A good set of hunting binoculars achieves several things. But ultimately, it should help you see things clearly that otherwise can’t be. It should help you determine what you’re looking at, identifying targets, and other important viewing-related tasks. Here are things to know when choosing the best hunting binoculars.
Key Features to Consider
There are many important factors when choosing a set of hunting binoculars. Magnification, objective lens diameter, field of view, eye relief, durability, weather resistance, geographic area, and more, influence what you should purchase for the hunt. Other important considerations include type of construction, level of innovation, amount of comfort, volume of versatility, quality of image, low-light performance, etc.
Magnification
The magnification of a set of binos is the power in which is amplifies visibility. For example, an 8-power set of optics makes it as if the viewer is eight times closer. A 12-power set makes it to where a viewer is 12 times closer.
Choose the right power based on your style of hunting, geographic area, and more. Those who gun hunt might require a larger power to see animals and objects at greater distances. Or those hunting wide-open terrain might need the same. In contrast, bowhunters, or those hunting in tighter terrain with less visibility might prefer lower powers.
Furthermore, optics with greater powers are more difficult to keep steady and on target. Usually, a lower power is better for those who free hand binos. A larger power might require a monopod, bipod, or some other stabilizer.
Oftentimes, common magnification offerings come as 8×32, 10×40, 12×50, and more. The first number relates to magnification power. (I’ll cover the second number momentarily.)
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens diameter is just that — the diameter of the objective lens. This is the lens on the end of the binocular. The greater sizing of the objective lens, the more light it allows to pass through the binos. In turn, this produces a brighter and clearer image of objects in the field of view. Oftentimes, most objective lens diameters come in 30, 32, 40, 42, or 50mm sizing options.
Sizing options aside, prisms within the binos impact lighting, too. Older optics from decades past likely implemented porro prisms. Most modern products tend to use roof prisms. The former allows for more light. The latter is more durable and water resistant.
Field of View
The field of view of a binocular is how much ground you see through the eye pieces. This is your left and right width of viewing capability. Generally, higher magnification equals lower field of view. Lower magnification translates to greater field of view. Hunters must understand the relationship between these variables, and then select the right pair accordingly.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is another important element. This influences how well you see, and what hunters have regarding comfort levels. Each set of binos have varying levels of eye relief. Furthermore, some offer adjustable eye cups, which can aid in this element of using binoculars.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Each product offers different levels of durability. Likewise, each has a different level of weather resistance. It’s important to select the most durable and weather resistant optic you can afford.
Coatings play a major role in this. For example, some types use inner coatings. (Roof prism binos use phase correction coatings.)
Furthermore, most binos use external coatings, though. Many of these have rubberized exteriors that make them more durable. Other features reduce the amount of moisture that can get inside the unit.
Of course, most modern binos are infused with argon or nitrogen. These components reduce or altogether eliminate fogging within the unit. Anyone who’s hunting for long knows fogging can ruin a glassing session, and even lead to lost opportunities.
Lastly, regarding durability, a set of binos with a lifetime warranty indicates quality and longevity. This gives you more confidence that it won’t tear up. Even if it does, you have the warranty.
Choosing Hunting Binoculars Based on Environment
As alluded to above, the environment you hunt in impacts the binocular selection, too. For example, those hunting wide open spaces should certainly select those with greater powers. (You need more power and less field of view.) Those hunting timber and tighter spaces should certainly select binos with lower power. (You need less power and more field of view.)
Additionally, those who tend to hunt in open fields might not need the light-capturing abilities of a larger objective lens. That said, those hunting in the timber, where light fades quicker, might select a larger objective lens just for that reason.
Also, those who hunt in arid places might place less stock in weatherproofing. Those who frequently hunt in the rain should certainly place more stock in it.
Open Plains or Long-Range Hunting
Those who plan to hunt on open plains should put more stock in larger magnifications. Field of view is still important. (It can mean the difference in a deer being in view, or not.) That said, magnification trumps field of view in long-range hunting situations. Overall, forego an 8-power bino and choose between 10 and 12 power. While a larger objective lens captures light better (and longer) is better for everyone, this is secondary to magnification.
Dense Forests or Close-Range Hunting
Hunters who spend more time hunting dense forests, and focus more on close-range hunting, do not need larger magnifications. Rather, they need less magnification power and more field of view. Therefore, stick with an 8-power bino that has a larger field of view. Furthermore, those hunting in forest settings should place more value on a larger objective lens, which helps see better in low-light conditions.
Hunting Binoculars: Best Picks
Those who hope for the best hunting binoculars might choose from several 2024 optic offerings. It’s important to focus on the features outlined above and select key models and their standout features for hunting.
Great options for 2024 include:
- Athlon Midas G2 UHD 8×42
- Bushnell R3 8×42
- Hawke Endurance ED 12×50
- Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 12×50
- Maven B.7
- Nikon MONARCH M7 10×42
- Riton 3 Primal 8×42 HD
- Sig Sauer Kilo6K HDX 10×42
- Swarovski Optik NL Pure 10×42
- Vanguard VEO HD IV 1042 10×42
- Vortex Razor UHD 10×50
- ZEISS SFL 10×40
A New Type of Binocular Technology?
While some might opt to continue with traditional hunting binoculars, we now have an all-new technology to try, too. In association with Barnett and Buck Commander, this new brand is called Buk Ops. The bino offering is called the Buknoculars.
Interestingly, it uses 4K video to project the viewing area and field of view. “This technology is called Primetime Color Vision,” said Buk Ops’ Cragg Fitz. “It is a big wow factor when someone sees it for the first time. From looking through traditional optics, using the naked eye, and looking through this, it’s mind-blowing.”
This tech isn’t infrared or night vision. It is a new technology that maximizes your legal shooting time. “The basis of this is that it enhances low-light vision,” Fitz said. “All it needs is some sort of ambient light. It takes that light and creates crystal-clear color image inside of that scope, binocular, or monocular. The best way to describe it — although it’s not exactly how it works — is long-exposure photography.”
The objective lens is 25mm, has a zoom range of 1-5X, and comes with a 2.95-inch viewfinder. You can even record the hunt via a micro SD card slot. The Buknoculars is priced at $499.99.
Of course, you can put both traditional optics and this unit in your hunting pack. Then use each when they make the most sense to do so.
