Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics So what's your favorite hunting binocular?

Just got to try these out today. Borrowed from a friend. Was very impressed. I don't have much experience with 8x32's but a good 8x32 will be my next purchase and my primary bino this season, along with my 15's/tripod.

STS, I've used 8x30, 7x30, 8x32's exclusively since the mid 1980's. I've really never found a reason to pack more. If I need more X's I pull out a spotting scope.

Being a backpack hunter, the thing I like about the Leica's is they're built like a Teutonic Tank, and are the smallest "Alpha" 8x32 out there. No need for a friggin "bino harness."

Pentax 10x50 DCF SP

Currently my Swarovski 8.5x42mm SV EL provide the best view for my peepers.

Meopta Meostar 8x32

Leica 8x32 HD for general purpose. Leica 15x56 for exposing the mountainside.

Leica 8x32 for allround use. Especially in the wood and if you have a nice sized coat pocket they will probably fit and eliminate the need for a bino harness.

Swarovski 8.5x42 for out in the open. They also seem to last a little longer before they blink out.

That being said I've looked thru some of the Leupold Gold Rings and they were better than good. Not sure what Leupold's top end bino is currently called.

The small 30-32 objective sizes are good to use, but for
hunters, the 42 mm or larger are needed if you hunt early
and late.
I have several nice 32 mm. binoculars, but for all around
they are not enough. That is why the larger 42 size is the
best and most common choice.

Farmboy, there are some very seasoned veteran hunters on this site that have commented so far. Coming on here to give them an education on what's best for their personal hunting is a bit laughable. I'd bet their opinion is based on more than a little in the field experience. For instance, I'd bet Brad could grab his 8x32's and find as much or more game than you could with your ?x42's, whether dusk, dawu, or somewhere in between.

JG:

There is a lot to see in between a 8x32 binocular and a spotter.
Neither one will work well in low light. I do know the difference. I guess we all have our preferences.

And I agree we all have our favorites, yours are also 42mm.
I should not tell others what they should prefer.

My favorite is my 25-year-old Swaro 10x42 SLC. It's been back to Swaro twice for service and still looks like new. I suppose that one of these days I will plunk down the cash for something with newer glass, but I still can spot game about as well as most of the folks that I hunt with--some of whom are about half my age. I have an 8x30 SLC that I bought at the same time. I still carry it on casual walks, but my wife is under the illusion that I bought it for her, a circumstance that sometimes precludes spur of the moment use.

My pick of the litter is indeed 10x42's for the country I predominately hunt. Not sure how a spotter entered the favorite binocular thread, but hey. It's great to have a preference. We all do.

Mudhen, my hunting pard Big Al has used the same SLC as you do for the past 16 years. He's a game spotting son of a gun. That's still a great, do it all pair of binocs for sure.

And a 10x42 of apple-apples quality is no better in low light than an 8x32.

Good grief...

In theory, but not in practice.

The oft quoted "exit pupil" rule is one that doesn't always work out in reality the way theory says.

It's like the Ronald Reagan quote: “An economist is somebody who sees something that works in practice and tries to make it work in theory.”

Swaro SLC neu 8x30's......but I also like the Meopta Meopro HD 8x32 very well........Hb

When I stand hunt, I carry 8x56. If I am walking around, I like 8x32. If I turkey hunt, I like 10x25. I have a 7x42 that I never use.

I'm still using my Zeiss Classics 10x. Beginning to think these are bombproof with where they have been over the years and different terrain and weather conditions.

Minox HG 8.5x43 BR Asph.

I have been very happy the last two seasons with Swaro SLC 7x42 NEU.


Will keep them until Swaro makes the 8x32 EL rangefinding binocular.

For walking around my Zeiss 10x32 Victory's.

For blind hunting my Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD's.