Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics What type of binoculars do I need?

Fellow hunters, I need your help. I am looking for a pair of binoculars, for big game hunting. I want a model that is WATERPROOF, has a wide field of view,and enough light gathering properties to use at dusk and dawn. They will be used to hunt whitetails here in Alabama, but also bear and couger in Idaho, and hopefully dangerous game in Africa one day.
I don't mind paying for a quality optics, but I also don't have $1000.00 to invest in a pair either. I have been told by several experenced hunters to stay away from the compacts, but I want something that will be light enough to carry all day.
The more reasearch I do and the more I read, the more confused I become, and I hate to buy what I think I need and discover a year later, it is not. I don't make enough money to afford this kind of mistake. I want my purchase to be an educated one. Thank you in advance for your time and help.

You might try the new Leupold Olympics or Pinnacles. Both are reaonably priced for the quality, have excellent optics, are lightweight for the size, and are indeed waterproof. One of them also has an exterior rain-resistant coating, I believe the Olympics but could be wrong. I would suggest the 8x42 as an all-around glass, especially since you want light weight.

I'd say 30 oz. or less, 8x42, 9x40. If you wear glasses pay attention to the eye relief. It should be no less than 18mm and preferably more. From the little I know about wide angle binocs they will "render" less eye relief. Leupold makes good binocs, as does Busnell. I just purchased a pair of Brunton Eterna (used) for next to nothing. Very clear, excellent eye relief. Some features I don't like, but can live with. I also have a pair of Steiner 9x40 Bighorns that have served me very well. Not top of the line, but you can now find them on E-bay for about $180 which is quite reasonable IMHO.

Check return policies from whoever you purchase or try various model at gunshops you frequent. That's what sold me on the Brunton's.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

It's hard to beat a good 8x30 as the "best all-around" combination.



My favorite all-arounds are 7x42, 8x30, and 8x40.



Have good look at http://www.alpenoutdoor.com before you decide on anything new. (eBay and the second-hand market have no limits.) This new brand of sports optics, by old-timers in the business, has a lot going for them.



I agree -- stay far away from the pocket glasses. They're better than nothing, but that's all they're better than.

TCS,
If you want the best, and don't want to spend $1000, then I would suggest you take a look at the Zeiss ClassiC 10x40. This glass is discontinued, but now can be bought for around $700. This glass has won a worldwide reputation for its clarity, light gathering cability, and reliability. I own a pair, and they are simply the best binocs I have ever owned.

I recommend the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm. Too bad you missed out on the $100 rebate. They are still a great buy at $379. Better glass than the Pentax DCF WP and the Wind River Olympics, which is saying a lot for glass under $400. Good warranty as well. If there are defects in workmanship or materials, they will repair or replace it forever, no matter who the owner is. If a Ranger Platinum Class needs service or repair not covered by the warranty, even if you drop them down a mountainside, they will repair or replace it for just $20, plus return shipping.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/pid2991

I bought mine the last day of May and hate to put them down.

I have the Zeiss 10 X 40 classic C, I am extremly happy with these, excellant clarity.

Look no farther than the new Pentax DCF SP either in 7X42 or 10X43.
This glass has been compaired to the Euro stuff by some very qualified people and declared to be very close to equal.
You may pay twice as much for the Euro stuff but are not getting anything near twice the glass.

In my opinion, you'd have to look and hard to beat the Zeiss 10x40 ClassiC's from Cabelas. This time last year I spent almost three months shopping and comparing every make and model known to man, and I finally settled on the Zeiss ClassiC's. I based my decision to buy the ClassiC's on several recommendations from this board, as well as others, and also on Zeiss' reputation for quality, and I've never looked back.



I don't know exactly what your budget is, but I'd suggest you spend as much as possible for a quality binocular. This is one area where I truly believe you get what you pay for. I used "cheap" binos for years, and I could kick myself for it now. I never realized what I was missing. It's nothing for a guy to spend $500.00 for a rifle, and another $400.00 or more on a scope, but then they cheap out and buy whatever the local ___Mart has on sale. I'm of the opinion now that I could do without a couple of rifles if it meant the difference in getting a top quality binocular or not.



I realize not everyone has the means or the desire to spend $700.00 to $1000.00 or more on binos, but I think most guys can swing at least $400.00, and there seems to be some real good glass in that price range. Someone already mentioned the Eagle Optics "Platinum" series, but I believe they're worth mentioning again, as are the Pentax DCF WP. I believe they come real close to the best European brands, so it'll boil down to a personal decision whether you feel the extra money is worth the difference or not. To me, it was worth it.



One other thing, some guys will claim the ClassiC's aren't waterproof, but Zeiss guarantees them "not to fog or leak for the life of the binocular", which pretty well means waterproof in my book. There's several guys on this board from Alaska who have used the ClassiC's in some of the wettest weather and the roughest terrain possible without experiencing a minutes trouble, which I feel is a real good indicator of the quality of these particular binos.



Good luck in your decision.

Price will generally dictake quality. The $400 model is going to be better than the $300 model. There are many good makers and models out there. 8x is a good choice the higher powers are harder to hold steady while glassing. Roof prisim are not as bulky and easier to make waterproof than the porro. Out door Life has some articles and reviews on their website which would be a good place to start your search. Buy the best pair you can they really pay off when the light is low and you need all the light gathering you can get. Get a mid size. The compacts can't mustard up enough light with their small lens.

Outdoor Life

My favorite all-around bino is the Zeiss 7x42 ClassiC.

I want a model that is WATERPROOF, has a wide field of view,and enough light gathering properties to use at dusk and dawn.

Yes, and guaranteed as such. 450 ft @ 1000, 6mm exit pupil. Beat that, anywhere.

The 10x40's are also superb, and extremely popular, for good reason. They have long been THE classic 10x40.

Both of these are available for under $800. Considering the fact that your budget excludes Leica and Swaro, I would go with one of these. In my case, I was willing to spend whatever it took, no matter how bad it hurt, and I went with the Zeiss 7x42's. I must admit that the Leica 8x42's were a very close second. But I simply dote on my 7's.

I refuse to even look at a pair of the new Swaro's (EL's??). At $1500, they are likely to be too nice. I got a truck to pay for.

Rick

I reently went through the same dilemma. I looked at the Zeiss Victory 8x40s, Leica 8X42s Swarovski 10X42s and Khales 8X40s. Optically they were all pretty much the same except for the khales which were appreciably less bright. My pick of the litter was the Leicas for an 8X, but they are over a grand. The Pentax DCFs enjoy an enviable reputation, some writers say they compare with the high Dollar Euros. In my view, the BEST value and quality for the money ready? Cabelas' ALASKAN GUIDES in 8X42s. I own a pair that I took to Africa, Maine and all over the south here where I live. I really could not find ANY distinct advantage to the high dollar binos. I wound up purchasing the Swaros because I wanted some 10Xs. But for general hunting, the 8X are better, especially in light transmission. Do yourself a favor and oreder a pair of the Cabelas AGs. You won't be disappointed. Jorge

You are doing pretty much what I did. Ask advice on this board. Some honest,experienced, sharp, people contribute to it. Your budget considerations put you in the same boat as most of us. Your decision is really simple. If you feel you need the best,deny yourself until you garner the funds to buy them. if you feel the next level down is the way to go,then buy the best you can afford,use them and make no excuses.

I have a pair of Pentax DCF WPs and they are great and water proof. I really like that you can hold the binos up and scan the full field of view as it is clear up to the edge of the lenses.

I read a review where Pro hunters in Africa prefered these binoculars to their expensive european binos. The fact that you can get them for $400 should make the decision easy.

Pentax has com out with DCF SP which are new and better binoculars and you should definitely look at these too.