First pair of binoculars recommendation?

[WVmike]

@Wellzbells what kind of hunting are you wanting to do? Truck camp or backpacking? Earlier in the year or late? How much other gear are you gonna need? Before dropping a grand on glass I’d also look at a few other things you may end up needing unless you have budget for that also. A light tri pod with a good head is a pretty awesome tool. I can use mine for glass/shooting/pictures before blowing your entire wad on just one piece of equipment I’d evaluate some of the other stuff also. I’d much rather pack a 600 dollar pair of binos with a tripod that 1000 dollar pair especially if I don’t have money for a spotter yet it would amaze you how well you can see off a set of 10s on a tripod

I agree with this, make sure you have other things like comfortable boots, pack etc before going to other things. This thread escalated quickly lol

 

[cgasner1]

Kinda sad I never got to look thru my new poor person glass

 

[shrapnel]

Some people are looking back, some are looking forward.

I’m looking back at what I started with all those years ago and at a time when I had kids at home and a one income household.

$1000.00 was the budget mentioned and when I was first buying binoculars, I wasn’t anywhere near that budget including adjusting for inflation.

Knowing what I know now, I would still recommend looking in the used market for that pair of Swarovski SLC binoculars that show up from time to time.

Of course Daniel Boone and Natty Bumpo killed lots of game without binoculars, but that isn’t what we are addressing here. A good pair of binoculars with a $1000.00 budget is better suited with a good pair of used glass over new lesser quality models.

I value binoculars above most anything else you hunt with other than boots…

 

[Khunter]

Moving to Casper. Hopefully I will find some people to show me the ropes so I can put the binoculars to good use. Grew up deer hunting in TX…

Well what did you get? Shopping for used swaros is a great approach as mentioned.

 

[idahojoe]

Maven b.2’s are solid around that price range

 

[TheGrayRider]

Swaro - buy once, cry once.

 

[redhaze]

Ha. Still rocking a early 2000's vintage Leupold Wind River 10X42. With a backup. mtmuley

That's amazing, I have the same model and am thinking I need some new glass..... lol. They still work as far as I can see....

 

[jimss]

Im currently using a used swaro spotter and demo pair of binos. Saved a bunch of $ by taking my time and waiting for the right price.

Leica is tough to beat for binos. You can save having to buy a rangefinder by buying a combo rangefinder/binos.

 

[noharleyyet]

Dude wipes brah. mtmuley

 

[bpurtz]

Swaro or Leica - BOCO

 

[Chief-V]

Leupold b4s are good. Mavens good too!

 

[geetar]

A couple years ago I bought a pair of used SLCs for $900. No regrets except that if I run over them with the truck I can't return them for a free pair or whatever it is that makes me people love Vortex.

 

[Snailz]

As the title says - looking to buy my first pair of binoculars sometime here in the near future. Looking for recommendations, willing to pay a decent price but also not looking to break the bank. Any good FB groups or websites I should be looking? Is it worth buying a used pair? Thanks in advance - gearing up for the big move to W

 

[Snailz]

As the title says - looking to buy my first pair of binoculars sometime here in the near future. Looking for recommendations, willing to pay a decent price but also not looking to break the bank. Any good FB groups or websites I should be looking? Is it worth buying a used pair? Thanks in advance - gearing up for the big move to WY

I typically go budget to start, identify my needs once I do the damn thing for a while, then buy to those needs. Lots of idiots with a mountain of credit card debt or daddy’s money love to tell you to buy top tier so they feel better about their poor choices. I have a pair of Vortex diamondback HD 8x42 that I picked up because I my celestron nature DX 10x42 had a fixable l, but untimely mechanical issue and I also wanted to step down magnification for better field of view and better low light performance. Achieved both with those and I’m happy for now. I got them on guidefitter for $150.

I’m hunting in OK in multiple parts of the state and out west it’s fairly big country. I never felt limited and like I’d be picking deer out of beds at 1200 yards if only I had $1000 more in glass. Maybe I would’ve, but probably not. If you’re out hunting and it’s actually big country where you’re sitting down and glassing up deer at a mile, THEN go big on optics. If you’re in the timber often as not or it turns out most of your buddies are hunting pastures or relatively small drainages where you’re not seeing anything past 800, then why spend on glass you don’t need when that money can go elsewhere? Don’t build to a fantasy beforehand, build to a need demonstrated and experienced.