Can anybody recommend some mini-binoculars for basic range use? I'm not talking anything insane here. I just want to do a basic check on targets at 25 to possibly 200yds. I also want to keep them small for range bag storing.
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Inexpensive mini-binoculars for range use
- Thread starter Stratocaster1422
- Start date
Yeah i'm not so concerned at 200yds, which would be nice. Mostly just 25 and 50....100 if possible.
I have a small set of "Simmons" binoculars that the little woman gave me for my birthday. Small enough to fit in a pocket, come with a carrying case/lanyard, and I can VERY easily see holes in plain grid targets from a .22 at 50yds. I'd be stunned if seeing same at 100yds was a problem. They're rubber-coated and come in a tacti-cool camo color, so the targets won't see you and shoot back. ![[wink]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/002.gif "Wink [wink]")
I believe they came from Dick's Sporting Goods. Great little gift they were - I use 'em every time! Much easier to use binoculars and set up 4 targets at a time than it is to posthole 50yds through 2' of snow and ice in the middle of February.![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
I believe they came from Dick's Sporting Goods. Great little gift they were - I use 'em every time! Much easier to use binoculars and set up 4 targets at a time than it is to posthole 50yds through 2' of snow and ice in the middle of February.
June4th
NES Member
I have a decent 8x22 bino (Steiner Predator Pro). I have a very hard time to see .223 holes at 100 yards. I thought all my shots were flyers until I picked it up. I'm looking for a spotting scope now. As anything else in life, you get what you pay for.
I bought a cheap 12x I think at Walmart before the last Appleseed. It seems to work ok for 25 or so yards, but those .22 holes are pretty hard to see. I would get the highest magnification you can find.
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I too bought the cheap 12x Eddie Bauer pair at Target. I have only been to the range once since and at 50 yards, using the high visible targets (the kind that change color when punched with holes). I could see the .22 holes and was zeroing in my iron sights with ease.
Have yet to try them at 100 yards, but I expect I would be able to see the holes, again with the high visible targets...
Binoculars were $28.
Have yet to try them at 100 yards, but I expect I would be able to see the holes, again with the high visible targets...
Binoculars were $28.
If depends a lot on the target and lighting. Finding .22 holes in a black bullseye target at 100 yards can be hard unless the target is backlit or you have a quality spotting scope.
Our backstop has a roof over it, so the targets are in shade and there is a shadow behind them. I suspect that I wouldn't have any trouble finding the holes with a Kowa 800 series spotting scope. But those aren't cheap.
I'd like to spend under $50 if possible. I may be trying to bite off more than I can chew for that price range though it seems.
I tried out Ninsho's specs at the appleseed, and they did the job for 25yards. I could probably see how they may not be appropriate for over that though.
I mostly shoot these targets that are very light blue colored or the shoot'n'see types:
I tried out Ninsho's specs at the appleseed, and they did the job for 25yards. I could probably see how they may not be appropriate for over that though.
I mostly shoot these targets that are very light blue colored or the shoot'n'see types:
Bob J
NES Member
I'd like to spend under $50 if possible. I may be trying to bite off more than I can chew for that price range though it seems.
I tried out Ninsho's specs at the appleseed, and they did the job for 25yards. I could probably see how they may not be appropriate for over that though.
I mostly shoot these targets that are very light blue colored or the shoot'n'see types:
+1 for shoot'n'see
That makes it much easier. I typically use targets like these:
See a .22 cal hole in the black at 100 yards is not easy. shoot'n'see is far, far easier to see holes in.
Twigg
NES Member
^What he said. Cheap binocs even at 100 yards won't work very well. Better to have a spotting scope.
Try Optics Planet they have a bunch under $70.00.
Scroll down they have three with 45 degree eyepieces and tripods.
Which model did you get? What zoom levels should I be looking for?
Make bigger holes.
Yup - I got a Tasco at DSG a few years ago for under $100.00 and it works fine. The tripod is a POS, but for what I use it for, (spotting targets) it works just fine...
No problem. I'll be expecting your donated gun on my door soon.
Which model or zoom did you get?
Don't remember the model no offhand, it did 15-40X. I've used it up to about 200 yards or so. Came with a hard case, mini tripod, and a soft case to keep the scope in, w/lens caps.
-Mike
My experience is that it is very difficult to see 223 holes at 200 yds in a standard black target - even using a $1000 Kowa.
For 100 yds and under most inexpensive spotting scopes will allow you to spot most shots, if you have a good stand/tripod.
Shoot-n-C are another matter completely, much much easier.
For 100 yds and under most inexpensive spotting scopes will allow you to spot most shots, if you have a good stand/tripod.
Shoot-n-C are another matter completely, much much easier.
I think that's where we've been having the disconnect in this thread. The type of target and the lighting conditions make a huge difference. My experience has been the same with standard black targets -- very hard to see.
I just ordered this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FN8ZR2
WTF, it was 2-3 weeks backordered, now its 1-3 months. They can lick my ball bag if they expect me to wait that long. I'll be cancelling that order and ordering the one you listed above looks like.
Edit 2: reordered from an external vendor just had to pay 8 more dollars in shipping.
WTF, it was 2-3 weeks backordered, now its 1-3 months. They can lick my ball bag if they expect me to wait that long. I'll be cancelling that order and ordering the one you listed above looks like.
Edit 2: reordered from an external vendor just had to pay 8 more dollars in shipping.
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