Hello and welcome me as this is my first post here (but not my first visit on the forum).
What I have now is an old Audubon 7x26. I'm shopping for a 8x42 binocular for when I'm kayaking, mainly for bird watching. I've notice that at Cabelas.ca, they have a few specials (I'm from Québec). I have spotted a few models and i was wondering if I can find a good deal on one of them as I am not in a hurry. Of course, I know that a hand-on test is needed but I want to have some opinions on a few models, including some Cabela's rebranded models as I couldn't find anything about them.
Must be waterproof and I wear eyeglass. Optic quality is important but I want to avoid heavy binoculars.
Ordering from U.S. is not an option and I cannot stand ebay.
From Cabelas.ca:
Minox 8x42mm BL Waterproof Binoculars
Item 604433
$569.99 $389.99
Great deal but beyond my budget of 300$.
Cabela's XT Full-Size Binoculars
Item 609000
$327.99 $229.99
Good special and within my price range.
Cabela's Pine Ridge Porro - Prism Binoculars
Item 609040
$179.99 $139.99
Decent special but I can invest more (if it's really worth it). Actually, I was initially looking at the Leupold 8x42 porro Cascade as size doesn't really matter.
At another store ( http://www.latulippe.com/fr/produit...e/?sd=01&ssd=01 ), they have:
Vortex Diamondback from 270$ to 200$. Again, I can invest a little more.
There is an interesting third store but they don't have a good special right now. http://www.lenaturaliste.ca/en/categories.php?cat=230
Is there anything really worth it, should I wait for the upcoming Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, wait for a real good deal later, buy something else, etc?
Thanks a lot for your comments. If you need more info just ask.
Out of the group you listed I have no experience with the Minox but I see it gets some decent reviews from others. I would personally opt for the Cascade porro out of the bench. It offers noticeably better overall image quality in comparison to the original Diamondbacks, Cabelas XTs and the Cabelas Pine Ridge. The latter is actually quite good for the price but the former seemed to suffer from multiple quality control issues when I tried a few samples of them. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to like them considering the physical package they are offered in but the image was a disappointment.
The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD should prove interesting. Estimated arrival, this time, is mid-July. For the price I would be genuinely surprised if they are a huge improvement over the original Legends but I have been wrong before.
As for a "good deal" those Cascade porros have been selling in Ebay for $140-$150. Short of saving up $200 more and getting a Zen ED I would suggest going with the Cascade porros.
Cabella's binoculars are made by different makers, depending on the model. The Meopta model seemed nice (the "Euro") last I checked them out. The new Diamondbacks are supposed to be brighter, so may be worth a look, and you might also want to check out the Zen-Ray "Zen" and "ZRS". Eagle Optics and Zen-Ray have a 30-day return policy, if you don't like them.