but could tell it was some type of smaller mammal. (The porcupine in northern NM are huge. They look and move like a small bear.) Good luck.

 

[dmccarty]

I have always bought Nikon since the price and quality was right. CELESTRON is a brand the camera sales guy I used to buy from recommended.

10 power binoculars can be very hard to hold steady. I know have a set of Nikon 8x50 binoculars with a compass which is very nice and not too pricey. If'n I needed/wanted higher power I would look at stabilized binoculars.

Later,
Dan