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Binocs Advice

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Looking for some opinions on the best "bang for your buck" binoculars for long distances. I am going to Wyoming for Mule/Deer antelope in October. The guide will have a spotting scope and/or really good binocs, but i'd like to have something decent too besides my leupold scope (3-9power) and 8x23 binocs.

Figured some of you farm hunter's have good binocs to watch deer 300-400 yards out.

Thanks in advance.

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Cool, thanks. How are they weight-wise? I hate binocs that feel heavy around my neck.

Looks like this is a comparable product > http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Optics/Binoculars%7C/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104217480/Redfield174-Rebel8482-Binoculars/720962.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-optics-binoculars%2F_%2FN-1100054%2B10000052%2FNe-10000052%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd729060%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd729060%3Bcat104217480

Edited by Biz-R-OWorld
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Deerthug Newbie

Deerthug

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They are not that heavy actually. They weigh 26oz. They come with a think foam strap where they sit on your neck but I bought one of the generic bino caddies that you wear like a harness.

Here's the link for the Bushnell website http://bushnell.com/...phy-xlt/234210/ I actually tried them out at Gander in Kingston but bought them at Dicks with $20 coupon I had. I swear by them.

Don't know much about Redfield. Always owned Bushnell products, scopes, Binos and a handheld rangefinder except for the Leupold bowmounted vendetta I use.

Edited by Deerthug
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Pygmy Experienced

Pygmy

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Geeeze, Biz-R-O, I thought you only went with the BEST...

In binoculars, that means Leica, Swarovski, or Zeiss... Flip a coin, check 'em all out and see which one appeals to you most..They are all top quality and after you get over the STICKERSHOCK you'll never regret buying them and never need to buy another pair.

Mine are Leica Trinivoid 8X 42... Wonderful glass ( although no better than Swaro or Zeiss) but they ARE on the heavy side.

One thing that made me select Leica is the lifetime guarantee. They will replace them for ANY reason other than theft or loss, as in losing them in the woods...

You can run over them with your truck, drop them off a 1000 foot cliff, or if some idiot shoots at you and hits your binocs, saving your life but smashing the binocs, Leica will send you a new pair.

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Problem is that I typically hunt in heavy woods with a shotgun for deer and don't need anything that high-powered. I can't justify spending over $200, when it seem like there are many great options for 10x42 in this price range.

Found these > http://www.cabelas.c...80;cat104217480 10x42 for $139. 293ft at 1,000yds....only 22.4 ounces

Edited by Biz-R-OWorld
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mt624 Newbie

mt624

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Love the Swaros myself but I have a relatively inexpensive 12x50 Cabela's that's worked great for the year I've had them. If you're near a Cabela's with a Bargain Cave, start looking there...

Just saw your most recent post with price range, Nikons are nice too!

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Rev Ev Newbie

Rev Ev

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Biz,

Speaking as a Montana native, if your guide already has the thousand dollar optics, I would go with a set that is 10x 44. Bushnell makes some decent binos at a reasonable price and they have a lifetime warranty. Unless you plan to hunt out west again, these will do you well. However, if you plan on more than a few hunts out there in your lifetime, invest some money in some Leica's or something a little pricier with a lifetime warranty. Hunting out there is all about spot and stalk, sitting on one mountain and looking at another. Then your optics are probably your number one tool out there and not something you want to skimp on. Anything bigger than 10x44, imo, will be an anchor around your neck. still thats a personal detail that will vary. The best thing I could tell you is go to BPS, look at several 10x44 models, pick one in your budget with a liftetime warranty. even here in NY i still use them to glass fields and the ocasional hill in the the southern tier. and maybe you will be blessed to be able to go out west more. I can't wait till next fall for my elk hunt. its been way too long.

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Rev Ev Newbie

Rev Ev

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Biz,

Speaking as a Montana native, if your guide already has the thousand dollar optics, I would go with a set that is 10x 44. Bushnell makes some decent binos at a reasonable price and they have a lifetime warranty. Unless you plan to hunt out west again, these will do you well. However, if you plan on more than a few hunts out there in your lifetime, invest some money in some Leica's or something a little pricier with a lifetime warranty. Hunting out there is all about spot and stalk, sitting on one mountain and looking at another. Then your optics are probably your number one tool out there and not something you want to skimp on. Anything bigger than 10x44, imo, will be an anchor around your neck. still thats a personal detail that will vary. The best thing I could tell you is go to BPS, look at several 10x44 models, pick one in your budget with a liftetime warranty. even here in NY i still use them to glass fields and the ocasional hill in the the southern tier. and maybe you will be blessed to be able to go out west more. I can't wait till next fall for my elk hunt. its been way too long.

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Pygmy Experienced

Pygmy

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Biz-R-O... Don't assume that your guide will have good optics...Most guides I have hunted with had some cheap POS binocs and kept wanting to use MY glasses all the time. I never have encountered a guide with a spotting scope. They were perfectly happy to use mine, though.

The only guide that I ever hunted with who had decent optics was on a Newfie moose hunt last fall. The guy had a pair of Leupold Wind Rivers that one of his clients had given him as a tip.

Most hunting guides don't have expensive equipment because they don't make a lot of money. They're not in the business for the money. It's either a labor of love or they are there because in some remote areas it's just another way they have to make a living.

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Pygmy Experienced

Pygmy

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According to everyone I talked to, the guides do have pretty solid optics and, of course, much better field experience judging antlers of western animals than me.

I won't argue against thier game judging capabilities. Some of my guides have had amazing abilities to judge trophies, even with cheap optics. That comes from experience, and is especially valuable hunting pronghorns..Those critters are tough to judge...It's hard to tell an average buck from a trophy, especially if you have not looked at a whole lot of them.

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phade Mentor

phade

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Vortex and Zen Ray...not popular with the Swaro crowds, etc.

I have cheaper glass but do OK with it...I really like my Vortex Crossfires and they are the entry level model. Diamondbacks are popular as are multiple Zen Ray models.

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Thanks all. I went with the Nikon Trailblazer ATB, 10x42.

293 FOV @ 1,000 yds (ft.)

5.9 inches in height

22.4 ounces

They had very good reviews and were on sale for $139.99 through Cabela's and $5 shipping. I also bought the Binocular Harness.

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Lawdwaz Grand Master

Lawdwaz

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You'll get more satisfaction out of higher end binos due to the fact that they can be used year round and anywhere. Try and use your Weatherby rifle at Niagara Falls!

A lower end bino will put a strain on your eyes and a drain on your wallet after you replace them a few times trying to upgrade to a quality unit.

You can snag a used pair of Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss binos for $750 quite often. I'm very confident you'd be best served with a pair of 8x30 or 8x32 over any 10x bino. (just my opinion of course and I rarely offer one)

10x is going to be heavier, tougher to hold still and not as big a field of view for the hometown woods. 8x will be just fine out West. (same deal, my opinion only)

TONS of satisfaction from great binos.

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