There are some SUPER expensive optical models on the market...there are also some decent optics for the budget minded individual. The budget minded end is typically where I tend to fall (hence the nickname my wife created for me..."The Money Nazi") but when it comes to sporting optics, I am willing to part with a buck, or two, or......you get the point!!

Anyhoo...I'm in need of upgrading my bino's before next year. I want something that will serve my eastern deer hunting needs and possibly a few trips west for antelope, muley or elk.

What are you guys using? What price range/models would you really like to have? And what would you consider to be a bare minimum make/model? I'm looking to buy the minimum, just wondering what your opinions are.

You might want to have a look at Alpen optics. They are very good and very reasonably priced for what you get. Jackie uses their 10x42's and I wouldn't hesitate to carry them as well.

Well Dan for the money I'd get the nice little pair I picked up at Bob's army navy store in Clearfield. They are the Tasco 8X21, fully coated optics, with a 383 foot field of view at 1,000 yards. I think they were $9.99. I looked thru the 10X Tasco's but they didn't focus well. And just think if ya loose them your not out too much money.

Last year i was bored at work and was looking at the deals that Doug @ Camera Land has. He had a pair of 10x Leica Goevids for 1800-something, and i said to heck with it. I'm going for it and bought 'em. I'm not sure what the 8x's r going for, but if u're into the LR stuff, they're the only way to go.

Dan

I own both Leica and Zeiss, my brother has swarovoski, so I have used all three brands.......not much difference in the quality of them, but Zeiss has a transferrable warranty and the others don't..........I have also used Kahles.........

I purchased a set of Pentax 8X30 DCF WP binos for my wife, no, they are not quite the same quality of Zeiss, Leica or Swaro, but, they cost less than 1/3 of the price......and, truthfully, I can't see $700-$900+ difference in quality!! Even after extensively using units from the "big 3", I could easily be happy with the 8X30 Pentax.........I don't consider the Pentax to be "cheap".........they are good optics at a lower price.

Cheap binoculars are TOO expensive!!!

I picked up a pair of Steiner 8x military/marine binos with the rubber armored finish (as I have a tendency to drop things) for a little less than $200 from Midway. They're my first attempt at binos that cost more than $50, and so far I am highly impressed. Clarity and light transmission are outstanding, and they are definitely water-proof. They're not quite compact, but are small enough to fit in most jacket pockets. Worth a look.

I use Zeiss 7x42's HB (had them for awhile).
Not as expensive:
Here is some good binocs at better value.
Do you homework and see what you like.
If you like individual focus Minox 6.5x32 IF
Center focus- 7x36 Swift and a 6.5x32 Fury
The Promaster Infinity Elite ELX 8x42 ED $499.99
Promaster Infinity Elite ELX 10x42 ED are $549.99

I have done a lot of research on this very subject, and I have found that for the money the Vortex Viper 8x42 or 10x42 ($499) are incredible. They have a fantastic warranty, good eye relief, wide FOV, and are very sharp.

If you want to spend a little less money, the Nikon ATB 8x42 ($289) is also very good.

Jesse

bobhanson1 has got it right Steiners all the way..Bought mine from the factory when in Germany and never looked back...SSG Retired

Steiners aren't bad, but TRY them BEFORE you buy them........I have tried several different pairs/models/styles and I can't use them.......something about the optics won't allow me to get a single crisp image.......I consistently get a double image with every pair of steiners I have tried........they are the only brand that I have had a problem with......and, yes, I know how to adjust them for my eyes......doesn't help.

I guess nobody likes the Tascos.

Tigger, I use a little Tasco that I got free when I bought a rifle scope over ten years ago. I broke the scope on my .375 HH mag. but the bino's have worked great as long as your not trying to look to far out. My price limit on bino's is under $100.oo Yes you can see and count each hair on a deer at 1/2 mile with the high dollar ones, but all I need to see is antlers from that far away, then I'll sneak up closer to get a good look. I would rather put my money into other things. Just my opinion. rupe

well i think i will go along with you tig and rupe i would
put my money in to a scope or something like that.
i have a set of tascos that i have had about 10yrs still working
great.
larry

Brunton makes some high quality, phase coated binoculars that are not too expensive. I've been very happy with their products.

I was surprised at the clarity of a pair of Leupold 10X32 that another hunter was using....

Tigg my first handgun scope was a 1.5X Tasco. Worked fine...

I use the 8x Leupolds with the built in range finder and love them. Mine are the first generation but work great. I think they have them now in 10x but it's nice having my range finder and binos in one package and they have worked great out here for elk and mulies although sometimes another 2x would be nice.

i wouldn't mind to have a pair of those tig!

i have 2 cheapie pair of bushnell powerview, i think they are called....one 12x, and one 7x...or 8x??. they are ok for messin around here at home for deer.

My comments about the $9.99 Tasco's was kind of toung and cheek, I figured Dan would slap me down. LOL<LOL I do have the cheap Tasco's and they work great for beating around in my pickup door pocket and charlie hunting just to scan fields or confirm a charlie head from a clump of grass. I think if I had to look for game all day my eyes would be crossed! LOL

Some of the old Tasco's were of decent quality. Back in the late '90's The "Titan" series by Tasco was their attempt at a premium-level optic. They made both binoculars, and riflescopes. Tasco as a company was just a name brand, so to speak. They owned no manufacturing facility, but just bought optics from other mfg.'s that would meet their specs. The Titan series was made in Japan by one of the better optics manufacturing facilities. Both the binos and scopes were quite good, far better than anything in their price range. I have been told by a couple of optics sellers that the Titan binos can not be eclipsed for less than $400-$500.

I guess in the end the Tasco name scared enough people off that the Titan series died. They were twice to three times as expensive as the usual Tasco scope ($200 to $350) and could compete with scopes costing two to three times as much, but in the end, the average Tasco buyer wanted to spend $50 to $100, and the guys willing to spend more couldn't believe they were that good. I picked these up brand new on clearance for $140.00. So if you guys run across a pair and the price is right give them a good look.

Dan

Might want to check these out!

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62147