"Budget" binos for general target observation

[021411]

Yes I am well aware about good glass and spending hard earned money on them. Let me preface by saying I will not be using them to spot but rather to pregame matches and look for targets. I'll eventually cough up some money for a set of SLC's but not any time soon.
Without and without discounts I'm looking to cap my purchase at or below $300. My choices so far are the following:

Bushnell Engage 10x50 ($228) or the 12x50 for $12 more
Maven C.1 10x42 ($280)
Cabela's Intensity 10x50 ($220) or the 12x50 for $10 more

Of the three, which would be the better bet? The only one I looked through was the Intensity which I thought was pretty clear to my eyes. Anything else I should look at?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

How about the Athlon Talos 12x50 for $129.99? or their Argos 12x50 for $199.99?
I'm in all day tomorrow if you'd like to give a call to discuss different options and SH pricing

 

[021411]

How about the Athlon Talos 12x50 for $129.99? or their Argos 12x50 for $199.99?
I'm in all day tomorrow if you'd like to give a call to discuss different options and SH pricing

What do you think they compare to and what is Athlon's warranty on those models?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Athlon's warranty is a lifetime no fault

I think the Talos is about on par with a Nikon Monarch 3 or a Vortex Diamondback. I think the Argos is on par with the Nikon Monarch 5 or a Steiner Predator Pro

 

[021411]

Athlon's warranty is a lifetime no fault

I think the Talos is about on par with a Nikon Monarch 3 or a Vortex Diamondback. I think the Argos is on par with the Nikon Monarch 5 or a Steiner Predator Pro

Ok that gives me a better idea. I looked through a Monarch 3 and Diamondback today.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We are also including the Athlon Binocular Harness with a Talos binocular purchase as our gift to you

 

[patriot07]

I love my Diamondbacks. I think Cabelas or BPS runs them for $129 on black friday. Might still be going on...

Doug may be able to get you a great price as well - not trying to push a vendor, but just saw that they are a very good value in their price range at discounted levels.

 

[021411]

I love my Diamondbacks. I think Cabelas or BPS runs them for $129 on black friday. Might still be going on...

Doug may be able to get you a great price as well - not trying to push a vendor, but just saw that they are a very good value in their price range at discounted levels.

It's over but I think they were the Gen 1's. It was a doorbuster deal.

 

[supercorndogs]

Might be able to find a used set of Steiner Predator 10x42 in that range.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Euro Optic is doing 16% off Vortex with the coupon code VORTEX16 right now, there's that option. They also have some Leupold BX-4's for $100 off which is still over your budget but are excellent binos.

 

[XLR308]

I prefer lite compact binos since I mainly use them for hunting and bought a Stiener Predator 10x26 about 8 years ago. They are compact and lite and very affordable and since I'm no optics expert I will let the resident pros correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you will find a better set with better glass or low light performance in the same price range.
A guide I hunted with had a pair of Lieca 10x binos and he was very impressed with the Stieners glass enough so I had to ask for them back two different times in three days.

 

[Saluki68]

The Bushnell Engage are definately worth the money, glass is well out of the price point. Check out their new Forge line. Little bit more scratch, but rubber coated, and to my eyes, seemed to bring in a little more light.

 

[supercorndogs]

I prefer lite compact binos since I mainly use them for hunting and bought a Stiener Predator 10x26 about 8 years ago. They are compact and lite and very affordable and since I'm no optics expert I will let the resident pros correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you will find a better set with better glass or low light performance in the same price range.
A guide I hunted with had a pair of Lieca 10x binos and he was very impressed with the Stieners glass enough so I had to ask for them back two different times in three days.

I have been wanting a pair of 8x26. I don't like carrying 10x42s hunting. I wish someone would make an 8x26 rangefinder bino, that could range a white tale out to 800. I keep telling myself I wouldn't mind caring big binos if they were my range finder also.

 

[XLR308]

I have been wanting a pair of 8x26. I don't like carrying 10x42s hunting. I wish someone would make an 8x26 rangefinder bino, that could range a white tale out to 800. I keep telling myself I wouldn't mind caring big binos if they were my range finder also.

That would be a pretty sweet set up, eventually the tech will catch up I'm assuming it's just not there yet with reducing the necessary components down to that size of a package or maybe it is a cost thing.

 

[Tactical Taz]

I have a Vortex 12x50 Diamonback that I received for being an RO at a match. I have been pleasantly surprised by them. For spotting targets at matches and spotting while someone else is shooting, they have worked out pretty well. My only comparison is to the 10x nikons I was using before that. The 12x seems to be a better mag for me at matches. I am able to spot trace and mirage in these pretty well. My only complaint is the overall blueish color I see in them. However, I only think about it when I am hunting and have down time. Looks like they are normally $260 most places.

I will also add, a local match shooter here is sponsored by maven. All the glass I have looked through of his is very nice. Very bright, clear optics. He has their scopes and a set of 15x binos. Seems to me Maven isn't a bad choice also here.

 

[021411]

Thanks everyone for their input and Doug @gr8fuldoug for reaching out to assist me. I’ll remember you for next time when I step up to the big league glass.
I ended up getting the Diamondback 10x50 and it should serve me well for general glassing and searching for targets. I’ll let you guys know what I think about them when they come in good or bad.

 

[Stan628]

I love my Diamondbacks. I think Cabelas or BPS runs them for $129 on black friday. Might still be going on...

Doug may be able to get you a great price as well - not trying to push a vendor, but just saw that they are a very good value in their price range at discounted levels.

I bought mine from Midway last week for $110 delivered to my door. Extremely pleased.

 

[Nebulous]

While I didn't buy them just for shooting/hunting (new to the shooting world, first post!) I got ahold of some Steiner marine 7x50 for 150$ just over a month ago. While they are kinda big they are prism based so once your diopter is set there is no focusing required. Also you can't beat their warranty so you can buy used and they will repair/replace no questions asked.

 

[021411]

Just wanted to update the post. Received my Diamondback 10x50’s in and have been glassing stuff. I cannot complain at all about the optical quality. For the money I think they are great mind you I did not pay full retail due to Black Fri.
I think these will serve me well for a long time for general use until I cough up some money for better ones.
I looked at an office building that I lasered about 1070y away and it’s crystal clear to my eyes. I can make out small details. I’m 100% happy with the purchase. For the weight weenies out there these are a bit hefty though.

 

[jpspeeddemon]

I use a pair of Vortex Diamonback 12x50s to spot at matches. They're great, I have no complaints about them.

 

[Cayjotiethumper]

I have a pair of Nikon 7s binos that I have used for a couple years in prs. They work great.