Koenig
Pro Tracker
Reged: 11/26/07
Posts: 1209
Loc: Denton TX
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Im looking to buy a better pair of binoculars (all mind have been the $14 cheap O's). I was in Wal-Mart today and saw these i liked.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2304377
Any thoughts? what do you guys like 8x or 10x.
What things do i need to look for or watch out for. I don't want to spend more than $125.00
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"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed." Luke 11:21
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cbump
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 12/02/06
Posts: 5595
Loc: Weatherford
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I have a pair of those and I really like them. Very easy to carry around being so compact and didn't hurt the wallet.
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lotsofshots
Woodsman
Reged: 07/19/07
Posts: 119
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I have a pair of the new Alpens on the way, Alpen Pro 391. Paid $140 shipped to my door. These are the binoculars that Outdoor Life rated Best of the Test this year. Supposed to be really good. I'll let you know what I think when they get here.
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Thanks-
lotsofshots
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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In that range check Vortex at www.cameralandny.com
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Scott
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7mag
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 01/21/06
Posts: 8248
Loc: Tejas
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Bushnell Excersions is the way to go 
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http://www.lonestartrailoutfitters.com/
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PrimitiveHunter
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 2086
Loc: Whitesboro
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As uaual, it depends on a bunch of things. How much do you want to spend and how long do you expect to be looking through them?
If you are going to spend hours scouring the terrain, you ought to buy a full size pair and spend as much as you comfortably can. I've heard all the arguements that heavy binos are tiresome to carry. Buy a bino harness and you won't even know they're there.
If you're just going to use them occasionally to inspect something you've already spotted, you could get away with compact binos.
If you plan to use them early and late, you need to make sure you get the largest exit pupil size you can. The exit pupil is determined by dividing the power into the objective lens size. 10x40 binos have an exit pupil of 4mm. The human eye dilates to a maximum of 7mm in darkness. So, if your binos have an exit pupil of 4mm and your pupil is dilated to 6mm, the binos are not transmitting the amount of light that your eye can utilize. If your pupil is dilated to 3mm during the day, a 4mm exit pupil on your binos is enough.
Lens and frame qualities/coatings are a whole nother discussion.
Personally, I use 8x56 Steiner Predator binos. The picture quality is excellent, I can glass for hours without getting a headache, and they have an exit pupil of 7mm so they provide outstanding light transmission and clarity early and late.
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I'm more active than most men twice my age.
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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My daughter has 10x42 predators by Steiner and they are great will agree with you, but he was talking about spending alot less money!
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Scott
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PrimitiveHunter
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 2086
Loc: Whitesboro
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Quote:
but he was talking about spending alot less money!
Yep, I agree. But you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear. You just have to spend as much as you're willing to spend and accept the results. How many people buy 8 pairs of cheap optics and then finally break down and buy good ones? By the same token, a lot of guys go their whole life without using any binos at all.
After all, a guy just caught a NC record catfish on a Barbie rod so you don't always have to buy the best. 
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I'm more active than most men twice my age.
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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I hear you bought a couple cheaper pair before I bought my Swaro's, wish I would have just saved and bought them to begin with, would have been cheaper that way!
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Scott
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lotsofshots
Woodsman
Reged: 07/19/07
Posts: 119
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Got my Alpens in the mail the other day. First impressions--I really like them. Bright, sharp images. Nice rubbery camo covering. So far so good. Have yet to hit the field with them, but can't wait to try them out.
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Thanks-
lotsofshots
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Texpppr
Bird Dog
Reged: 10/17/07
Posts: 263
Loc: Harlingen, Texas
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I had a pair of those small Mesa leupolds.. They were all right, but finding that a decent pair of 8 x 42 is hard to beat. Some folks like the 10 x 42, but my tired old eyes like the 8 power. Someone already mentioned Camera Land and the Vortex Diamondabcks.. Don't know if Doug has any more, but you can check. I got a pair (8 x 42) for my mother to look out her picture window on the golf course and she loves them. Before she was using 20 year old cheap older Bushnell's. Yes Bushnell Excursions make a good glass for the money. I currently have ( and love) Bushnell's 8.5 x 45 Infinity glass but thats way out of the price range you are looking at. For a smaller pair I have Vortex 8 x 28 Hurricanes.. I liked them more than the Leupold 8 x 25 Olympic's I had bought so I sold the Leupolds even though they cost twice as much.
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4X4FOREVER
Tracker
Reged: 02/26/06
Posts: 573
Loc: Lake of the pines.Tx
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I have a pair of Barska waterproof 10x42s. great glass for the money.
One of the few binos I can see through when wearing my eye glasses.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=430408
BTW/ Sportsmans guide has a pair of 10x25 Leupys for $90.
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Penn Jigmaster: The JEEP of saltwater fishing reels
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texaspatriot.308
Woodsman
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 161
Loc: Luling Texas USA
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I just got a nice pair of Steiner 10 x 26 Safari for about $140, great optics and small and just right for a deer blind. I got a buddy that got a pair of Nikon Action for $100 or less (on sale) and they are great. unless you are a snob and got extra cash, these guys will do the job unless you are scouting out to several hundred yards.
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TexasPatriot.308
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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Why you gotta be a snob to have nice glass?  
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Scott
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texaspatriot.308
Woodsman
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 161
Loc: Luling Texas USA
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a lot of so called "hunters" are, thats the reason most of us cant afford a deer lease anymore.
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TexasPatriot.308
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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Maybe, but you can spend as much buying several cheaper pair then just buying the better glass to begin with, and their is a difference it is about choices and priorities but I assure u because I have swaro's that doesn't make me a snob!
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Scott
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Karnis
Light Foot
Reged: 09/09/08
Posts: 20
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You can buy quality used binoculars for what you might pay for a mid priced NIB item. All you have to do is troll for 'em. I bought a pair of Pentax 10x42 WPs that were essentially new for $150 shipped (retail is about 500+). Darn good glass for the money.
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BMD
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 06/21/07
Posts: 2922
Loc: Rockwall
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I have to agree with Karnis as bad as I hate to.
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Scott
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wellingtontx
Bird Dog
Reged: 10/08/07
Posts: 330
Loc: Collingsworth County, Texas
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Good idea.
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