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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: dragonheart on June 19, 2012, 10:17:00 PM

Title: Bowhunting binos
Post by: dragonheart on June 19, 2012, 10:17:00 PM
I am looking for opinions/ideas on bowhunting binos that will not "break the bank".  Looking for binos that can be worn around neck, still be able to shoot a bow with them on.  What do you guys suggest?  I mainly hunt in thicker forest areas, but I am planning to go to Utah Mule deer hunting.  Brands?  Power?  Price?
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: KentuckyTJ on June 19, 2012, 10:24:00 PM
I use Nikon Monarchs. Great bowhunting glasses and they are a sponsor of Trad Gang.

    http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/binoculars/monarch-3/MONARCH_3_8x42/7540
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: m midd on June 19, 2012, 10:39:00 PM
I ve got some 8x42 leupolds that i really like. They are the lower end model that retails around $279
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: straitera on June 19, 2012, 10:45:00 PM
I also would like a good assessment of bowhunting binoculars. I've owned 5 pair of good quality yet worthless 10x50's. Recently bought some Bushnell 10x42 which are very good quality, just not what I expect for close-up bowhunting.

What should I look for in dimensions & optics to give me the advantage for close-up bowhunting? Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: rastaman on June 19, 2012, 10:50:00 PM
Click here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=110612)  
   And here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108910)  
   And click here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=107873)
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     And here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=106792)
     And here (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104231)

Here are a few old threads to help you out also. There are at least that many more (probably more). I personally use a pair of minox 8 x 32  that I bought as a demo pair..there a lots of good options for you out there.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: sledge on June 19, 2012, 11:30:00 PM
i am also very interested in a good, sub-$200, small glass.

i have a 7x42 swarofski, and love it, but for hog hunting i'd like something around 8x25.


cabelas has a steiner for $180, and a nikon for about $110, as i recall.

i'm very interested in personal experience with a decent small
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: sledge on June 19, 2012, 11:32:00 PM
i am also very interested in a good, sub-$200, small glass.

i have a 7x42 swarovski, and love it, but for hog hunting i'd like something around 8x25.


cabelas has a steiner for $180, and a nikon for about $110, as i recall.

thanks.

joe
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: threeunder on June 19, 2012, 11:34:00 PM
6x30 Leupold Yosemites.  Either roof model or porro are a great choice.  Should be able to find the porro model for well under $100.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: threeunder on June 19, 2012, 11:48:00 PM
6x30 Leupold Yosemites.  Either roof model or porro are a great choice.  Should be able to find the porro model for well under $100.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: BowHunterGA on June 20, 2012, 12:07:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
I use Nikon Monarchs. Great bowhunting glasses and they are a sponsor of Trad Gang.

   http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/binoculars/monarch-3/MONARCH_3_8x42/7540  
Same here. I absolutely LOVE my Nikon Monarchs. Awesome glasses for the money and top notch support on their products!
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Biathlonman on June 20, 2012, 12:15:00 AM
I'll second the leupold 6x30 yosemite.  I've got zeiss.that stay at home while the Leupold always go with me.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: smokin joe on June 20, 2012, 12:36:00 AM
I use the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 too. Enough power for eastern woods and farmland hunting, small and light enough to wear with comfort on a padded neck strap (included in the box when you buy them), and won't break the bank at around $100. You can't go wrong with these.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: sledge on June 20, 2012, 01:33:00 AM
i'll check out the looeys.  6x is plenty, and i've never had a bad leupold product.

thanks.

joe
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: toddster on June 20, 2012, 03:47:00 AM
All above are good.  I bought a pair of Nikon Monarchs and thought they were awesome for the price.  then I stopped in a little shop few years back and they had some Vortex binos, smaller will have to look for style and range,  he let me take them outside and wow.  I walked to my truck and got the Nikon out and compared the "glass" looking through it,  I walked back in and bought them for half the price of the Nikon and have lifettime warranty.  Matter of fact last year the Diopter knob popped off getting in and out of my stand (my fault), I had them for few years.  Emailed then, they sent me the address info.  Shipped them out, got them back in 3 weeks Diopter fixed like new and they cleaned them.  I actually thought they replaced them and emailed them and they said, nope just part of out commitment to customers.  Was impressed.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: GrayRhino on June 20, 2012, 06:26:00 AM
Another vote for Nikon Monarch 8x42's.  Good quality, reasonably priced, and I shoot while wearing mine in a bino harness with no problems.

For compact  binos I also like the Vortex Vanquish 8x26's.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: huntmaster70 on June 20, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
6x30 Leupold Yosemite- great binos for the $$$
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: awbowman on June 20, 2012, 09:35:00 AM
I HATE compact binos (less than 30 mm obj.), especially at deer-30 when you need a little more objective lense size.  Check out the Vortex mid-size binos.  You should be able to get something for under $150 with a 30+mm lense that is plenty compact.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Bishop on June 20, 2012, 11:14:00 AM
Vortex 6x32 Vipers here.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Lost Arra on June 20, 2012, 11:19:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Bishop:
Vortex 6x32 Vipers here.
+1 especially for the thick deer woods.
With a crooked horn-type harness=no shooting problems.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: straitera on June 20, 2012, 11:46:00 AM
The 1st number is magnifying power. 2nd# objective lens deals with light gathering? Human eye cannot discern anything greater than a ratio of (5) between the two. That is divide the obj lens by the power to get whatever ratio. 10x50 are excellent power & ratio for seeing greater distance but bad for close-up bowhunting.

What power & obj lens are most suitable for close-up bowhunting & why?

If inappropriate Jeff I'll start my own thread.

Good customer commitment Toddster! Thanks for the story.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: lovethehunt on June 20, 2012, 11:48:00 AM
I carried Nikon Monark 10x42 for a long time and receiced some 6x loupold late last fall and love them. Either will work for a bowhunter.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: ChrisM on June 20, 2012, 12:21:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ken613:
6x30 Leupold Yosemites.  Either roof model or porro are a great choice.  Should be able to find the porro model for well under $100.
I have a pair of these and love them.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: sledge on June 20, 2012, 01:07:00 PM
i am ready to order the 6x30 leupold, but can't tell in the pic i have where the strap attaches.

does it stay flat on the chest?

also, in cabelas, the nikon 8x25 is a traveliteVI, not a monarch.  same quality?

i want to buy from cabelas because they always owe me $ on my  credit card.

may just order both, and return 1.

joe
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Orion on June 20, 2012, 01:29:00 PM
Eagle Optics' Vortex are hard to beat for the price.  Haven't checked, but Cabelas might carry them as well.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Moon on June 20, 2012, 02:07:00 PM
I've had a pair of Minox 8X32 for about 10 years and they work great.  Very clear and good in low light too.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: jonsimoneau on June 20, 2012, 03:43:00 PM
I've been using a pair of 8x32 leicas for a few years now and they are amazing. But if I were doing it again I'd get leicas in 8x42.
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Bullfrog on June 20, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
Swarovski 8X30. Once in a lifetime purchase.   BILL
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: Terry Lightle on June 20, 2012, 07:24:00 PM
Leupold hands down for me for many years
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: grouseshooter002 on June 20, 2012, 07:38:00 PM
Leica 10x25's. Have carried for yrs. with the string around my neck and the glasses fit in my jacket pocket. Not cheap, but worth every penny.

Regards,
Grouse
Title: Re: Bowhunting binos
Post by: dnovo on June 20, 2012, 08:27:00 PM
I will 2nd Bill above. I bought a pair of 8x30 Swarovskis in 1991,  
Best purchase I ever made. Great for whitetail hunting in the woods and good enough to carry for elk hunting, unless I'm glassing a long way, then I get the 10x42 Kahles out.