I recently had a question sent into me by someone looking for a pair of binoculars for hunting where they specifically wanted them to be of high quality, have a powerful magnification and where weight was not an issue. I thought that my reply may be of interest to others out there and so have posted it below:
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Question:
Question:I am looking for a pair of high magnification binoculars to be used primarily for deer hunting from a blind or stand. Weight and price are not constraints. I want the best optic quality and balance between light gathering and magnification. I am typically aging and rough scoring deer from 100+ yards, which is why the magnification is important to me. I appreciate any suggestion you might have for me.
Answer
Many people ask me about hunting binoculars, wanting to know what to get and don’t really give me any more details than that, so it is great that you are being a little more specific. As I suggest in my section on Binoculars for Hunting, the general rule is that a wider field of view is more important than the magnification and an easy to carry binocular is better than a larger bulkier one.
But this is a general rule and assumes that there is tracking involved, possibly in dense vegetation, meaning that you need to carry the binocular with you, possibly for great distances.
So what if you are hunting from a hide (blind or stand) and there is some wide open areas where you can spot game at larger distances?
Magnification
The good news is that because you are in a hide, the extra image shake that you get with a high powered binocular can be countered by you either being able to rest your elbows on a steady surface or you could even consider mounting the optics on a tripod, car Window Clamp/Mount or Hide Clamp using a Binocular Tripod Adapter. If you do decide to go down this route, you can get a very high powered pair of binoculars, you just need to make sure that they are tripod adaptable. Another option would be to get a pair of image stabilized binoculars.
The other down side to high powered binoculars is that the field of view tends to get smaller the higher you go. I personally feel that a magnification of between 12x and 15x will be sufficient for your needs and you will easily be able to age and score deer from well over a 100 yards. It will also mean that you can also use your binoculars without any form of steady base (unless you have very unsteady hands) and can be used in a variety of different situations.
Size
Again because you are hunting from a hide, you rightly say that weight and size are not an issue, so we will mostly be looking at full sized and large binoculars (with a objective lens diameter of about 42mm or more).
The advantage here is that the larger objective lens diameters will let in more light, producing a brighter image, which means that the binoculars will work far better in poor light conditions than compact or even mid sized versions.
As most wildlife, including the deer and antelope that I am used to is most active in the early morning and late afternoons, early evening when the light is not at it’s best, this is a real bonus.
Waterproofing & Toughness
The general advice when choosing top hunting binoculars is to look for a pair that will easily handle anything that you can throw at them, again this usually assumes that you will be tracking the animal. I assume that this is not too important for you, so it’s nice to have but not critical and to be honest because you want a high quality pair of optics, they usually have an excellent quality exterior and are 100% fog and waterproof anyway.
I mentioned in the magnification section that you could consider a pair of binoculars that come with image stabilization. I wouldn’t normally recommend them as a pair of binoculars for deer hunting because of the added weight and the electronics make them less “tough” than standard optics, but in your case this may be a viable option?
Price
You say that price is not a constraint, which is great and means we can look for an excellent quality pair of deer hunting binoculars. Remember one of the worst combinations you can put together in the world of optics is a cheap high powered pair of binoculars – if you are looking for a high powered pair of optics, it is best to get the best quality you can afford.
If you have a good budget but is not unlimited but still need a really high end pair of optics, then I would suggest looking at either the Celestron Granite ED 12x50 or if you want more than 12x power, take a look at the Steiner HX 15x56, Minox BL 15x56 or 13x56 BR Binoculars.
If price is no object and you simply want the best high powered hunting binoculars that you can buy then the 12x50 Swarovski EL’s or Vortex Razor HD’s should most certainly be on your very short list:
BinoWizard’s Top Pick:
Steiner HX 15x56 Binoculars
These high power Steiner binoculars are most certainly up there with the very best high power hunting binos that I have ever tested and reviewed and in my opinion if you are looking for the very best in this category, then I highly recommend taking a close look at them.
Designed and made in Germany specifically with hunting in mind they contain many features and details that as a hunter you will appreciate:
This includes an almost bomb proof, water and fog proof chassis with a tough rubber armouring exterior. They also have shields on the eye-cups designed to block out light and distractions from the periphery of your view.
A quick-release neck strap system that can also quickly be swapped over to a hunting bino harness with the included split rings near the connectors.
Optical Highlights
- Large 56mm Objective Lenses
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Protective hydrophobic exterior lens coatings
- N-BaK1 Roof Prisms that are both Phase Corrected wand Dielectrically coated
- Field of view: 241ft at 1000yds
This very high level of optical components, coatings and obvious expertise that we have come to expect from optics made in Germany, all come together to deliver an image that I thought was not only incredibly bright for a 15x power, but had surprisingly low levels of color fringing.
Reviews
Read my full Steiner HX 15x56 Binocular Review
Price & Where to Buy
This superior quality does not come cheap, but then again you do in my opinion get what you pay for and that is a seriously great pair of binoculars. At the time of writing they cost around $1000 / £1000, which has to be said is less than some of the other alpha brands from Europe. You can check for the current prices in the US, UK as well as other countries by following the links below::
Best Hunting Binoculars – 12x Magnification or Greater
Below are a few suggestions, I am sure there are many other options for you to consider, but the models below are the ones that I can confidently recommend to you:
Celestron Granite ED 12x50 Binoculars
With the Celestron Granite, you know you are getting a truly excellent pair of bins and at a more than reasonable price.
I can say this with great confidence, because even though I have not tested this exact model, I have fully tested and reviewed both the 8x42 Granite that that went on to win the award as the best birding binocular for that year and then also the more compact 9x33 Granite that won my award as the best safari & travel binocular a year later.
Main Features
- Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass Lens Elements
- Fully Multi-coated
- Phase Corrected Roof Prisms with the highest reflective Dielectric coatings as well
- Field of view: 279 ft at 1000yds
- Weight: 30.4oz
Price & Where to Buy
At the time of writing, the 12x450 Granite was on sale for around $380 / £430:
Swarovski EL 12x50 Binoculars
If you have a large budget and you simply want the very best hunting binoculars, then I can without hesitation highly recommend the new Swarovski EL 12x50 Binoculars. Yes, once again and as of yet I have not had the chance to test this exact configuration, I have reviewed a number of other Swarovski EL binoculars over the years (read my Swarovski EL 85.5x42 review here or look at all my Swarovski reviews here) and all without exception are truly superb.
Important Features
- Legendary Swarovski Optics and Coatings deliver the highest quality images possible
- Includes new FieldPro package with their revolutionary neck strap
- Very Wide Field of View: 300ft @ 1000yards.
- Weight: 35.2 oz
Price & Where to Buy
These top end Swaro binos will set you back around $2800 in the US or about £2000 in the UK:
Vortex Razor HD 12x50 Binoculars
This 12x50 Vortex Razor HD is another high end binocular that I can completely recommend without any reservations.
A while back, I tested and then fully reviewed the Vortex Razor HD 8x42 Binoculars and I have to say that I was completely blown away. They were and indeed still are one of my favorite binoculars of all time.
Don’t be mistaken, even though they went on to win the Binocular of the Year award way back in 2012, these are as relevant and state of the art now as they were back then (optics don’t improve at the same rate as electronics for example). In fact this is a good thing as they are now far less expensive than when first released.
Also keep in mind that all of the components contained in the 8x42 are found in the 12x50 model and so you can be sure that you are getting one of the best high powered hunting binoculars out there – indeed one of the best no matter what use you have for them.
Important Features
- The very best APO optical system
- High density, ED glass & Fully multi-coated Optics
- Phase correction & dielectric coatings on the prisms
- Open hinge magnesium body
- FOV: 285 feet at 1000 yards
- Weight: 28.7oz
Price & Where to Buy
The 12x50 Vortex Razor HD binoculars cost about £1150 in the UK, or $1299 in the US:
Minox BL 15x56 or 13x56 BR Binoculars
Whilst I have not reviewed either of these specific models, every pair of Minox binoculars that I have reviewed has really impressed me, this is especially true for the Minox 8x33 BL Binoculars – that are also part of the BL series that these more powerful versions come under.
The large 56mm objective lenses will ensure that plenty of light enters the system, so are ideal in poor light conditions. They also have multi coated lens elements which guarantee quality optical performance and natural color rendition of the subject in view.
Phase correction coatings have been added to the prisms, which is another sign of their high quality and will produce an image of exceptionally high detail and rich in contrast, even in poor lighting conditions.
Nitrogen gas filling prevents fogging of the optical surfaces on the inside, even with extreme temperature fluctuations. Based on a sophisticated sealing technology developed by MINOX engineers the BL 15x56 BR and the BL 13x56 BR are also fully watertight down to a depth of five meters.
The MINOX BL 15X56 has also been fitted with a tripod thread making it easier to attach a tripod using an adaptor.
- Tough and 100% Waterproof
- Phase Coated Prisms
- Fully Multi-coated Optics
- Tripod Adaptable
- Field of view: 263 ft at 1000yds (13x56) / 215 ft at 1000yds (15x56)
Canon 18x50 or even 15x50 Image Stabilized Binoculars
If you are looking for a very high powered pair of binoculars and don’t want to use a tripod or clamp, then either of these are ideal as the Image stabilization works well. The quality of the optics and their coatings are also excellent. More on Canon Image Stabilization Binoculars
- Very high powered 15x or even 18x Image Stabilized Binoculars
- Water-resistant construction – will be fine in light rain just don’t get them drenched
- Large objective lenses means they let in plenty of light
- Ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements for exceptional image quality
- Doublet field-flattener for sharp, distortion-free images from edge-to-edge
Steiner 12x42 Predator C5 Binoculars
The Steiner Predator C5’s use a new optical system – they now have new fully multi-coated optics and completely new shock and waterproof housing. The new Predator C5 now has a much higher degree of light transmission, image resolution and color contrast than previously available.
The Steiner Predator binocular was developed as a special tool for hunters and nature observers and for the American hunter in particular enabling them to more easily spot animals in a woodland setting. Developed about 10 years ago, the concept is simple – boost the transmission of red and brown shades (the “right” side of the color spectrum towards infrared) while slightly reducing transmission of the “left” side of the spectrum (blue, green and UV light) to make animals and other objects “pop out” of the background.
- Tough and 100% Waterproof
- Fully Multi-coated Optics
- Field of View – 276 feet @ 1000 yards
Steiner 12x40 Predator Pro Binoculars
These Steiner binoculars have been designed for hunting, and give you a high power magnification and amazing contrast with a high depth of filed into one. The Predator Pro binocular’s have a unique high contrast lens coating that helps you to more easily distinguish subjects (like deer) against green-colored foliage. This latest Predator model, with the “Pro” designation, offers high light transmission while maintaining optimal levels of contrast.
- The 12x40 Predator Pro uses what Steiner call their auto focus system that, once set for the user’s eyes, keeps all subjects in focus at distances from approximately 30 yards to infinity. These “Self Focusing Binoculars” make it easier for hunters to scan an entire landscape without having to readjust focus. It can also be faster in locating wildlife since the entire depth of field is constantly in focus. For more on this take a look at my page on Auto Focus/ Always in Focus Binoculars
- Tough and 100% Waterproof
- Field of View – 264 feet @ 1000yards
- More on Steiner Predator Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II Image Stabilized Binoculars
- Image Stabilized Binoculars
- Water-resistant construction – will be fine in light rain just don’t get them drenched
- Field of View – 262ft at 1,000 yards
- The Image stabilization works well and as size and weight are not issues with you – this may be a real option. More on Canon Image Stabilization Binoculars
Steiner 12x30 Wildlife Pro Binoculars
I have included these Steiner binoculars as an option if you want to consider a smaller more compact pair, but still with a 12x magnification.
- Mid Size Binoculars – Dimensions: (inches) 5.9Lx1.85Hx4.2W
- Water & Fogproof
- Field of View – 220ft at 1,000 yards
- Quality optics including phase corrected roof-prism mirrors
Best Hunting binoculars – More Options
Kowa 10.5x44 Genesis XD Binoculars
- Full Sized Binoculars
- Water & Fogproof
- Field of View – 324 ft at 1,000yds or 108 m at 1,000m – not bad considering the 10.5x magnification
- Down on power, but these are one of the best full sized binoculars I have ever reviewed, with a super high quality as well as bright image
Binoculars for Hunting – Further Reading
- Take a look at my section on the best binoculars for hunting, that includes some general advice and reviews of some binoculars that are suitable most types of hunting.
- High Powered, Long Distance Viewing Binoculars – Guide to some of the best high powered binoculars for long distance terrestrial viewing
- Different Binocular Configurations & Which to Choose
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If you have a question about a particular binocular, or just want to know about a technical term or feature that I have not already covered on BBR, I would love to try and answer it for you: Ask Me Here
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