How often do you carry binoculars in the field, and what size do you carry? - please answer through the poll
I know a lot of traditional guys try to go with as little as possible, and binoculars aren't needed to ID animals at archery ranges. But, it just makes me curious because for me, in the woods they are the single most used piece of gear that I own. A close second would be my hunting boots.
I'm lost with out them in the deer woods. I use them to ID deer from a distance, I watch their body language, and I check things like a does tarsal glands. helps me see where they're at in their cycle. I hunt some very open hard woods where I can see a pretty good distance.
I always carry a pair of 8x30 Swaros. I use them to ID things, check out a deer to tell a button from a doe before they get close, watch game at a distance. For me, where they really shine is in the brushy, closed in woods. They enable me to peer into the brush and pick out that movement I saw or the stump that looks likt a deer, etc. Won't leave home without them
8x30 swaros always
Hunting would be a lot less fun for me without my binoculars.
I just started carrying a pair of 8x42 Alpen, 2 years ago. Never carried binos before that. Now I go nuts without them. As a still-hunter, they help with identifying suspicious spots before I spook game.
10x26 Steiners. Great glasses, and they are always around my neck when hunting.
I never leave without them.
I have two main binocs, a 10x42 and a 7x30. The 7x30's are my normal carry, not pocket size, but not really full size either. I don't always carry binocs, but many times I've gone back to get them.
I won't leave home without my 10x42 cabelas euros!
I usually only bowhunt deer here in Pa and NY, but once I started carrying 8.5x42's I use them all of the time;
Shick
10x42 Swarovski ELs and 10x40 Leica for 30 plus years before them Never felt the need for anything smaller or larger irrespective of where I was hunting. The only reason for going to the Sarovskis was because my son fell in love with the Leicas.
I just got a nice pair of Luepolds and hey are worth it. I broke my simmons after they took a nasty fall out of a tree stand and hit a rock.
They work wonder in open country and in the think stuff. worth there weight in gold.
Another thing if you don't like to carry a full set of Bino's check out a good monocular. They take a little getting used to but they work great if you are looking lighter.
Would not hunt without them. I have two pair of Nikon Monarchs one in my truck and one that I use hunting so even if somehow I forgot to bring one I have a backup. I use them constantly
Got a big pair of Steiners and compact 10x25 Zeiss. I seldom carry either one when hunting with bow. Mainly because I always have my hand on my bow and can't hold binos steady with one hand.
I always have a tiny pair of Leica 8x20 when I don't plan on glassing. If I plan on actually glassing I run Zeiss 8x40 or Vortex 6.5x30
Never carry them hunting. When hunting on the ground in a ghillie there is just too much movement involved trying to use them.
Hardly ever use them, just one more thing to get in the way
Usually have a pair of 7x26 bushnell custom compacts on me in the deer woods. Always something I want to look at. 8x32 Leupolds are in my truck at the ready as well.
I always carry my 8x32 Sightrons. Hang them on a Bushnell bino harness.
I carry camo Bushnell 8X32 everytime I'm out. I have a pair of steiner 10X50 I found along a river bank on a canoe route. Great find. I left a note to call me if they lost anything. After three years, no call.
My wife always likes the steiner or Nikon 8X50. I can't buy the swarv or expensive stuff. The bushnell have worked great for over 11 years.
7x42 Leicas or Nikon 8x32s. Love nice glass.
I always carry some type of 'seeing aid'. For years it was one of several pairs of binoculars. More recently I've gone to a good monocular like the Vortex Solo 8x36 or the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, 10x42.
Both are lighter vs. binoculars I've used and easy to use one handed. Doesn't sound like a big reduction in movement, but really helps when hunting on the ground.
Zeiss 8x30
I hardly ever step foot in the woods to do anything without them. I use Leica 8x32's in the deer woods.
They stay in the truck. Never have them on a stand.
6x30 Vortex
For the way I hunt, my 8X30 Ziess glasses help me not get busted, too much..... :dunno:
... mike ...
I never go out with out them. They are invaluable for picking out animals in the brush. I is pretty thick where I hunt and I almost always still hunt Most of the animals that I see when you first see them you are just seeing a piece of them and the binoculars help you tell if you are just seeing a dark spot or an animal. I carry 10x25's in the mornings and in the evenings I carry 10x40's as they gather light better.
I have carried a pair of 7 X 35 Leitz Trinovids for 40 years. I never hunt without them.
I actually prefer a monocular when simply tree stand sitting for whitetail locally. If I go out west or into other more open terrain I'll bring out my regular binos.
Zeiss 8x30 for in close heay cover hunting and 10x42 for anything farther out.
Use the 8x30 mostly.
You would be surprised at how difficult it can be to see an elk at 40 yards in heavy cover.
John
Don't go in the woods with out them!
Got swarvoski 7x30 and 10x42. Had them both for 10 years and love them. Hope they last forever because the prices for the new swarvos are double what I paid 10 years ago.
Zeiss and Steiners travel every time-we live in the west and glass saves boot leather.