VAboy

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?

stubblejumper

I prefer the 10x40's for all of my hunting.The compacts don't gather enough light while the 50 mm's are too bulky.I find 10 power the maximum that I can comfortably use.

Edited by - stubblejumper on 01/30/2003 22:33:20

kshunter

7X40, 7X42, 8X40's, 8X42, 10X40, 10X42. Them are the best all-round sizes for deer-hunting IMO. Anything bigger in power is usually too much, an diameter depends a lot on preference and how you will be hunting.
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Striper Phil

I like a high quality SMALL pairwith a good field of view and easy to carry. I limit myself to a fanny Pac only and don't like stuff dangling around my neck. I keep them in my brest pocket when in the tree so I don't have to move around a lot to use them. Some of the stories I hear on this forum it sounds like some hunters do nothing but root around in their packs pulling out one gadget after another. I think the movement and noise looses / chases away more deer than the gadgits help.

I barely move for hours at a time. I really think this moving around is why some hunters don't score. Quiet is FREE
Any thoughts on this from the experts out there???

One Shot One Kill Striper Phil

model722

I would definatly go with the small size, as far as the power goes it depends on what kind of terrain your hunting. If your hunting were it is wide open and flat you would probably want to go with a higher power. If your hunting were there are hills and trees there is no reason to go over powered. Here is a site that might help you to understand better what type of power you want. (www.stinggroup.addr.com) This is for scopes but it can also be helpfull in binoculars.


Striper Phil I have hunted both ways. I sit still now because of health issues. If a man/woman desides to hunt on the move they can be successfull as long as they know what they are doing. It has alot to do with knowing what to watch for, knowing wich way the wind is blowing, learning to walk and be quiet, Learning to take a couple of steps then crouch down and wait for awhile before moving on, etc... I do agree however that sitting still is easier and for most people it is more effective. just my 1/2 a cent worth

cableguy119

I say go small larger models are bulky and cumbersome and your eyes are still you best bet when casing the area for movement. Plus travelling light is the best way to go. I prefer the compacts to look closer at movement when spotted but still is the best way to hunt.

I have to agree with Stripper phil about too many gadgets You would not be able to be still or quiet with all the gadgets everyone recomends. Rattle bag, call, cough silencer, binoculars, game ear, survival kit, etc.

Are you hunting archery or rifle? I think how you hunt should factor into that decision as well do you ground hunt? Sit in a blind, treestand? Large models can be a literal pain in the neck and cumbersome when drawing back a bow or lifting a rifle compacts are able to fit in a pocket. Nothing would get me more ticked at myself then spooking a deer because my binoculars fell to the ground, swung into my bow, etc. Most treestands aren't exactly your living room easy chair there is no tv tray or coffee table to set anything down on so you can draw your weapon. If you are in a ground blind maybe you are able to set them on the ground quietly. How you hunt should really help you decide what equipment you need.

oldelkhunter

If I were hiking around with them hung around my neck the 7x30 or 8x30 would be the way to go since you won't end up with a pain in the neck and you'll really use them. If you are going to glass from a stand of some sort then 7x42 or 8x42 or 8x50/56 would be best. Good glass in this range would be Swarovski,Zeiss,Nikon and Leica. I find the best compromise is a good set of 8x30 Swarovski's SLC or a Leica8x32 (Best).. and they will also serve you well if you go hunting out west. 10 power is better for specialized western hunting and you would never get to use the power of a pair of 10x40/10x42/10x50 binos on the East Coast , they are made for good light gathering at really long distance. Buy the best you can afford you'll never regret it. The next tier below this would Kahles and Nikon Superior E and Pentax DCF. A good place to contact would be www.eagleoptics.com (they have an 800 number) and talk to a optics expert there. They are as knowledgeable about optics as anyone on this planet. Buy the best you can and you'll never regret it..best rifle and scope in the world won't help if you can't pick out an animal in the first place.

skeeter 7MM

For toting all day i would suggest 8x42's. I have used Pentax for the past 5 years and they are an excellent noc for the dollar. I own 3 pairs 7x30, 8x42 and 12x50, they have been excellent and i have returned a pair I dropped from a tree stand, they replaced them no questions asked and had them back to me within 3 weeks. All my pentax have a lifetime warranty and as I mentioned in my case, I can vouch for their CS as being excellent. If price isn't an otpion then, leica, etc.

PaJack

I use 8X42 and they will do it all...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack



Edited by - PaJack on 02/01/2003 18:14:20