| It's hard to track game if you can't see it. | | | | consider when choosing hunting binoculars. If |
| Therefore, one of the most important | | | | you're like most people, your eyes aren't identical |
| accessories for hunters is a good pair of | | | | when it comes to focus. Therefore, you'll want to |
| binoculars. | | | | look for binoculars that allow each ocular lens to |
| While there are literally thousands of different | | | | be adjustable for focus. |
| models of binoculars on the market, not all are | | | | Consider, too, the amount of eye relief the |
| suitable for hunting. Most are not rugged enough | | | | binoculars feature. This is the distance from the |
| for the woods, marsh or field. Many are not | | | | lens to your eye at which you can still see the |
| suitable for low-light conditions. Some are too | | | | view. If you wear prescription glasses or |
| powerful, and others not powerful enough. | | | | sunglasses while hunting, you'll need some eye |
| Here are some factors you should consider when | | | | relief. Also, binoculars with good eye relief allow |
| choosing hunting binoculars. | | | | you to bring them up to your eyes quickly, |
| Binocular Construction: | | | | without having to get your eyes perfectly aligned. |
| Hunting is a rugged sport that puts demands on | | | | 15 to 20 millimeters of eye relief is generally |
| your equipment, including your binoculars. | | | | considered optimum. |
| Hunting binoculars should feature some sort of | | | | Binocular Magnification: |
| rubberized exterior armoring to protect them | | | | The first number in the manufacturer's description |
| from being damaged if dropped or bumped | | | | of binoculars is the magnification. A pair of 8x42 |
| against trees, brush, rocks and so on. | | | | binoculars magnifies the view by eight times. |
| Because you'll likely be hunting in extreme | | | | For long-distance hunting, such as prairie dog |
| weather conditions, you'll want a pair of binoculars | | | | hunting, a high magnification may be desirable. But |
| that can withstand such conditions. They should | | | | for most types of wood/field/marsh hunting, too |
| be waterproof, and the lenses should be | | | | much magnification is undesirable. You'll be viewing |
| fog-proof. Another feature to consider are the | | | | too small a portion of the area you're scouting. |
| lens caps. Binoculars with attached caps will | | | | 8x or 10x magnification is generally considered |
| protect the lenses, but not require you to fumble | | | | ideal for most hunting applications. |
| in your pockets looking for lens caps if it starts to | | | | Many manufacturers offer zoom binoculars, which |
| rain or snow. | | | | allow you to vary the magnification. In practice, |
| Roof prism binoculars are popular with hunters. | | | | though, zoom binoculars aren't always ideal for |
| Light enters the front (objective) lenses, and is | | | | hunting. They tend to be more fragile and weigh |
| then redirected through the roof prism to the | | | | more than fixed-magnification binoculars. Also, as |
| rear (ocular) lenses. The roof prism design allows | | | | mentioned previously, high magnifications restrict |
| the binoculars to be more compact than | | | | your view of an area. |
| binoculars that transmit the light directly from the | | | | The amount of area binoculars allow you to view |
| objective lenses to the ocular lenses. | | | | is called the "field of view." The field of view |
| Binocular Lenses: | | | | (FOV) is referred to in degrees, or in feet at a |
| When it comes to lenses, bigger is indeed better. | | | | specified distance. For example, 6 degrees of field |
| The larger the objective lens, the more light the | | | | of view is common. Expressed in feet, a pair of |
| lens transmits to your eyes. If you like to hunt at | | | | binoculars with 6 degrees field of view will allow |
| dawn or dusk, you'll want the largest objective | | | | you to see 314 feet of area at 1,000 yards. |
| lenses you can get. The objective lens size is the | | | | Other things to consider when choosing hunting |
| second number in the manufacturer's description | | | | binoculars: |
| of the binoculars. For example, 10x42 binoculars | | | | Weight is a consideration for any hunting |
| have 42 millimeter objective lenses. Objective | | | | equipment, including binoculars. 32 ounces may not |
| lenses for hunting binoculars range from 40 | | | | sound like a lot of weight but, after a full day in |
| millimeters to over 60 millimeters in diameter. | | | | the field, it will feel like it. Most binoculars made for |
| Again, bigger is usually better. | | | | hunting weigh around 20 ounces. |
| When choosing hunting binoculars, look for phase | | | | When selecting your binoculars, pay attention to |
| corrected lenses. Phase correction is a coating on | | | | the warranty the manufacturer offers. You're |
| the lenses that increases the sharpness, contrast | | | | going to be exposing your binoculars to some |
| and color saturation. When you're trying to spot | | | | pretty rough treatment, so you'll want the best |
| game that blends in with its surroundings, you | | | | warranty you can get. Many manufacturers offer |
| need every edge you can get. | | | | warranties that last twenty years or more. Some |
| Another feature to look for in hunting binoculars is | | | | even offer lifetime warrantees. |
| nitrogen-filled optics. The nitrogen inside the | | | | Properly cared for, a good pair of binoculars will |
| binoculars displaces oxygen, so that moisture | | | | serve you for decades. When you consider the |
| cannot form inside the optics, fogging the interior | | | | cost of a single hunting trip, quality $300 to $500 |
| lenses. | | | | binoculars are a great investment. |
| The rear (ocular) lenses are another thing to | | | | |