[Awake777]

I'm not sure what section to put this in--optics, hunting, general firearms, general discussion...

Any advice on purchasing binoculars for hunting? Is the advice "get the best you can afford" or is there a sweetspot in the middle where you are getting most of the quality, but not having to pay hundreds for that last 10% of quality.

I have an old $40 pair of binos that are 25 years old. How critical to replace?

Also, any thoughts on Vortex brand?

In general is there a preference for 8x or 10x? (I am in North Texas but would prefer something that is generalizable to most terrains).

 

[Jamesb74]

I like the Nikons and a decent set can be had for less than $350. Optics is one of thse things that you get what you pay for. Go cheap get cheap and have a bottle of Advil handy. Go expensive get expensive and read a barcode on a candy wrapper a mile away. Alpen have been one of the few that have put out a decent glass for reasonable cost but even they have risen in price.
10x42 would be a good all around range it will reach out and can focus pretty quickly in close with a good field of view. I hunt in N.Texas also and carry the Nikons in 10x42 and do great with them and I get bored on stand and start staring through them to do somthing.
I have also found that with practice you can actually get a visual through light brush better with them than with the naked eye. (as I said I get bored in stand) All this is IMHO

 

[Empty Brass]

If your wanting an all around lighter set go with a 8x40 or 8x42. 10's are too much power for woods and restrict light. In early morning or evening you cant see through them as well. 8 will be a bit brighter and better for woods. 50's are heavy imo. 8's work well in the fields also. I've used a pair of 8x42 pentax for years. Great power for all around hunting.

Nikon, leupold, bushnell elites are great glass that wont kill the pocket. I dont have any experience with vortex.

 

[Awake777]

thanks for the advice yall.

 

[J.Boyette]

Go with MINOX hands down, best bang for the buck out of any I have used so far. The ony other bino's that beats the MINOX line of bino's cost hundreds more for a little gain.

Look here = LINK

John

 

[carnaby]

Nikon and Leupold both make excellent binocs. I highly recommend that you upgrade. I had binocs like yours for the last couple of years. This year I bought some Leupold Acadia 8x42 binocs and what a difference did they make! For the first time ever I actually saw deer that I would not have seen with my old binoculars. The field of view is tremendous, and the eye relief is outstanding. I wear glasses, and it's the eye relief that killed me with my old $30 Bushnell's. You need to spend at least $150 or so.

4seasonsoptics has great prices:

http://www.4seasonsoptics.com/product/49220

 

[buellist]

If you live or will be travelling near a Cabela's store check out their selection. You can compare a lot of binocs at one time. They even have an eye chart up in the rafters in the Sydney store. I was amazed at the difference in clarity between brands and models. If testing indoors, look into the shadows and determine which ones let more light through. It is not always about cost either. I picked up a Cabela's brand of 10x42s after comparing against several other pairs costing $150 or more. For my needs they are a perfect blend of light weight, power, field of view, handy size and work well at dusk, dawn or in black timber.
Note you might try them there but find the same model you want costing less or on sale elsewhere.
Spend some time beforehand deciding how you will use them. Remember that you will need to have them handy not stuffed in a day pack. Around the neck and tucked into your jacket opening is a safe, silent and easy way to carry.
Compare the physical size, the bulk and weight. Think about how you will be hunting, in a stand all day or hauling them up and down mountains in thin air? Will the same pair need to do both jobs?
The rubber coated or "armored" are the only way to go. Quiet and more abuse resistant.
Buy the best you can afford. There is generally a visible difference between $150 and $400, $500 and $1000 and so on. But generally the higher the prices get, the return per dollar diminishes.
Good binoculars are a serious asset hunting. Get what works for you by thinking first about what you will need and then comparing.
Happy hunting.

 

[Awake777]

I thinking hard about getting the Vortex Razors in 8x42. Great reviews. Lifetime no questions asked warranty. $100 rebate.

If I get those, I don't think I would ever need to get something different. (who am I kidding? it will probably satisfy the itch for no more than 2 years).