Binocular bargains (2 Viewers)

[Kevin Purcell]

EO has updated there demo-refurb items. Good deals abound.

http://stores.ebay.com/Eagle-Optics_Used-Demo-Refurbs_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ12874368QQftidZ2QQtZkm

They must have found a few more boxes of this one. It was around for a while then disappeared from the web site.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eagle-Optics-Ra...83886QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Eagle Optics Raptor 10x42 Binoculars - Discontinued for $90.

These the Vixen Foresta porros (previous model). Very nice porros for the price with a wide 6.5 degree FOV. Same enclosure as the Audubon 820 (different optics ... in particular a different EP).

If anyone knows of a used Eagle Optics Raptor 8x42 or a Vixen Foresta 8x42 porro let me know. I'm interested!

 

[ScoutMan]

Re: Deal on the Bushnell Legend roof from Sports Authority.

Excuse me for being a "compulsive compulsive", but my credit card has not been "hit" for the charges for this "deal"

Has anyone who has been this lucky have any comments on this situation??

 

[FrankD]

If anyone knows of a used Eagle Optics Raptor 8x42 or a Vixen Foresta 8x42 porro let me know. I'm interested!

Make that two of us.

Scoutman,

I wasn't one of the ones that initially took advantage of that situation. I do know that several people did "cash in" on it. One of them purchased two and is sending one my way. As for them not being charged on their credit card.....I cannot comment.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Re: Deal on the Bushnell Legend roof from Sports Authority.

Excuse me for being a "compulsive compulsive", but my credit card has not been "hit" for the charges for this "deal"

Has anyone who has been this lucky have any comments on this situation??

It seems that they're system is seriously messed up ... I'm pretty sure that Bushnell will bill SA for the bins

I didn't see it on my last CC billing but though it missed the cutoff date. I'll check my next bill to see if they've figured it out.

Other than that I'm not too sure what to do? Interact with their automated CS system to explain to them that they've made a mistake in not billing me. Sounds like this game I once played ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracy_(computer_game)

 

[FrankD]

Uh, yeah...I would definitely contact the company if I was not billed for something I bought.

Yeah...uh-huh.

 

[falcondude]

Uh, yeah...I would definitely contact the company if I was not billed for something I bought.

Yeah...uh-huh.

I always missed those deals when they came up. :C

Anyway, I am getting a pair of 8x43 ZEN ED for $359. There is a $90 coupon (iFISH).

 

[FrankD]

Nice tip Falcondude. Why do I get the impression that this isn't the first time that one of these coupon deals has come up.

 

[BinoBoy]

Bushnell Legend Porros at Sportsman's Warehouse

The Sportsman's Warehouse stores here in Denver have the Bushnell Legend 8x42 porros for $69.97. They don't appear to sell through their website. But, if there is a store in your area, it is the best price I've seen. The 12x50 porros are apparently on sale also, but they are sold out here.

The 8x42's are normally $100 or more and are well reviewed by other forum members.

 

[DHB]

On occasion SW will really blow out some bino's. Waiting for Nikon LX or Leupold HD's....

 

[FrankD]

I wouldn't mind picking up another Legend porro if they do eventually go the online route with them. Personally I have not found another bin that performs at their level for anywhere near close to that price.

 

[BinoBoy]

Legend porros

Took the 8x42 Legend porros for a spin today. They really are amazingly good for the price. I'm kicking myself for missing out on the 12x50 porros. The 12x50 Legend roofs I got from Sports Authority are astonishingly good for what they normally sell for. They only have a 58 degree AFOV though. The porros give you 66 degrees! If the optical quality is as good, they could be sweet for waterfowl. Has anyone tried them? They're inexpensive enough that I'm considering ordering a pair sight unseen.

Another interesting item they have is a Brunton Macroscope. It's a 7x40 monocular that focuses to 18 inches. I've got both Papilios and like them, but the 5.7mm exit pupil on the Brunton is appealing. They're anywhere from $105 to $175 on the web and SW has them for $86. Not a huge bargain, but cheap enough that it's tempting to get one just to see how they stack up against the Pentax. Brunton's binoculars don't have much of a following, but the customer reviews of the Macroscope I've been able to find on the web have all been positive. Maybe I'll take my Papilios to the store and compare.

I wonder if Natchez Shooter's Supply will have Shot Show demo model Zeiss's again this year. I bought a pair of 7x42 for $930 after last year's show thanks to a post here on the forum. I took them to Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge this past weekend. They delivered awesome views of the Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese at dawn and sunset. They're just crazy bright! I'd love to have the 10x42 if they were affordable. Worth watching their site next week.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Over on 24hourcampfire there is a little more on the iFish coupon for the Zen-Ray EDs which can take the price down to $342!

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...bb=showflat&Number=2734713&page=0#Post2734713

My price was $342 delivered which compares to $499 for the ProMaster and $479 for the Hawke. To get the discounts you need to 1st register on the Zen Ray site (this gets you a 10% off) and then they are currently offering coupons that can give you additional savings. For now, there is a $90 coupon (code "ifish") for the Zen 8x43 ED which together with the 10% discount gets you to $342 delivered to your door. They also shipped mine within a few hours from the order and sent me a notice and tracking number. Lastly these (new 2009 models) have a lifetime transferrable warranty.

My sight unseen guess based on appearance and specs (see my other posts) is that this is more a Hawke Frontier ED "clone" than a Promaster "clone" though all three may be out of the same factory. But don't hold me to that.

Steve C and I should have them in the next day or so. So expect some first hand impressions in the next few days.

 

[FrankD]

This should prove interesting Kevin. I have one on the way as well. Hopefully today actually.

If the optical performance is what I expect it to be then $342 has to be one of the best deals going for binoculars period.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

This should prove interesting Kevin. I have one on the way as well. Hopefully today actually.

If the optical performance is what I expect it to be then $342 has to be one of the best deals going for binoculars period.

The view is everything. Sensible people will wait for the results. But I hope they don't drop the promotion in the meantime (shades of the post-review Hawke ED price increase from $429 to $479 in the back of my mind).

 

[FrankD]

I have to admit that I was thinking something along those lines. I guess we will have to see how much these take off with the general buying public.

 

[fguo79]

I registered in the Zen-Ray site, no 10% off shown. Any thoughts?

 

[lulubelle]

I logged onto the Zen site and when I go through the checkout process, even using the "ifish coupon", my total comes up to $389.94. Is the 10% automatic or do I have to do something else to activate it?

 

[FrankD]

Ok, at the risk of sounding like a true hypocrite....

Didn't you just get the Promasters?

Sorry Laura...I could not resist.



...can't help you with the coupon though I am over checking 24hourcampfire as we speak.

 

[lulubelle]

Hmm..... your report on the Zen sounded really good!!! Besides, if I can get Promaster quality for $342 - why not?!!!

 

[FrankD]

Just to tack an FYI on this thread....

...the $342 for the Zen Ray was a bit of a freak incident. Apparently there was a loophole in the ordering system and coupon stacking was allowed. It shouldn't have been and they have remedied the situation.

In addition....

...they are offering a refund on shipping to birdforum members for the next month or so.