Binoculars? - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Neuse · 02-02-2023, 08:46 AM

I will be going to Idaho in June for a bear hunt.

I need to buy a pair of binoculars.
Which ones?
Way to many choices for me to make a decision.

I will probably have to top out at $500.00
Some of the prices are frog chokers for me.
Is there any place that sells preowned?

ElfEyes · 02-02-2023, 08:53 AM

I think camera land has used optics. Rokslide would still probably be a better option of finding what you're looking for in their classified section. Just a warning if you put a Want to Buy post on there be prepared to deal with scammers. Just research what binos match your needs, then search their classifieds for someone selling some.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

8pointer · 02-02-2023, 09:33 AM

I highly recommend Vortex Diamondback HD with that price range.

wytex · 02-02-2023, 09:36 AM

Spot and stalk, bait or dogs?
You need something that has great low light gathering capabilities.

Good color phase bears in Idaho, good luck !

El General · 02-02-2023, 09:41 AM

I have the B series Maven's and I love them. I think the C series that is in your price range is the best pair I have looked through in that price range. If you are hunting over bait, I'd get the 8x. Spot and stalk, get whatever power you want but buy a tripod with a bino adapter as that is a gamechanger for picking apart a mountainside.

https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/b...42-10x42-12x42

150class · 02-02-2023, 09:42 AM

How much glassing are you actually doing? Are you going to be spending hours checking mountain sides and slopes?

For 500-700$ see if you can find a used pair of Zeiss conquest or maybe the Mavens (I have no experience with them)

If you double your budget and your eyes will thank you very much and maybe find a pair of Vortex Razors or maybe..... A used pair of Swaro SLC's

WyoBull · 02-02-2023, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El General

I have the B series Maven's and I love them. I think the C series that is in your price range is the best pair I have looked through in that price range. If you are hunting over bait, I'd get the 8x. Spot and stalk, get whatever power you want but buy a tripod with a bino adapter as that is a gamechanger for picking apart a mountainside.

https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/b...42-10x42-12x42

This. Maven makes great glass. They have used/refurbished glass on their website so you should check it out.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Neuse · 02-02-2023, 09:55 AM

Thank you for the input.
I will be with a guide, but he says to bring bino's.

retrieverman · 02-02-2023, 10:00 AM

I bought a set of used Zeiss Conquest 12x45 binos a while back for $400, and I’m really happy with them.

Neuse · 02-02-2023, 10:02 AM

I keep trying to push myself to spend more, but dang , these things get expensive.

220swift · 02-02-2023, 10:08 AM

Look for some Brunton Epochs on EBAY. I have the 8.5x42s and the 10x42s. They are really good. I also have Swarovski 12x56s and think the glass on my Bruntons are pretty **** close to the Swaros. (there will be plenty of naysayers, but I've looked through both)

You can get them for around $400 on EBAY if you are patient.

OldRiverRat · 02-02-2023, 10:13 AM

or if its just one hunt, ask to borrow a pair. i was lucky and a tbh guy offered to let me use his spotting scope when i was drawn for a tpwd mule deer hunt. I saved me $500.

jlptexashunter · 02-02-2023, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuse

I will be going to Idaho in June for a bear hunt.

I need to buy a pair of binoculars.
Which ones?
Way to many choices for me to make a decision.

I will probably have to top out at $500.00
Some of the prices are frog chokers for me.
Is there any place that sells preowned?

Nikon M5 or M7 always solid performance

jnd1959 · 02-02-2023, 10:39 AM

I will fourth the Maven's. But consider what you need. If you were going to AZ for Coues deer you would need 15s. I don't know for Idaho bear.

Another option, and one I am considering while I decide and save for a new pair, is to rent binos. Swarovski (sp?) 15s can be rented for a week for about 190. That's a 2 grand pair of glass. I bet 10s would be cheaper. Ask what is needed. Most of the bears are out early and late (in spring) so low light is probably important. Power may not be as important because they appear to kind of stand out so Maven or Vortex 10s may do the trick.

Ronnie41 · 02-02-2023, 11:02 AM

meyopta, check them out for sure

DuramaxDude · 02-02-2023, 11:05 AM

Maven and vortex in that price range. aaotpics.com is a website that sells refurbished vortex optics so you might be able to get a higher line of product down into that price range.

muzzlebrake · 02-02-2023, 11:35 AM

Best bang for the buck.
Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 8x42mm

Johnny · 02-02-2023, 12:43 PM

Vortex. Done

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

eaglegolfj · 02-02-2023, 12:48 PM

Check B&H Photo as well. They have all kinds of optics, some factory refurbished stuff as well for good discounts.

swanjts · 02-02-2023, 12:59 PM

Look at the Vortex Viper HD’s. They are great and at your price point. Cabela’s has them on sale for $300.

Jmh05 · 02-02-2023, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El General

I have the B series Maven's and I love them. I think the C series that is in your price range is the best pair I have looked through in that price range. If you are hunting over bait, I'd get the 8x. Spot and stalk, get whatever power you want but buy a tripod with a bino adapter as that is a gamechanger for picking apart a mountainside.

https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/b...42-10x42-12x42

I absolutely love Mavens. I've got their binos, range finder and spotting scope.

COACH_EM_UP · 02-02-2023, 05:05 PM

I have a BNIB pair of NIKON Monarch M7 10x42 that are just sitting in the gun safe. Only been taken out of the package to take pics. $475 TYD if interested. PM me your number if you would like pics.

Neuse · 02-02-2023, 07:09 PM

Dang, you folks bring on the info.
Thank You

Abcdj · 02-02-2023, 10:45 PM

If I were you I would look in the classifieds. Duckhunter175 optic thread. He has a pair of Swarovski's 10×42 slc with a doubler for a GREAT price. More than you want to spend but buy once cry once!!!! Trust me you will never own another pair of binos unless better Swarovski's.
I would buy them but I am picking up something else on his thread Saturday.

02-02-2023, 08:46 AM	#1
Neuse Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2011	Binoculars? I will be going to Idaho in June for a bear hunt. I need to buy a pair of binoculars. Which ones? Way to many choices for me to make a decision. I will probably have to top out at $500.00 Some of the prices are frog chokers for me. Is there any place that sells preowned?

02-02-2023, 12:59 PM	#20
swanjts Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cleburne, TX Hunt In: Anywhere I Can	Look at the Vortex Viper HD’s. They are great and at your price point. Cabela’s has them on sale for $300. Last edited by swanjts; 02-02-2023 at 01:03 PM.

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02-02-2023, 08:53 AM	#2
ElfEyes Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Nederland, TX Hunt In: East Texas	I think camera land has used optics. Rokslide would still probably be a better option of finding what you're looking for in their classified section. Just a warning if you put a Want to Buy post on there be prepared to deal with scammers. Just research what binos match your needs, then search their classifieds for someone selling some. Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

02-02-2023, 09:33 AM	#3
8pointer Pope & Young Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Hunt In: Schleicher county	I highly recommend Vortex Diamondback HD with that price range.

02-02-2023, 09:36 AM	#4
wytex Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Wyoming Hunt In: Wyoming , Texas, Colorado, Nebraska	Spot and stalk, bait or dogs? You need something that has great low light gathering capabilities. Good color phase bears in Idaho, good luck !

02-02-2023, 09:41 AM	#5
El General Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston Hunt In: Coke County	I have the B series Maven's and I love them. I think the C series that is in your price range is the best pair I have looked through in that price range. If you are hunting over bait, I'd get the 8x. Spot and stalk, get whatever power you want but buy a tripod with a bino adapter as that is a gamechanger for picking apart a mountainside. https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/b...42-10x42-12x42

02-02-2023, 09:42 AM	#6
150class Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Woodlands Hunt In: Uvalde, Boerne	How much glassing are you actually doing? Are you going to be spending hours checking mountain sides and slopes? For 500-700$ see if you can find a used pair of Zeiss conquest or maybe the Mavens (I have no experience with them) If you double your budget and your eyes will thank you very much and maybe find a pair of Vortex Razors or maybe..... A used pair of Swaro SLC's

02-02-2023, 09:55 AM	#8
Neuse Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2011	Thank you for the input. I will be with a guide, but he says to bring bino's.

02-02-2023, 10:00 AM	#9
retrieverman Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Texas Hunt In: Oklahoma	I bought a set of used Zeiss Conquest 12x45 binos a while back for $400, and I’m really happy with them.

02-02-2023, 10:02 AM	#10
Neuse Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2011	I keep trying to push myself to spend more, but dang , these things get expensive.

02-02-2023, 10:08 AM	#11
220swift Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Braunfels Hunt In: South, East, and Central Texas	Look for some Brunton Epochs on EBAY. I have the 8.5x42s and the 10x42s. They are really good. I also have Swarovski 12x56s and think the glass on my Bruntons are pretty **** close to the Swaros. (there will be plenty of naysayers, but I've looked through both) You can get them for around $400 on EBAY if you are patient.

02-02-2023, 10:13 AM	#12
OldRiverRat Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Deer Park, TX Hunt In: Navarro County	or if its just one hunt, ask to borrow a pair. i was lucky and a tbh guy offered to let me use his spotting scope when i was drawn for a tpwd mule deer hunt. I saved me $500.

02-02-2023, 10:39 AM	#14
jnd1959 Ten Point Join Date: May 2018 Location: Weatherford Hunt In: United States	I will fourth the Maven's. But consider what you need. If you were going to AZ for Coues deer you would need 15s. I don't know for Idaho bear. Another option, and one I am considering while I decide and save for a new pair, is to rent binos. Swarovski (sp?) 15s can be rented for a week for about 190. That's a 2 grand pair of glass. I bet 10s would be cheaper. Ask what is needed. Most of the bears are out early and late (in spring) so low light is probably important. Power may not be as important because they appear to kind of stand out so Maven or Vortex 10s may do the trick.

02-02-2023, 11:02 AM	#15
Ronnie41 Eight Point Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Schertz, Texas Hunt In: Africa	meyopta, check them out for sure

02-02-2023, 11:05 AM	#16
DuramaxDude Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2013 Hunt In: Tom Green Co., Coke Co., Oldham Co., and any other place I get a chance to.	Maven and vortex in that price range. aaotpics.com is a website that sells refurbished vortex optics so you might be able to get a higher line of product down into that price range.

02-02-2023, 11:35 AM	#17
muzzlebrake Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Euless, Texas Hunt In: Sterling County	Best bang for the buck. Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 8x42mm

02-02-2023, 12:43 PM	#18
Johnny Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Conroe Hunt In: Montgomery & Houston Counties	Vortex. Done Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

02-02-2023, 12:48 PM	#19
eaglegolfj Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dayton TX	Check B&H Photo as well. They have all kinds of optics, some factory refurbished stuff as well for good discounts.

02-02-2023, 05:05 PM	#22
COACH_EM_UP Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Liberty Hill Hunt In: Florence, Doss, Fredericksburg	I have a BNIB pair of NIKON Monarch M7 10x42 that are just sitting in the gun safe. Only been taken out of the package to take pics. $475 TYD if interested. PM me your number if you would like pics.

02-02-2023, 07:09 PM	#23
Neuse Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2011	Dang, you folks bring on the info. Thank You

02-02-2023, 10:45 PM	#24
Abcdj Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: The Can Hunt In: Wilbarger	If I were you I would look in the classifieds. Duckhunter175 optic thread. He has a pair of Swarovski's 10×42 slc with a doubler for a GREAT price. More than you want to spend but buy once cry once!!!! Trust me you will never own another pair of binos unless better Swarovski's. I would buy them but I am picking up something else on his thread Saturday.