Binoculars???
 

This question is mainly for the guys/gals that hunt out west (wide open).

I need to purchase a new pair of binoculars(we won' t discuss what happened to the old ones).I would like your opinion on size and brand to be used specificly for elk hunting.I REALLY!!!!!!!! can only spend around $200+-[&o]....... so Swarovskis are OUT![:' (] I have been looking at the Steiner Predator 10x26...good glass but are the lenses big enough.What about Cabellas???????

RE: Binoculars???
 

I live & hunt in Montana. Look at the Pentax 10 x 50' s before you buy. I think you will like them? They are in your price range & they are clear. I like 10 x 50' s for early morning & late evening glassing. The down side to the 50mm lens is they are bulky too carry. But I feel they are worth the extra weight.
good luck,

RE: Binoculars???
 

I would not buy binoculars with less than 40mm lenses for hunting out west.At first and last light the small lenses lack in brightness.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I use a pair of Simmons 10x50 that I used in Montatna, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alberta. I was not elk hunting. It was end of June and was sight seeing, they worked good for spotting mtn goats and bighorns though. I like my spotting scope for real long range work though.;) Check out the Leupold wind river line they look good.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I would also suggest taking a look at Pentax, I have 3 pairs 8x42, 10x50 & 12x50. I hunt some pretty open territory and have found pentax to be very good for the money. They come with a lifetime warranty and I can tell you their CS has been great in my experience. I won' t get into the specifics lets say they had no obligation to fix my binos for free as it was totally my fault, but they did. They have a variety of style, power and price range. My 8 x 42 & 10x50' s are fully fog and water proof models.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I use the Bushnell Trophy in 10x42. They are a roof prism so they are sleek and light, you can pick them up for around $180 thru Cabela' s. Water / fog proof too!

RE: Binoculars???
 

I had a set of Pentax PCF V Series 8x40, and they were very very nice binoculars. I sold them to my cousin and purchased a set of Pentax DCF WP Series 8x42 binoculars because I wanted roof prism binoculars, and they are nicer than the PCF V Series. Pentax came out with the DCF SP, and they are better than the DCF WP Series. Go to www.hotbuysbinoculars.com for the best price I have found. The DCF SP 8x43 are $389.98; the DCF SP 10x43 are $409.98. Good luck.

RE: Binoculars???
 

You do not need anything over an 8 x binocular. A 7 or 8 X 32 or 40 will be all the binocular you will ever need. If you really need to zoom in on an animal a 10 X ain' t going to do much. You would need a spotting scope on a tripod.

A binocular with an 8 X 40 will transmit the same ammount of light to your eye as a 10 X 50. Divide the objective lense by the magnification to get your exit pupil size. The higher the number the more light will reach your eye. A 7 X 32 will have an exit pupil of 4.5mm and the 8 X 40 and 10 X 50 will have an exit pupil of 5mm. You ideally want an exit pupil size of about 5. You can get an exit pupil too big. Your eye will only dialate to a maximum size of about 7mm in total darkness when you are young and the older you get it will shrink to about 4 or 5mm. If the exit pupil of the binocular is too big than the light transfered to your eye will be wasted.

Some things to remember with binoculars.
The bigger they are the more they weigh.
The bigger they are the more space they take up.
The bigger they are the more they get in the way.
The higher the magnification the more " shaky" the animal will be that you are looking at.

What part of the state are you hunting and what type of tererain will most of your hunting be in? That may be the deciding factor on how much power and weight you are going to be willing to carry around.

I use to use 10 X 50 and 12 X 50 binoculars but I have wised up and now ue a 7 X 35 and I am much happier with them. I simply do not need a binocular of that size.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Looks like Pentax is popular

BigBulls,

I will be hunting the high mntn. parks of the northern mountains durining muzzle-loading season.We will carry our camps on our backs and bivy out each nite.So weight and space are a premium.My rifle hunt will be in unit 31 N of Grand Juct. possibly more open territory and we will have a base camp.My friend out there uses 12x50s and my old pair were 10x42s. Bulky,bulky[X(] Are the Predator 10x26s' I mentioned too small for both hunts?I would like a pair of waterproof or at least water resistant binocs.The guys at the counters don' t know[X(]

Thanks

RE: Binoculars???
 

For the money,Bushnell Trophy 8X42 are a great deal! Check them out at Midway' s site...;)

RE: Binoculars???
 

You may want to look through e-bay. I bought a pair of Zhumells 10x42 for half the price that they would normally cost new. The guy only used them for 6 hours for one hunting trip and they are still like new. I would expect to get a normally priced set of binos that retail around $400 for around $200. Good luck to you.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Check out the Steiner Marine model 8 x 32' s. I think they weigh 18oz and are small. They are all you will need for glassing. They also have the individual focus feature which means you focus once for each eye and you are focused in for all but the longest or shortest distances.
The problem with the real compacts like you are asking about is that you cannot look through them for any extended period without significant eyestrain.
The Steiner Marine is a waterproof, clear, glass, in your price range.
I have a pair of Steiner Hunting series. Been using them exclusively for 10 years, very nice glass. I can look through them for hours with no strain.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I would never leave home without my Steiner Predator 8x30s. They are relatively small, lightweight, and clear as a bell. As BigBulls mentioned...a big set of 10x50s will put a not in your neck by days end. While tromping around bowhunting, I have mine secured with a bino-buddy....you don' t even realize they are there. The best $229 I ever spent.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Bigbulls -You forget to mention that the exit pupil formula only applies for binoculars with equal quality lenses and coatings.A premium pair of 10x40' s such as leica,ziess or swarovski will usually be brigher than 10x50' s of lesser quality.

RE: Binoculars???
 

That' s true stubble. Better glass in the bino will certainly make up for some light transmission problems in lower quality binoculars. I don' t think he' s going to get them for $200 though.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I' ve been wrestling with this myself. I have a pair of Bushnell 10x25 Trophy (waterproof) that are ok. If my cap was $200 I would look at either Nikon or maybe the Cabelas stuff. Even Leupold' s Wind River series are a good price for the quality.

Best way is to go to the store and find a dark corner far away and just look through the glass they have. Pick 5 and try them one after the other. Your eyes will tell you what you need. Just be warned!! I went to do that with scopes, thinking a nice Leupold was what I wanted. Ended up buying a Zeiss instead. Cost more than I wanted to spend (or afford) but my eyes are happy. Since I have a really good scope I can skimp on the binos a little as they just tell me there is an animal that needs a closer look, then I can safely scope it (NEVER use your scope to view things unless your are ready to shoot it! This is how Hunters shoot other Hunters!).

I would make sure they are waterproof as I lost my last pair due to a canoe roll-over (they got totally wet inside and were ruined).

RE: Binoculars???
 

I bought a pair of Steiner Military Marine 8 x 30 binos last winter and used them this spring for turkey hunting. I was really impressed with the sharpness and my hunting partner, who usually doesn' t have anything positive to say about my gear, said that he was impressed. While me and another guy snuck down a long field to get in position to call some gobblers, he looked at them thru the Steiners. This field had to be about 400+ yards long and they were on the back side. He could see the beards on those birds and was impressed. Haven' t used them out west yet but for the money (About $200) they are a good choice. I like the fact that each eyepiece has it' s own focus that you can adjust with the thumb and index finger while holding them naturally.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Well folks........It looks like i' m going to buy the Steiners.But instead of the 10x26 comacts I think i' ll get the 8x30 Predators

Whats $50

I don' t need to buy any meat:)

Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!

P.S
I' m making a pot of Elk chili:D.........anybody hungry????????

RE: Binoculars???
 

I' ll be over in a few minutes. Just right down te road.;)

Good choice on the 8X' s instead of the 10X' s.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Look at the articles and reviews at Outdoor Life and BetterViewDesired.
www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/ I don' t have the link for BVD.

Personally I would wait until you can afford a really good pair.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Great choice glob3006...you won' t be disappointed!

RE: Binoculars???
 

I use a pair of Bushnell Legend 10X42. Great Binocs, I highly recommend.

RE: Binoculars???
 

Bushnell and Wind River (Leupold) now both have a bino/range-finder device. I think I will wait a year and buy one of those. Leica has had one for years but price is around $2000 or so. These new ones are almost affordable ($300-$500). That is the way to go and I expect all the other companies to get with the program and introduce similar units next year. The Wind River unit is waterproof too which is what I demand in a bino.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I use a pair of Nikon 8x42 on a bino system.I had a good pair of windrivers but they were stole along with my gun and backpack 2 years ago[:@][:@]by a couple kidd s who pulled me out of a pinch.I' ve wanted to try some 10x40s but no real use for the be cause I pack a spotting scope around.

RE: Binoculars???
 

I have Steiner 8X30 and must say they are very good.
Good clear glass. Comfortable. Can glass for 1/2 hour solid without eyestrain.
The auto focus works well.
light weight
They are very waterproof.
Only complaint is the focus adjustment which is too loose, and has to be readjusted evrytime you use them.

My next pair will be Leica 10X42. I' ve used them and beleive it' s worth paying the extra.
The glassing Im doing is mostly 1-2 miles and in alpine terrain.

I' m not keen on spotting scopes as they are hard to use over prolonged periods of time, i.e. only one eye, and a lot of movement.
Also bulky to carry around.