Binoculars are used for everything from watching concerts, races, games, sightseeing, or just enjoying the nature – but as a hunter, it’s your ultimate tool for trying to stay ahead of your prey.
Needless to say, you would want one of the best hunting binoculars in order to stay ahead of your prey. Not only you can see further, but you will be able to conceal your movements a bit better and even predict what’s waiting for you.
Not every pair of binoculars will do well for many reasons. In this post, we won’t only show you some of our best-chosen binoculars for hunters, but we will also teach you how to find a quality pair of binoculars.
After reading this post, you won’t have a problem finding the best pair of binoculars that will fit your hunting needs – no matter what your budget is!
Therefore, keep on reading – but first, let us teach you a thing or two.
Why Invest in a Quality Pair of Hunting Binoculars?
Even though binoculars might not be the primary hunting equipment, any experienced hunters know that binoculars are a great accessory and they are the best piece of supporting equipment you can get.
While almost every hunting binoculars will offer the same benefits such as:
- Long-range scouting
- Higher clarification than rifle scopes
- Distance calculation
- Ability to shoot the right prey
Not all types of binoculars will do the job as good as the quality binoculars. Therefore, investing a bit more money into one of the vital pieces of equipment is highly recommended.
Most advanced and modern binoculars offer plenty of other features such as waterproofness, better coating for bird watching, improved concealment, and a better range.
And believe us when we say this, once you go hunting with binoculars – you’ll never want to miss out on them again.
Therefore, if you still don’t have a quality pair of hunting binoculars in your equipment, let’s show you how to choose one (if you’re purchasing the first pair) so you know what to expect. Or you can jump straight into the reviews where we’ve listed some of the best choices available on the market for any hunter – the choice is yours!
What to Look Out For in Hunting Binoculars
Hunting binoculars are pretty straight forward and easy to use – however when you try to understand their features or even compare a couple of models, you might end up feeling overwhelmed.
While this is okay, you should focus on the following things so you don’t get distracted and yet easily determine the quality & fit of the hunting binoculars:
- Formula
- Field of view
- Prism type
- Focus type
- Optical coatings
- Size and weight
- Material & waterproofness
- Accessories
Formula
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be good at math to understand binoculars. When we say formula – we refer to something known as magnification level and size of the objective lens.
If you’ve browsed for binoculars before, you would’ve noticed a formula such as – 8 x 42. While this might not tell you a lot at first, once you understand that 8 represents the magnification level while 42 represents the size of the objective lens in mm – you can easily get the idea.
This formula will differ from model to model, but the better the magnification power is – you will be able to zoom further. But if you’re not hunting long-distance, you will probably be fine with 8 to 10 magnification level, while long-distance hunters would go for 10-12 magnification factor instead.
When it comes down to the objective lens size – the bigger the lens is, the better it is for you since such binocular will be able to absorb a lot more light and produce a brighter & clearer image. However, the downside of a large objective lens is the weight – so make sure to make a wise choice.
Field of View
The field of view is pretty self-explanatory. With binoculars, FOV will determine the wideness of vision. This will also depend upon the binocular – but you still might find the standard formula used to describe the FOV.
For example – 317 feet at 1000 years would mean that you would get a wideness of vision of 317 feet if you’re looking 1000 feet down in the distance.
Larger FOV binoculars are easier to navigate with so we highly recommend any binocular that has a FOV rate higher than 300.
Prism Type
There are two main prism types: roof and porro prisms. The main difference is in the way of the design of a binocular.
Roof prism projects 5 times more light which results in other benefits, however, binoculars with this prism type are a bit more expensive. They’re also more lightweight and compact – which is something a lot of hunters require.
On the other hand, porro prisms feature a larger design in order to project more light, and they might not be as bright as roof prism type binoculars. However, these binoculars are cheaper and yet they’re still a good choice for novice hunters.
Focus Type
Just like the prism types, binoculars feature two focus types, which you’ve most likely seen and used before.
These two types are individual focus type and center focus type.
Individual focus type offers a lot more flexibility and we find it to be a better option for hunting at long distances. However, center focus type binoculars are still a great choice for hunters who hunt at a closer range.
One thing to keep in mind is that center focus type binoculars are a bit harder to waterproof, so cheaper binoculars of such type might not offer this feature.
Optical Coatings
Even though binoculars require light & they project it – they still need to keep the light level to a certain factor. This is where optical coatings help to reduce or eliminate light reflection.
We’ve also noticed that binoculars with optical coatings always provide a brighter & sharper image.
Size and Weight
Don’t let the compact size of most binoculars trick you into thinking you will be able to handle a bit heavier binoculars. Some of the hunting binoculars can weight up to 2 lbs or even more – and having to carry them around your neck for a couple of hours might get you a bit uncomfortable.
Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to the way binoculars are made as some of the factors we’ve mentioned earlier have a direct impact on the design of a binocular.
We like binoculars that feature 30 to 35 mm objective since they’re pretty compact and yet provide a good quality every hunter requires. They’re also very easy to carry when you’re climbing or hiking longer distances.
Material & Waterproofness
In some situations, you will have to grab your binoculars and act quickly – and there is no better than grabbing rubber-coated binoculars that won’t slip out of your hands even in the heaviest rain.
Build material will also determine the durability but also the weight of the binoculars – so this is something to keep in mind as well.
Looking out for a waterproof feature is something we highly recommend since you never know when it might rain – and having to pack your binoculars in your backpack in the middle of your hunting trip won’t do you any good.
Additional Accessories
Quality binoculars that come from reputable brands will come with plenty of additional accessories such as the carrying (cover) case, additional straps, or even a body harness.
The more accessories you get – the easier it will be to use your binoculars, and a better value you will get out of the purchase.
However, you can always purchase any required accessories additionally in case you don’t get them.
Best Hunting Binoculars
We get asked often whether military binoculars are a great choice for hunting – and the answer is most of the time yes.
Down below, you’ll find some of the best hunting binoculars of all dimensions & sizes and it’s up to you to make the wise choice to fit your hunting needs.
And yes, we’ve also featured a couple of military binoculars that can fit most hunters – so keep an eye out!
Bushnell Legend L-Series 10 x 42 mm Binoculars
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Bushnell is one of the well-known brands in the hunting equipment and it’s often a number one choice for hunters who are in a need of quality binoculars.
These binoculars feature a formula of 10 x 42 mm and they’re built with a high-quality protecting material that includes non-slip rubber armor.
We liked the ergonomic design which fits well into hands and doesn’t slip under any circumstances. However, we believe most hunters who often hunt in the rain will love the rain guard HD technology.
This is Bushnell’s innovation that features an oleophobic lens coating which keeps water from blurring or sliding down your lens. Instead, you will still see drops of rain, but they won’t make the binoculars unusable – no matter how heavy the rain is.
Not only these are ideal binoculars for hunters who hunt mid-long distance, but they’re also trusted by professional hunters worldwide such as Michael Waddell, Travis “T-Bone” Turner, and others.
A number of additional accessories are pleasantly surprising since you will receive accessories that highly benefit the hunters who move a lot. These accessories include:
- Cloth drawstring bag
- Carrying case with a belt loop
- Neck strap
- Rubber lens cover for lens protection
For the price they cost, these legendary hunting binoculars are a perfect investment that definitely pays off.
Oh, and did we mention the perfect camouflage that will conceal these binoculars along with your hunting clothing?
Barska Waterproof Roof Prism Blackhawk Binoculars
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Barska Blackhawk binoculars are quality hunting binoculars that feature a roof prism type and yet they’re pretty affordable – considering the value they provide.
These binoculars are available in 4 different sizes which fits every type of a hunter – whether you hunt up close or at a long distance. Along with the roof prism type, Barska combined multi-coated BAK-4 lenses that stand up to the task.
The following sizes available are:
- 8 x 42 mm
- 10 x 25 mm
- 10 x 42 mm
- 12 x 42 mm
Even though they don’t offer a camouflage finish, these binoculars feature a diamond textured grip that is very comfortable to hold and yet serves as anti-slip protection.
The center focus type is fairly decent, and the rugged construction stands up and shows the overall quality of these binoculars. Along with the quality design, you can expect to receive plenty of additional features such as carrying case, neck strap, lens covers, and even lens cloth.
However, one of our favorite features of the Blackhawk binoculars is the shock-absorbing rubber which is wisely placed to add protection and also serve as another version of the non-slip feature.
Considering the price, the number of features you get, including fully coated optics and waterproofness – you will enjoy every single second of waiting for your prey in the distance.
Bushnell PowerView 10 x 50 mm Porro Prism Binoculars
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These are another quality pair of binoculars from Bushnell, yet just at a larger magnification size, featuring a formula of 10 x 50 mm.
Even though PowerView binoculars rely on a porro prism type, they feature multi-coated optics so you won’t have to deal with light reflection at all.
One thing to keep in mind is the size of these binoculars – since they offer a quite large objective lens. Bushnell did a really good job of turning this into an advantage by using the larger design and rugging it up with rubber on the housing.
Therefore, this provided another advantage which is an improved grip and a lot more durable housing.
For the distance and field of view, PowerView binoculars can cover – we were really surprised by the light transmission and image brightness. This is probably due to multi-coated optics – however, they’re a must-have piece of equipment for hunters who hunt long-distance.
If you’re worried about carrying, hiking or climbing with these binoculars – you will rest assured knowing that you will also get a carrying (protective) case, lens cover, and a lens cleaning cloth.
However, shouldn’t forget to mention that these binoculars aren’t waterproof. However, considering their price, they’re a great pick for a novice hunter or for a hunter on a budget.
Carson 3D Series HD Binoculars
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If money isn’t the problem, Carson offers one of the best hunting binoculars you can get – and it’s no wonder this is a dream wish of most hunters.
Carson offers 3D Series HD binoculars which are available in 5 sizes, ranging from 8 x 42 mm to 10 x 50 mm.
The most important feature of these binoculars (and what makes them so special) is the use of ED glass lenses which are able to reduce color fringing yet correct chromatic aberration. This is something that’s very hard to see in binoculars – yet it might be one of the important features for hunters who are competing.
Every single detail about these binoculars is made in a way to help hunters and yet provide quality, comfort, and precision. Even the prisms are phase-corrected in order to enhance the resolution, contrast, and even color fidelity.
On the outside, you will love a feeling of a rugged & waterproof body that even features ergonomic thumb grooves. This helps hunters grab the binoculars quickly and precisely which just increases efficiency.
However, in our opinion, the best features come from the 3D Series that allow extra-long eye relief, ability to mount this binocular to a tripod, and even plenty of accessories that are included to help hunters protect the binoculars.
When you’re only interested in quality – you can’t make a mistake by going for Carson binoculars.
CreativeXP Digital Night Vision Binoculars
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These binoculars are a bit different than the standard binoculars we’ve featured so far, however, they’re still ideal for hunters.
CreativeXP offer digital night vision binoculars which are made for hunters who like to sneak up to their prey at night, or at least spot your prey and gather intel at night.
These binoculars offer a digital screen which is ideal for both day & night use – and yet they offer 100% visibility in the darkest nights.
CreativeXP did a great job of featuring high-end optics into binoculars that is very reasonably priced where every single hunter can afford it.
In hands, these binoculars feel sturdy and durable yet lightweight so they’re not a hassle. But probably one of the best features is the ability to record & quickly save recordings of wildlife to a 32 GB memory card that comes included.
Therefore, these binoculars aren’t only ideal for both day & night, but they can also replace a hunting camera too!
Adasion 12 x 42 mm Binoculars
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Adasion offers 12 x 42 mm binoculars which come only in one size, but they are aimed for hunters who are hunting on a mid-long range.
These binoculars feature large BAK4 prism lenses that offer a very bright & clear image due to the ability to be able to collect up to 32% more light than standard 12.5 mm lenses.
When using these binoculars in the early morning hours, you won’t have an issue of foggy lenses. Not only they’re fogproof – but the whole design is waterproof.
However, we have to mention that the waterproof feature doesn’t apply in the heavy rain – which is a bit unfortunate.
What’s one of the most significant features (which isn’t usually seen with binoculars) is the ability to capture and share images or even record every moment of the nature that surrounders you.
These binoculars don’t feature a digital recorder or camera, but they include a convenient & newly designed smartphone adapter. This smartphone adapter allows you to attach your phone to one lens and steadily record images or videos – just as you see the objects in distance with your eye when using binoculars.
Do you like sharing photos or videos of wildlife or animals you usually hunt but you had no other way to capture it? These binoculars easily replace expensive cameras and allow you to get the incredible footage thanks to the simple & innovative adapter.
HUTACT Military Binoculars
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Yes, military binoculars often can be ideal for hunters – and if you own a pair, you might give them a try, but if you’re looking for military specification binoculars – HUTACT provides one of the best binoculars for this situation.
These are not your everyday binoculars. Other than providing pure optical lenses which are multi-coated and have a 10 x 50 mm magnification level, they offer something a bit more different than your usual hunting binoculars.
HUTACT military binoculars feature built-in digital compass, real-time direction, and even a ranging ruler that’s built-in.
Therefore, these binoculars are ideal to be used in all types of terrains and are ideal to be used at large distances.
They might not offer the best concealment every hunter is looking for, but they come with everything you need – from eyepiece covers to a neckband or even a shoulder strap.
And with such excellent visual experience, you can take these anywhere with you – even if you’re experiencing the heaviest rain ever. HUTACT binoculars will stand up to the weather thanks to its waterproof sealant.
Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars
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Another great pair of military binoculars for hunters are provided by Celestron which offer large & powerful binoculars that can be used both day & night.
Their magnification level is 60 x 50 mm which provides a great view and clarity – however, they might be a bit on the heavier (and larger) side of binoculars. If that’s not a big concern for you – they might be just right for you.
The field of view offered is 122m/1000m (133ft /1000yds). This might not be ideal for every hunter, but if you’re hunting in pretty visible terrain and you hunt long-distance – these binoculars are a great choice.
However, we don’t recommend it for close-range hunting in a heavily wooded area as they might be hard to orientate with.
On the outside, you can feel the sturdiness due to the combination of aluminum and rubber material which doesn’t only provide durability but also comfort and precision throughout the use.
Considering the price, if you’re looking binoculars that can be used during both day & night – these make a great deal and yet they include a lot of extra features that could be helpful when hunting in unknown terrains.
Conclusion
You don’t buy hunting binoculars often, so when you do – you have to do everything you possibly can to ensure you get the best hunting binoculars you can.
Some of the binoculars might be on the pricier side – but consider them an investment that will help you hunt better and will last for long.
However, no matter your budget – we’ve shared plenty of information in this post that can help you get started on your own search or you can rely on the list of some of the best binoculars we chose.
One thing is for sure. No matter which binoculars you go for – you won’t regret making the decision!
What is your favorite magnification level for hunting binoculars? How much did you know or didn’t know about the way binoculars are made?
Feel free to leave a comment down below – ask any questions, share any experience, or simply share this post on social media to help out other fellow hunters!
