Binocular Power

[johnny213]

What does everyone think is a good power for hunting in Michigan (turkey, deer, etc.)? I'm looking at either 8x42 or 10x42.

[QuakrTrakr]

I have a 12x but most of my hunting is open fields. 8 or 10 is good. An 8x might be better in wooded area and it's easier to hold steady than a higher power. But since I started using the Bino-system from Crooked Horn, even my 12x is easy to hold steady. BTW- Welcome!

[NATTY BUMPO]

For most situations here in MI, 8x is fine and dandy. Esp when stalking, out of a treestand, etc. Many folks have trouble holding a 10-12x glass steady enough for long enough, unless you are sitting with elbows on knees. If you need more power than that, you need a spotting scope anyhow.

And the quality of the glass is everything. You get what you pay for.

NB

[Barry]

I usually hunt in deer and turkey in wooded areas with my x7- x15. But I find that I use only the lowest X7. My next pair will be a 7 or 8X with no variable.

I also like them to be compact fit around my neck and not interfere with shooting. Or to fit into my pocket and out of the way.

[duxdog]

I bought a pair of Zeiss 8x30 Conquest bino's. They were 549 bucks. Yep, my jaw dropped whem I looked at the price tag. BUT it was one of by best purchases ever for my gear. I checked out endless pairs when I was shopping. I can see things clearly at long distances when I am out west. and the light gathering at dusk when you need them most here in MI is unmatched for the price. They are the perfect size too. I bought mine at Bass Pro when I was in Texas . do yourself a favor. Check out all of the others and then pick them up last. They clearity is unbelievable.

[redwingsdude]

Thats not a bad price for Zeiss glass, you could have easily spent 2 or 3 times that.

I really don't get the need for 10 power binocs if you hunt the woods. If you're hunting open fields and need to judge an animal 300+ yards away it might help, but I rarely get shots over 150 yards (I live in the shotgun zone anyway). I would go with 8 power, maybe a 30 or 32 mm lens. An 8x42 will work just fine, but I like to keep mine more compact and light, it really depends on the exact model.

[Whitetail1]

Last year I switched to a full size binocular with a Bino System and regret not doing so years ago. The 8x power gives me plenty of magnification and the larger 42MM lens provides great clearity in low light conditions. The smaller compact bino's work ok but certainly do not compare to these. I wouldn't reccomend purchasing anything that runs for less than $200.00 if you can swing it. This seems to be the threshold of decent quality full size binoculars. Enjoy...

[farmlegend]

If you're able to do most of your glassing from a rest of some sort, 10x, or even 12x, is fine. If you're more likely to be using your binos "in the field", holding them in nothing more than your hands, 8x should be considered the maximum, IMO; 10x is just too shaky under field conditions. For my uses, I'd never want anything more than 8x.

In woodland settings, a good pair of 6x binos is the ticket.

[CL-Lewiston]

7x35 Wide angle

[ESOX]

Image stabilized binocs are the way to go.
These provide an unbelieveable image:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=stabilized+binoculars&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&cid=13588494403813332720&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=2&ct=result#ps-sellers

[QuakrTrakr]

If you're able to do most of your glassing from a rest of some sort, 10x, or even 12x, is fine. If you're more likely to be using your binos "in the field", holding them in nothing more than your hands, 8x should be considered the maximum, IMO; 10x is just too shaky under field conditions. .
I use this with my 12x and it makes a huge difference in keeping them steady.
http://www.crookedhorn.com/cms/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.chcustom.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12

[Radar420]

I use this with my 12x and it makes a huge difference in keeping them steady.
http://www.crookedhorn.com/cms/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.chcustom.tpl&product_id=31&category_id=12

I've got those and they are a huge help. I use 10-22 X 50 for scouting from the road and for glassing fields in the early bow season and they work tremendously.

[fairfax1]

I'm a convinced 10x-guy with my treestand binos. Cabela's Alaskan Guide 10x40's. Love 'em and have no problem steadying them 'enough' to get the image I need. Have had lesser powers in the past: 6x, 7x, 8x. Have used the 10x for 7 or 8 years and found them just the ticket.

For my 'road' glass...the glass I keep in the truck....I have a 12x50. Again, the Alaskan Guide model.

Each one is about $600 but I found that they compared very favorably with the high-priced German optics.

I have tried the 12x as my treestand glass and it was 'shaky' and the bulk was more than my gear-vest could handle.

[Mickey Finn]

8X.