Cheap Glass: Best binoculars under $75?

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farmboy

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Aug 31, 1999
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As I've already posted on a popular gun forum, I know it's hard if not impossible to make a good recommendation.

But since I'm "between assignments", we have to keep our Christmas budget on the lower side. I have a son and two sons in law that I'd like to buy some binoculars for, but I'm struggling with finding anything.

Can anyone suggest a brand or model that they've been impressed with in that under $75 price range?
 
I've had my Meade TravelView 8X for years and have been very happy with them. A wider field of view than comperable Nikon glass I've tried. Their Pro line is above your price range but their Wilderness line fits your price limit.

Avoid the current TravelView line. It isn't what it used to be. TravelView are now the low end glass. TravelPro used to be their compact models but good suff. Now, not so much.

If you aren't familiar with Meade, they're a telescope maker. They own/make rifle scopes for Redfield, Simmons and Weaver.
 
There are a lot of brand name binoculars in your price range. Since you can't expect a lot for $75, pick a brand that offers a good warranty. Leupold and Bushnell for instance.
I looked at ebay and you can probably get something in the Leupold Yosemite line for less then $75.

You didn't mention what you were going to use them for or the size you wanted. A good general purpose binocular would be around 8x30 or 8x42 if you want something bigger.

I don't know how much you know about binoculars, but I would avoid those cheap compact binoculars and anything over 10 power. I have a Steiner Safari 8x22 that's OK, but they don't compare to a full size binocular. I keep them because my wife likes them.

I reread your post and see that they are to be gifts. 8x30 or 8x32 would be a good general purpose binocular.
 
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I like and own pairs of Leupold Yosemite binocs (10 x 30 and 6 x 30) and like and use them frequently. I paid very close to $100 for each of these with the 10 x 30 being purchased this past summer. They are the binocs I keep in my truck or take on my kayak. B oth water proof and reasonably compact so I can carry them easily hiking or in the woods hunting. I would suggest that you handle them in a store and see if you like them. If not, no big thing to me.
 
Since you're already 3/4 there, go the 100 dollar range and you get into a better class of binocular. Both Nikon and Leupold have good glass a that range. The Leupold 8X25 is 99 bucks on Amazon, has very sharp clear optics, is water proof, and has lifetime warrantee. I used to be a big Steiner fan, but they burn4d my out with their conditional warrantee and poor customer service. I've had one Leupold since 1988, and they were better in th elng run than my Steiners that I bought in 1983. The Steiners bit the dust, the Leupolds are still going strong, and has better image on cloudy days. Fits in a jacket pocket. I've had these for two years now, and have been very happy with the performance in dim light or poor weather conditions. On parr with the Steiner 8X30 military marian I used to have, and way better than the Steiner compacts that went belly up.

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Well, I made a purchase just a day or so after I originally created this thread. This is what I ended up with:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910765-REG/nikon_8245_8x42_aculon_a211.html

They seem like pretty good binoculars, and for a cheap, general purpose set of field glasses, they seem pretty good. They're clear and bright, not water proof, but provide a field of view that's really pretty good. They give my old Bauch & Lomb 10x50's a real run for their money!

I hope a made a good choice as a gift for the boys. I guess time will tell.
Thanks for the advice to all that gave it, as I've learned much from you fellas on a variety of things, binos included.
 
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