Or any other recommendations in the $250-300 price point.

 

Meopta Optika. Not sure the price of 12x50 but 10x42 is $299 and much superior to the options you listed. Is there a specific reason you're looking at 12x50? If I were looking for higher magnification glass I wouldn't bother with that price range, I'd go $600+ whereas there are a lot of good options in 8x42 or 10x42 in that price bracket.

I personally use 8x42 for 90% of my hunting and I have access to a wide range of very good glass through my work.

 

OK, what's in the 8x42 or 10x42 range? O have 10x42 nikons but I'm not happy with them.

 

I have a BX2 Alpine HD and the glass is good for the money but I didn't realize until I got home that the cheaper Leupold binoculars are made in China. Had I realized that I probably would've saved some money and went with the Vortex but for some reason I thought all Leupold stuff was made in the US.

 

Vortex Razors are made in China and they’re 1100 dollars.

 

Meopta optika is the best bang for the $$ 300$ , it’s amazing how many people buy vortex IMO there not that good ! The meopta are way better !

 

Both are kinda meh. Meopta is another option. If I went with one or the other I'd probably go vortex so when they break I can get a new pair and resale them

 

Personally I'd never spend 300 on a pair of bino's and pick one without ED glass. Vortex has done an amazing marketing job to get people to think they're getting a good value when buying their lower-end products, and I own some!

Believe it or not, at one time there was an ED glass option in the Diamondback series, not anymore.