Where can I go try out my first pair of binoculars? (1 Viewer)

[Punchy71]

Greetings,
I am new to binoculars and was wondering what brick-and-mortar business's I can go to to try out a new pair for purchase. I am not exactly flush with cash, and might even consider buying a used pair...

I am looking to spend under $300 for a pair of low-power porro prisms (say, around 6x30 or 7x35, somewhere around there...) and was wondering what I should look for brand-wise, coatings and so forth...


Thanks

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

A few sporting goods big-box stores like Dick's or Sport Authority may have some out,
especially where there is a hunting section. Beware, though: some models are kind of soft-imaged.
I couldn't find a decent Pentax at Dick's... Those two chains are dicey on the binocs.

Wal-Mart has alot of high-power/fudgy-view stuff. You can find Nikon 8x40s sometimes, though.
They are good and plenty sharp. You'd need permission to cut the blister and take a look..
Under $100 and nice, though.

If you can find a Cabella's you'll see tons of great stuff in house.
There are camera chains, but they can have really slick-looking binocs with missing visual field performance.
I confess to being a little snookered in by the "ProMaster" brand....once.

More info about you location might help in finding good chains.
You can get great things in porro under $150, even. 8x40 is the best size, then 7x35, 8x25, etc.

I'm leaving out the insanely cruddy things like 10x42s under $100, 12x25s at $50, 10-25s at $12, etc.

6x30s, the nice ones, are mostly online. Your one big hope is a large hunting/camping supply store
for bricks-n-mortar.

 

[WJC]

Greetings,
I am new to binoculars and was wondering what brick-and-mortar business's I can go to to try out a new pair for purchase. I am not exactly flush with cash, and might even consider buying a used pair...

I am looking to spend under $300 for a pair of low-power porro prisms (say, around 6x30 or 7x35, somewhere around there...) and was wondering what I should look for brand-wise, coatings and so forth...


Thanks

With $300, you will be able to land a good bino. The best? No. But then you need not spend a fortune to start enjoying nature. Hold on to your wallet. Many in our hobby will be eager to get you to purchase what THEY like. If you can't see the difference, hang on to your money til you can.

Captain's Nautical--where I hung out--would give you a great selection. However, Seattle would be a hike for you.

Find someone you trust, and check out the local stores. If it sounds too good to be true . . . it probably is.

Good advertising doesn't have to be accurate, or even meaningful; it has only to be believed.

send your real email address to wjc 1111 @ hot mail dot com (cryptic I know) and I will send you some tips for the search.

Bill

 

[Punchy71]

More info about you location might help in finding good chains.

I live in Missouri. We do have Dicks sporting goods around here. And if I drive a long way.. a Cabela's also... ;-)

Would it be a good idea to consider buying a decent, used pair from someone off this forum or just go ahead and commence looking first in brick-and-mortar stores until I find something I like....

 

[ceasar]

Based on my experience in my local Dick's Sporting Goods the people behind the counter who will be selling you the binoculars won't know as much about them as you do now. But go right ahead and try some of them out. They may not have many of the lower powered binoculars you are interested in. Cabelas will probably have more knowledgeable sales people and a larger variety of binoculars.

Another alternative is to check out the Eagle Optics website because they have a 30 day no fault right to return any binocular you might buy from them. Ask them about it.

They also have quite a variety of the porro prism binoculars you are looking for. Take your time and review the ones you are interested in and then read the reviews on them. Also look over Eagle Optics technical guide for more information.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/articles/technical-guide

Look in the Bird Forum Classifieds for used binoculars. I think there are some listed there now which will interest you.


Bob

 

[PhilR.]

There aren't a lot of 6x to 7x porros in your price range that are worth buying. Because of this, you could order the three or four that are worth investigating from an internet vendor that will pay for the return shipping of the ones you decide not to keep. The three that are most worthy of investigation are the 6x30 Leupold Yosemite, 6x30 Kowa YF30, and the 6.5x30 Vortex Raptor. Take your pick -- they are all very good. There is also the 7x35 Nikon Action Extreme, but I would not recommend that one unless you like binos that weigh almost 30 ounces (the above weigh under 20oz.).

An alternative, if you would consider an 8x, is the Redfield Renegade 8x36 that is on sale at MidwayUSA for $56, and that includes shipping. These are excellent starter binos. In fact, I find it amazing that you can get that good of a bino for that low of a price. They do weigh around four ounces more than the three above, but you do get a bigger objective and thus a bright image.

Lastly, you can get a *very* good 6x roof-prism for the top end of your budget. You might look at the Meopta Meopro 6.5x32 that normally sells for around $299. These are especially good for eyeglasses wearers, as they have loads of eye-relief.......

 

[perterra]

I'll second the 6X30's Phil mentioned. Never seen the redfields yet but they been getting good press lately. Also the sightron bluesky II get great reviews for just under the $200 mark

I think I saw a post here some where that a memeber has a vortex raptor 6.5X32 for sell in the classifieds

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

Just getting one of the recommended ones above will probably make you quite happy.
Towards 6x for close woods, 8x for open spaces. 10x takes handling practice,
and generally more money to get quality.

Excellent point on the weight, PhilR: 30mm binoculars are usually great for lower weight.
The Redfield is a good substitute for bulkier 8x40s, too.

At the top of the range, the Meopta 6.5x32 will feel like a higher power, but that's the
extra detail from the intense sharpness and contrast talking.


But...if you can get to a Cabelas to look, it will be a great experience!
You'll probably get to handle things like the Vortex Diamondbacks....those are at $190 or so, though.

Generally, at or below $120, porros rule. Great roofs start circa $160+
If I were squeezed for cash I would jump on the Redfield Rebels. no build complaints from our members yet.

 

[Roadbike]

I live in Missouri. We do have Dicks sporting goods around here. And if I drive a long way.. a Cabela's also... ;-)

Would it be a good idea to consider buying a decent, used pair from someone off this forum or just go ahead and commence looking first in brick-and-mortar stores until I find something I like....

This wasn't clear from your first post. Do you intend on using your binoculars for daytime birding? Or will you mix in some nighttime backyard astronomy and other things as well?

If you are looking for a general purpose sort of binocular then something like a Nikon Action Extreme in either 8x40 or 7x35 should be considered. Both are available from B&H. They both offer bright clear images and wide fields at a reasonable price. I would not go below 7x magnification as a starter binocular and would recommend the 8x40. Either one can be found for around $130.00

If there is an REI within driving distance they too have a selection of reasonably priced binoculars.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

Well I'll be...there's one on St.Louis, at least.
I didn't know REI was so widespread. Wow...good idea!

REI runs a little more expensive, but has very good stuff.
Much better than big-box stuff, usually.
I got my Leupold Yosemites at REI and I was pleased to walk out of the store
with the exactly pair I tested for $15 more and a solid site to return to.
(besides, no shipping cost)

Valuable info, Roadbike!

 

[Roadbike]

Yes, REI has a fair selection. And REI as well as Dick's stock the Nikon Aculon Binoculars which are functionally equivalent to the Nikon Action Binoculars. So Punchy71 could try an Aculon then buy the Action or an Aculon from B&H.

 

[OPTIC_NUT]

Nice that Dick's has the Acculon now. A while ago I just saw some fuzzy Pentax "White Tails".
Nikon removes cases and such to get into discount places but they don't strip down the binocs themselves.