400 bucks? Friend has decided he finally needs some better glass. I still use an older pair of Bausch & Lomb Elites that I bought from SWFA when they were still working out of their home and warehouse.

I remember Bobo ( I think ) recommending Zen Rays for the money, maybe some new Zeiss Terras? What's the best for the price right now? Thanks in advance.

I've got a pair of these that are real nice...

nikon

Nikon makes a good Bino for the price. Any better you have to pay a lot more. Good luck!

In his price range, the best performing binos are coming out of China: ZenRay ED2 and ED3, Promaster, Hawke, Kruger, all come to mind. John Barsness and others have been going ga-ga lately over Krugers.

BTW, your Elites are a very nice glass. I love my 7x36 roofs, long discontinued. So do the birdwatching folks....

For that price range I bought a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's that I was extremely happy with. Ended up giving them to my dad just cause I ended up w/a free pair of Steiner Predator Extremes, love them as well. Would recommend either. While shopping and handling all the options I tried out a pair of the Zeiss Terras and really liked them. Felt really solid and glass was very sharp, much more so than the comparably priced Leupolds.

According to the reviews from birdwatchers I've read, the absolute best buy for the money, is the Zeiss Conquest HD5. The reasoning is that at every buying level below them when you spend 75 to 100% more you get a noticeable increase in performance. When you get to the HD5 you can spend 250% more and only get marginal improvement.

Check these out. a Friend has some and they are VERY nice. I have a pair of Zeiss also but much larger

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=zeissconquest522033

Under $400, almost if not all the binoculars are made in China. The Zen Ray product seems to be a good one with lots of positive reviews and good customer service. Best advice is to find a binocular that looks and feels right to you. Just like a rifle, scope, or anything else, we all are different and what I like may not work for you.

or if you shop around you can find the vortex talon HD for right at 400.

Yelp

Great advice all, I appreciate it. My friend will probably leave it to me to find him a pair of binoculars. That way I'll either be a hero or the one that wasted 400 of his money lol.

wouldn't touch that with a 10ft pole.......

The Olympus ones aren't all that bad either if you aren't worried about impressing anyone with what you paid for them.....

Please feel free to give us a call to discuss what would serve his needs the best.
8x
10x
What's his main us? Where's he using them?
We'll make him happy

I have had 8x43 Zen Ray ED's for 4 years. I researched a lot, mostly on the bird forums. They have been a great optic. Until I can afford a pair of Leica's with RF (or similiar), they will be in my pack. They are superior to my friends 300 dollar(ish) 10X Nikons (Roof Prism) more especially noticeable if it is foggy or hazy.

My son's 120(ish) Vista Zen Rays have been very good as well for those wanting an affordable glass.

I had decided at one time to buy the Porro Prism Leupolds due to their highly rated optic performance on the bird forums. They offer a lot of quality for the money if you don't mind the older style. At the time the ones I narrowed it down to were just under $300.00.

Thanks for the review 007. I appreciate it. Friend is 65 years old. He said he saw a big bodied buck 160 yards at the feeder but couldn't judge the horns. That's why he wants to replace this 50 dollar pair he's been using.

I don't think at 65 his eyes will be able to appreciate the difference in a good quality nikon or one of them fancy names. Is it possible to get him out and try some (any birdwatcher clubs close by)?

May just take him to SWFA, they're only 20 miles from us.