I am not sure how they made their selections and if there was any bias or loyalty towards advertisers in their magazine, but even so I did think that a few of their picks looked very interesting and even though I have not reviewed them, would really like to do so.
In the past it was a lot harder to purchase good quality bins without spending quite a lot of money, but due to increased competition and improved manufacturing techniques it is possible to get many of the features and components that were up until fairly recently only found on top end optics. This is something I explore in my sections on the best cheap binoculars under $200 / £200.
G&F: Top 5 Binoculars Under $400 (£350)
Below are their five affordable binoculars for you to consider. For each one I have also added my thoughts and a few alternatives within the same price range that I have fully reviewed and which I think may also be of interest to you:
Bushnell 10x42 Legend Ultra HD Binoculars
Highlights:
- Prime ED glass
- Magnesium housing
- Ultra Wide Band and RainGuard Coatings
- Locking diopter
- Included Bushnell Binocular harness
More Information & Further Reading:
About the new Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars Current Discounts & Offers on Bushnell Binoculars Buy & Compare Prices – Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars
BBR’s Alternatives:
Vanguard 10x42 Endeavor ED Binoculars – Winner of the award for the Best Value For Money Binocular in 2012 and 2013, like the Legend Ultra HD, the 10x42 Endeavor ED uses Extra-low Dispersion glass elements in their lenses to reduce color fringing as well as featuring Fully Multi-coated Lenses, Phase Correction Coatings on the BAK-4 prisms and a lightweight open bridge body that is both water and fogproof.
Zeiss Terra ED Binoculars
Highlights:
- Schott Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass
- Zeiss Fully Multi-coated Lenses
- Phase Correction Coatings
- Waterproof & Fogproof
- 8x42 version has a FOV of 375 feet wide at 1000 yards
More Information & Further Reading:
BBR’s Alternative 01:
Celestron Granite 8x42 Binoculars – Winner of the award for the Best Birding Binocular 2012, these Celestron binoculars are cheaper than the Zeiss above, but also comes with ED glass, Fully Multi-Coated Optics and Phase corrected Bak-4 Prisms. The 8x42 version also has an exceptionally wide field of view (426ft @ 1000 yards).
Redfield Rebel 10x42 Binoculars
Highlights:
- Fully multi-coated optics
- BAK4 prisms
- Aluminum chassis
- Waterproof & nitrogen filled
- Limited lifetime warranty
More Information & Further Reading:
BBR’s Alternatives:
Pentax DCF NV 8x36 Binoculars – At about $150 / £160, these mid size Pentax binoculars have a fully waterproof and fogproof body and produce an excellent quality image thanks in part to their fully multi-coated lenses and phase coated roof prisms and in my opinion are a great option if you are looking for something a little more portable and easy to carry within this price range.
Steiner Champ 8x22 Binoculars
Highlights:
- Ultra compact and great for travel
- Weight: 9.5 oz
- Fast close focus
- BAK-4 Roof Prisms
- Waterproof and fogproof
More Information & Further Reading:
About Steiner Binoculars Best Compact Steiner Binoculars for Walking Safaris Buy & Compare Prices – Steiner Champ Binoculars
Apart from the Steiner UltraSharp that I have already mentioned, I would recommend taking a look at the Vanguard Orros 10x25 Binoculars – The cheap compacts also come with BaK-4 Roof Prisms and like the Steiner’s are also water & fogproof. They also have multi-coated optics and a unique offset hinge design.
Nikon Aculon 10x42 Binoculars
Highlights:
- BAK4 Porro prisms
- Multi-coated lenses
- Rubber-armored
More Information & Further Reading:
BBR’s Alternatives:
Kowa YF 8x30 Binoculars – Winner of the award for the Best Low Cost Binocular 2013, like the Nikon’s above, these use a porro prism design, but unlike them the Kowa’s have fully multi-coated lenses which in theory should have a higher level of transmittance.