I have a pair of Jasons, 7x35. They are auto focus. You look 10 yards in front of you or 100 yards, they are focused. My mom got them for me 35 years ago and they still work great. Occasionally I see a pair on EBay.
I have 2 pair of Jasons, not auto focus. Both are over 50 years old, and they are the best low cost binos I've ever looked through. I often carry the 7x35 even though I own much better glass.
$500 is probably a good price point....you're going to get a much better bino for the extra $250. Anything more is getting too expensive for many to justify, but most guys can swing an extra $250 and will be happy they spent the extra money.
I have a pair of 10X Leupold Wind River Pinnacles I use for long range and a smaller pair of rubber water proof 8X Steiner's which are small and easy to carry.
I have a Vortex Diamondback and they are all the binoculars I will ever need for the hunting I do in this state. I am not doing western long range viewing types of hunts though.
I believe Hawke Optics are often overlooked by the American consumer. I have several Hawke binos and scopes. Their Endurance ED binos are right in your price range and you will have a tough time finding better glass for $250.
I just bought a pair of Hawke 8x32 binos recently what I like about them is I can look through them with my glasses on no problems. They’re pretty strong for as small as they are, the glass is crystal clear I paid $120 for them
I have nikon 10x42 atb. For the money they can't be beat. Tried a pair of vortex diamondback and they weren't even close to the nikons. probably less than 100 dollars difference in price between the two.
You usually get what you pay for. You can buy a particular binocular and they seem to be great. Compare them to another binocular and you see that yours are not so great.
I recommend that you go to a place like Cabela's and compare binoculars. You may find a cheap pair that meets your needs or you may decide that you should pay the money and get better glass.
Things like sharpness, color intensity and resolution all come into play and the only way to know which binocular is better is to compare them side by side.
You usually get what you pay for. You can buy a particular binocular and they seem to be great. Compare them to another binocular and you see that yours are not so great.
I have the Vortex 10x50 and they are great. Vortex also has one of the best warranties in the business. On the other hand, Dogface has given you some excellent advice.
I've got a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks and they're good enough for me but they do tend to fall apart. The rubber eye piece parts have fallen off and needed replaced and/or glued back on and the vortex endcap thinger at the end of the hinge has fallen off too. They're customer service is great though. Just call, tell them what you have and what you need and they'll mail it no questions asked. I like quality but I also like to use things hard. These provide decent quality without having to meticulously care for because it wouldn't be a tremendous loss if something we to happen and minor fixes are easy enough. I like Vortex as a company and will probably continue to buy their products because of their warranty service and reasonable prices for good-enough-for-me quality.
It's all about the GLASS. Buy the best you can afford German / European glass can't go wrong.
First off I would look at high end used binoculars that have lifetime warranties.
I have a pair of Kahles 8 x 32 that I bought in 2004 off Ebay and could not be more happier. These binoculars were able to get me my 5 x 5 elk at first light in Montana. I think I paid $400 for them and they have a lifetime warranty. At the time my guide had some cheap Nikons and he could not see the elk. I called the company last year and they sent me out new scope caps for free.
One way you could check what binoculars you want is maybe borrow some from your friend and look across a field at last light and see if you can see maybe 10 yards into the woods. Lower end glass you won't be able to see.
I would also suggest you call camerland for suggestion.
I have the Nikon 10x50 Action model that I bought years back. I am a big Leupold fan but my buddy and I both agree that they are equal to his much more expensive Leupold model.
Waterfowlers are into good glass at the right price and it's interesting to read how you men recommend the same thing for fields/woods as we do looking over water at long distance.
With all the getting away from China made talk lately, this article gives a few points to think over. If you can't find something made in the USA, at least maybe consider buying something not made in China. I have a Maven B3 that I'm happy with. Their C series may be in your price range, but are not assembled in USA like the B series. I believe they are assembled in the Philippines (still, not China). We should all try not to buy made in China.
Swaroviski all the way. Big money but only have to cry a little. Best out there. Nothing better. If you look thru them a lot your eyes will love them. No other glass can compare.
I'd seriously look at the Maven C series. They are just a hair above your budget at just a little over $300, and are a superior bino than anything in that price range.
I've used Steiner extensively for my work and personal use the last 32 years. They take a beating and still maintain clarity. They are not often talked about but they make some nice glass for a good price.
I have the Leupold bx-1 Mckenzie 8x42mm bino's. Little less than $200.00 I find these bino's easier on my eyes after glassing for several minutes compare to bushnell's, Tasco, WW1 bino's I used in the past.
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