Binoculars

[MnFn]

I’ve tried a few and for general purposes I use my 8x30 Swarovski. I had 10x40 Leicas- beautiful glass, but too heavy for me.

Actually, when I am bowhunting I usually just leave a pair of 8x20 Zeiss in my Safari-Tuff quiver pouch they work well enough.  I’ve used them to pick out a deer back in the foliage from my deer stand when I originally just saw movement.

[Joe2Crow]

For whitetail hunting in the east, I think the best configuration is a good pair of 7x42s. Unfortunately, not many companies are making that configuration. Most offer an 8x40 or 42s instead. Seven power is plenty of magnification for the east and the 6mm exit pupil is excellent in low light, better than 8x42s. My Leica 7x42s are excellent optically but are a little bulkier than they need be. The discontinued Zeiss Classic 7x42s were about ideal.

[Gdpolk]

I have never had a good set of binoculars to hunt with - does anyone have suggestions of a good pair and magnification recommended. I live in South Georgia so I would say sighting distance is usually short due to vegetation but would be nice to have a little larger binocular for when you can see several hundred yards.

I would recommend 6-8x for the magnification for the denser hardwoods forest types of terrain.  I hunt similar landscapes to GA here in AR and use the Swarovski 8x30 CL Companions.  I chose these mostly because they were smaller and lighter than most other 8x binoculars and the only ones in a similar size were by Maven when I bought mine.  I knew nothing of Maven customer service or long term support but Swaro should be there forever.  They cost a good bit but I'll have them for a lifetime.  My previous pair was some Leupold 6x Yosemite and while I liked them I found myself having eye strain through them that I don't get with the Swarovski glass but I also have a lot of eye issues and am more susceptible to eye strain than the average person.

[Wudstix]

It all comes back to the axiom, "Buy the best ones you can afford."  Try out as many as you can in close to realistic conditions, not just under the lights in the store.
 

[rainman]

I bought a pair of Kowa yf 8x30 last year and am very happy with them.  I hunt similar terrain here in Missouri.  They are compact and pick up light very well.  The price point is also very good for the quality you get.  If I had to glass hillsides all day I would get a different pair but I can rarely see more than a 100 yards even in the winter where I hunt.

[Terry Green]

Buy the best you can afford.  Look at them as a long term investment.  I bought a pair of Swarovski's  8x30  32 years ago and they are still going strong. So I'm at about $12 a year now.
I carry them on every hunt from whitetails to Texas javelina and hogs, mule deer out west and elk.  Great for picking out that movement or spot at 50 yards in the whitetail woods.

YES! I have those cause I can use them anywhere, but I got a deal on some Vortex 10s years ago for out west. If I could only use one power for every thing, I would pic the 8s

[Wudstix]

I too got a super deal on aa pair of 10x42 Vortex Diamond back HDthat were out of box when I worked retail.  Would like a pair of 8x40, if I ever came across them.
 

[mjh]

Hunting I generally use my East German Zeiss Jenna. 7X40 A bit heavy but almost unbreakable.  Quality glass with range finding
                                                                               reticle.   
                                                                               Not good for birding or fast viewing changes, each side has focus/diopter
                                                                               adjustment--I generally set them once I'm in my hunting spot and leave
                                                                               'em.

Birding and general use my Optolyth. 8 X 40 Quality glass, light weight, harder to find in the USA these days--IF I could only have
                                                      one set from those I currently own, these would be it.

Travel when I still want some bino's  Steiner's. 8 X24  Smallest I really like to go, could use for hunting-just have not, good quality
                                                                    for price.  Other uses as well, day trips in the canoe, birding, etc.

In the kitchen for backyard viewing--old Brunton's 7 X 42--first pair ever bought with earnings from first job outta college. Well
                                                                         used

Tiny chinese cheapos  in the middle,  8 X 21  I got in a gift box,  live in the vehicle...actually used them on a backcountry trip when
                                                      I forgot a better set...I suppose better than nothing....

Buy the best glass you can afford---as you can see many people have more than one pair.

[Wild Bill MCP 808]

A small pair of Vortex 8x30 or 8x42 should be perfect for you and won't break the bank.

[Terry Green]

A small pair of Vortex 8x30 or 8x42 should be perfect for you and won't break the bank.

And yes, haven't seen you post back.... I had some Nikons once also, and they were great..... just too big for me, so I sold them.

I like this model because they are nice the the feature that they LOCK into your preferred position.  Thinking about getting these for the future Laredo Tusk Roundups.....

These....

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1703347-REG/nikon_16770_8x30_prostaff_binocular.html

Or these for more light at low light and they lock...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1703392-REG/nikon_16772_8x42_prostaff_p7_binocular.html

[Tim Reese]

I have a few sets.

Nikon 8x42 monarchs (first gen) nice but big compared to rest

Steiner 8x32 Merlin,  these are great but heavy

Vortex 8x32 by far my favs! Light and compact and amazing glass for the price and work great in the eastern thick timber and small fields we have.

So for me I’d recommend the vortex diamond back HD’s. Only ones I’d like to try are leica’s 8x32. Just no one in my town Carry’s them to try.

[SS Snuffer]

Like Tim I got a pair of Vortex 8x28 compacts. Was going to buy the 8x32's for better light gathering, but the tec I talked to said the 8x28's  had more eye relief were better for eyeglass wears. I am very happy with them for bow hunting in Minn. swamps.

[gnome]

...8x is the sweet spot... nice field of view, steadier image, and faster to focus at closer ranges...
...I have a pair of 8x42 that will slip in and out of a coat pocket...
... one thing that needs mentioning is, things change, and choices narrow if you wear eyeglasses...
...check the specs for long eye relief, and collapsible eye cups...