What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

For Eastern whitetail hunting. 7x30, 7x42, 8x30, 8x40, 10x50. There are so many. Which would you pick if you could only have 1 pair for deer hunting?

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

For hunting in the east, where you don`t glass for hours at a time...I like my nikon 10x25 mountaineers.

NRA,UBP,BASS Member
New Stanton,PA

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I personally prefer my 10X50 Bruntons. Formerly I carried 12X50 Bushnells. I really enjoy the clearity, low light and field of view of these.

Of the ones you posted, the 7X42, 8X40 or 10X50's.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I love my Swarovski 7x42. Of course they're clear as a bell and all that, but you can really pick a woods apart with them. I can shoot my bow with them on my neck. I'll have to srongly disagree with the mini binos someone mentioned. They will wear you out, let you down in poor light etc. Yes they can be clear on nice sunny midday hunts. b\ But next to something in the 7x42 through the 7,8x50s they'll flat fail when you really need them. The compacts just cannot deliver the needed light for prime time viewing.

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RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

davidmil, generally I would agree with you about the 10x25 mini bino`s. But, quality is everything.
I actually had guys borrow them in Colorado a few years back, because their cheap full sized ones were killing them.

I have several pair of full sized high quality bino`s, and while they are better than my trusty little nikon mountaineers, I think most people would be amazed at just how clear they are, and impressed with their light gathering capabilities.

Not quite up to challenging your Swarovski`s, but pretty good!

NRA,UBP,BASS Member
New Stanton,PA

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I don't think any more than 8 power is needed in the eastern hardwoods. You want a large objective to transmit as much light as possible. Being able to see, without straining, is really important, in low light. I use a pair of Minox 8.5 X 42. Get something waterproof and fog proof.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Big Country: It's a scientific fact.... not preference, that tells us the compacts CAN NOT possibably give us the low light viewing the larger binos do. It just can't happen.... no matter who makes the glass. The relationship between power and objective lens diameter is the prime determining factor in low light viewing. Divide objective lens by the power and you get a factor. Anything over 5 is prefered. So, a 7x42 gives you a factor of 6. For me it was a compromise between the ultimate &quot;7&quot; and size. The human eye can only go so far and anything over a factor of 7 is lost. Anything under 5 starts to get into the POOR or DAMN POOR range.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Also, most people can not hold anything above an 8 or maybe at most 10 power steady enough for really picking horns or bushes apart. Compacts will blob out in brush where as a good set of binos will allow you to pick it apart to the point of seeing eyeballs blink. In clear good light there may indeed be little difference to some people... but in low light the best will shine. AGAIN... it's not MY preference or me saying this. It's science and all the TRUE glass experts. YES, CHEAP low class glass brings in some more factors. The better the glass, the better the binos. BUT, the size is the determining factor if glass is near the same quality.



Edited by - davidmil on 01/31/2003 07:54:51

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

The factor david is talking about is exit pupil. You eye can dialate to a certain size and once that dialation is attained adding more light has no affect. For most people an exit pupil around 7 will work great. A good range is 5-8 according to the techs at Zeiss...but what do they now about glass...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

&quot;What we do in this life echos an eternity&quot;

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Maybe a dumb question but just wondering what use you have for binoculars in the woods during archery season? Not trying to be smart.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I use 2 pair.

For still hunting and scouting....Simmons 10x25's. Very compact and lightweight.

For everything else....Bushnell Perma Focus 10x50's.

I once thought that a lower power was OK in Eastern deerwoods, but after a few elk trips in WA state, I got the 10/50's. Amazing how much clearer things look with a larger objective lense. And the larger bi-noc's aren't as shakey either.


And for BobCo19-65, binoculars used during archery season are even MORE important because you need to be able to see what's coming and from where, for the same reasons as during the firearms season, but without the luxery of a rifle scope.

Edited by - Catfish369 on 01/31/2003 13:46:51

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Anybody ever tried the Leupold Gold Ring line? How do they compare to some of the higher $$$ binos?

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RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

i use my bushnell 12x50 i got them at sportsmart for $80

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

BobCo, you'd be surprised at how much you see if you just sit there during dull times and pick the woods apart. You can also see what's behind what you see. Many times you can pick up a deer pattern you were unaware of. Now that's with good quality binos. A set of cheap things will not show you as much. I sneaked into a stand on a ridge one afternoon a couple years ago. I knew deer bedded on the next ridge. I climbed a tree with my climber keeping the tree between myself and the other ridge. After things got quiet I started to go over the next ridge piece by piece. I counted 13 deer bedded in a 100 yard area, not all together or within sight of each other. It was really cool. As if on que they all got up and started towards the field in a long procession. You know who was last in line. I probably never would have seen them without the binos.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

As David is trying to stress, buy the best binos you can afford. You'll never be disappointed. One thing so far unmentioned is the coatings on the better glass. You'll be amazed at how much better things look through good glass. Especially the reduction in flare when looking with light falling on the objectives. The view has much better contrast and sharpness.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

BobCo

I too find binoculars a &quot;can't do without&quot; archery accessory. Too many times I'm in my stand and see movement well out into the woods. Mind you I can't shoot that far but I've used bino's to positively identify deer parts and more specifically, antlers in a distance so I know to call to said deer. More often than not I've picked out deer/ more specifically bucks that I wouldn't seen or called to without binos. I aslo find them useful to study the arrow after the shot, study the animal after the shot. Most animals when shot will run and stop and look back many times offering you an opportunity to glass the animal and distinquish the shot...knowing that can help determine recovery time of recovery or not...

Glassing the surrounding woods aslo breaks up the day and getting involved in your hunt rather than sitting by and letting the hunt pass you by. I also nature study while in the stand and much much more.

Yes, binos are a must for me in my stand whiling bowhunting.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Ditto on the bino's as a must have when bowhunting.
As was said above, a good quality set of bino's are a huge plus when you are out there. What David said is exactly right....and he probably has the best pair money can buy. An exit pupil of 5-6mm is prefered to have the best advantage over all. Anything over that doesn't really add much because the eye doesn't really open up more than that. Anything under that, you will suffer some during lower light. Quality will obviously make a difference also.
Personally I use a set of 8x25 Nikon compacts. Sure, I don't have all the advantages at first and last light as the bigger sizes, however they are extremely clear, and can pick apart the brush very well. (yes david, they are not as good as yours...but imo they work very well) Plus they are smaller and lightweight, a plus in my book....I've usually got enough crap with me when I'm out there.
I have used my friends 8x42 swarovski's and they are incredible. However, for the extra $600+, I don't feel that I gain that much during daylight hours. Lowlight...yep, no doubt. I can honestly say that even though mine suffer some during low light, they have worked for me for years very well, and even though they are smaller, they have never let me down, or cost me an opportunity. For bowhunting, IMO they do all I need. The majority of the spots I hunt, I can't even see 100yds anyhow. Now if I was hunting out west, or in different terrain, that would be different. I'd probably opt for some 7x42's or simitlar.
The main thing is, regardless of what size you choose, get a good quality optic. A cheap optic is just that...doesn't matter what size.
VAboy....my buddy has a pair of Leupold gold rings, and swear's by them. They are very clear, but I have never used them...other then just to look through them. I'm sure they will do very well.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

My wife picked up a pair of the Bushnell Permafocus 10 x 50 for me and they are great. I can use them with one hand.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I aslo find them useful to study the arrow after the shot, study the animal after the shot.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Now that PA and most of NJ follow QDM rules it's necessary to get a better look at them to decide on my course of action. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

OK, I can understand those reasons. I used to carry binos into the woods with me during archery season, but I found myself never taking them out and using them. So I stopped bringing them, and never really had the need to use them. I do remember, as PA Bowyer has stated looking at the arrow after the shot. But, I also found myself sitting tight for at least 1/2 hour after the shot anyway before getting dowm and examining the arrow. As far as calling in deer from far away, I stopped trying to do that a long time ago. There are too many people in my area calling, and I feel it is more of a detriment in my area. About the only time I call is if I am trying to stop one. And I do that with only my mouth. I guess what works best for me is sitting tight and not moving much. If I was hunting in PA though with the new QDM programs, I may use a set of binos. But, usually I would say that I can count points on anything within my range. What works for one may not work for another. I defenetely wouldn't say don't use bino's for archery if they work for you. But for me, at least where I hunt, and the way that I hunt (mostly the thickest stuff I can get into) ,they are not a necessity.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Not much is &quot;NECESSARY&quot; but we have a lot of NICE things to tote. We used to hunt successfully without camo, climbing treestands and all kinds of things..... but they sure are nice to have. A boy can NEVER have to many toys.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I have found that I prefer binoculars in either the 10x40 or 8x30 class. Both provide ample magnification for most bowhunting situations and yet decent enough sized objective lenses in relation to the magnification power for more than adequate light transmission.

I prefer 10x42. The offer a fine combination of light, magnification, and size. Check some out at this site where they are listed by price: www.bestforhunting.com

Anything up to 10x is good.Mine are variable but I keep them at 7x 90% of the time.I find when I dial them up over 10x that I get to much bounce.

8x42 works for me. Get the best for bad weather (fog proof, water proof) If ya can't see through them doesn't matter how good they are when it's nice out.

Friend turned me on to a glass cleaner for everything else called Invisible Glass. Used it on my bino's the other day, holy cow, like a new pair.

I wouldn't enjoy myself hunting without bino's. I like them because I see the game long before they see me.

Mine cost around 200 and I've used some of the most expensive around. They work just as good and are a whole lot less painful to lose.
Spend around that much and you'll get a good pair. I also am not a fan of the smaller bino's but I haven't tried any out lately. Get a pair you can return and have at it.

I'm currently on my 3rd trail cam and it's going back. I figure I'll keep trying them till I find the one I want.

I don't know what is best for eastern whitetails, but you can't beat 12X50's for western mule deer...

-South

10x25, Don't like 'em.

I have a set of Nikon 10x50's. I really like using them to check an see what acorn trees are holding this years an what color the acorns are in September. You know which are most likely to fall first.

I like the Nikon Monarch X 10.5x45. Crisp, clear and great in low light situations. Here's a friends son who is a hunting machine, he also uses the Monarch X bino's.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...an940/jean.jpg

Hunting on the East coast in heavy foliage I would choose the 7x or 8x. With higher magnifications it's difficult to pick out your target through the vegetation.

My Steiner Nighthunter 8x30's have served me well for pretty much all my hunting situations.