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

The one that I use these days is Zen-Ray PRIME HD with 10x. I really like it sharp image all the way to the full field of view. Brightness is also up there to compare to Euro binos. I just helped my friends get a pair from Cameraland last month

Zeiss Classic 7x42 or Swarovski 7x42 SLC. Depends on how I feel when I get up as to which I carry on a given day.

I've been very well pleased with my Pentax DCF 8x43 binocular.

Steiner 8x30 Hunter. The original ones w/ the 30yr warranty. These are not the Military/Marine model. I like the set it and forget it eyepieces which don't require further center focusing. This is particularly a huge advantage when and low light situations where focusing of it ocular is very difficult. It also allows one to quickly use the optic without worrying about focus. This size is small enough to fit in the larger pockets common on hunting coats yet, has enough magnification to really be useful. The fold (roll) down eye cups work very well with glasses; I wear glasses. For the talley, I also have a set of Steiner 8 x 30 Military Tactical B with the ranging retical (w/a 30 year warranty), Steiner 6x30 Hunter, a backup set of Steiner 8x30 Hunter. The tacticals have been my truck bino's for 15 years. I really believe that Steiner screwed up their reputation by offering so many different models with so many different coatings and so many different levels of quality. The issue of quality seems to be the biggest contributor, as many of Steiner's model names were very similar to each other. The rule of thumb used to be that their best models came with the 30 year warranty, while the lesser model came with 2, 5, and 10 year warranties. The best models also we're also the only ones with the N2 purge valves on them.

With this said, I probably would enjoy trying out some of the new fodder out there, but haven't really had the opportunity. Who am I kidding,I absolutely would. Maybe next month the grand prize of Doug's raffle will be an all expenses paid trip down to their new store for some serious optics exposure!

You're talking my language when you mentioned some of the older model Steiner porro's. I've owned a bunch and still own these Whitetail's in 6x30 and 7x50. Not to long ago I had them sent back to Germany for a complete cleaning and reseal.



...the 6x30's and my newest 8x42 Nighthunter XP's.

Cabelas (Meopta) 8X32 HD

Optics-Magnification-Weight-Compact Size-Value

I can't discern one iota difference between my Leica 10x42 Ultravid or Swarovski 10x42 EL. So, I use them both.

At the same time?

I have 10x43mm Pentax DCF SP really good glass. For the use I give them I can't justify (yet) the need for better glass.
I am in the search for some 8x32s for a friend back in Peru, around 100$ or so... not sure what to get, but seems the mag choice I did was not wrong

One for me, one for my wife.

Geez what an enabler

My favorite is the Zeiss Victory 8x45 T* Rangefinder. I got a good deal from Doug and the gang at Cameraland here on the Fire.

I like the RF/binoc combo, saves precious time. This RF is good to 1,500-1,600 yds. depending on target contrasts with surroundings. Plenty of light transmission, fairly large binoc but not that heavy. Just a pleasure to use.

Others that don't get used that much, but great glass, Kahles 8x42 and Swaro 7x50. The Kahles are a very handy size, the Swaro great at dim light, but heavier than the Zeiss.

DF

They are surprisingly bright considering there're relatively small objective lens. As someone pointed out, they don't require any focusing adjustments once set for your eyes and this feature is indispensable when you are using your bino's in very poor light and night time viewing too. Anyone who has tried using both types of focusing systems will see what I'm talking about. The "Hunting Series" are pictured below, the first pair on the left, in the top pic.

Melted Diamond coating I assume

Their code word is "Diamond" bright but I don't think anyone would be silly enough to believe their coating formulation actually included diamond dust.

Steiner 8 X 30 Marine. Nice compromise size and weight, bright, and great focus system. About $200

Agreed. I've had mine for 12+ years, they've been beaten to hell, and still going strong.

Swaroski 15x56 Spotting
Swaroski 8.5x42 EL's Deer and elk hunting
8x30 Swaroski Coyote hunting