tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
#4178141 - 11/11/10 03:38 AM
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Hello everyone,
Ok I came upon this for $99 close out sale...is this a good deal compared to similar bins? I read it is almost same as Bushnell Discoverer and Fuji CD 7x42. Prices on these used to be $250 and up as I have read...I am a sucker for quality bins at closeout prices(Celestron Regal, etc.)...also this is a pretty rare config. these days too...so, is it junk to you? thanx
Tony
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Loc: NYC
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4178169 - 11/11/10 04:35 AM
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I like mine. 
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Zdee
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/20/10
Loc: North Carolina, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: IDONTSEEIT]
#4178228 - 11/11/10 06:39 AM
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Click here for a recent thread on the Meade 7x42.
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: Zdee]
#4178261 - 11/11/10 07:19 AM
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I have had a pair of the Meade Montana 7x42s for several years. I like them, they are well made and the optics are good. Mine have taken a fair beating, I use them at night for starhopping, for hundred bucks, they are a real deal.
Jon
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medinabrit
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/27/04
Loc: medina ohio USA.
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#4178728 - 11/11/10 11:46 AM
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Great bargain .I keep one in my camper all the time .
They work well & if anything bad happens to them .Well its not like they cost like Swaros is it?
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: medinabrit]
#4180114 - 11/12/10 01:01 AM
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Thank you Joe...Zdee...Jon...and Brian...
Jon- I have come upon many mini reviews by you on this bin through google search...mostly from about 2006...Brian- I saw yours as well...and it is from these two endorsements by two very respected CN'ers that have pushed me over the edge and thus I will buy them!!!
One point of concern is that they have been discontinued for about 4 years and yet Meade still have some left?
Second concern is that if this is such a bargain for $99, why aren't everyone here jumping on them? Am I missing something?
Thanx guys.
Tony
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Loc: New Zealand
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4180148 - 11/12/10 01:44 AM
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The Bausch and Lomb Discoverers [ which became Bushnell] - are the same also. They were discontinued several years ago. They are quality binoculars. They are not lightweight which may put some off but the optical and build qualities make up. They are Japanese sourced. The have an 8 degree TFov. There is some mild field curvature at the periphery but the on axis resolution is very good as is contrast. The later versions were phase corrected. I use mine both for terrestrial and astronomy. On bright stars there is some very minor spiking but you get that with roofs. Recommended binoculars esp. for the price.
Chris
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: charen]
#4180157 - 11/12/10 01:54 AM
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Chris- thank you...since you know a lot about bino history, do you think this bino is indeed the same as the Fuji CD 7x42? thanks again...
Tony
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4180163 - 11/12/10 01:58 AM
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To all CN'er...can someone else buy one too...pleaseeee...I feel all alone buying this 
Tony
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Loc: NYC
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4180165 - 11/12/10 01:58 AM
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Tony,
I don't know why they're not sold out, they must have a boat-load of 'em.
They've also had them on the outlet site for some time now. I actually bought a pair of these in 2007, and they were $159.99 then. When I recently saw they were $99, I got a couple more as backups or future bins for my kids.
I also have a pair of the Fuji CD 7x42, and going from memory as I haven't used the Fuji in a while, other than a slight color difference of the rubber armor and the logo I would confidently say they are the same binocular.
I don't know how many they actually have, but for $100, I think they are a great deal.
One small nit to pick with these, is the case. While the material of the case, and the design are great, the little spring button/latch thing is weak. It looks like metal, but is plastic. I found this out one day, when I found a little spring and a chromed piece of plastic on the floor. I couldn't figure out what it was from, so I put it aside. A week or so later I went to grab the Montanas to check out a bird, when I noticed the latch button was gone. They were just sitting on a chair, and no one had touched them, so it must have come apart just from the pressure of the compressed little spring. I managed to shove it back in there, but I don't think it'll last long.
Take care,
(edited for silly spelling error)
Edited by IDONTSEEIT (11/12/10 02:27 AM)
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: IDONTSEEIT]
#4180174 - 11/12/10 02:20 AM
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Joe,
Thank you...that helps confirm it...also do you happen to know how much they were actually sold for in their prime? thanx for the hint about the latch...although I am not too worry for $99...just as long as they spent the resources on the bino itself!...Finally, so you have 3 of them now? Do you see any sample variation in their quality? I might copy you by getting a couple of them too!
you take care too,
Tony
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4180179 - 11/12/10 02:23 AM
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To everyone: is this a true statement?
The Montana is the best 42mm roof under $100!!! (that can be bought new)....If you think it is a false statement, please give alternatives...thanks
Tony
Edited by tonyhuynh (11/12/10 02:54 AM)
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IDONTSEEIT
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/04/03
Loc: NYC
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4180192 - 11/12/10 02:33 AM
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I don't know if I could agree to that Tony.
Is that $100 new price, or do used count?
There are probably a lot of roof bins in the $100 range. I doubt anyone can try them all.
As far as sample variety, I haven't used them side by side, and I haven't compared any of the Meades to the Fuji either.
One of the Meades is even still new in package.
I just don't have the time to do comparisons 'n such right now, sorry.
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tonyhuynh
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/09/07
Loc: Boston, MA, USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: IDONTSEEIT]
#4180198 - 11/12/10 02:50 AM
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Thanks Joe...no worries about actually doing a test between them...I was only asking just in case you had already looked through them in the past...The true-false statement is for new 42mm bins only...also just out of curiosity, which 42mm roofs do you think is better? thanks Joe...
PS. so including your Fuji CD 7x42, you currently own 4 of the exact same bins?
Tony
Edited by tonyhuynh (11/12/10 03:04 AM)
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medinabrit
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/27/04
Loc: medina ohio USA.
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4181438 - 11/12/10 05:12 PM
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Stop your worrying.Go ahead & get them .Its not as though your sporting out 2 grand for Swaros.
You wont be disappointed.
Jeez ,you can spend 4x,s that much on an eye piece.
Brian.
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: medinabrit]
#4181737 - 11/12/10 07:54 PM
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I have used one last year. It has an extra Wide view. Unfortunenately, I have been trained by modern binoculars not to enjoy when the outer half of the view is not sharp. It is a fun item with a good heft. It is the widest 7x42 I have ever seen.
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94bamf
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/15/08
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: Robert A.]
#4182017 - 11/12/10 10:09 PM
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Well I tried to order a pair, but there must be something wrong with the Meade website, because it comes up with some kind of error during checkout. Can't find an email address on their website, don't care enough to call. Oh well, didn't really need them anyway..
Ken
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alins
member
Reged: 02/23/08
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: 94bamf]
#4182134 - 11/12/10 11:14 PM
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Quick question from a novice: what would I gain from the Meade 7x42 if I already have a Pentax Papilio 8.5 x 21?
Thanks very much!
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mooreorless
Just worried
Reged: 07/05/05
Loc: Cornpropst Mills,Huntingdon,Pa
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: alins]
#4182537 - 11/13/10 08:46 AM
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More Info on the Meade Montana/Fuji/ B&L binoculars
Alins, That would be more aperture, easier view from larger exit pupil and more weight.I think the Montana binoculars weigh about 30oz. or more.
Tony, Just buy them.;-) Even John Cota liked this binocular.
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
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Re: Meade Montana 7x42 Binocular
[Re: tonyhuynh]
#4182643 - 11/13/10 09:52 AM
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Quote:
One point of concern is that they have been discontinued for about 4 years and yet Meade still have some left?
Second concern is that if this is such a bargain for $99, why aren't everyone here jumping on them? Am I missing something?
Thanx guys.
Tony
I don't think there were ever big sellers. I believe they started out about $300. Meade sells a lot of binoculars but they are most all inexpensive, some very inexpensive, binoculars that may be good values but are limited in their capabilities. My thinking is that nobody really trusts Meade when it comes to spending money for a nice binocular.
Jon
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