binoculars ??

[coonchaser]

Whats a good pain in the 200 dollar range thanks

[motley man]

Don't know about $200.00, but I've been using 7 X 35 Tasco for years and they have been good for out west and here.

[Pooh]

Vortex diamondbacks

[96trigger]

Nikon Monarchs if the sale is good. You should be able to find a good pair for that price. I would go online pick about 5 in your price range, and then search for user reviews on these products. Then go to store and try them out yourself. I always have a heck of time picking out differences in a brightly lit store.

[mainbutter]

When it comes to spending money on glass, I tend to like Nikon. I'm not a binocular buff, but I sure do like their lenses in their camera-work. Both my grandparents have some nikon binoculars at their 3rd story condo in Florida, and give an incredible view of the ocean below, and can pick out the detail on surfacing dolphins from FAR away. The color and resolution is definitely superb.

However, when I go in the field I use a cheap 10x monocular. The light intake isn't the same as a big pair of binoculars so there is a difference in low light conditions, but the magnification is what I need to tell a squirrel from a deer and a doe from a buck at the distances I pay attention to when I hunt. That, and it fits in my pocket.

[paceman]

I bought a pair of Bushnells last year, about a hundred bucks. work really well for me.

[Ufatz]

I am a Zeiss man, with several pairs around the place now and have used them for decades. Nothing finer. BUT.....I have been VERY impressed with some of the Bushnell glasses available today. There are some small 8X30 etc. for less than $100 that will amaze you. No...they don't beat my Zeiss glasses, but they are danged fine binoculars for the money. There is one model that I think is right around $100 or so on Amazon. Check them out. You're gonna be surprised.

[yakfisher]

I've got some Nikon Monarch 10x42 and I just picked up some Nikon travel lite 12x24, less light intake but way less weight. I'd check out some of the compact glass that is out there.

[Tom7227]

What are you going to use them for?

I think it makes a difference if you are trying to spot game early in the morning, looking at chicks across the beach, or looking at a tweety bird from 100 yards. Running game, standing game? Depth of field or width of viewing area?

Depending on what you want to do you may get by with a $30 pair from a garage sale. Or you may realize that $200 won't begin to get you what you need for what you want to do.

[Rippinlip]

You need to ask yourself what you are going to be using them for 1st?

I have the set I take with me on my archery hunts that are Leupold Yosemite 8 X 30 and they are compact, light wight, pick up a ton of light at dawn and dusk and are incredibly clear.

I would not try to glass at 500-700 yards with them, but for in the woods and out a couple of hunderd yards they are great.

I have the camo set for around $130.00

[Ufatz]

Quick follow-up comment about binoculars. Don't fall into the trap of buying binoculars of "high power". Become familiar with what the numbers mean before you buy. For hunting in the woods and most all Minnesota regions you simply to NOT need 10X and 12X glasses. They will be too large, too heavy and the field of view (FOV) will be much narrower than glasses of 7X or 8X. There are some marvelous hunting binoculars in 6X and 8X these days.

Go try some out. Notice how "shaky" the image is when you look through those 10X42's etc and how much more steady, and how wider the view is, through some basic 8X30, 7X35 or even 6X30.

Just trying to be helpful.

[TonkaBass]

I agree with Ufatz. Power depends on what you will use them for. The Monarch 5's 10 and 12 powers are not much different in weight, however you will get more shake with them because the higher the power the more steady the hand has to be. I like 12's because I shed hunt and the extra magnification on an object that isnt moving is nice and saves a lot of walking time... Duck hunting however is normally from a moving vehicle or with moving birds etc. and I like a cheap autofocus 10 power or even an 8 power

[Walleye Guy]

Take a look at the Leupold Rogue. It's under $200 and has great glass for the money.

[TonkaBass]

Cabelas has Nikon monarch 5's on sale. 8 powers for $229.99, 10's for $249.99, and 12's for $279.99. They are very nice and have a good warranty too.