Best binoculars for <$60?

[John Connor]

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.

Those are freaking nice. Think I might buy those! 15x too!

 

[JMapleton]

Those are freaking nice. Think I might buy those! 15x too!

More power is not always better. That's how cheap binocular vendors fool you. The more powerful the binocular, the darker and blurrier the image is.

 

[JMapleton]

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.

Most porro prism binoculars, I assure you, are junk.

OP needs to spend more money, otherwise, IMO, he's wasting is money on child's toy binoculars.

 

[pete6032]

Most porro prism binoculars, I assure you, are junk.

OP needs to spend more money, otherwise, IMO, he's wasting is money on child's toy binoculars.

Not everyone can afford to pay (or is willing to pay) $200 for binochulars. OP has stated that he is a frugal person. What you're recommending is out of his budget.

 

[Jaepheth]

I'm comparing two 8x42 binoculars (Use: Stadium/concert/occasional hike):
Vortex 8x42 Diamondback | Bushnell 8x42 Legacy WP

They're both waterproof with a wide angle and weigh nearly the same

My question is:
What are the significant differences between these that aren't covered by the spec list?

I very rarely drop or break anything, so I'm not too worried about the higher durability of roof prisms.
(And even if any dis-alignment wasn't covered by warranty I could buy almost 3 of the Bushnells for the price of 1 pair of the Vortex)

 

[JMapleton]

I'm comparing two 8x42 binoculars (Use: Stadium/concert/occasional hike):
Vortex 8x42 Diamondback | Bushnell 8x42 Legacy WP

They're both waterproof with a wide angle and weigh nearly the same

My question is:
What are the significant differences between these that aren't covered by the spec list?

I very rarely drop or break anything, so I'm not too worried about the higher durability of roof prisms.
(And even if any dis-alignment wasn't covered by warranty I could buy almost 3 of the Bushnells for the price of 1 pair of the Vortex)

I worked in the sport optics industry for 5 years. I will not give specifics but I would recommend the Vortex over the Bushnell anyday. The Bushnell seems better on paper but I've used both and I do not like anything made by Bushnell. Just my personal opinion.

Vortex customer service is 5 star. Their products are built to last.

Here is a cheaper Vortex:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/999165-REG/vortex_cfr_4222_8x42_crossfire_ii_binocular.html

A step down in image quality but still a great binocular.

 

[Jaepheth]

I worked in the sport optics industry for 5 years. I will not give specifics but I would recommend the Vortex over the Bushnell anyday. The Bushnell seems better on paper but I've used both and I do not like anything made by Bushnell. Just my personal opinion.

Vortex customer service is 5 star. Their products are built to last.

Here is a cheaper Vortex:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...binocular.html

A step down in image quality but still a great binocular.

How would you rate Redfields?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...binocular.html

 

[JMapleton]

How would you rate Redfields?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...binocular.html

Redfield is owned by Leupold. It's an average brand really. Not bad but not great, IMO.

I'm a huge Vortex fan though. My personal binocs are Vortex Viper 10x42.

 

[John Connor]

More power is not always better. That's how cheap binocular vendors fool you. The more powerful the binocular, the darker and blurrier the image is.

With a large objective lens it will make up for that. I have a spoting scope that is 60x. Are you going to say the image is dark and blurry in that too?

 

[JMapleton]

With a large objective lens it will make up for that. I have a spoting scope that is 60x. Are you going to say the image is dark and blurry in that too?

You likely have a 20-60 zoom. The 60x zoom is going to be darker and blurrier than when you're using it at 20x, yes.

In addition, the 15x bino is going to be much more difficult to hold steady. Most people cannot hold a 15x steady enough.

 

[alkemyst]

For sky watching, these just came up on Amazon for $49.99

Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter

It's a lightning deal so act fast!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008Y0VN/...d_p=1725241762

 

[yhelothar]

Most porro prism binoculars, I assure you, are junk.

OP needs to spend more money, otherwise, IMO, he's wasting is money on child's toy binoculars.

That's like saying since most mountain bikes are shitty department store junk, don't buy a mountain bike. No it just means you should buy a good mountain bike that's not built like junk.

There are plenty of high quality porro prisms made by any of the big name optic companies that are top grade. If you have the best porro prism binocular and compare them with the best roof quality binoculars, there would be no quality difference and the porro would cost significantly less.

Your argument is retarded.

 

[JMapleton]

That's like saying since most mountain bikes are shitty department store junk, don't buy a mountain bike. No it just means you should buy a good mountain bike that's not built like junk.

There are plenty of high quality porro prisms made by any of the big name optic companies that are top grade. If you have the best porro prism binocular and compare them with the best roof quality binoculars, there would be no quality difference and the porro would cost significantly less.

Your argument is retarded.

Only one brand makes a "top grade" porro prism binocular and that's Swarovski and their porro prism model very hard to find in the US and is mostly sold in Europe.

http://www.binostore.com/en/binoculars/hunting-binoculars/b/swarovski/habicht/

Every other porro on the market, in my opinion, is junk.

You're also making vague statements.

high quality porro prisms

"high quality" is subjective.

no quality difference

Quality? Build or image quality? Build quality and durability is where porro prisms lack, that's why they're not made much anymore.

 

[alkemyst]

Only one brand makes a "top grade" porro prism binocular and that's Swarovski and their porro prism model very hard to find in the US and is mostly sold in Europe.

http://www.binostore.com/en/binoculars/hunting-binoculars/b/swarovski/habicht/

Every other porro on the market, in my opinion, is junk.

You're also making vague statements.

high quality porro prisms

"high quality" is subjective.

no quality difference

Quality? Build or image quality? Build quality and durability is where porro prisms lack, that's why they're not made much anymore.

/facepalm

BTW your signature isn't loading right now, bro.

 

[JMapleton]

/facepalm

BTW your signature isn't loading right now, bro.

The link doesn't work? Works for me. It's not my website, just one I think everyone should see. Very interesting.

 

[mikeford]

Nobody mentioned autofocus binoculars, those can be pretty nice.

I go with something is better than nothing, but don't expect miracles below $100.

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.

The premium binoculars allow half an hour to an hour more visibility dawn and dusk, which doesn't make much difference putting meat in freezer, and all the different to put a trophy on the wall.

My cousin's rig sleeps six, has a shower, freezer, and room for horses, but he hunts "alot".

 

[JMapleton]

Nobody mentioned autofocus binoculars, those can be pretty nice.

Autofocus binoculars are some of the worst binoculars in existence. I am not exaggerating.

1. They only work if you have 20/20 vision.
2. Even then, in order to achieve autofocus, they keep everything at a slight blur.
3. They use low quality lenses. You will not find any high end manufacturers produce autofocus binocs, there is a reason for that.
4. They're porro prism, so they can be knocked out of collimation easily, causing headaches or double vision (in the binocs).
5. They have a very long close focus distance. The autofocus feature prevents you from focusing in on things close up.