Binoculars for hunting - how to choose?

The assortment of binoculars in stores is quite diverse, and it is not so easy to understand which one is needed for. Of course, all products of this kind are designed so that a person can better see objects that are from him at a great distance. It is necessary for seamen, military men, travelers, hunters and many others. Binoculars for hunting - how to choose? Let's discuss this.

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Why would a hunter use binoculars?

Binoculars are simply irreplaceable in the theater and in the stadium, otherwise - half of what is happening on stage or a football field will be out of the spotlight. With the military, too, everything is clear - the location of enemy forces without such optics is simply not appreciated. But here the hunters for centuries relied only on the sharpness of their own eyes, so do they need a similar adaptation?

Any person who has ever been on a hunt will say that life in the forest and in the field with binoculars is much easier. Additional optics provides an opportunity to better navigate, to seek out future trophies, not only during the day, but also at night.

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What are binoculars?

Before you choose the right binoculars for hunting, it's best to figure out - what kind of binoculars are there? Maybe something else will do - simpler and cheaper? Such devices can be classified according to a number of characteristics.

For the purpose of

To understand which binoculars are better for hunting, it is necessary to understand the difference between models for the purpose:

• ;
• Touring;
• astronomical;
• visionary;
• military;
• marine;
• sports;
• children's;
• nightly;
• hunting.

Nature and astronomical binoculars are designed for scientific observations. Among the far-sighted, the most popular form is theater. Baby - quite simple and with a slight increase. Powerful military and naval - on the contrary, give a large increase, they have good light and a lot of other advantages.

Large and small

Binoculars are divided and in size:

• compact;
• average;
• full-size;
• giant.

There is one more type of classification - by prism type:

• Roof;
• Porro.

Different Features of

Binoculars differ in the number of functions. They can be:

• with a rangefinder;
• with nitrogen filling;
• with a changeable multiplicity;
• with focusing of two eyepieces;
• waterproof;
• floating;
• camouflaged.

Which option is suitable for hunting:

• Water repellent and floating devices are ideal for those who often go to sea. Suitable devices for both travelers and hunters, if they have to hunt in the swamp.
• A distance meter is needed to determine the distance. The changeable multiplicity allows choosing the optimal ratio of the magnification and the size of the field of view. The ability to focus both eyepieces is important if a person's eyes are seen in different ways.
• Filling with nitrogen is used to prevent the glass from fogging from the inside.

Important! Additional functions mean not only additional conveniences, but also an increase in the price, at times very significant. So it's better to immediately evaluate which functions are really needed, and without which you can do without.

What are the lenses?

Distinguish binoculars and by such parameters as lens diameter and multiplicity. Lenses come in the following sizes:

• up to 20 mm;
• 20-25 mm;
• 25-36 mm;
• 40-45 mm;
• 50-60 mm;
• 60 mm and more.

Important! The larger the diameter, the better the magnification. But in this case, everything is not as simple as it may seem: appliances with very large glasses can be too heavy.

Increase

As for multiplicity, the optics is divided as follows:

• is less than 8x;
• 8x-9x;
• 10x-15x;
• 16x and large.

Important! Children's and theatrical binoculars usually give an eightfold increase or less, astronomical ones - more than sixteen times, all the others are somewhere in the middle of this scale.

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Requirements for the hunting binokle

Binoculars for hunting are the largest segment of the market for optical instruments. So what should it be, the ideal device for a person who often has to go out in the countryside, walk long distances, wait for booty at night and carry a lot of different things with him?

Important! It depends a lot on where you will hunt:

• Heavy binoculars are not suitable for hunting, even if for all other parameters it perfectly fits your requirements. It is better to choose something easier.
• For the autumn hunt you need a high-aperture optics.
• And if you like to be in the mountains - the image should be as large as possible.

However, there are general requirements that make it easier to choose the best binoculars for hunting:

• simplicity;
• reliability;
• tightness;
• abrasion resistance;
• compactness;
• dimensions;
• weight.

Simplicity and reliability

The simpler the device - the less it breaks. Binoculars with a lot of additional features, of course, looks impressive, but on the hunt he is a bad helper. For example, the ability to adjust the multiplicity in this case is completely useless. To optical characteristics, this function adds nothing, and the price increases many times.

Important! Too "heaped" appliances require very careful handling, which in the field is not always possible. And they can refuse at the most inopportune moment.

Sealedness

What is really important in the forest and in the swamp is the ability to protect the optical device from water and dirt. Ideal - binoculars, having the marking WP.This means that the device has a special seal, which prevents water from getting inside. Use this device in any weather, including when it rains or even sleet.

Hunting binoculars have their own type of sealing - they are filled with nitrogen, so the glass does not fog. True, these are premium-class devices and can cost very much.

Important! Additional convenience - the presence of lids on the lens. They are plastic or rubber. They are periodically lost, so it's best when attached to the body.

Shock resistance and durability

These qualities depend on the materials from which the body is made. It can be:

• plastic;
• aluminum with special coating;
• carbon fiber reinforced plastic;
• magnesium alloy.

Which binoculars are better for hunting?- Everything is simple:

• Plastic binoculars are cheaper, but they are not suitable for hunting.
• A good device is made of aluminum, which is covered with a special rubber compound. Internal fastenings must necessarily be rigid, otherwise - lenses will be displaced, and this can not be allowed.
• Medium-priced devices are made of aluminum with a special coating. This case is reliable and keeps the necessary rigidity.
• The most high-quality models, which will be the best binoculars for hunting - from carbon fiber and magnesium alloys, but they are also the most expensive.

Compactness, dimensions and weight

Some binoculars are folded - the tubes are connected together. The device takes up less space than usual. This is achieved through a swivel joint.

How much should the best binoculars weigh for hunting? Powerful optical devices are usually large. But they do not have to be heavy. In general, the weight is selected individually, because the fact that one hunter seems heavy, for another - it's absolutely normal.

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Optical characteristics of

These characteristics include:

• prism type;
• multiplicity;
• lens diameter;
• linear field;
• depth of field;
• lens clearing;
• availability of a rangefinder grid.

Important! Pay attention to the prisms in your binoculars. A more voluminous picture is given by pore prisms. But such devices have even more impressive dimensions, and are usually more expensive.

Multiplicity

Which increase should give the best binoculars for hunting? Too much increase in hunting binoculars is not necessary: ​​

• Enough 8-10-fold increase, especially if you need short-term observations, like during hunting in the field or in the forest.
• For long-term observations we need a weaker instrument, 6-8x. In such binoculars, you can easily see a bird in the foliage, not to mention large animals such as a bear or a wild boar.
• However, if you appreciate the panoramic view, then the larger the magnification, the better.
• Those who hunt in the steppe or forest-steppe zone, too, need a strong pair of binoculars, since in these areas - long distances.10-fold increase will be just right.
• But in the mountains you need a 12-fold increase.

Important! It is also not necessary anymore - the device can be too heavy, and your hands will begin to tremble. To avoid this, use a tripod.

Diameter of lenses

The diameter of the entrance pupil depends on a parameter such as light intensity. The more it is, the more likely that you will be able to use the device in the evening and at night.

Note, however, that there is a definite relationship between the multiplicity and the aperture. The first is smaller, the second is bigger. Therefore, the lenses are marked with two numbers:

• the first - means the multiplicity;
• second - the size.

For hunting binoculars, the following options are suitable:

• 6x30;
• 7x35;
• 8x40.

Important! The choice depends on the time of hunting:

• If you are going to hunt in the afternoon, you are suitable for a diameter of 35-40 mm with an eightfold increase.
• If your favorite hunting time is twilight, you should prefer binoculars weaker, but with larger lenses.

With regard to the diameter of the exit pupil, it should roughly correspond to the size of the human pupil. For hunting binoculars it is 6-7 mm.

Linear field

This parameter directly depends on the diameter of the exit pupil. The larger the output lens, the higher the value of the linear field.

Important! This value means which maximum available image can be seen at a distance of 1000 m. The optimal figure if you need to select binoculars for hunting is 100 m per 1000 m. This is enough to orientate well on the terrain.

If the multiplicity is large and the lens diameter is small, the linear field will be small, which in turn means that you will not see a high-quality image.

Depth of field and volume

Be sure to pay attention to this parameter. It means the range of distances at which you can clearly see the selected object without changing the focus.

With regard to the volume, it depends on how far the output lenses are divided with respect to the eyepiece.

Enlightened optics

The optics are illuminated with a special coating. Losses in unlighted optics constitute up to 40% of the luminous flux.

Rectangular grid

This is an additional function that allows you to determine the distance to the object. In cheap binoculars it is not. Many hunters believe that it is not needed at all and only hinders observation. The price of the device with this function increases.

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Popular brands

There are a lot of brands on the market, but experienced hunters prefer a few:

• Yukon;
• Olympus;
• Bushnell;
• Pentax;
• CarlZeis;
• Leica.

Budget models:

• "Yukon Pro" - relatively small binoculars. Distinctive qualities - the clarified optics, the small weight, very qualitative case. Optics of this brand are relatively inexpensive.
• Several types of hunting binoculars are produced by Olimpus. The catalogs of this company have plenty to choose from. Devices differ in the size of lenses, multiplicity. All models are robust, simple and reliable, and the dimensions and weight can be chosen to your liking.

Average price range:

• Optics of "Bushnol" company are very popular with field workers. This is a medium-priced model, with very high-quality lenses and an optimal ratio of multiplicity and linear field.
• "Pentax" optical instruments have proved themselves well. This is also a medium-priced model. In the catalogs of the company you will find optics for a variety of purposes, there are also hunting binoculars that meet the strictest consumer requirements.

Extra-class models

Premium products manufactured by Carl Zeiss and Leica. In the market of optical technology these companies have been working for many decades, producing world-famous cameras, microscopes and much more. Binoculars for hunters from these manufacturers are distinguished by excellent quality, reliability, durability, have additional functions.

Important! This is a technique for professionals, so it is not cheap.

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Checking the binoculars

Did you find what you wanted?- Well. But any device must be checked. It is better not to do it in the store, but on the street. The first thing that should be paid attention is whether it was possible to combine the two images into one. If not - postpone the model and choose something else, otherwise you torture yourself, your eyes will get tired very quickly.

The most cardinal - look at what lenses are made of. They can be:

• glass;
• plastic.

Important! Plastic are, of course, cheaper. But it is possible that in a year or even earlier you will have to buy new binoculars - plastic is very easy to scratch, especially in the field. Glass is better in all respects, except for the price, glass optics costs more. But it will serve longer.

Accessories

With any optics you must properly handle. In order for the device to serve for a long time, you need to choose the right accessories:

• cover;
• belts;
• eyepiece covers.

All this goes in the kit:

• Of course, the cover can be bought separately or even sewed by yourself, but if it is attached to the product - you need to look at it. The cover must be made of soft material.
• As for the belts, pay attention to their width and strength. They should be such that you can move over long distances, wade through the thicket and generally feel confident in extreme conditions.
• With solid binoculars, the lenses always close, so pay attention to it. Take care that you always have a rubber pear on hand - it's best to blow glass, and not wipe it.

Important! Keep the binoculars always in the case.

From this article you learned all the necessary information to choose high-quality binoculars for hunting. We hope you succeeded, and now you spend time exactly as planned.