Recommend a set of binoculars?

anonmouseuser

Senior member
Jun 25, 2002
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Just moved to the 8th floor where I have a killer view of Qwest Field and the harbor. Can someone recommend a good binoculars for about $50-$100? I can peek out the window and watch the planes fly by when I am bored.. :)
 

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2001
4,508
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76
I own a pair of Bushnell 10x50 binocs that I bought for my first elk hunting trip last year. They go for about $50 retail. Try to test before you leave the store, most "cheap" binocs aren't that great, and you don't want to end up with a set that don't work well. I was lucky with mine I think. Anything under $100 is going to be considered "cheap" and low-grade. So don't be suprised that most good binocs are well over the $100 range, many up over $500 that guides and ultra-serious hunters and such will use.

If possible, you may want to test out some with different magnification and area before you decide what to buy. For mine, "10" is the magnification, and "50" is the area shown.

Another good idea might be to get a spotting scope that you can setup to watch the field without moving. Hunters use them mounted to car doors and such to help watch game from the road.
 

anonmouseuser

Senior member
Jun 25, 2002
288
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0
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
I own a pair of Bushnell 10x50 binocs that I bought for my first elk hunting trip last year. They go for about $50 retail. Try to test before you leave the store, most "cheap" binocs aren't that great, and you don't want to end up with a set that don't work well. I was lucky with mine I think. Anything under $100 is going to be considered "cheap" and low-grade. So don't be suprised that most good binocs are well over the $100 range, many up over $500 that guides and ultra-serious hunters and such will use.

If possible, you may want to test out some with different magnification and area before you decide what to buy. For mine, "10" is the magnification, and "50" is the area shown.

Another good idea might be to get a spotting scope that you can setup to watch the field without moving. Hunters use them mounted to car doors and such to help watch game from the road.

Great info. Thanks.

 

JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
1
0
I have a pair of Bushnell Trophy Series 10x42 binocs that I got for your price range. I think normal retail on them is ~$120 or so, but you can find them on sale at places like Bass Pro and Cabelas fairly often. I paid ~$80 for mine, and they are worth every penny. A slight correction to the naming standard explained by Cheetah: the first number is the magnification, but the second number is the size of the objective lens (in mm), not the area shown. The area shown is actually called the field of view, and is measured at a set distance. Typically, a larger objective will allow for more light gathering, and consequently be useful in lower light conditions. This may not be an issue to you, but doesn't hurt to know.