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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Nala on November 15, 2016, 10:07:00 PM
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Hey all,
I have a set of great 10X Pentax DCF HRII binos that I have barely used. They are a bit too heavy for my neck and upper back due to a medical condition I inherited.
So...I have been toying with the idea of selling mine and getting a new set of nice BINOS. I would not want to spend more than $250-300 or so.
Here's one of the things I need to figure out before I embark on anything about getting new or a good USED set of Binos......I need to figure out what power to get, 8X or 10X like I have now.
I normally like to have more magnification, but as you know, there is no free lunch. With more magnification it cuts down on your field of view and you notice the shakes more. A light set of good 10X binos cost BIG money, like the Leica, Zeiss, Steiner and some of the Nikon binos do. I can't spend that much on BINOS.
Now for the immediate future I am going to be hunting hogs in east Texas, likely in Sam Houston National Forest or other public lands. Most of these lands are heavily forested and lots of undergrowth. I can definitely see the benefits of going down to 8X in that kind of environment.
If I did go to an 8X, I would likely also drop down in the objective lens as well to cut the weight and bulk.
I'd like to know what you all think about what the best magnification is for a hunting binocular. What do you use when you hunt in the woods? Also, if you want to mention some brnads or models of BINOS that you have had great results with, feel free. I haven't looked at BINOS for a long time so I am rusty as to what makes up good sets these days, phase coating, BAK4, and so on is what I am talking about.
Any info you care to share would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time and help.
Larry
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8x, 10 can be a little to much for hunting in the timber imo
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hmm for that price range I would go with vortex 8x42
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10's are ok if you are sitting and spotting, but for a carry glass, 8 would be my max. I have 7x and it has always been enough for me.
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In the eastern woods, don't discount even 6x. I think Vortex makes a great 6x 32 or 36.
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8X has been more than I have required.
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Thom from Wild Things uses 6x for the thick stuff in South Carolina. I just bought the 8x42 Nikons. I hunt open woodlands mainly and hope they aren't too much for my trip to WT next year.
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8X for me, but i use them more for 3D shoots than hunting.
Bisch
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I like the 6x Leupold Yosemite. In the thick eastern country the binocs are rarely needed for long distance, rather they are needed for figuring out what I think I am seeing or looking at over shorter distances.
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Do yourself a favor and take a look at Bushnell Elite Custom Compacts in the 7X26 size - often sold as the "birding series". Dad has used the old school custom compacts for 50 years, and I'm going on 30 years total with mine, across 2 pairs - one old school, and one "elite" birding series that I've had for close to 20 yrs. I've tried a few others over the years and keep coming back to the CC's. I've outglassed guys several times with some really high dollar glass (a couple of the real top end brands you mentioned) - even on longer range glassing - these aren't what you are thinking of as "Bushnell". They are small enough to be where you need them too - not in the truck console or wearing out your neck. I carry mine on a longer string, over one shoulder and under my right arm, so they are out of the way...you don't even know they are there.
I've used these all over the US and up North and haven't found a need for more for me. I'm not trying to score a caribou 2 miles away to within 5 inches...I want to know "big enough" or "not" :) .
I bought a backup pair a couple years ago in case my old ones get broken - I think I paid around 280 online - shop around.
R
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Check out the vortex glasses. Love mine
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I guess I am like lots of the other posters, I utilize my Vortex (Viper) 6 X 32 in the woods for deer - would be great for hogs - wide view, great in the timber and super for low light conditions. I have never felt "under glassed" with the 6 power. If I were out west, I would use something else. Seriously, the 6 power 32 mm objective is a lot of glass for using in the woods. Vortex is outstanding for clarity, definition, field of view and low light use.
Bob.
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For woods and swamp, like others, I go with 6x. Field of view suffers with higher magnification. Vortex is a good value for the money.
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In most of the eastern woodland area, I think 4X or at most 6X would be good. I can think of a few places more power might be useful but not many. Personally, I usually don't use them at all, as most of my stands are very short range affairs in some thick places.
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I have 8X40 Steiners.......they have been excellent from the high country of Colorado to wood lots in the northeast to the swamps with Ray Hammond in South Carolina.
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If you are truly hunting " the woods " 6X should be more than enough. This year I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch 8x36's in the classifieds and found them to be great little bino's ... very light weight compared to my 8x42 Vortex and I was amazed at their field of view. You can wear them around your neck and not even notice them.
Very affordable, even brand new ones. I was very pleasantly surprised.
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8 is a great all-around choice east ...west....and in Texas ....it will cover them all
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Get your hands on a used set of Steiner 6X30. You won't be disappointed.
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dont discount the Vortex brand...I got my first pair and have not missed my Leupolds yet. :)
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8X Steiners have worked well for me for almost 20 years of woodland hunting.
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And Vortex and Hawke will be in your price range.
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I absolutely love my Nikon Prostaff 7s 10x42s. I like higher power bigger glass because I really only use it for longer distances when covering ground. I like Vortex products also. I bought the Nikons earlier this year and I spent about an hour looking through both them and the equivalent Vortex glass at the store. I felt the Nikons were brighter and they also were a few oz. lighter. I definitely recommend 8x or 10x 42s vs smaller glass. Just worth it for low light and close range fov.
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99% of the time I just use my rangefinder. its basically just an 8x monocular. leupy Rx-1000 I think. AND it doubles as a rangefinder (how novel!!!!). Its not the best in low light. But it fits in a 1.5x3x4" (or so) pouch on my belt and weighs ounces, so I always have it on me. Easy to deploy, easy to re-stow, doesn't get tangled or in the way, or hurt your neck.
I mean.... most of the time we are hunting from a tree, and no matter what, our range is 30 yards or less.
Carrying a 8 or 10x bino isn't likely to help you kill anything. Basically I don't see much value in carrying binos for woods hunting. Unless you are a bird watcher or something. Not worth the hassle to carry or the cost.
Now if you are hunting out west and trying to pick out which buck to stalk or find bedded deer on a hillside or whatever. Makes sense to have quality optics.
I do have some vortex diamondbacks...10x I think. I use them for scouting for waterfowl, coyotes, spotting/judging critters for longer ranged devices, and spotting 3d rings. Great value bino. Wait for a sale (aka likely next week). But again, I don't think it will help you kill anything, it may even hurt due to it being a distraction.
that's my 2 cents.
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I have been seeing a LOT of really good things about Vortex binos. I have never handled any of them or looked through any.
One set I was looking at last night that I had read quite a number of positive remarks about, and got a heads up about from another TRAD hunter, was the Vortex Vanquish 8x26..
I'll check out the others that you all mentioned.
Thanks for your help.
Larry
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I have a pair of Swarovski 8.5x42's. Fantastic binoculars, but for woods and tight cover hunting I most often have a pair of Vortex 6x32 around my neck. I love the smaller size, light weight, and light gathering ability of them.
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Carry my 6x32 Leupolds most of the time. I hunt areas that are pretty thick and I study the cover around me almost constantly. Last Saturday I spotted a big 8 in the thick stuff that I wouldn't have seen with the naked eye. Seeing him with the binos gave me time to get into shooting position. I didn't get the shot I needed but I didn't spook him off. Good luck in picking your new glass!
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I would not want more than 8X for woods hunting. I recently picked up a used 6x32 glass that is just outstanding for my needs. Just as bright as my 8.5x45 Nikon Monarchs and 6X is really mor than adequate.
I wish somebody would market an affordable 6X28 set. Now that would be ideal!
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6-8x for me.
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I like a 10x bino for open country hunts....but in the timber I want a bino I can hold steady with one hand of lower magnification.
I currently use a 8x for that but the 7x would be a good choice also, IMO.
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I have 8x and 10x and I have a hard time holding the 10s still the 8s are perfect for me here in ND for looking out of a blind or out across the prairie .
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8x32 vortex diamondbacks excellent glass good light gathering and lightweight and under your budget I believe mine were under 200 more like 170
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My go to binos are a set of the Leupold 6x30 Yosimite. I hunt in some really thick areas, and the wider field of view really comes in handy. They are surprisingly bright for a $90 set of binos, too.
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I still have and love my 6x30 Yosemites, I think they are perfect for really thick stuff. I do use Leica 10x a bit in more open country, that's my personal top end for hand holding.
When I watch videos of Texas hunting I'd think 8x might give an edge. They might be just more than Larry's planned budget, but I'd have Maven send out a 30 day trial of their compacts. You'd only be out some shipping if you don't like them.
I had a pair of those 6x Vortex Raptors and I didn't like them at all. Donated them at the very next banquet I attended. Any of you guys using them come from Yosemites and feel the opposite way?
Thom
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One of the threads here convinced me to buy 10x42 Swarovskis. My only regret is they went on sale about 45 days later for $200 less.
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10x42 nikon pro staff 7 here
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I have both 10x40 and 6x40 Vortex and love both. I do use the 8x40s most when I am hunting wooded areas. Checked out a pair of 8x40 Steiners, My daughter in laws and they were nice but much bulkier than my vortex 8x40s. Quite a difference in price too.
God bless, Steve
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I would definitely pick 8x over 10x for the woods. Field of view will be larger and low light performance will be better. I only use my 10x binos for groundhogs and out west. My favorite woods glass are 7x42 leicas.
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Thanks everyone for the recommendations.
I'm gonna make a trip to BassPro and Gander Mountain to check what they have and see how the 8X feel. I'll try any they have that are 6 or 7 too.
These Pentax 10X are really great binos, but they are just too heavy and cumbersome to use while I have to walk and carry other gear. If I were in a tree stand, I could use these 10X, but not while stalking and trying to see hogs.