Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics The BEST All-Around Hunting Binos on the Planet! What's Your Pick?

Like JB I've been lucky to have owned and used a couple of drawers of top glass over the years.
To extrapolate for a moment, if we are really lucky, every once in a blue moon we may stumble onto a product or tool that immediately feels right, works right and becomes part of us. A product that will never diminish in its subjective value to us and (one) which we would never sell, trade or mothball. In the context of the "world's best hunting bins", for me at least, that honor remains in the hands of my old Leica 8x32 BNs.
Just as with my 1911(s), BHP(s) and Pre-64 M70(s), there are probably much better tools out there (in each category) but none that have the combination of attributes, personality and functional superiority to supplant my old friend(s).

8x42 Ultravids were "it" for me.

At the top end, there is so little optical difference that the only real difference comes in the eyes and the hands of the beholder.

I've had everything from Swaro El's and SLC's to Leica Duovids and Ultravids(4 pair) and my favorite pair to hunt with are still the Leupold Katmai 6x32. They have a very wide FOV and excellent sharpness. Excellent dusk viewing due to the large exit pupil and almost zero handshake. Very nice rubber and a good size that doesn't get tiring around the neck. This is for hunting in Pa where we generally are hunting in timber or smaller(>100 acre) fields. Out west I wouldn't be without the 8+12x42 Leica Duovid.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the 8x32 Nikon SE. Maybe its because they are not advertised as waterproof. But they are very tough. I have or did have all of the alpha bins and these are still my favorites. I also love the 6x vipers-best in class for a 6x but they do not fit me as well as the SE's.

R

Why do you need anyone else's validation? Your eyes lie to ya?..

I'm pretty pleased with the Vortex Razors that I bought from GreatWaputi. Then again, I have also been pleased with the Swift Audubon 8.5x44s that I have been using for the last few years. I can never talk myself into coughing up the cash for alphas.

I have tried a pair of Swarovision 10x43 at the gun show. Man, it is quite a glass. I am impressed with its enormous eyepiece glass. If I can afford it, this will be my glass. For now, I am pretty happy with the ZEN 8x43 and Leupold Yosemite 6x30.

I thought it was pretty funny.

Almost 10. Just wanted to show you turds how good the 'fire used to be.

Interesting.

I have no idea what is "best" for all-around hunting as I'm not really an all-around hunter. The best I've laid eyeballs on are 8x42 (or thereabouts, I forget exactly) Swaro and Leica, with the edge to Leica probably maybe. Perhaps. Sort of A++ and A+++.

I do know I love my 8x30 SLC's for hunting like rrroa describes. They are my constant companion when hunting.

Leica Ultravids, Leather 10X42's are what I've used since they came out in 2003. Before that I had a pair of 10X42 Trinovids. Before those I ran Leitz 10X40's. I've never had to send any of them back and I've used them hard...My opinion...

Have a pair of leica ultravid 8x32 which I would hate to give up as an all-rounder. However, for a pure woods choice it would have to be a buds Leupold Katmai 6x. They are excellent for that use and combined with the price are nothing but exceptional.

How about the Swaro. 8.5x42 EL. Just the finest optics, the nice power which gives that extra over the 8x, and the bright
vivid optics which really bring everything to life.

Another vote for the 8x30 SLC

If you want to see something crazy try out a pair of Canon 10x30IS binoculars. I went to buy a personal pair of Swarovski 8-32 EL's and ended up with the Canons because I can see things holding these by hand that you need a rest to see with any other glasses. I can spot squirrels all day long with no eyestrain or headaches. They make better ones but these will give you a taste of what active image stabilization can do for you.

They are ugly but WOW!

I will second the Nikon SE, in 10x42.

Hello,

As many said, going to the top, the differences are very small and in some way subjectives.
I have had and used a lot
-Swarovski Habitch Porro (old)10x40 W, my first really good binocular. It was stollen. If not I would still be using it as my main hunting binocular!
-Leica Trinovid 10x42 BA. Very good! Use it for 5 years. Great definition and apparently very good mechanically.
Actually I have a Zeiss Victory FL 10x40 and a New Swarovski Habitch Porro 10x40 W GA (rubber covered). Both are really Great. Notably better optically than my previous binoculars. Yes even than the Leica BA! Much better colours and contrast, both the Zeiss FL and the newly made Swaroski Habitch Porro! Between this two, I can`t decide for the better...!! And the Swaro is made as the binoculars used to be made: All metalic and no plastic. Is a binocular for life! And one of the most underated hunting binoculars, in my opinion!

Regards

PH

4 me, and 4 my eye balls and 4 my way of hunting and 4 me where I hunt my 7x42 Swaro SLC's are the Gold Standard and have been for me for a long long time (20 plus years)

My second fav pair for day in day out if my 6x30 Yo's.

Dober

I don't know the answer to your question but my all-a-rounder is a Leica Ultravid 8x32.

Seriously, has no one ever checked out a set of image stabilized binoculars of any brand?