Best binoculars for <$60?

[k3n]

deleted

 

[Scotteq]

Correct on the first part - The second number refers to the size of the 'Objective' {think 'Main'} lens, and therefore indicates how much light can be gathered.

 

[pete6032]

I have these and like them a lot.

 

[k3n]

I am having 2nd thoughts about the Bushnell I just bought. When move the "zoom" knob on the binocular, it doesn't zoom in or out of the distance, like on a camera. Should I assume they are broken and return them?

 

[Rakehellion]

Get yourself a pair of these:

 

[lxskllr]

Binoculars don't have a zoom knob. They focus, and make it so you can see.

 

[Ken g6]

I have some (fairly cheap) binoculars with a zoom lever. But paying for better binocs really is worth the money IMHO.

 

[SSSnail]

Spend a bit more and get these?

 

[k3n]

The Pentax is 16x21, rather than 7x35 like the Bushnells. The 21, means it will allow less lighting through? Is that a cause for concern for binoculars $70+ more.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[lxskllr]

The Pentax is 16x21, rather than 7x35 like the Bushnells. The 21, means it will allow less lighting through? Is that a cause for concern for binoculars $70+ more.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Correct. Also, too much is too much. Don't get a higher power than you need. Greater magnification reduces image stability, and it's harder to see when not using a brace/tripod.

 

[Pocatello]

7x35 is fine for most situation. Avoid cheap binocs with zoom, you just get a blurry image, enlarged. I would recommend Nikon binoculars, like this pair http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8244-ACU...kon+binoculars

 

[SSSnail]

The Pentax is 16x21, rather than 7x35 like the Bushnells. The 21, means it will allow less lighting through? Is that a cause for concern for binoculars $70+ more.

Thanks for the suggestion.

How much light are you trying to get through? Are you planning to use these at night? :awe:

I don't understand how you get "blurry image enlarge" if they're optical zoom...

 

[JMapleton]

Anything under $200 is going to be garbage IMO. THey'll give you a headache looking into them too long. They'll break. Crappy warranty. Distorted image.

These are a great deal:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-diamondback-10x42mm-binoculars-d241.html

Most people have never looked through a nice par of binoculars. Once you do for the first time everything else feels like junk.

And most of all: Stay away from zoom binoculars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are the crappiest of them all, no matter the price.

 

[John Connor]

You don't want 7x get 10x at least. For 60 lousy bucks they can be had. I have a pair of 10x-25's and 10x-50's.

 

[k3n]

deleted

 

[John Connor]

Here is some nice ones, but I can't vouch for the quility. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Day-Night-6...281294853812?pt=Binocular&hash=item417e7ad6b4

I used to get Sky and Telescope mag and they mentioned that you don't want Binocs that are ruby coated or any of that shit. For night viewing you want as large as an objective lens as possible to let more light through. You also should find some that are gas filled and have a protective layer on the lenses. But @ only a $60 budget you won't find anything better than what you can get cheap on eBay or Amazon with a good large objective lens and magnification power.

I used to track satellites flying over head at night and would use a night vision monocular to see the small light better. It was only a Gen I tube but better than nothing. If I win some big bucks I'm buying at least a Gen III model after a new computer build of course. LOL

http://www.satflare.com/track.asp#TOP

 

[yhelothar]

Anything under $200 is going to be garbage IMO. THey'll give you a headache looking into them too long. They'll break. Crappy warranty. Distorted image.

These are a great deal:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-diamondback-10x42mm-binoculars-d241.html

Most people have never looked through a nice par of binoculars. Once you do for the first time everything else feels like junk.

And most of all: Stay away from zoom binoculars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are the crappiest of them all, no matter the price.

That one has a compact roof prism design. You're paying a premium to have compactness.
A solid pair of porro prism binoculars would cost a small fraction of that while retaining similar quality.

 

[mikeford]

I like the Nikon's we bought to use during our last big trip, but truth is they will get used a LOT less then you think.

OTOH if you absolutely can't get closer to something you want to see in more detail, they do the job.

For hunting best to tag along with somebody using $3k binoculars that have low light ability.

 

[Pocatello]

I like the Nikon's we bought to use during our last big trip, but truth is they will get used a LOT less then you think.

OTOH if you absolutely can't get closer to something you want to see in more detail, they do the job.

For hunting best to tag along with somebody using $3k binoculars that have low light ability.

I hunt all the time with binoculars under $100. I use cheap rifles to shoot too. I don't even need a 4x4 pickup either. Of course, there are hunters with $3K binoculars, a $3k gun with $3K scope, a $50K full-sized pickup pulling a trailer with a couple of ATV.

 

[JMapleton]

That one has a compact roof prism design. You're paying a premium to have compactness.
A solid pair of porro prism binoculars would cost a small fraction of that while retaining similar quality.

Most junk binoculars are porro-prism because its cheap to produce. Downside is that porro-prism binocs are fragile. Drop it once and the alignment of the mirrors off and needs servicing.

Roof prism is the better value. Unless you like buying junk. You're paying a premium for quality.

 

[EliteRetard]

This thread makes me wonder what I've got.
Was gifted a set of binoculars, they are compact and light and don't seem to suck.
I've had them for a rather long time (maybe 10 years?) and they've been banged around a bit. I figured they were probably some cheap $20 junk, but maybe not? Now I gotta go find them and see.

 

[EliteRetard]

Heh, they are $20 junk. Celestron 10x25 Outland
Like this: http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars/travel-binoculars/celestronoutland10x25wp.cfm

But if these are junk, then what's the problem? It does a pretty good job of giving a single image (not a double eye thing like pictures/movies), has a decent zoom, and I can focus for a clear image (as long as it's more than ~15ft away).

 

[gamefreakgcb]

I scored these for $40 a while ago. I enjoy using these at night to look at the sky. Need a tri-pod though. Using by hand is pretty difficult so I guess they're not something for you.

 

[bigi]

Nikon

These should do.

 

[yhelothar]

Most junk binoculars are porro-prism because its cheap to produce. Downside is that porro-prism binocs are fragile. Drop it once and the alignment of the mirrors off and needs servicing.

Roof prism is the better value. Unless you like buying junk. You're paying a premium for quality.

Most junk binoculars are porro prism, but it doesn't mean most porro-prism binoculars are junk. Your argument is senseless.

OP is looking for binoculars under $60 so porro prism binoculars are clearly the choice.