Binoculars | TheaterFire

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NotAmusedDad@reddit

Nikon aculon A50. I bought them at Black Friday many years ago, and they have served me very well. Optics are great, they are reasonably rugged, and in general they beat anything else that I have. I rarely get anything on Black Friday, but that is one thing that I absolutely have no regrets for buying

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Bialar_crais@reddit

I have a set of IIRC 10x40 bushnell binos i use for spotting. They work well

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MetalHeadJoe@reddit

I prefer a monocular. I have a Bushnell, 50x lens.

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0P3RAT0R_Z3R0@reddit

I second the monocular...even better if you can find a good deal and get 2, save a little space & a backup

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ryan112ryan@reddit

Vortex seems to be a brand that’s good value for money. Good quality but not quite name brand premium. I’m sure there are cheaper brands out there, but I have been happy with my monocle and binos

I got these ones:

https://amzn.to/3XEbo7Q

https://amzn.to/47T1ky2

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scottawhit@reddit

They’ve got the 10x50 diamondback hd on sale for $150 for Black Friday. Probably the best beginner value you’ll find. That was cabelas but I bet it’s all over.

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WardenWolf@reddit

I am totally over Vortex because I've found Sig and even some Chinese brands make better optics for the money.

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TBone205@reddit

I with you plus with Vortex you will have to use the warranty. They are good at marketing though ill give them that.

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WardenWolf@reddit

Never had to use their warranty, but I just want illuminated reticles on something other than an LPVO without paying $500+. Vortex treats illumination like a premium feature and locks it behind dollar signs like most major brands. That's what pushed me to Sig: illumination available almost everywhere other than a few legacy Nikon products.

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TBone205@reddit

Had to return 3 diffent rifle scopes for various reasons.

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fenuxjde@reddit

I've got four Sig optics, two scopes, and rangefinder, and a red dot and they are all rock solid.

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WardenWolf@reddit

I've never had a problem with Vortex scopes. The issue is their lack of illumination options. They have this archaic idea that, other than a few specific models, you should have to pay $500+ to get an illuminated reticle. Most manufacturers are like this, and only Sig has added illumination options throughout their product line so you can get it on midrange models like the excellent Tango MSR 2-12X. On the lowest end, I've found a particular UTG scope has both illumination and clearer glass than a Vortex Sonora. I want to like Vortex but they just don't make the products I need at the price point I need, locking meeded features behind dollar signs.

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fenuxjde@reddit

I get it. I've got a tango, a kilo, a romeo, and I forget the other off the top of my head. Also super durable.

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Unfair_Newspaper_877@reddit

Vortex will warranty stupidity. You can lose them in a parking lot, drive over them looking for them, split them in half... and they'll still warranty them. They may not be best, but they are good... with the best warranty

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kars85@reddit

That’s the big delineation. After sales support goes a long way. Vortex is legit

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F6Collections@reddit

Yeah hopefully they can still warranty stuff in the apocalypse.

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Consistent_Wealth334@reddit

I like and am looking for 6x42. Very hard to find.

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premar16@reddit

I only have an old set that I was given by an Aunt who was into birding (we used to go to national parks a lot as a familY) but I am not sure what kind.

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newhappyrainbow@reddit

We have just a regular set I got from Amazon that we use mostly for bird watching and lives in our primary vehicle, and a night vision monocle that we have never used and lives in the case with our guns.

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507toffee@reddit

I have Vortex Vipers. The vortex warranty makes them hard to beat, they come in a variety of magnifications and price points

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Won-Ton-Operator@reddit

Try to get to an outdoor store with some you can try out and see if you prefer one magnification range, or if you prefer the ergonomics of one of another.

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WardenWolf@reddit

I bought a Nikon Aculon 10-20x. No regrets; they're amazing binoculars and didn't cost a bomb.

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WardenWolf@reddit

Link: $166 on sale

https://a.co/d/bFVk0y6

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TheOGVaultDweller@reddit

Same. Super tough as well. Used my pair hard since I bought them ten years ago, still going strong, no issues.

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WardenWolf@reddit

Binoculars are one of those things where any decent set will probably outlive you.

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Kokal00@reddit

Whatever binocular Willem Dafoe used in Clear and Present Danger. They're micro and have like 1000X with built in stabilization 😂

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Green-Ad-7823@reddit

Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 (16765)

Excellent glass, wide view, allows a lot of light in to see better at dusk.

With binoculars, you get what you pay for.

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Green-Ad-7823@reddit

Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 (16765)

Excellent glass, wide view, allows a lot of light in to see better at dusk.

With binoculars, you don't get what you pay for.

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Green-Ad-7823@reddit

Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 (16765)

Excellent glass, wide view, allows a lot of light in to see better at dusk.

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ResolutionMaterial81@reddit

My main pair is a Steiner Military-Marine 10x50

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No_Space_for_life@reddit

I have a set of Nikons that are 10x45 and theyre nice and light, very clear glass. Then I have a heavier set of Vortex Vipers that are 15x55 and theyre primarily hunting binos. A bit heavy for anything else, but I like them because they can link into a tripod for spotting and glassing for elk

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Femveratu@reddit

Civilian version of the Steiner entry level for around $250-$300 have been buy once cry once very solid and lighter

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Acceptable_Net_9545@reddit

8X42 Leopold or Minolta 10x50 are my go to...some smaller one for some packs and some Celestron skymaster 25x100...a number of spotting scopes and small binoculars... might want to check ebay or market place for spotting scopes depending on your needs....some of the good name brands are affordable Leopold and Nikon all make good glass...go to a sporting goods store where they have models out where you can look through them....

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Achnback@reddit

I have a small collection of yard sale finds that are quite excellent and super cost effective. Do they have laser and camera's: No. but, I can spot a cardinal a hundred yards away with excellent clarity.

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whyamihereagain6570@reddit

I did the same. Got a pair of 7X42 for 10 bucks. Keep them in the house. Got a pair of "mini's" real cheap as well, they are 10x but very compact and keep those in the truck.

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

Steiner military marine 10x50s, one pair bought surplus for $100. with clean glass, one pair bought new. Also the smaller version, IIRC called the commander or something. Couple pair of cheap Bushnells bought cheaply. Sold my Atlas thermal binoculars, probably replace with a new Infiray or Nocpix set.

Having a 3X ACOG on most of our rifles or a variable allows you to always have a magnified optic ready for observation as well.

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agent_flounder@reddit

Vortex Diamondback served me very well for hunting. Idk what the price to value is currently but back then it was excellent bang for the buck.

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Sakamakiandme@reddit

Ten years ago when I bought my Nikon Monarch M511 10x42 waterproof binoculars for $250, the view took my breath away. Once you see through good binoculars, you can never go back.

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Internal_Raccoon_370@reddit

I have the Monarch as well and I agree completely. They're great.

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itamau87@reddit

Got my grandpa old Zeiss binocular. I carry them in my grab bag, alongside with spare mags, NVG monocular, and other useful stuff that I will need to grab, leaving my rucksack hidden somewhere.

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Eazy12345678@reddit

youtube best binoculars. probably a lot of good free info out there.

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Romanus122@reddit

I got a 2x digital NV/thermal pair on a deal. If I need to see far I use my spare rifle scope because I'm cheap.

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PristineHelicopter60@reddit

kowa yf 6x30 - 470g

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Soff10@reddit

Vortex or Leupold. Kind of middle the road for cost. But great quality glass. 8x are small and easy to carry or place in a pocket. 10x are larger frame, 12x and up are similarly large framed.

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Cradetato@reddit

Thank you bro, I would like to choose 8X. Cause just like you say, it is easy to carry on.

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Farmstrong12358@reddit

Vortex is the best option if you’re not a millionaire.

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kkinnison@reddit

10x50 minimum. The rest are cheap worthless trash

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Alaskanarrowusa@reddit

Vortex Diamondback HD 10×42, solid binos and a real value for money IMO

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Sometimes_Wright@reddit

My advice is if you've never really used them don't spend money to get them. Buy a cheap pair that you can get used to the idea of them and then upgrade after you learn more on how to use them.

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drifter5@reddit

Kind of agree with you, but if OP do love binoculars and would love to spend time and money on it, I still recommend him to buy one and have a try.

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LydiasDesigns@reddit

So the way I bought my first pair of binoculars is as follows. I went in person to a store that had a display allowing you to test them. I wanted something

A. under $100 (this was 20 years ago so you may need a different budget)

B. that fit my face (smaller faced women and most children may not be able to standard adult binoculars if they don't bring the eyepieces close enough together, if you expect to pass binoculars around a family group this might be important to you)

C. Magnified enough to see birds at the tops of large trees easily - this is definitely a personal use/preference item

D. Wasn't too heavy to hold for longer periods of time, in my hands or around my neck with the strap. If the strap is thinner or scratchy it can always be replaced for one you like better, it's the weight that counts here.

Then after testing out the models within $50 of my budget I made a list of my best 3-4 and waited for one to go on sale. I think when they did I paid $60 for a $90 model. You can buy them online or at whatever store you like once you've identified the best models for your needs. Many come with bags, cleaning kits, or other extras, but you can easily pick those up later, so I didn't pay them much mind. Good luck.

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SquirrelMurky4258@reddit

Vortex

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squawgapranch@reddit

Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide 10x42. I use mine for deer hunting. I would call them a mid-tier bino. They are pretty crisp, and I would need to do a LOT more bino work to appreciate something better. $400

Not to be confused with the BX-4 Range, which are about a grand more and have a built in rangefinder.

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BatiBato@reddit (OP)

Dang. Rangefinder would be awesome 👌

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GrillinFool@reddit

Multiples. Watch for deals and grab them when they go on sale.

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Many-Health-1673@reddit

TRACT optics. Made in Japan. The best binoculars I have used under $2,000 that actually perform.

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Time_Classic_934@reddit

If mono is fine, take the vortex solo

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RichardBonham@reddit

I have a pair of Leupold 8x32 for general daytime use that are nice and light and portable. The Bushnell 10x50 are higher magnification and better for dawn/dusk. I also have a pair of old Tasco 8x20 pocket size "opera" glasses.

I also have a Celestron monocular, and a 3-9x variable power Leupold rifle scope.

Out of the bunch, the Leupolds have by far and away the best quality glass and mechanisms. They are smooth to operate and there is no chromatic aberration.

Think about what you're going to use the binoculars for, under what lighting and field conditions before spending your money.

Personally, if I could only keep one set of optics I'd keep the Leupold 8x32 binoculars. They have the best overall and glass quality and are small and easily carried around the neck or in a cargo sized pocket. Not the best for higher magnification or low-light conditions but those will be bigger, costlier and heavier.

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AKpigeon@reddit

If you like monoculars, I’m a big fan of the Vortex Solo R/T 8x36. Comes with a ranging reticle, but they have versions without it that cost less. This combined with their warranty is a win for me.

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Romeo-Echo-Yankee@reddit

Second this. The reticle has been great for estimating range while hiking. Good glass. Shop around and you won’t pay msrp

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bazilbt@reddit

I have Fujinon TS L2040 binoculars, and some Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars. There are really a lot of great sets out there that cover all kinds of use cases and price ranges.

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MONSTERBEARMAN@reddit

I use a vortex 10X monocular. It’s very compact and light compared to binoculars. I personally haven’t seen much advantage to binoculars until you start to get up into the higher end models.

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Solo_83@reddit

My main set is Leupold, I keep a small bushnell set in my ghb.

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RredditAcct@reddit

I bought a basic monocular off Amazon a while ago and am very happy w/ it. It's the Gosky 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular.

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More_Dependent742@reddit

[ Removed by Reddit ]

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Financial-End2144@reddit

For a first pair on a budget, ruggedness and sealed optics over pure magnification. An 8x42 setup offers a good balance of field of view and reach. Good models like the Nikon Prostaff or Bushnell H2O series. They often hit good prices on Black Friday. Waterproofing is critical.

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baryoniclord@reddit

Speaking of which... I cant find mine.

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Thin_Ask5843@reddit

Very happy with my Nikon !

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CubistHamster@reddit

Not an expert on optics, but I have a few decent pairs.

Biggest piece of advice is don't buy new, you can find some great deals on eBay.

I like military surplus stuff. The 7x28 M24 are my favorites. Nice size, rugged, they look good (to me) and you can frequently find a set in good shape for ~$150ish.

My set is marked as Fujinon, but there have been several manufacturers. They should all be made to the same spec, though whether that's actually true in long term service, I can't say.