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

I use Weaver Grand Slam 8.5x45's(would have rather had the Super Slam, but money was tight when I got them)...I've been VERY happy with them, will be picking up a set of "pocket size" binos this summer for when I want something handy...leaning toward Steiner Predator 8x22s.

I've done some upgrades over the past few years. My current stock includes:
Zeiss 8x32 Victory Meopta Meostar 10x42HD (thought I might need more for a sheep hunt :-) )
Vortex Viper 15x50HDs for my "big eyes".

Two spotters, a Nikon ED50 (13-30 and 27x wide eyepieces) and a Vortex Razor 65.

I keep wondering about my logic when I recall my optics stable being an old set of Steiner 6x30s that I paid $120 for and a Bushnell Trophy spotter that was less than $200 and the fun that I had with them when I didn't know they were any good. :-)

-Doug

JG I have picked up one pair of binos in my life and said WOW after I looked thru them. That was a pair of Zeiss Victory HTs. Absolutely the best most brilliant optic I had ever seen. After that I just had to have a pair and I got the 10x42 model.

I was able to use a gift certificate and credit card points to get the Zeiss with no out of pocket expense so it was not as painful as having to part with $2300 cash. IF I would have had to dig into the wallet to buy a new pair I would have almost certainly bought a Meopta 10x42HDs. I believe those binos and Meopta optics in general are some of the best values in optics today.

My current pair of Meoptas are the non HD model but they are damn good and I still use them often. They are my back up now that I have the Zeiss Victory Hts. The optics on the Meoptas while not as crisp as the Zeiss HTs are pretty darn good. What I really like about the Meopta is they seem to be built like a tank. Mine have taken a beating and held up perfectly fine.

163bc

The best ?
Leica Ultra-Vid HDs, 8X42

No one asked about "the best", the question was about your favorite.

Brad,



Great post! Presently my favorite is a 7X50 Nikon. This is after lots and lots of side by side comparison.

If I had money to burn I would go with the only binoculars that gave me the Wow! factor. That was a few years ago when I looked through a Swarovski I think was a 8.5X42 or something like that. but of course I would get an 50mm objective.

I like these and have a pair when I go out west. - Great for finding game but I have a Zeiss Spotting scope to dial in the details

My current inventory:

Leica Ultravids 8x42 (probably my favorite)
Leica Duovids 8-12x42 (probably the coolest)
Zeiss RF 8-45 (Probably use the most)

My favorite is Leica Trinovid 10x50's.

Bought this about 25 years ago.

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It's not marked other than serial number. It has range reticle that once glowed in dark due to tritium (now gone). Had to replace eyepiece/objective cups but other than that is is in very good working order. Magnification is about 7x or 8x. Little heavy, but never had desire to upgrade from this bargain priced piece.

I had the same experience when I first looked through my Zeiss Victory HT 10x42's. Crystal clear and razor sharp.

Ditto on the meopta meostar 10x42 only pair of 10x that I didn't get eye strain when I purchased them a few years ago.

I've used the leica geovid which are amazing but equally pricey. I own and use nikon monarch 5 which are very good quality for the dough.

Both 10x

My 15 year old Leica 8X42 Trinovid BA.

I'm cheap and like my Leupold BX3 Mojaves... 8x32's...

Lots of great glass can be had at a reasonable price these days but great glass is useless unless it is wrapped in a durable, waterproof and comfortable housing. These days my favorite hunting bino is the Nighthunter XP in 8x42.

Roy, those are nice. They look like something batman would use though..

I use those too on brown bear hunts. Hunting moose, again Leica's but 8x32, sheep Leica 10x25's.

lol. I agree, but form follows function. Steiner has come a long way from the days when they only made porro prism bino's.