Inexpensive Binoculars

MattyLav

MattyLav

Joined
Jun 28, 2012
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2,159
Hello,
I'm looking to buy a new pair of binoculars, I think they would be a good thing to have around the house or to have in general. But I don't want to spend a lot of money. My budget is under $20.
Thanks for any help :)
 
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Online or at Big 5 or other big chain sporting goods stores, you can find Bushnell Powerviews, Tascos, or similar generic compact binoculars for under $20. If they work for you, STOP THERE. If you stupidly start to ask questions like, "Are more expensive bins really 'better'?" or "What would be the Spyderco/Benchmade/Sebenza of bins?" etc., etc. -- well, you risk spiraling down a dark, dark, expensive path. :)

Actually, here's a tip you'll likely disregard, but... Most 'beginning' binocular users intuitively assume that higher magnification = better. However, esp with compacts and doubly so with low-end makes/models, start with lower rather than higher mag, 6x or 7x if possible, no more than 8x. Even 8x is too high IMHO, but you'll probably buy 10x anyway. :) In your price range, almost everything will be a compact roof prism, but if at all possible or available, start with porro prism glasses over roof prism. (You can look up porro vs. roof for better explanation than I can provide here.) Good luck and enjoy.
 
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Binoculars and telescopes take in light and magnify it to produce an image. The larger the objective lenses (the lens in the front) the more light your instrument will be able to gather; a 50mm objective would generally be brighter than a 30 or 40mm. When it comes particularly to telescopes, which are usually used at much higher magnifications then binoculars, the larger objective also allows for better resolution. The magnification creates the illusion of making the object that you are looking appear closer. However, the higher the magnification the smaller the field of view (harder to find your target) and the shakier your image will appear. With anything over 10 or 15x you would probably want to use the binoculars with a tripod. For handheld binoculats 6x or 7x is best, and I would recommend that you avoid variable magnification binoculars if at all possible. Most variable binoculars are not reliable and at lower magnification the image field is limited and appears as though you were looking through a tube.

Even more important when it comes to binoculars is the collimation (alignment) of the two tubes. If the tubes are not well aligned you will get some form of double image, which may not be easy to spot in daylight, but which will cause eye fatigue. The collimation can vary from factory, even with the same make and model of binocular and even with expensive units, so testing them, or being able to return the binoculars to the store is a must. The easiest way to test them is to look at a distant point of light, like an individual star at night, you will be surprise how often your binoculars will show you two points instead of one.

n2s
 
First thing I'd recommend is getting a pair of 7 x 35 porros. These have a nice wide angle of view, not too much mag, and can be had pretty inexpensively. Yeah, you can find some in your price range, but I'd recommend saving up a bit more. In fact I just went through this exercise with a friend and they bought a pair of Nikon Action EX Extremes for around $100. Storyville has good advise, avoid cheap roofs and avoid high mag (for your first binocs). One feature that I'd recommend, that will push the price up a little, is waterproof/fogproof. Visit one of the New York camera/optic stores on-line and search their inventory and read reviews, see what's selling. Good luck.
 
You may want to consider the exit pupil size of the binoculars. Exit pupil is a relative measure of how much light the glasses can transmit (that's kind of an oversimplification, but adequate for the task at hand). A 7X50 has an exit pupil of around 7 (the size of the objective lens divided by the magnification). That's about the most the human eye can use. A 7X50 will be good for lower light viewing that an 8X32 (which calculates out to an exit pupil of 4). If your glasses will be primarily used in bright daytime conditions, exit pupil may not be so important. As others have said, try to avoid zoom binoculars.
 
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Cheap junk, and that's being generous. Seriously, can you scrape up $75 - $100 and get a decent pair of Nikons or Pentax?
Click to expand...

No thats a little bit to much money for me right now. I just want a pair to try out for now.
 
Look through your local Craiglist on a regular basis and you will more than likely find good used binoculars for usually good prices, especially if you know what to look for and are patient. I have seen some excellent buys in my local Craiglist for less than $50 for binoculars that had to cost hundreds when new. Most people that spend their money on good binoculars tend to take care of them so don't be afraid to buy used.
 
My advice would be to go to a shop that sells them and try out a few. Binoculars, just like knives, are very personal items.
 
Try the Alpen brand. I have a few of them and they seem to be very good quality for the smallish price. My Dad even likes the 8x32's better then my Leupolds.
Something to remember when buying optics is to visit a box store/outfitter or guns and ammo shop and compare at the counter what looks better to YOUR eyes.
Sometimes they even let you walk outside and try them out. I do this with scopes and binoculars. What looks good to you may not to someone else, and a lot of times a cheaper brand will be brighter than a pricier one.
 
+1 on Alpen for good bang for your buck- I doubt they make anything for $20 though.

I know you just want something to try, but you're getting good advice here- a $20 pair of binocs is going to be junk- it won't be a good experience- I got a more expensive pair than that from work for an anniversary gift one year- name brand and everything and I hated them. When I got to try a halfway decent pair it made all the difference. What I'm trying to say is that you'll be throwing away your $20 and getting the wrong opinion about binoculars to boot. Save up, buy used, or do without would be my advice. Ever tried to use a really cheap knife- bad heat treat, won't take or hold an edge? That's a $20 pair of binoculars.
 
I own a bunch of binos, mostly high-end ones and a couple of el-cheapo pairs. I actually think you can get "lucky" buying a cheap pair if you look through them at the store and find a pair with no collimation issues.

That being said, a $20. budget is going to be limiting.
 
I bought a pair of 12x 50 Barska binos at Gander. $29. Water proof & fog proof supposedly. Have had them 6 yrs. No issues. Hunted in pouring rain. No issues yet. AFAIAC, i have already gotten my moneys worth out of them. But Steiner's they are not.

I recently purchased my first high-end rifle scope. (Leupold Mark 4, 4.5x14x50) w/Illuminated TMR ret. $1199, MSRP $1899. All i can say there is, OMG, THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR !!!" It is by far, the clearest, most detailed view i have seen through ANY scope at any price.
 
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