Oregon Hikers

Can anyone recommend a good pair of lightweight binoculars for $100 or less? I know I'm not going to get fantastic quality with something cheap and lightweight, but I want binoculars I can take both hiking and backpacking and I don't want to add a lot of weight to my pack. Thanks!

I use a monocular--half the weight!

I got a pair of Yukon Ramblers for about half your price. Waterproof 8x25 and not a bad image. I keep them in the glove box and grab them when I go.
Bill

Grannyhiker wrote:I use a monocular--half the weight!

Ditto + The one I have also has a 37mm thread for camera attachment ")

http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/ckc-cvs8.html

I got a pair of Bushnell 10 x 25 a few years back for $25-ish. The optics are decent to good and they're rubber coated; 9 ozs. with case. A quick Amazon search had a lot of choices, many with free shipping.

I know that binoculars can range from $25 to $2500 dollars. And you're shooting for something in the $100 range, so I suppose these may be out of the question:

Brunton Echo 10x42 binoculars - I bought these a couple of years ago for around $250. I know that's over the amount you're shooting for, but I have to say: these are the best binoculars I've ever used at this price range, and they're sort of perfect in size - big enough to function as full-size but not as large and bulky as a full-size pair. The package (when inside the carry case) measures 6"x7"x2.5" and weighs 26oz on my kitchen scale.

I've got a Pentax Jupiter that I picked up from Best Buy (online) - I paid about $39, but they are small, very light, and the optics are quite sharp. Perfect for the pack. ..... free shipping, too.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PENTAX+-+Ju ... Id=9353923

Kevin

I have a pair of Zeiss 8X20 pocket knockers that I bought 7 or so years ago. They go with me on every trip. They weigh in at about 7oz, but are worth the weight, I use them constantly. I have seen other cheaper lighter knockers, but once you have experienced quality glass it is impossible to have anything less. Spoiled myself I guess.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/zeiss-8x20b ... pouch.html

Another vote for a monocular. Mine has limited use so I wanted the lightest I could get by with. I don't think you can beat a set of binoculars, though, for more comfortable, eye-easy, steady viewing. It's just that I don't use them very much.
However, don't expect a monocular to be "the" answer for you. Get one, try it out and see if you feel comfortable looking through one eye.

Standard Pic no Zoom Kings mnt Looking at Elk mt summit


Max zoom 5X


Sharp shooter Monoscope 37mm thread attached to cam for extra zoom


Max zoom & sharpshooter 8X