Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting binos for bowseason - 8x33 or 6.5x32

bought my first bow and wanting to get a decent pair of binos for the season ...doug has the deal of the day on the Minox BL 8x33 for 299....also has a pair of Meopta 6.5x32 demos for 239

which size would be more beneficial for bowhunting? would 8x be a little too much zoom?....i guess the meopta would have the exit pupil advantage as well

I would not use less then 8 power for most of my hunting.

I have 25 year old 10x42 Leica for my job, but I have no margin for error judging trophies for my hunters.

When I bow hunt for myself I usually carry Khales 8X32 glasses. I see no fault in the 8X32 choice, I don't see why I would choose less. Maybe for a marine application with a rocking boat? But not for trophy judging on solid ground

Depends on your season and area. Eight power is the top end of what I would carry in the stand, but would the lowest power I'd carry for spot and stalk.

In Virginia we have an extended late (antlerless) doe season that requires you to ID your deer very closely. Basically, the buttons on a young buck can't be showing to be legal in the doe season. You really have to study your deer to be sure.

I hunt in dense hardwoods during the Fall, limited distance, short distance viewing under 20-40 yards. By late Fall the same woods may be 100-200 yards LOS for the same location as the leaves have fallen. Then, a higher power is good to ID what is coming in.

I can tell you from use of Minox binos that Minox makes good products, and the price is good for the level of quality. Haven't used the Meopta.

How are you going the carry the binos? Chest strap? Pocket? Hung on a tree? The size/weight of the set may drive your decision as well. Mine have to fit a in chest pocket on my Scentblocker jacket, or I look at other options. JMO.

im gonna get a bino harness for carrying them. leaning toward the minox. i love my 10x42 meostar binos but not sure i like the look of the meopro

While growing up out west I used 8x or 10x but last year I switched to a 6x for nearly all my hunting here in NC and couldn't be happier. They are small, light, and offer all the magnification I need in the woods. If I hunt clear cuts or fields I switch back to 8x.

which 6x do u own

I use 10X32 qnd would not want less power. If you are in thick stuff, less than 10X probably would be fine though.

Vortex Viper

i just figured the 10x would be a little too much magnification for closer range bowhunting...could be wrong

At your age, you can probably still hold them steady enough to not notice, but us "older" fellers have learned that less is sometimes more...

For most archers, 10 power is too much, and not needed for the shooting ranges in question. 10 power and up really magnify any movement of your hand, treestand, whatever, and that keeps you from seeing the details you are trying pick out. I really only need a good head view during the QDM season, otherwise, it's not an issue to see the deer with my 6x rangefinder, and figure out what it is, and if it's shooter.

for bowhunting deer in the laurel thickets and woods of pa I use a pair of leupold 6x32 katmai binoculars. more than enough power to see deer sneaking in but not to small of a field of view to find things. works for me. I usually lean towards lower power for all my hunting optics.

yeah i considered the katmai but cant find a pair anywhere

I have been through a bunch of binos and have settled on Vortex Viper 8X28's. They are light, small and have very good optics. I use them on everything from Antelope and Mule Deer to Elk and Bear. I will sometimes carry a small spotter when mule deer hunting.

I had some Leica Ultravids in 7x42. Nice bins but I was always wishing for more magnification when I used them. I sold them.

No way now I'd get less than 8.5x for an all around bowhunting glass. I prefer 10x.

I carry Pentax 8x32 DCF SP for bow and turkey hunting.

yeah i have 10x42 meoptas. just wanted something lighter and more compact for bowseason. looking into sum of these suggestions tho. id really like to find a used pair of zeiss conquest hd but sheesh theyre a bit high. if i could find a deal on the meostar 8x32 id pick em up quick. i love the 10x42

8x but 6x will work most of the time.

I want a lightweight bino so I can use it with one hand just for a moment while holding my longbow in the other.

For bowhunting whitetails in the thick stuff around here I don't do much "glassing". It's usually just identification and ruling out button bucks so high price stuff isn't necessary, just good ergonomics and easy eye positioning. I also want good depth of field. I don't want to be jacking with the focus wheel when deer are cruising thru. It seems the best shot opportunities happen fast.

I use an inexpensive bino I picked up from reading the birding sites and it's a nice one, especially for $179.
Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32.
I also use a Vortex Viper 6x32 but it doesn't have the easy eye positioning for me.

The Sightron discussion, which covers over 18 months:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=211793

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...e_Sightron_Blue_Sky_SII_8x32#Post5654458

I've got a set of vortex and a set of Leupold in the 6x/6.5x area. Really like them both for bow hunting. Will probably take the vortex elk hunting with me this fall.

does the 6x give enough zoom

6X has no "zoom"

6x = "magnification"

I have a pair of Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and couldn't be happier for the price. I use them for all my woods hunting now and keep them in my truck for general purposes. Waterproof... I take them on my Kayak and on canoe outings.

6x tends to be enough to 'see' the animal, but not 'see' the horns enough to judge them very well. If you see horns and say 'good enough' then the 6X will be fine. If you like to see every little bump and sticker from 400 yards then the 6X will be lacking. (so will 8X & 10X) Just about need a good spotter to do that well.

Might I suggest 7x42 or 8x32. Everything else being equal (comparing models of identical quality), the 7x42 will gather more light and the 8x32 will obviously be lighter and more compact. Both with have excellent field of view. Neither will be sufficient judging fine details at really long distances, but then again that's not what they're designed for.

im lookin at the 8x32 redfields. but now i see zeiss has the terra 8x42 and from what ive read they r pretty compact. i definitely want something compact and light for bowseason. would like to see some reviews on the terras tho

Just stopped in at Cameraland to see the new Ziess Terra. Unfortunately the first batch were long gone.
But I did checkout the Meopta 6.5 x32 Prostar. It is a real nice glass for the money.

ive been considering that one. kinda was leaning toward the 8x magnification but im definitely considering that 6.5 meopta

The 8 x 30 Meopta Meostar is really a nice glass for the money! Really small and easy to use. I was amazed at how good a glass it was when I checked it out today.

the meostars r pretty high tho arent they ? i havethe 10x42 meostar and love it. wldnt mind havn the 8x32 as well

If I did not have a Swarovski pair of 8 x 30s, I would buy the 8 x x32s Meoptas. Great glass! And this is from a guy who has been warbling and glassing game for a long time.

if i can find a deal on the meopta 8x32 i wanna pick em up.