Bino and range finder recommendations for deer

[Boognish]

Anybody have any recommendations for an inexpensive set of binoculars and a range finder? I don't want to spend a fortune. Prob could do without a range finder but it would be nice to have one

[mec lineman]

Try maven optics c-1 8×40

[Doug_K]

With budget in mind, I've been pleased with my Nikon Action 8x40s, around $80 iirc, but honestly don't use them much for bowhunting, I use them alot for coyote hunting at night in snow.

When bowhunting I usually carry a Vortex monocular 8x25 I believe, around $40.

For a rangefinder, years ago I found a Simmons 400 on clearance for around $25, and as far as bow hunting is concerned, I used it as a training device. When I went out for hikes i'd carry it along and pick out a land mark, take a guess at the range, and verify with the rangefinder. After a season of doing this you wont have issues finding range for traditional bowhunting, without having to carry it.

When I get to a stand I pick out landmarks at different yardages and visualize the radius from my point, when your critter steps out at various points you wont have to guess.

[nek4me]

Leupold Yosemite 6x30 Lightweight Compacts. Best performance in the price range and better than many more expensve models. I got a pair for my grandson online for a lot less than the big sporting chains charge. Do a seach here for them they have been mentioned many times when the topic has come up. Check out the Q&A for gear on the Wild Things website in the Sponsors forum - Thom highly recommends them.

[Mike Bolin]

x2 on the Yosemite compacts! I use them for most everything. Don't underestimate the usefulness of binos for bowhunting whitetails. Once I started using them regularly I started seeing/killing more deer. I glass the thickets looking for movement and more than one button buck got a free pass at first or last light because of the binoculars.

When I first started hunting I truly believe I was getting busted by deer and didn't even know it happened. Before I sit or stand, get a drink or what have you, I glass the thick stuff. It is surprising how many times taking that last look has kept me from doing something that might alert game.

With the glasses I have been able to spot deer a good ways off that I couldn't have seen with the naked eye. I have watched deer use a trail or feed in an area for a couple of days in a row and paid attention to blowdowns  or treestand sites, then made a move into that area and it has paid off with meat in the freezer.

Good Luck-Mike

[Gdpolk]

Budget bins goes to the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 or 8x30's hands down.  Skip the range finder.

The Yosemites have a loose focus wheel typically but optically they perform like some $250-$400 glass.  They are small and compact.  They simply work; its truly all anyone needs for bowhunting.  I used them for several years and when I wore them out Leupold would mail me a new pair.  They are good enough optically speaking to ID gender, count antler tines, and birdwatch from dark thirty to dark thirty unless its heavy cover and a cloudy day.  I still own a pair, despite having upgraded to Swarovski's and they continue to be my #1 recommended pair of binoculars for the average hunter.  To date, nobody that I know of that has bought some upon my recommendation has been disappointed with them.

As for the rangefinder, it's simply an unnecessary gadget that will keep you moving more than needed when animals are in close.  You'll quickly learn from stump shooting what your sight pictures should look like and beyond your point on range, accuracy is likely to drop considerably anyway even if you have a rangefinder.  Also, none of the affordable ones have optics that are really conducive for hunting as they are dark, low contrast, low resolution images which tend to fail hunters in low light or poor weather conditions.  You'd almost HAVE to have a pair of binoculars for glassing and a separate tool for ranging.  

However, some of the top tier manufacturers like Swaro/Zeiss/Leica/etc have some range finding binoculars out that are pretty slick.  These really have good enough optics to enjoy using and be useful with the built in ranging feature.  Also by integrating the two tools, you have less crap to carry and less movement to grab a range.  I think this is really where the range finding technology is at for hunters.  The only downside is they are very expensive.  Vortex is coming out with some range finding 10x42's that are going to be warrantied for everything (electronics included, which other manufacturers don't always do) this year.  I'm curious what they are like optically.

[Ghostman]

Not sure what your definition of inexpensive is? If you go to cheap you'll end up buying junk.

Cabela's has Leupold Mojave Pro Guide HD 8x42 binos on sale for $250 which is 54% off. You'd have to jump up to European made glass to beat them.

[Schmidty3]

Im going to suggest a contrarian opinion...

Some here have suggested skipping the rangefinder and getting binos.

I say that you don't need binos. Especially since we are trad bow whitetail hunters.

In no way, shape or form will a pair of binos help you kill a whitetail deer with a trad bow. I will never carry a set with me to a stand.

They are an added complication to your hunt.
An added weight. And a significant contribution to your amount of movement while on stand.

A good rangefinder is important. Once you get up in a tree your perspective changes completely. Things seem further then they are. Knowing the range is important even for instinctive archers.

I have a leupy rx-1000 that I got for $250 on a Xmas sale. You don't need one that fancy. But that leupy is 8x I think. People here are suggesting monoculars and bargain bin 8x binos.

I suggest you get a rangefinder that's 6x or 8x. Take whatever money you are thinking about spending on both and get the rangefinder.

Another thing I like about the rangefinder is it fits nicely on my belt and is about the size of a wallet.

Now...thats my opinion for stand hunting whitetails.

If we are talking mulies out west. Completely different scenario. There you have to have a variety of high end optics.

Given that I can only shoot 30 yards, a bino isn't going to help me identify the deer. At that range I can tell what kind of animal is in front of me.


Now I may be wrong. So someone correct me if they think binos help you kill woodlot whitetail.

[Schmidty3]

Oh and i like vortex binos! Lol

8x or 10x for under $200.

[kadbow]

Vortex binos. Never used a range finder.

[KSdan]

Binos are a critical tool for me.  Never whitetail hunt without them.  I don't glass and spot with them (like western hunting) but check out movement and determine size/maturity etc.  I need that decision made for calling and before they are in range.  

I had a decent Leupold range finder I used for rifle hunting.  I happened to take it bow hunting- and LOVED it.  It gave me a lot of perspective from tree stands, even surprising me at times as to my judgement (lack thereof).  I use it once upon arrival at the stand. It has given me a confidence. "Cross that line and I'm shooting!"

Most whitetail hunting I do is close encounter, whether binos or rangers I don't think I need the highest $ glass to accomplish my needs.  Bushnell, some Leupolds, Nikon Monarch, Redfield, Vortex Diamondbacks, etc do a VERY adequate job for my 70 yd and in glassing.

Dan in KS

[Schmidty3]

Dan. That's definitely one useful need for binos.

If I had a place in slighlty more open country that was large enough to actually manage my heard that would make sense.

As it sits, most of my places are 1/4 section, surrounded by rifle hunters and even my own group has a low standard on what bucks they shoot. So I don't see many deer over that 3-1/2 - 4-1/2 age. When I see a buck I make that decision of shooter or not.
Then I don't even look at the horns. I couldn't even tell you how many points the buck I missed last year Had!

Anyway... your comment of "cross that line and I'm shooting" is perfect. That's the biggest benefit to me. Setting my max range.

[nek4me]

Wes,
I have an old Ranging 50/2 optical rangefinder I can send you if you want to try it out. Unlike the lasers available today it calculates yardage by triangulation by focusing two pictures of the same object together. It actually works pretty well up to 50yds. You can accurately adjust it at any known distance - I used to do it on a football field using the goalpost from 30yds out. If interested PM your address.

[Orion]

I wouldn't leave home without my binos.  There's lots to look at besides deer.  And, I'm interested in seeing what I can't see clearly with the naked eye, particularly when I'm still hunting, but also on stand.  Movement in the brush, a dark spot/shape at 50 or more yards, etc.  Sure, it's too far for a shot, but I still want to know what it is.  May determine if I go into stalk mode or hunt that stand again.

Too, there are ways to use a binocular to determine range.  Put a few marks on your focusing ring at known distances, and you have a makeshift range finder.  They can also be used as an aid in tracking wounded critters. By varying the focus/image crispness back and forth on vegetation, it's often possible to determine the path of a deer through grass, heavy brush, etc., even where there is no blood.

For me, binos add a whole lot to the hunt.  I wouldn't be without them.  I'd also recommend buying as good a glass as you can afford.  Vortex, Bushnell, Leopold, and Nikon, and probably a few others make some pretty good glass for a couple hundred dollars or so.

[Bill from NJ]

Originally posted by nek4me:
Wes,
I have an old Ranging 50/2 optical rangefinder I can send you if you want to try it out. Unlike the lasers available today it calculates yardage by triangulation by focusing two pictures of the same object together. It actually works pretty well up to 50yds. You can accurately adjust it at any known distance - I used to do it on a football field using the goalpost from 30yds out. If interested PM your address.

I have been using my 50/2 mini rangefinde,r and my 80/2 rangefinder for 35+ years now, I love them. No batteries, no BS, and no problems.

I thought I was the only person left in the US still using the old manual rangefinders.

Thanks for posting, made me chuckle.

[ChuckC]

If you don't shoot by range why would you need a rangefinder ?  I like small binos for local deer and slightly larger for out west hunting.

[Steve O]

Originally posted by Boognish:
Anybody have any recommendations for an inexpensive set of binoculars and a range finder? I don't want to spend a fortune. Prob could do without a range finder but it would be nice to have one

That's a really impossible question to answer without knowing your budget. Everyone's "inexpensive" is different.

[Schmidty3]

Why would anyone need a low power binocular when a range finder has magnification? Might as well spend the money and get both the zoom and the range.

There's an argument in here between instinctive shooting and other methods. Maybe it's valid. But I know when I step into the woods with whatever aiming method that I'm using, im hunting accurate to X number of yards. Shooting further then that is unwise and bordering on unethical.

[Bowguy67]

I'd agree on the binos. Something to think about is seeing deer out yonder and being able to determine if you needed to move. Theyre mandatory imo