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What hunting binoculars is everyone using

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birdhunter View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/09/2007 at 11:50
I am interested in finding out what kind of binocular brand wise, power and magnifacation is everyone using these days or what are you thinking about purchasing for next hunting season.  I just want to see whats popular and what is working for everyone.  Or if your planning on upgrading this summer/fall what do you currently have and what are you thinking of purchasing.  Thanks, bird_hunter66
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 13:00

Birdhunter -

 

Hunting - Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42.  

 

General Viewing - Minox HG 8.5 x 43.

 

If I were thinking about another pair, which I'm not, I would look at a 7x42 SLC or Ultravid.

 

ND2000 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 13:32

I've been using my Vortex Razor 8X42 and my Leica 8X50 Trinovids.  Due to the size and weight of the Leica, I generally use the Vortex for general hunting and while on the move, and my Leica Trinovid 8X50 for stationary viewing in blinds.  I'm very happy with those two binos.  If I were buying another pair of binos, I'd probably add a really good 8X32 for even less weight and bulk than the Razor for mountain hunting.  In the steep high country, I'd be willing to trade the slightly reduced twilight performance of the 32mm bino in exchange for less weight.

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www.technika.nu View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote www.technika.nu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 15:16

For non moving hunting, like high seats etc I am normally using Zeiss 7x50B marine or Zeiss 8x60.

For hunting where I move i normally have Zeiss 6x30B.

For dogwalking and everytime use i have a Zeiss 6x20 monocular, about the size of a shotgun cartridge.

I normally use individual focus binoculars for all hunting as I find it more convenient to not be forced to jerk around the focus wheel all the time.

The 3 binoculars meantioned are some of the binoculars on the market with the bigest field of view, and I find that also very important.

 

 

Regards Technika

 



Edited by www.technika.nu
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Narrow Gap Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/09/2007 at 15:17
I use the Zeiss Victory 8X56 T* P*. I always hunt either using a tree climber or shooting house so the weight is a non-issue.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FrankD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/11/2007 at 19:39

I have not totally decided yet. I have used three different bins for the last three hunting seasons. Three years ago it was the Zeiss Conquest 8x30. Two years ago it was the Nikon Monarch 8x42. Last year it was the Leupold Yosemite 6x30. (I am referring to bow season here in particular). I did use the Meopta Meostar, Zeiss FL and Leica Trinovid last year sporadically as well.

 

This year I am leaning towards the Vortex Viper 8x42 for hunting. It has the size and feel of the Nikon Monarchs with a significantly brighter and sharper image.

Frank
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davelandefeld Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/11/2007 at 22:26

I love to use my Steiner 8X30 Nighthunter

 

It's light and rubber armored. I pack in a lot and so these things matter.

The best part is the eyepieces are wing shaped and block out all peripheral light.

 

The 3.75 exit pupil is okay but I'd prefer something larger.

I haven't bought the larger glasses because the $ and weight.

 

If I get a raise soon I'll look at/through some 12X + Swarovski's or Leica's.

I'd like something REALLY nice next time.

 



Edited by davelandefeld
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/12/2007 at 11:10

As far as a primary hunting binocular goes...

 

For about 3 years or so I used an 8x42 Pentax DCF WP.  This was the very first of the lower/mid-priced binoculars to offer phase correction coatings on its prisms and was a great binocular. In fact, my dad still uses one. All things considered, this binocular is still a pretty tough act to follow.

 

Wanting to try to maximize image quality while not destroying my marraige with an overpriced Euro optic, I later switched to a porro prism 10x42 B&L Discoverer.  I loved the porro prism view and the (comparatively) wide FoV this binocular offered. I also was instantly hooked on the higher 10x magnification. It was however, bulky and heavy, especially on long treks through the back-country so; I decided to go back to a roof prism design.

 

Having had good success with the Pentax, I briefly tried the 10x42 Pentax DCF WP.  It was a dissapointment. The optical quality was nowhere near that of the 8x model. I sold these ASAP.

 

After an exhaustive search of every high-quality, 10x, roof prism binocular I could get my hands on (including the various high dollar Euros) I found a fantastic offer on the 10x43 Bushnell Elite. This offer, coupled with the binocular's superior (for me) ergonomics and very comparable optics clinched the deal and I have been carrying the Elite ever since. 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2007 at 18:29
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2007 at 19:29
Once you clean it up, it ought to work really well.

You could also use it to look at coins and stamps.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 00:55

Swarovski SLC 10x42 for Hunting

 

Swift Audubon ED poro for general binoculars

 

Weaver Grad Slam 10.5x45  back up nocs

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 10:25

---You could also use it to look at coins and stamps--

 

 

Operas

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 10:36
Originally posted by Dale Clifford Dale Clifford wrote:

Operas

  

So do you hunt in opera houses, or listen to opera music while hunting?

Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 10:47
 Thats good!!!!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 12:42
REAL men can't go to operas.

The dress code prohibits camouflage and/or fluorescent attire. Plus, you have to leave your hunting rifles at the front door.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lagarto308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 13:44


Minolta Activa II WPFP 7x50, aspheric glasess. Mostly for night hunting, also for walking hunting.

Real bang for the buck. It is quality surprise me a lot!!!

Now my planning is to get a Fujinon FMT 7x50 or 10x70, or Nikon Prostar 7x50 or 10x70, second hand, but in ebay people pays 70%-80% of the value of a new one in i*net. Crazy people? I cannot understand.

It is not a necessity, but I would like to test any of them in night hunting (seating and waiting for wild boars). The reviews I could see are the best night light transmission but they are heavy marine binoculars. I suppose this will not be a problem in night hunting.




Edited by lagarto308
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 13:46
And duck calls are not allowed.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 14:45
lagarto,

Both e-bay and astromart.com are selling Fujinon Marine binoculars. You need to be careful on e-bay, as there are "some" dishonest individuals ripping people off.

It is not likely that you will find a "cheap" Nikon ProStar 7x50 or Astroluxe 10x70 binocular.

The ProStar weighs 52.4 ozs. or 3.275 lbs.
The Astroluxe weighs 69.8 ozs. or 4.36 lbs.

Fujinon 10x70FMT-SX weighs 68.3 ozs. or 4.27 lbs.
Fujinon 10x50FMT-SX weighs 50.1 ozs. or 3.13 lbs.
Fujinon 7x50FMT-SX weighs 48.2 ozs. or 3.01 lbs.

The Fujinon 7x50mm is used by hunters for low light situations and is an excellent all around binocular.

All of these have Individual Focusing eyepieces, which some do not care for.

Have you ever looked at the Nikon Action Extreme ATB 7x50mm. It is the brightest porro prism binocular that Nikon makes, and is around $200 or less.
It is rated as bright as the Fujinon 7x50 and the Minolta 7x50 and the Nikon ProStar 7x50. (Of course, the Fujinon and the Nikon ProStar are higher quality).



Edited by Bird Watcher
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 14:59

Originally posted by Bird Watcher Bird Watcher wrote:

Have you ever looked at the Nikon Action Extreme ATB 7x50mm. It is the brightest porro prism binocular that Nikon makes, and is around $200 or less.
It is rated as bright as the Fujinon 7x50 and the Minolta 7x50 and the Nikon ProStar 7x50. (Of course, the Fujinon and the Nikon ProStar are higher quality).

 

Even brighter than Nikon's top of the line Premier/ Superior SE series porros?  Those are considered Nikon's best porros, considered by some to be the finest porros in the world.  They retail for 5X what the Action Extreme porros do.

Ted


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lagarto308 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lagarto308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2007 at 15:07
I think Prostar & Astroluxe are names used in USA for Nikon SE porro series (Or IF WP SP or IF WP HP).

BirdWatcher, please, let me know where can I see the qualification of minolta comparing others like Fujinon or Nikon. Minolta cost was only about 150$, and it is as bright as Zeiss 8x56 (Classic Dyalit). I have not spoken about general quality of the binocular, only about their ability to be used in low light hunting (night hunting in Spain -of course according to the spanish hunting law-).

It is very interesting and appreciated your info about Nikon Action Extreme. What do you think about Sightron? I have a riflescope and it seems to be great purchase for the value.

Edited by lagarto308
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