Found some vortex and leupold on cabelas for around 175 most were 10 x 48 I believe. Looking for any suggestions.

No one makes a 10x48 binocular. None worth buying, anyway. Are you looking for a 10x42?

In your price range, 8x binoculars provide more performance than 10x, at any objective size.

He speaks the truth. At that price range I'd look for some Nikon Prostaff 10x42. They're decent, but admittedly, Caladan knows waaaaaaay more than I do.

Yes I believe that is correct.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/hunting/optics/binoculars/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104217480/vortex-binoculars-crossfire/1981903.uts?slotId=5

Something like this is what I was kind of looking at, I don't know anything about optics.

You can catch the vortex diamondback 10x42 under $200 on sale at times. I like them better than the Nikons

A birder was telling me that the Bushnell Legend M-Series is as good as anything he has ever had until you get $2000 range. I found a pair of their 8x42s on eBay for $150...

I would recommend the Nikon Prostaff 7 or the Kowa SV over the Crossfire. And as already mentioned, the Vortex Diamondback can sometimes be found under $200. None of these really stand out above the others.

The Bushnell Legend M in 8x42 mentioned above would certainly be a step above everything mentioned. Rogers Sporting Goods has them for $159 shipped. In the under $200 price area, an 8x42 will typically outperform a 10x42, and the Legend M at $159 is the best buy I have seen lately.

Lastly, you might see if there is a rebate going on for the Vanguard Endeavor ED, or Endeavor ED II. These rebates come and go, so I don't know if one is going on. However, if you can get an Endeavor ED for under $200, it would be preferable over everything above.

C

If you can bump up your range just a little bit, I just purchased 2 pair of Camo'd Leupold BX-2 Tioga HD 8x42's for $219 at Basspro. Opticsplanet has them for $288.

MUCH better than my 10x50 Nikon's Actions that I purchased on sale for $150 a few years back. Got water in them and with only a one year warranty, now they're just a toy for the grand kids. NOT buying Nikon's again.

6.5 Swede said:

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If you can bump up your range just a little bit, I just purchased 2 pair of Camo'd Leupold BX-2 Tioga HD 8x42's for $219 at Basspro. Opticsplanet has them for $288.

MUCH better than my 10x50 Nikon's Actions that I purchased on sale for $150 a few years back. Got water in them and with only a one year warranty, now they're just a toy for the grand kids. NOT buying Nikon's again.

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The above is why it is better for most people to buy a waterproof binocular. The Nikon Action is not waterproof.

Congrats on choosing a waterproof binocular on the second go-around.

Yah, at the time I went with someone else's recommendation. Unfortunately, I didn't have you around to for proper guidance.

Also, now Nikon's replacement in that price range does come waterproof. The glass on the Leupold still seems better thou and it has a lifetime warranty compared to the one year on the Nikon.

I bought the Vortex Diamondbacks around Black Friday for $109 @ Midway. I really like the quality for that price.

K-Bob said:

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I bought the Vortex Diamondbacks around Black Friday for $109 @ Midway. I really like the quality for that price.

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Same

jpb1999 said:

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A birder was telling me that the Bushnell Legend M-Series is as good as anything he has ever had until you get $2000 range. I found a pair of their 8x42s on eBay for $150...

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Have the legend M, great bino. Compares pretty favorably to the $350 zen ray ed3 they replaced. Rogers sporting goods has a great price.

Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

BDJ_AG said:

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Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

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I'm sure they are really similar, but all the reviews online comparing the 2 gave the slight nod to the Legend M-Series.

BDJ_AG said:

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Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

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Actually, I was referring to 10x42 when comparing the Nikon and Kowa vs. the Vanguard ED.

I only brought up the 8x42 Legend M as a better alternative to the low-priced 10x42's that seem to be desired by the OP. I haven't seen a 10x Legend M in the OP's price range, but certainly it would be a great choice if one could be found.....

jpb1999 said:

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BDJ_AG said:

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Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

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I'm sure they are really similar, but all the reviews online comparing the 2 gave the slight nod to the Legend M-Series.

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I would agree - unfortunately I only know of the 8x42 version in the OP's price range, so I'm not sure if he/she would be interested in them.

For anyone thinking about a Legend M - be aware that there can be a great difference in focus wheel operation between examples. Some focus wheels turn fairly nice, some have a great amount of stiction and backlash. Make sure you buy one from a place that will allow them to be returned if the focus wheel is not to your liking.

Caladan, whats the difference in the endeavour & the endeavour II?

That seems like a great deal for the one on the B&H website someone linked.

Caladan said:

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jpb1999 said:

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BDJ_AG said:

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Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

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I'm sure they are really similar, but all the reviews online comparing the 2 gave the slight nod to the Legend M-Series.

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I would agree - unfortunately I only know of the 8x42 version in the OP's price range, so I'm not sure if he/she would be interested in them.

For anyone thinking about a Legend M - be aware that there can be a great difference in focus wheel operation between examples. Some focus wheels turn fairly nice, some have a great amount of stiction and backlash. Make sure you buy one from a place that will allow them to be returned if the focus wheel is not to your liking.

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Didn't purchase anything yet, going to wait until I can find a badass deal. Say I open my budget to 500, what are the best brands, etc you would recommend for that price.

Mhickerson09 said:

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Caladan, whats the difference in the endeavour & the endeavour II?

That seems like a great deal for the one on the B&H website someone linked.

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Higher quality glass and better coatings in the II. Also, the exposed areas of the II's frame hinge area has a dark color, as compared to the silver color on the original ED.

AggieFabricator said:

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Caladan said:

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jpb1999 said:

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BDJ_AG said:

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Not sure if Caladan was referring specifically to Vanguard ED's in 8x42 as what was better than the Bushnell Legen M, but B&H photo has the ED 10x42 for $180 after rebate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html

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I'm sure they are really similar, but all the reviews online comparing the 2 gave the slight nod to the Legend M-Series.

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I would agree - unfortunately I only know of the 8x42 version in the OP's price range, so I'm not sure if he/she would be interested in them.

For anyone thinking about a Legend M - be aware that there can be a great difference in focus wheel operation between examples. Some focus wheels turn fairly nice, some have a great amount of stiction and backlash. Make sure you buy one from a place that will allow them to be returned if the focus wheel is not to your liking.

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Didn't purchase anything yet, going to wait until I can find a badass deal. Say I open my budget to 500, what are the best brands, etc you would recommend for that price.

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Most brands in that price range are fine. I would stay with Meopta, Nikon, Leupold, Vortex, and Kowa. My personal favorites are the Kowa BD XD and the Meopta Meopro, but there's not a lot to distinguish one brand over another at the ~$500 price level.

Caladan, if I was looking at 10x42 in the $300-$500 would there be much of a difference in the Leupolds mentioned and the Vanguards you mentioned? Also, I've seen a lot on the Maven C series. Any thoughts on those?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr93gBRDSARIsADvHiOqLZQ2BXK5iBbz8Cu5MaTtsvKHxw4EcCmaT_a-R7rIcQJe95cS9BGEaAgb_EALw_wcB&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

They dropped the price to $140

jc1402 said:

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Caladan, if I was looking at 10x42 in the $300-$500 would there be much of a difference in the Leupolds mentioned and the Vanguards you mentioned? Also, I've seen a lot on the Maven C series. Any thoughts on those?

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There would be some difference between a Leupold Pro Guide and an Endeavor ED IV, but not a great amount - get the one that speaks to you in some way. I could be happy with either one, but I would lean towards the Leupold.

There would be a significant (to me, anyway) difference between a Pro Guide and an Endeavor ED II. Only you can say if the price difference is worth it.

The price for the original Endeavor ED kindly mentioned above is a very good price. Certainly it would be one of the best buys in the low-priced arena. You might get this one and give it a try - it might be all the binocular that you need, and if that turns out to be the case, it would have saved you quite a lot of money. Keep the money you didn't spend and save up for something really nice, and above the $500 price level.

C

Mhickerson09 said:

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https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762754-USA/Vanguard_ENDEAVOR_ED_1042_Endeavor_ED_10x42_Binocular.html/?ap=y&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr93gBRDSARIsADvHiOqLZQ2BXK5iBbz8Cu5MaTtsvKHxw4EcCmaT_a-R7rIcQJe95cS9BGEaAgb_EALw_wcB&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

They dropped the price to $140

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Very good price. Not a perfect binocular of course, but one of the best choices under $200, and IMO would be the best choice in a 10x under $150.....