Hey guys, i am looking to buy some binoculars. I have some that my dad bought on ebay, but i had to trade those for my muzzleloader, and i want the muzzleloader back. They are Weaver Classic 8x42's. I want something better. I want to spend under $400. By just quickly glancing, i am looking at the Nikon Monarch 8x42's, the Leupold Wind River Olympic 8x42's, and the Burris Signature 8x42's. I wouldnt mind getting german glass, but dont think i can afford it just yet. I am also looking at spotting scopes, mainly for the range, but i hear they are good for hunting out west. I am mainly looking at the Burris Landmark 20x50 compact spotter. Seems like a good scope for the price. So, what do you guys think?

NH_Hunter

ok, on the spotter: do not buy that burris compact. it is pretty useless, and they are giving them away if you buy one of their scopes.

using a spotter to hunt w/ is a huge benefit. it is also quite difficult. i would advise you to get the spotter you want for the range, and wait for a bit on a hunting spotter - it is a very specialized tool, and takes a lot of getting used to. since you won't be needing it for a few years, wait on it. optics degrade w/ time w/ even the best of care, and optics are advancing every year quite a bit. by the time you are ready to hunt w/ a spotter, there should be some real killer spotters on the market for lower cash outlays - or same money, better spotter. nikon's sky & earth is a pretty good entry level spotter.

under $400 binocs... it makes me nearly sick to say it, but bushnell legends are extremely good glass in their price range. i worked w/ these against glass in their price range, and above their price range, and think they are pretty good, especially for the money - i rate 'em as a best buy. pentax makes good glass, too, but i think the word on them is out, and their prices are starting to climb. the wind rivers are real nice for the money. surprisingly crisp. i like these ones, and hunt w/ 'em on at least one, sometimes 2 trips a year. haven't had a chance to work w/ monarchs or signatures yet. my 480 has a nikon on it, my spotter is a nikon, and my main binocs are nikons. so, it follows that i think pretty highly of their glass.

a good scavenger could probably find some used zeiss binocs for close to your max price. avoid steiners... they aren't that bad, but for the money, there's better out there. german glass does not necessarily equal top shelf.

for a power range... 8x40's are pretty good all around glass, and will work well for probably 70% of the hunting you'll do. the major exception being antelope hunting... my 10x nikons were too small at times for goats. but, they are heavy, and nearly useless for other hunting. these work well for about 25% of my hunting (if they were lighter, i'd use 'em more). 12x binocs... big, heavy, not as specialized as a spotter, but getting there. hard to hold steady.

Oh, by the way, i have one of these

NH_Hunter

Right before hunting season last year I lost my bino's.  Still have no freak'n clue where they're at.  So I jumped on eBay and in a week had myself delivered bino's by Sightron.  Their scopes impressed, so I figured I'd give them a shot.  It is their 10x50's.  They are a bigger bino, but bright, clear and nice power to see and evaluate trophies long before they actually get within shooting range.  After their first season in the field, I like them.  Not even going to mention what I paid for them, however, it was well, well below $400.

On your spotting scope, make extra sure you're getting a weather / water proof scope.  You'll be paying more for it, but it will be $$$ well spent.  The Cabela's Big Sky line (20-60x66mm or 27-80x80mm) is what I'm currently looking at for a spotting scope.

After you get these essentials purchased, you can next budget for a Leica 1200 Scan rangefinder and you'll be set    .  Ya might not need that kind of range for big game hunting, but ya never know when the LR varminting bug will bite.  If it does, you'll be happy you have the 1200.  Later.  >>  klallen

WOW THAT BIG SKY IS EXPENSIVE!

NH_Hunter