Alaskan Guide Compact Binoculars

[Baffinland Archer]

G'day Gents,

After a lot of searching around for a decent pair of compact binoculars, I finally settled on the 12 x 30 Cabelas Alaskan Guide Compacts. They got rave reviews, the price is right ($250) and they seem like an excellent buy.

So I tried to order them online and would you know it: they are on a 7 - 8 week backorder which, including shipping time, likely puts them out my reach for the fall hunting season.

Can anyone out there tell me if there is a brand of compact binos that are of similar quality and price as the Alaskan Guide?  For that matter, if anyone out there has a pair for sale.......

Robert

[Fletcher]

Did you try for a lower power glass?  I think you will find the 12x difficult to hand hold steady enuf for good viewing without some sort of support.  10x is about the max for a steady hold.  That is one reason I prefer 7 or 8x binocs.

[Muskoxman]

I've heard good things about vortex optics  http://www.vortexoptics.com/    but I don't have first hand experience.

John

[homerdave]

eagle optics has some nice glass for good prices.
i agree that 12x is more than you will likely want, i have always been happy with my 8x42 's.