The Best Hunting Binoculars

These are 4x21 specialty binoculars.

Good optics can extend one's vision without the need to enter, disturb, or leave your scent in an area. Binoculars can be useful to a woodland whitetail hunter, but they are more often useful in open areas; where spot-n-stalk is a preferred method of hunting.

When shopping, remember the "laws of optics".

The 7x35 binoculars were once the most popular binoculars, and for good reasons. The 7 is the number of times the image is magnified, and the 35 is the size of the objective lens (the front lens which collects the light).

One might say the 7x35 is the binocular equivalent of the 4x rifle scope, not too big, bright enough, a reasonable field-of-view, and not too much magnification to hold steady. Like everything in optics, look for the best balance in power (magnification), exit-pupil size (image brightness), field-of-view (how much you see), size, and weight.

Looking at what is popular(sold). We wonder if hunters know much about binoculars.

It appears that hunters are buying too much power. "More is better"; not always. Scanning websites and catalogs we find most are 8x, 10x, and even 12x magnification.

Eight power magnification is about the maximum for good hand held use. Even 8x40 glasses are bigger than most will want to carry very much. More than 8x and the image will "jiggle" too much to use without some kind of rest.

Small high magnification binoculars only work in bright light. The exit pupil (light projected on our eyes) should be 5 mm. or greater to have a good image in dim light.

5 mm. is what a typical adult persons eyes can dilate to in low light.

A 5 mm. exit pupil transmits all the light most people can see. It is simple math to find the size of the exit pupil for binoculars or scopes. Divide the magnification into the objective lens size and you have it.

The best hunting binoculars should be near "balanced binoculars": 4x20, 5x25, 6x30, 7x35, 8x40, 10x50, 12x60 all = 5 mm exit pupil size. If they are brighter than 5 mm. most adults can't see the difference. (Binoculars are often sold with objective lens too small and rife scopes sometimes larger than necessary for brightness.)

The very best hunting binoculars should be found among the very expensive, high quality, binoculars. If the exit pupil is too small the image will be less than bright late or early in the day, regardless of the other qualities. Important for hunters!

A pair of 8x32 binoculars will have an exit pupil size of 4 mm and be "ok" in most light. Really compact pocket binoculars like 8x21s will have an exit pupil of less than 3 mm.

In good light they are fine, but when that buck is standing in the shadows early or late, he may be hard to see.

The field of view is how much/wide we see looking through the glasses. As the power increases the field of view decreases.

Some are called wide-angle, but only lower power glasses can truly have a wider field-of-view. This may be important if a hunter is watching a large area for any movement. With powerful glasses the movement could more easily be out of his field-of-view.

If you try to carry really big glasses very far; they will likely stay in the truck on the next trip. It depends on how you hunt and how much you use them. Carrying even small binoculars while hunting is a nuisance to some of us.

The big powerful 10x or 12x binoculars can be used from a vehicle. The extra magnification and weight makes them harder to hold; use a window mount or a tripod.

Learn to hold your hunting binoculars somewhat like you shoot with a camera or gun. Use a rest if possible to steady the image. A tree, fence, truck window, anything available.

Without any rest, lock your elbows into the side of your torso, spread your feet a little, push the eyepieces against your brows, while sometimes holding your breath to steady the image.

Without a rest you may actually see better with a lower power.

The "laws of optics" apply; no matter how much money you spend. More money can buy a beautiful, sharp, crisp image - in good light. Better lens coatings can make them slightly brighter, but for low light; you still need a 5mm exit pupil.

You may want to try inexpensive hunting binoculars until you have a good idea of what you need. When you know want you need; buy the best hunting binoculars you can.

There are different kinds of glasses; the porro prism is the traditional offset style. Roof prisms are straighter, narrower, and longer.

Some say roof prisms are more rugged. Some are said to be waterproof. Always protect any optical device as much as possible. Use the protective lens caps. (Never touch/wipe/clean any optical lens unless really, really necessary. Use only materials designed for high quality optics when you must clean them.)

Extra eye relief could be important if you wear glasses when hunting.

A few binoculars now include image-stabilization, to help take the jiggles out, and some have built-in range-finding capability. These are still new, but may prove useful. They are also larger and somewhat expensive at the this time.

What are the best hunting binoculars for 'most' hunters? It doesn't change, the best hunting binoculars you can afford: 6x30, 7x35, and no more than 8x40.

Click on the binoculars to shop!

For binocular reviews and ratings of the top brands, guides and
binoculars comparison to help you find the right ones; visit the:
buyers-guide-to-binoculars.

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