I'm looking at a set of 10x42 roof prism Bruntons. I have no experience with this brand at all. Price is good, so I'm curious about the quality...

Thanks in Advance,

Tym

I think you can get better optics in that price range.I dont think Bruntons quality/price range ratio has been worked out yet.
I judge optics very hard. but what matters is how you see with them. Take a look at kahles, you're getting $1200.00 optics for $750.00 (8x42)

BILL

I'd have to disagree. The Kahles 8x42mm does not compare to Zeiss Victory FL, Leica BN or BR, or Swarovski SLC or EL. The Pentax DCF SP 8x43mm for $435 is marginally better than the Kahles. JMO according to my eyes. But I would agree that there are glass better than Brunton at its respective model's price points.

Wow!! Okay I guess I should've mentioned that I'm trying to stay under $200 but away for the Tasco's. Simmons and such. I found the Bruntons (lite tech 10x42) for $79.95, but knew nothing of their quality. Perhaps I should stick to the low end Nikon porros and such....

thanks for the replies...

If you are at $200 the only way to go for 10x42mm roof prisms are the Eagle Optics Denali PC, Minolta Activa D WP XL, Minolta Activa D WP Sport, Olympus Magellan EXWP I and Bushnell Excursion.

For 10x40/42mm porro prisms look at the Minolta Activa WP FP, Pentax PCF WP, Wind River Mesa, Celestron Ultima DX, Audubon Raptor, Nikon Action Extreme.

Anything less ain't worth it.

I think for under 200 you can't go wrong with the nikons. I went with nikon based on the quality of their rifle scopes and I haven't been disappointed. Let's be real $1200 binoculars? I got a pair of Nikon Action Ex's from huntersdiscount.com for $130 or something. I love them.

I have no experience with the under 200 dollar bruntons but my pair of 12X42 eternas are just as good as the Kahles in my opion. I have used them both when I was guiding in highschool and college. But I will say they are not as good as the Leica's, Swarovski and the high end Zeiss nocks.

Just my opion
FNMAUSER

1. Keep saving your money.

2. Buying cheap gear will only enhance your future unuseable "broken-cheap-gear" collection.

3. When it come to optics - you get what you pay for...

I have 2-Parachute Kit-bags full of holsters and cheap-binos that I thought were a good-buy, and money "well-spent" back when I was makin NCO-Pay in my youth...I was weened on Stiener brand optics in the Marine Corps...they are a bit pricey on the civilian market...but well worth the effort, to shop around the internet and find them at a reduced rate.

Another excellent option is the Leupold Wind River Series. I hunted the bushveldt and plains of Namibia a few months ago with a pair of Leupold Pinnacle 8X42's. My PH and tracker both liked the quality-vs-price of these optics...enough to spend their hard earned money on them via my guidance. You may want to look at these as an option to save for...or - try pricing the Cascade models, another fine optic for the money in the Wind River Series. I have seen some pretty fair price reductions around the internet. I use Cabela's as a benchmark. Cabela's is usually considerably lower than the RETAIL market out here in Kalifornia...If you find a wholesaler below the Cabela's price...bookmark his site, and keep an eye on him while you keep saving.

http://www.binoculars.com

...KEEP SAVING - START SHOPPING.

You might want to think twice before buying the Wind River Cascades. They are not phase corrected and cannot be as good as a comparable pair that is. Look before you buy preferably stacking properly focused pairs and while outside look quickly between them at distant, hard to resolve objects. The better glass will become apparent. You can waste your money on the Cascades or at least spend the extra $45 and get Wind River Olympics. As well, there are more than enough roof prism binoculars that are phase corrected out there that are similarly priced as the Cascades. The previous recommendation of the Cascades is interesting given the first three points offered.

[JackFish]...I stand corrected.

- After returning to the Leupold web-site...I now recall it WAS the OLYMPICS I asked the Leupold rep at SCI about in regrds to some affordable binos that might be available in time for my hunt in Namibia. I had originally wanted to score a set of the NEW 2005 Gold-Ring 8X42s...however they were not available at the time of the last convention. He asked me to try out the Pinnacles instead and I took them on "temp-loan" for "field-testing"...The Cascades had drawn my attention due to the Advantage Timber finish they came in...however the Leupold-Rep steered me away from them and the Olympics in favor of the Pinnacles.

- The Olympics would def-be a better choice than the CASCADES...Jack-Fish made a valid point - merc.