Binoculars are a big part of hunting. A hunter is almost helpless without optical support. A good pair of binoculars can not only help you hunt more but will also help you plan your next move. But there are a lot of binoculars available, and the task of choosing the best binocular for your hunting needs can seem a bit overwhelming. But having a clear idea about what they offer and what you want can be a big help in choosing the best binocular for hunting.
That is why today, we are providing a comprehensive buyer’s guide to choosing the best binocular for hunting. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing The Best Binocular For Hunting
Type of The Hunt
Not every binocular will make your job easier on your hunting trip. If you are hunting in big wide open spaces, bigger binoculars will be the best choice for you. But bigger binoculars are a bit heavy. If you are in a densely vegetated landscape, carrying a bigger pair of binoculars will become pointless. Bigger isn’t always the better, especially when that becomes a burden.
So choose the perfect pair of hunting binoculars depending on where you are going to hunt. And if you want a jack of all trades, probably a binocular with 10X magnification will do the trick.
Quality
There are a lot of compact binoculars available in the market. Though there is a correlation between quality and price, you probably won’t need to spend a ton of money just for a decent pair of quality binoculars. But be sure to go through all the specifications and features of the binocular you like before purchasing. That way, you’ll get a better idea of what you are getting and how it can help you on your hunt.
As you search for binoculars for hunting, it is important to look for qualities/features like waterproof, sturdy, lightweight, superior image quality, and anti-reflective coating.
Brand
There are a number of reputed brands from where you can find your perfect pair of binoculars for your specific type of hunting. Just like automobiles, experienced hunters are prone to brand loyalty and often stick by their favorite brand. But that doesn’t mean you can find quality binoculars anywhere else.
But don’t forget to go through hunting optics reviews/binocular reviews before making the decision. And if you want to trust reputed brands, here is a list of the most famous binocular suppliers:
- Nikon
- Bushnell
- Leica
- Vortex
- Zeis
- Burris
- Swarovski
- Steiner
- Leupold
Magnification
Let’s get e bit technical. Magnification means how much closer you can see an object with your binoculars. Generally, it is displayed on either the body or the packaging of the binocular. If your binocular shows 15X, that means the object will appear a maximum of 15 times closer than it actually is.
One thing is to keep in mind here. The more magnification power a pair of binoculars has, the larger and heavier it will become. The most widely used magnification binoculars have 10X-12X magnification power. If you are in an open area, use larger magnification and if you are in a dense, tighter habitat, use less magnification with a greater/wider field of view.
Optical Coatings
We all know glasses reflect light, and binocular lenses are made from glass. When you are trying to trach your hunt without spooking them, a mere reflection of sunlight from your binoculars can spoil everything. That is why modern binoculars come with a protective coating over the lenses to minimize reflection. Depending on how much area is coated, there are different types of coated optics/lenses.
There are also other types of coating like anti-scratch coating, water-repellant coating, metallic mirror coating, and phase correction coating. The more coatings a lens has, the costlier it becomes.
Price Range
There are a wide variety of hunting binoculars you can get your hands on. The price of a pair of binoculars depends on a number of factors. Some of the most prominent factors that dictate the price range are the optical quality, magnification, field of view, the diameter of objective lenses, lens coatings, etc.
If price is a big concern for you, don’t worry about it. You can get a pair of decent hunting binoculars for $20. But if you are okay with investing more in your pairs, A pair can cost you up to a whopping $2000.
Objective Lens and Exit Pupil
Objectives lenses are the large lenses on the front of binoculars. The lenses are measured in diameter. If a pair has written 10X42, that means it is a pair of binocular with 10X magnification, and its objective lens diameter, also known as the objective diameter is 42 centimeters. Bigger lenses allow more light to enter the binocular, providing a clear image, especially in low-light conditions.
Exit pupil is the number you’ll get if you divide the objective lens number by the magnification. The Exit pupil of a 10X42 binocular will be 4.2mm. The number determines how well you will be able to see through the binoculars in low-light conditions.
Prism Type
Any spherical object creates an upside-down image, including lenses. A prism is a triangular glass object that allows you to see the image in the right order. There are two prominent prism types used in binoculars. One is Roof Prism, and the other is Porro prism. Roof prism binoculars reflect the light 5 times, and the light comes out on the same line as it entered, making the binocular more compact and lightweight.
On the contrary, Porro prism binoculars reflect the light 4 times, and the light comes out on a different line as it entered. This makes the binocular larger and heavier.
Eye Relief
This is the distance your eyes need to be from the lenses closest (ocular lenses) to you. This is especially helpful if you wear any type of glasses in the field. In that case, you may not be able to place your eyes directly on the eyepiece. To help you see things better, manufacturers provide eye relief to help everyone.
Smaller eye relief means your need to be closer and larger eye relief will allow you to set the binocular far from your eyes without compromising the field of view. Depending on how far you want your eyes to be from the eyepiece, go for small, medium, or large eye relief.
Focus And Adjustment
Most binoculars utilize two systems for adjusting the focus. They are Independent focus and Central focus. In Independent focus, the two telescopes are focused independently by adjusting each eyepiece. And Central focusing system rotates a central focusing wheel to adjust both tubes together. Most hunters across the globe use a central focusing system as they are convenient to use.
Final Words
We’ve tried to provide an unbiased POV on choosing the best binoculars for hunting and what to keep in mind while choosing. If this article actually proves to be helpful, be sure to let us know what we should write about next.
That’s all for today. I hope this article proves to be helpful to those in need. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment section below. Thanks for reading this far. Happy hunting to you.