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A pair of good binoculars is highly important and unfortunately, this is something that many new hunters don’t know. Advanced hunters know how important a good pair of optics are in the field and as such, they are always looking to invest in high-quality binoculars that offer value for money.
Shopping for hunting binoculars or maybe just for long distance bird viewing can take up a great deal of time due to the amount of research involved. Buying a cheap pair of binoculars can sometimes give you value for money, but it can also mean that you are compromising on a few other important aspects.
Investing in the best binoculars for hunting or long distance viewing is more than just your budget. For a better understanding, we look at the important considerations that one should make when in the market for hunting binoculars as well as other information that can help ease the stressful search.
Best Hunting And Long Distance Viewing Binoculars Brands
Knowing which brands are industry leaders and known for quality products can help you narrow down your search for a new hunting and long distance viewing binoculars. Some of the brands you should be on the lookout for include:
Nikon
The company not only produces binoculars, but it’s also known for designing and manufacturing premium quality a wide range of electronics. The company was founded in 1711 in Japan and specializes in binoculars, lenses and other imaged technology. Its Monarch line is its most successful range of binoculars.
Zeiss
They are one of the oldest and most reputable imaging and optics company in the world. The quality of their hunting binoculars is outstanding. It was founded in 1846 and has since grown to become a worldwide brand. The Zeiss 10×42 Victory HT is one of its most successful models.
Steiner
This brand has a rich history in the optics industry and has one of the most advanced optics laboratories. The company extensively tests and evaluates all their products before unveiling them to consumers.
Zhumell
It isn’t as big company as the rest of the brands on this list. Regardless, it has made a name for itself as a company that designs affordable yet quality optic equipment. Their range of products includes binoculars, telescopes, monoculars and sporting scopes.
Bushnell
This is a giant brand in the United States known for their binoculars, telescopes, microscopes and rifle scopes. The company’s binoculars have won several awards over the years due to their superior design and quality. Bushnell was founded in 1948 and the Legend Ultra HD 10×42 is one of their most popular binoculars among hunting enthusiasts.
Overview of the 10 best binoculars for long distance viewing and hunting
If you are a hunting fanatic or just into viewing birds at a distance, you will love what each of these hunting binoculars has to offer. These products have been handpicked based on several criteria, with the most important being verifiable customer reviews on Amazon regarding their experience with each product.
Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B 3000
If you are a hunting geek when it comes to selecting your gear, then anything less than a good pair of binoculars with a rangefinder is no good. It is really hard to get a good hunting binoculars with a built-in rangefinder and when you do find one, your hunting experience goes to a whole new level. The Leica Geovid HD-B is not cheap binoculars, but it comes with a rangefinder that makes the extra cost worth it. This baby also comes with a whole of other attractive features that include an integrated ballistics computer, 2000-yard laser rangefinder, inclinometer, barometer, thermometer, non-slip grip rubber housing, waterproof and fog-proof.
Vanguard Spirit XF
If you have ever used Vanguard optics before, it’s hard to know what to make of the relatively cheaper Spirit XF. This changes when you get your hands on these hunting binoculars and use them for the first time.Their performance is surprisingly good and if it ever starts raining while you’re hunting, you will be happy to know that they don’t fog up.Some of the attributes that make the Vanguard Spirit XF a favorite among hunters include a fair price, good image and wide field of view, comfortable fit in your hands as well as budget friendliness.
There isn’t much to not to like, and it offers good value for your money.
Vortex Diamondback 8×42
If what you are looking for is the best pair of binoculars for deer hunting, the Vortex Diamondback 8×42 is a good contender.It comes with a high magnification and doesn’t compromise on a solid field view, which is expected for many binoculars.Whitetail hunting requires both a wide field of view and high magnification for easy tracking of movement patterns as well as viewing animals at long distance. The Vortex Diamondback 8×42 is loved by many for its lightweight, brightness and high quality glasses that are highly rated by hunters.
Bushnell H20 Compact Binocular
This is the best compact binoculars for hunting that your money can buy. This is for the hunter who hates carrying a pair of full size binoculars with their other hunting gear.In addition to being lightweight, it is smaller compared to a full sized pair of hunting binoculars. The Bushnell H20 Compact Binocular is also one of the best cheapest binoculars for hunting.The only downside to this binocular is that being smaller, the lenses have a smaller diameter and this means that images may not be as bright as those of a full size model. Not really ideal for long distance viewing. Nevertheless, it is a good investment if you are on a budget and want to avoid the bulkiness of full sized models.
Nikon MONARCH5 8×42
While the 10×42 version of the Nikon MONARCH5 is more popular among hunters, it isn’t the right choice for everyone.This is where the 8×42 comes into play with a design that’s targeted for hunters who do much of their hunting in areas that are heavily wooded.So if you are going to need optics for long distance viewing this is not ideal.It gives amazing images and while not a lot of fun can be expected from a small binocular, this model certainly has plenty to offer. These binoculars are waterproof and fog-proof, making them ideal for use in any weather. They also come with a rubber armored body that is meant to withstand wear and tear.The non slip grip ensures that never have to worry about dropping the optics.
Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42
If you can afford to spend a little more than you would on ordinary hunting binoculars, the Vortex Optics Viper HD should prove such a worthy investment. The price of this binocular is double that of others on this list and despite this drawback, it comes with a whole lot of impressive features.
It is waterproof and fog-proof, making it ideal for use in any kind of weather. Looking through these, you can easily tell what makes them different thanks to the light transmission and increased brightness that the lenses offer.
The fact that they come with a lifetime warranty guarantee is assurance enough that you get value for your money.
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD
If you are looking to hunt in the mountains or fields, the Bushnell legend Ultra HD is your best bet.The magnification on this baby is great, which won’t really matter if you are a bow hunter. It comes with an exterior camo design, which comes in handy when you need camouflage.
The lenses and the entire body of the binocular are coated with waterproof, making it ideal for use in the rain. Bushnell is a legendary brand that is known for some of the best hunting binoculars on Amazon. They are lightweight, which is important for hunters who want to minimize the weight of their gear. It is budget friendly and for anyone looking for value, the Legend Ultra HD will never disappoint.
Leupold BX-1 McKenzie
It is no secret that Leupold makes some of the best optics gear and the BX-1 McKenzie is no different. It comes at a great price and with plenty of handy features. One of the best things about it is that it is designed and manufactured by a trusted brand. Other important features of this binocular include high quality, seems durable, comfortable feeling in your arms as well as good clarity and field of view.
Like the Steiner Predator, it is a little heavier. Nevertheless, at such a price, it’s almost unwise to turn your back on a binoculars that’s made by a brand by Leupold.
If you are in the market for cheap optics, this is a good buy.
Nikon Prostaff 7S
If you spend most of your hunting time in heavily wooded areas,and you need to sight your quarry quickly then you would prefer the compactness of a small binocular, then the Nikon Prostaff 7S is designed for you.It is an 8×42 that is lightweight and offers a wide field of view. Being lightweight, you can use it for a whole day without having to worry about strain on your wrists or neck. The main downside is that it doesn’t offer as much brightness as you’d expect from a 10x binocular.This means that you can’t really use it for low light conditions.
How to buy the best binoculars for hunting
Like many outdoor gear, there is a wide range of binoculars, all of which come with varying features and design specifications.The best binoculars for hunting have different features as compared to binoculars designed for birding. Understanding these features is crucial to your search for the best hunting binoculars.
Here are a few things you should have in mind when shopping for top rated hunting binoculars:
Binocular prism style
The first and most important thing that one should consider when looking for a hunting binocular is the prism style. Both porro prism and roof prism offer their own distinct benefits. Binoculars that feature a porro prism design are often produce brighter images, have a wider field of view and are more affordable. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your personal preference, but it’s important that you understand that one will suit your needs better than the other.
Magnification
Contrary to common misconception, more isn’t always better when it comes to magnification. With the same objective lens diameter, higher magnification reduces the ability to see in low light conditions. The magnification you choose will not only magnify the objects by 8,10 or 12 times, but every single step you take as well. A 8x binoculars is best suited for quick subject acquisition at various distances. Higher magnifications are ideal for long distance viewing and evaluation of trophy quality.
Objective diameter
For many Amazon products, you will be looking at an objective diameter of between 32mm and 42mm. Size is an important factor, but so is desired exit pupil. Be assured of a 25% difference in the sizes of the body tube when evaluating your choices. If you prefer a more compact and space saving design, a smaller pair of binoculars will do.
Glass quality
Binoculars are offered with standard and extra low dispersion glass. Those that come with the latter are more expensive, but they have a few benefits. Extra low dispersion glass reduces dispersion and therefore recreates images that are sharper. In addition, it produces crisp edges and provides a wider field of view.
Summary
Hunting is an exciting activity and the experience can go to a whole new level if you have the right gear, and in this case, the perfect pair of hunting binoculars. It doesn’t take much to browse through catalogs to get overwhelmed with jargon, specifications and highlighted features. The objective of this guide is to help you understand the various concepts better and narrow down the options to something that suits you.
