Best hunting binoculars?

[ErikHimmel]

The next thing I need to add to my hunting arsenal is a good pair of binoculars. What are the best ones out there in your opinion and why? What do you use and why?

I am just beginning to do research and I want you guys to point me in the right direction. I am not looking to spend $1000 on these binos.


Thanks!
Erik Himmel

 

[kidoggy]

what IS your price range ?? I ask because you are simply not going to get THE best binos unless you are willing to spend a couple grand.

that said you can get a pair that are pretty good for 4-5 hundred . any new pair less then that ,IMHO , you would be better off to simply flush your money down the toilet.

there are lots of companies out there that make good glass but the less you spend ,the less your gonna get.
it is my opinion that good glass is the single most important thing a hunter can add to their gear, unless you are hunting only dense cover.

I am a firm believer in walk less ,glass more.
Swarovski is the cream of the crop, while bushnell and tasco just plain out suck.
this is just my opinion .no more ,no less.

 

[go_deep]

The next thing I need to add to my hunting arsenal is a good pair of binoculars. What are the best ones out there in your opinion and why? What do you use and why?

I am just beginning to do research and I want you guys to point me in the right direction. I am not looking to spend $1000 on these binos.


Thanks!
Erik Himmel

If your not looking to spend $1,000, your not going to get the best, or penalt even close to the best. Try finding a used pair on Ebay, or just buy vortex but know your rolling the dice there and may or may not need to use the lifetime warranty more than you'd like.

Good luck!

 

[JimP]

I would be looking at Leupold or Vortex for under a grand. $500 will get you a nice pair of either.

Then I suppose that you would like to know the power, and on this I would suggest a pair of 10x42's which is the most popular. Stay away from compacts and ones that you need someone to pack for you.

 

[nv-hunter]

Save up and grab a pair of 12x 50 HD razors mount them on a tripod or glass bracing your arm on something was able to pick out elk at extreme ranges this year way better then the 10 x 50s HD vipers

 

[Rich M]

what IS your price range ??

that said you can get a pair that are pretty good for 4-5 hundred . any new pair less then that ,IMHO , you would be better off to simply flush your money down the toilet.

there are lots of companies out there that make good glass but the less you spend ,the less your gonna get.

it is my opinion that good glass is the single most important thing a hunter can add to their gear, unless you are hunting only dense cover.

I am a firm believer in walk less ,glass more.

Swarovski is the cream of the crop, while bushnell and tasco just plain out suck.
this is just my opinion .no more ,no less.

I quoted this cause it covers a ton of territory, some my opinion match and some they don't. Keeps life interesting.

I picked up a 500 pair of leupold mojaves in 2017 on closeout. They are real comfortable to my eyes and were "the best" of roughly 15 diff binocs I looked thru.

Went hunting w 2 buddies who both had leupold McKenzie binocs. Cost about 1/2 of what I spent on closeout.

The McKenzie glass was easier to look thru and brighter. This was determined while watching a pair of Mule deer 400 yds from camp, feed and bed.

Where I'm going w this:

Newer glass has better coatings and designs than older stuff. Even cheaper new stuff can be better than better old stuff.

And go try the binoculars before you buy em. That'll tell you what you like best. We all see diff.

I agree that the 500 range should give best bang for buck.

 

[boiler]

Get some Mavens! Fairly cheap and awesome!

 

[Daubs]

Back in 2016 I purchased five different nocs. My reviews below...Zeiss have been hanging on my neck for three years. Love them.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spent some time behind the nocs this weekend. And more time this morning at sunrise.

Here is how I would rank them and why:

1. Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 - $899: Sharpest in the bunch, by far! Solid feel (although heaviest). Great color. Excellent ergonomics. The 10% Cabela's coupon discount makes them even more likable.
2. Minox HG 10x43 BR (all black) - $950: Just behind the Zeiss in terms of sharpness. Build quality was disappointing. Focus adjust had a little play, and the eye cups didn't feel solid built. I really wanted to like these nocs, due to weight and all the reviews I've read. But in the end they just were not as sharp as the Zeiss, and difficult to focus.
3. Vortex Razor HD 10x50 - $1,079: Close to the Minox in terms of sharpness, solid feel, excellent ergonomics. I didn't see big difference in brightness compared to the x42's in this bunch. Size and weight moved them down to #3 on the list.
4. Vortex Razor HD 10x42 - $1,160: Disappointed with sharpness of these nocs. They weren't near as sharp as the any nocs above. Size and weight are great, and the warranty can't be beat. But for the price (most expensive here), and the sharpness, they only rank above the Cabela's nocs.
5. Cabela's Outfitter Series 10x42 - $224: Not bad nocs, but sharpness was no where near any of the binoculars listed above.

Zeiss the clear winner.

 

[mallardsx2]

I might get some strange looks but I am really liking these. For most situations these are great.

Swarovski CL Pocket Binoculars | Cabela's

Swarovski® performance that fits in your pocket, the CL Pocket Binoculars give outdoorsmen big performance from a small package. A foldable design for easy carrying, CL pocket binoculars deliver...

www.cabelas.com

 

[Hilltop]

If your looking cheap, Vortex diamondbacks are pretty dang good glass for the money. I have a pair that I used for 3 seasons and then found a deal on a pair of Vortex Viper. My son now uses the diamondbacks and I use the Vipers. They are both very clear but there is a small step up with the Vipers. Cabela's has a sale right now on the diamondbacks for $129 - https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwj9hvODv5fmAhWPjsgKHc8xBa0YABALGgJxdQ&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQOD2R9hDntVs0hJBLOkOjpyHLRyERRmryzlidNl727YGK6HX7pdUDKmGmXuRZ4KBJY2bDlRsuk__ZSvhU2FctK4&sig=AOD64_2VuKqFvAQ-ZfeER3SAdedHuThfAg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiKwuqDv5fmAhXlTN8KHZ4MD0oQ9aACegQIChAz&adurl=

You can shop around for the Vipers but can generally find then well under $500 for the 10x42.

In my opinion, you need to spend triple that to really take much of a step up.

 

[300 short mag]

Look at Tract Toric you won’t be dissapointed

 

[Rich M]

Found anything you like yet?