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

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15 years ago I tried a friends ClassiC's and had to have a set. When they were stolen I purchased a set of Leica 8-12x, then Zeiss Victory FL's, and a set of Swarovski SLC's. All ended up being sold here in the classifieds. I finally found a LNIB set of ClassiC's and thats what I plan to use for my remaining years!

In my field experience there's really no difference in low light.

Spent a couple years on a large ranch rich in wildlife here in Montana... glassed daily, wolves and sheep, to elk and the occasional grizzly.

We glassed early and late, day in, day out. With my 8x32 and my buddies 10x40 Swaros and a 10x42 Leica. I couldn't find any difference, except the 10X's were harder to keep steady and were heavier.

Very occasionally I found the 10X's extra magnification handy, but it was rare. And to really "see more" a spotter was in order regardless 8x or 10x in the majority of those situations.

At the end of the day, for my hunting style, the smaller 8x32 is a better compromise than a 10x42. Smaller, lighter, no harness needed. Can see plenty, out in the flats on antelope, up high in the mountains, or in deep timber stalking elk.

Were I going to pay the weight/bulk penalty of a 42mm, it would be a 7x or 8x, not a 10x.

Anyone using a 10x40/42 has no issue with me, though I personally think they're at their best for birding.

Everyone makes their choice and lives with those compromises. ALL glass is a compromise weighted one way or the other and everyone makes that compromise differently... but rest assured, all glass is a compromise.

Swaro SLC 7x42.

When 'casually' hunting the thick stuff Leupold 6x30 Yosemite.

Minox 6.5x32 IF that they used to sell.

Santa brought both by 7yo and 4yo some 6X YOs for Xmas. I'm thinking I need some for the hunting I do here in IN. That's a lot of bino for the money. I've been quite impressed with them.

10x42 ultravids!

Recently bought a Swaro 10x42 SLC HD to replace my Leica Trinovid 10x42's. I really have enjoyed the Leica's but the Swaro's are a bit lighter, the ergo's are better and (to my eyes anyway) the color spectrum in the yellow/gold range appear more vivid. Both are very good and 10x42's serve my style of hunting much better than 8x42's.

I have the 8x42 SLC HD's and they are uber nice.

Actually a fairly small sized bino IMO but they are indeed well made thus a little 'heavy/solid'. Not sure I'd want anything smaller or lighter for the simple fact they are pretty easy to hold steady as is.

I don't have huge gorilla hands but a smaller bino might be too small(for me).

WhoooHooo!

Anyone else wish someone would make a nice 7x35?

Swarovski 7x42 SLC Neu

6x32 Leupold Katmai. I've carried these many many miles and use them a lot. I love the size, weight, and field of view.

I also have a pair of 7x42 Bushnell Discovers. They get used when I think I'll need to tell the difference between a spike and a cow in low light. I don't carry them as much because they are so much bigger and heavier. When I do carry them they spend way more time in the pack than the Katmais do.

I'd settle for a 7x32... a Leica 7x32 (or 35) HD would be my dream binocular. I'll never happen unfortunately. Most are brainwashed in favor of power, not really understanding the benefits of lower power, and therefore the CO's have dropped most 7x's.

I used a 7x30 Swaro SLC for a long time. Great bin. I always find it amusing when guys seem to think a 10X is necessary for finding game long distances. I found and killed a lot of good animals with those 7x's.

They certainly are! I far and away prefer the SLC's to the SV's... I think the SLC is the absolute best-buy in the Alpha market. The Leica HD and Swaro SLC are my favorite 42mm bins.

I think these will be my main binoculars this coming season. Lots of good reviews here and trying them out in person really impressed me. Incredibly bright and light, and are supposed to be built like a tank.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/site.pl?page=40290

Yup. My favorite binocular...

8x30 SLC for the last twenty years. Just had them totally reconditioned for free. Their customer service is second to none IMO. Still my favorite for an all around do everything set of binos. I do have a pair of 10x42 EL's that I use for certain hunts but they are a bit big for much of the hunting I do here, especially bowhunting.

Zeiss Victory FL 8 x 32

Leica Geovid 10x42's.

Swarovski SEL 10x42

Used to be a Leopold fan till I found out I was missing critters and detail.