Best 10 X 42 Binoculars for $500

[centershot]

Suggestions for 10 X 42 binoculars for prairie dog hunting priced around $500.

 

[a1712]

I use a Pentax DCF WP 10x42 for my open field hunting. I've used Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, Minox etc. etc., I haven't found any that compare to the Pentax. Maybe I just got lucky, but you could offer me any Manufacturers 10x42 in exchange regardless of price and I'd respectfully decline. Brian.

 

[Chfcemerson]

Vortex

 

[xswanted]

Bushnell makes a couple pairs around that price or I'd take a good look at the Nikon Monarch.

 

[jepp2]

Suggestions for 10 X 42 binoculars for prairie dog hunting priced around $500.

Another vote for Vortex: https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-hd-10x42-roof-prism-binocular.html

They run 10-12% discount codes about every week. I went with the Vortex Fury as I wanted to simplify things. They combine the great binos with a rangefinder. One less step for me prior to shooting.

 

[FatBoy]

I asked my Wife for the Bushnell Legend HDs last night. A buddy has had a set for a couple years and these things have not only held up, they have amazing glass. Way better than I expected from $200 binos.

I have heard excellent accounts of Athelon binos as well, but I have no first hand experience. Might be.worth looking up.

 

[centershot]

Some are listed as HD. What do you gain from that? Worth the extra money?

 

[JRS]

Some are listed as HD. What do you gain from that? Worth the extra money?

A large percentage of optics carry the HD moniker. It's a sales pitch. Take a look at the Steiner's in your price range.

 

[FatBoy]

Some are listed as HD. What do you gain from that? Worth the extra money?

The 10x42 HD Bushnells My buddy has dominate the 8x50 Steiners I bought my brother before his first deployment to Iraq, at less than half the price and size.

Not saying that their aren't better binos out there, but for hunting in the thick Southern woods these are exceptional. 10x is more than enough and the are small enough to chest carry, or even pocket carry if you have a winter coat on.

If I was going out west, these would not me my choice. I'd want more magnification and maybe a bigger objective. These are easy on the eyes but I wouldn't want to spend hours in them.

 

[josh shrum]

I will also throw a vote out for Vortex, the Vortex Diamondbacks that I carry out perform any of my other binos, even ones that cost significantly more money.

 

[pacificman]

I have the Bushnell legends which I have compared to a few others in that price range...for me
the Bushnell legends are hard to beat for the money....even against some of the higher priced models.
I bought the Bushnell's years ago and would buy again...but would consider Vortex as their Warranty
is as good as it gets.

 

[centershot]

Great info! Thanks. Most people that I talk to like Vortex.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I would suggest you wait for a Black Friday sale at Cabelas and pick up a pair of the Cabelas Instinct Euro HD 10x42 binoculars (Meopta Meostar B1 HD in Cabelas clothing). Might be able to get them for close to $700 or $800. Normal price is about $1300. Great binos and well worth the little extra money over you $500 budget if you can get them on a huge sale. Easily on par with Swarovski EL Swarovision and Leica Ultravid HD glass.....and a far cry above anything Pentax, Bushnell, or Vortex can offer. Meopta HD glass is simply amazing. Be the last binocular you ever purchase.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-INSTINCT-HD-BINOCULARS/2629888.uts?slotId=0

Won 'Editors Choice' award in Outdoor Life Magazine and 'Best of the Best' award in Field and Stream magazine against all of the world's finest binoculars. Even bested the mighty Swarovski EL Swarovision in the eyes of the testers.

http://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/s...-hd/meostar-b1-42mm-hd-binoculars/ctgBus.html

 

[centershot]

Think they are sold out.

 

[savagedasher]

Check vista outdoors products
They make many of the products listed above . Larry

 

[pmg]

Zen Ray, I've been pleasantly surprised with mine. The birders liked them too, that's what got me to bite. However it looks like their prices are going up like every thing else so it might be close to your $500 goal. If they had the Meopta deal when I bought mine I would have went that way.

 

[fyrewall]

I have a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks, 10 X 42. A real good deal from Cabela's less than $200. For prairie dogs, birds, rock chucks in deep shade, and stuff in vegetation they work real good. But when viewing light colored stuff in blazing bright sun there is noticeable flare. This is where you get what you pay for comes in. My binocular test that might seem sort of funny is to look at the tiny moons orbiting around Jupiter and see how much the flare from the huge bright planet obstructs the view of the tiny moons. In the 1700's royal navy vessels used telescopes to view Jupiter's moons and calculate longitude using published tables to compare moon positions with known positions, probably at Greenwich. How good was the glass and lens coatings in these old telescopes; when floating by rocky terrain could they spot a marmot at 440 yards and be able to shoot it (broad side salvo?)

 

[centershot]

The Meopta from several sources are $100 less than Cabelas.

 

[JRS]

When choosing, look at the 8x42 also. Generally speaking, the 8x offers a wider field of view and greater eye relief, along with a more stable picture.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The Meopta from several sources are $100 less than Cabelas.

Yeah I noticed this year Cabelas had Meopta revamp the design on the Instinct Euro HD binos. The diopter adjustment looks better and the body armor is a little different. Saw they upped the price on all of the models a bit too.