• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Best binoculars for <$60?

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.
 
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?
 
Get yourself a pair of these:
cXv5uIE.jpg
 
I have some (fairly cheap) binoculars with a zoom lever. But paying for better binocs really is worth the money IMHO.
 
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.
 
k3n said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
k3n said:
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.
Click to expand...
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...
 
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.
 
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
 
Last edited:
JMapleton said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.

how-to-buy-binoculars.jpg
 
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.
 
mikeford said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
yhelothar said:
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.

how-to-buy-binoculars.jpg
Click to expand...

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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
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.
 
JMapleton said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top