I was wondering how many use them,and what would be the best kind that wouldn't break the bank????
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I like Vortex compact Diamondback 10 x 28 .. and they go with me on every hunt.. they are as important as my calls and gun... If your going to buy a pair make sure you get them waterproof... You can buy the Vortex like i have for around 130 - 140 dollars...
Nikon Prostaff 7 in 10X-42 here.
They go with me always in the turkey woods. Run you right around $150-$175 if.you look around.
GREAT glass for the money !!!!
I have a pair of Leupolds Acadia that Cabelas put on sale last year. I think Nikon and Vortext make excellent glass too.
You really can't go wrong with any - read the reviews online, decide if you need them for watching fields or up close in the woods, wait for a choice sale and go from there.
X2 on the vortex
But like mentioned they all make good pairs and look for the sales.
Vortex Diamondback 8X32
You can get some good glass in that $300 range, to really "see" a difference from there you will double your price at each stage. I have several different pairs for their use. (IMHO I would not have a pair of bino's under this price point, just lack of performance)
As a good quality pair in that range I would take a look at the Nikon 8x30 Nikon Monarch 7's you can find these for $325ish.
I love my "turkey bino's" Swarovski's 10x30 SLC's and found them at an amazing deal! I have my main hunting pair of 8.5x42 EL's and my beat arounds for in the truck or on the quad in a 8x42 Alaskan Guides (wish they still made these).
MK M GOBL
I have a nice set of Zeiss 8x30 in the classifieds.SOLD (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180210/c3f5feea95d924a4e44aba12c60a5ee1.jpg)SPF
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Update....SOLD
Vortex. As stated above lookout for sales, I never pay retail for hunting gear if I can help it.
I really like my Vanguards, customer service is great, but have talked to a lot of people who really like Vortex.
Vortex 10x28, small enough to carry in the vest, quality enough for hunting large ag fields.
I like Vortex as well. Lifetime warranty and great customer service. The binoculars are great too.
I have a pair of Leupold Gold Ring 10 x 28 that I've carried for around 25 years. The optics are clear & bright. They've definitely helped my hunting. They don't go in my vest when I hunt thick woods, though every other time they're with me. I think they were around $400 when I got them. Lifetime warranty & made in the U.S.A. I don't know why or when Leupold quit making them, but I wish they still did.
Jim
IMO a Good pair of Binos are a Must when turkey hunting. They allow me to identify birds at longer distances, see birds in semi and open cover better and GREAT for long distance scouting. If your hunting totally in timber, maybe not a requirement. I normally spot and stalk more open areas and forest roads so for me I utilize them a lot. My go to pair is 8x42 Bushnell's. With the advent of the Bino Harness, they can be fixed to my chest out of the way and be available anytime I need them. Some say, just something else to carry but to me they are a valuable tool for success. IMO they are as valuable as my gun.
I had a tasco rubber armored little binoculars that I carried forever, until I lost them on a muzzleloader hunt. Super small, light, and cheap, but the glass was pretty good for what they were. Replaced them with a bushnell pair that were similar, just a little bigger than the Tascos. I liked the tascos better, but the bushnells were a gift so I will continue to use them. The Bushnell is pretty decent, the only thing I don't like is the zoom adjustment is a little sloppy compared to the tasco, and they are a little bigger. Glass is compareable between them. They are usually available for $20 or so. I use a carabiner to clip the carrying case to a d- ring on my vest to save pocket space. Work great for turkey hunting, and at 20 bucks you are not out much if you lose them.
I use binos a lot while turkey hunting, deer hunting, elk hunting, whatever Im hunting. In fact, I feel blind if I forget them. I have them readily available with a chest harness.
If you strictly hunt timber, then they really aren't necessary. I hunted hardwoods for years without them. They become more useful the more open the terrain is. Its easy to miss a tom standing in the shade at 300 yards across a field that you are about to step into or the tip of a fan just over the crest of a hill.
Ive been running 10 x42 Zen Rays for several years. I think they were $300ish. Really good glass but Ive been hard on them carrying them in my truck and in the field and they need replaced. I decided to go with either 10x42 Vortex Vipers or Razors. I had myself talked into the Razors before my wife found a smoking deal on the Vipers and got them for me at Christmas.
If I was only using them to turkey hunt, I could probably make out fine with lower quality binos. As it stands, Im really at the lower end, cost wise, of binos for the amount that I use them.
Here's a really good deal on some vortex raptors if anyone is looking for any. https://www.scheels.com/p/vortex-raptor-8.5x32-binocular/87587400186.html?cgid=all#start=4
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Here is 2 more you might want to consider. I always hunt woods so I seldom carry any. But when I do I carry the Pentax 9X28's below. Compact, good glass for the money & they only weigh just under 13 oz. Not as sharp optics as the Pentax but even lighter & cheaper are the Nikon Prostaffs 8X25. I used to have those but a friend of mine talked me into selling them to him. They are very light to carry. They are also on sale at Cabela's right now with free shipping over $50.00.
https://www.adorama.com/px928ad.html
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nikon-ProStaff-ATB-Binoculars/1632004.uts?productVariantId=1713762&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=70005504&rid=20&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz-qm4uOc2QIVm7jACh1dAA-gEAUYASABEgKsUPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I see a few folks saying they don't use them in woods. I hunt in pine jungles down here and use them all the time.
I use a vortex 10x25 molecular, got it for $50. Extreamy light weight , great glass, and fits in your pocket.
I forgot to mention I also use my Leupold range finder in place of binoculars when I need to. Not as good as a pair of binos but are a good substitute in a pinch.
Thanks for all the advice. I really kind of like the vortex line. I also noticed Cabelas has a line of them they don't look too bad either. Way too many choices lol
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Quote from: Wayman on February 10, 2018, 09:52:46 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I really kind of like the vortex line. I also noticed Cabelas has a line of them they don't look too bad either. Way too many choices lol
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Find a store, Cabelas is a great start, that has plenty to choose from and try the ones in your price range. Look at several in the store and narrow your choices down to a few and ask to take them outside. Try to look through them in bright light and fading light as well. Check for edge distortion as well, making sure that you have clear vision from edge to edge. Then make Your decision.
I use Swarovski compacts, 10x25 if I remember correctly. They weren't cheap even though I bought them used but they were definitely worth it.
Typically Leica rangefinder, same one I use for archery - 1000-R. Helps with knowing the distance past which I would not take the shot.
You can go to Harbor Freight with a 20 percent off coupon and get a pair of 10 x 50 for about 9 dollars...
I could not imagine buying a 9 dollar pair of bino's. One should respect one's vision.
Buy the most expensive you can afford and then stretch a bit more. Six months down the road you won't remember what you paid but you will appreciate the better glass for years.
Quote from: mtns2hunt on February 11, 2018, 11:24:06 AM
I could not imagine buying a 9 dollar pair of bino's. One should respect one's vision.
Buy the most expensive you can afford and then stretch a bit more. Six months down the road you won't remember what you paid but you will appreciate the better glass for years.
I was giving him more options... :OGturkeyhead:
I would look into used to get good glass like the pair I posted but...(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180211/62a2783afd3f86e2720a8cabeff31954.jpg)
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Quote from: Greg Massey on February 11, 2018, 12:10:18 PM
Quote from: mtns2hunt on February 11, 2018, 11:24:06 AM
I could not imagine buying a 9 dollar pair of bino's. One should respect one's vision.
Buy the most expensive you can afford and then stretch a bit more. Six months down the road you won't remember what you paid but you will appreciate the better glass for years.
I was giving him more options... :OGturkeyhead:
I'm sure you meant well.
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 11, 2018, 10:45:19 AM
You can go to Harbor Freight with a 20 percent off coupon and get a pair of 10 x 50 for about 9 dollars...
HAPPY YOU AND GREG NEED TO GO SHOPPING TOGETHER AS TIGHT AS YALL OLD MEN ARE :smiley-patriotic-flagwaver-an
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I just stoped at fin and these ones look pretty sweet. Still didn't pull the trigger on a set yet lol
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Old? Old!!!! I turn 37 in a month. :)
I really like my Vanguards, customer service is great, but have talked to a lot of people who really like Vortex.
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I'm a Vanguard guy too.
Quote from: Happy on February 11, 2018, 03:31:22 PM
Old? Old!!!! I turn 37 in a month. :)
i thought i read you had been hunting 35 years you started young :drool:
i think i may order me some vortex diamondback 8x28 from ebay 139.00 free shipping with all kinds goodies and a hat as well.
Nope. I guess if chipmunks count I would be getting close. Took my first one of them when I was 4 with a recurve bow. Then I cried the whole day when I realized it was really dead. Didn't kill my first turkey till 21.
Quote from: Happy on February 11, 2018, 04:00:23 PM
Nope. I guess if chipmunks count I would be getting close. Took my first one of them when I was 4 with a recurve bow. Then I cried the whole day when I realized it was really dead. Didn't kill my first turkey till 21.
Happy, i didn't realize you were a baby turkey hunter...i was thinking you were like me 60 year old...
Baby? Man we are going from one extreme to the other aren't we? I consider myself more along the lines of a three or four year old gobbler. Not stupid enough to go running blindly into trouble but not impossible to fool either. Course being married i am smart enough not to go chasing any other hens so that should improve my life expectancy some.
Quote from: Happy on February 11, 2018, 04:35:47 PM
Baby? Man we are going from one extreme to the other aren't we? I consider myself more along the lines of a three or four year old gobbler. Not stupid enough to go running blindly into trouble but not impossible to fool either. Course being married i am smart enough not to go chasing any other hens so that should improve my life expectancy some.
Great post Happy...love it... amen....
I just recently picked these up from sportsman warehouse. They were right at 100.00, they aren't a big name brand Celestron who ever that is, but they are super clear.
Quote from: Wayman on February 11, 2018, 03:13:49 PM
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Not to say these are the wrong pair but I would consider the "power" of the binos... if you are comparing exact same bino/glass in 8x42's and 10x42's the 8's will out preform the 10's. (There is some math to this, that if you want to know I could go into). But the little difference you get by going to the 10's in power you WILL lose out on your low light viewing ability and there is inherently more "shake" in the 10's as well.
MK M GOBL
I use them a ton and like the kind that break the bank once and you have for years If not life.
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Quote from: Happy on February 11, 2018, 04:35:47 PM
Baby? Man we are going from one extreme to the other aren't we? I consider myself more along the lines of a three or four year old gobbler. Not stupid enough to go running blindly into trouble but not impossible to fool either. Course being married i am smart enough not to go chasing any other hens so that should improve my life expectancy some.
hahaha thats hilarious happy me and you are young enough to call greg grandpa hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha :blob10: :drool: :jackson: :you_rock: :z-guntootsmiley:
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 11, 2018, 07:03:56 PM
Quote from: Wayman on February 11, 2018, 03:13:49 PM
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Not to say these are the wrong pair but I would consider the "power" of the binos... if you are comparing exact same bino/glass in 8x42's and 10x42's the 8's will out preform the 10's. (There is some math to this, that if you want to know I could go into). But the little difference you get by going to the 10's in power you WILL lose out on your low light viewing ability and there is inherently more "shake" in the 10's as well.
MK M GOBL
That's really good to know. That pair was the only set they had in the diamondbacks line in stock.
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Quote from: Happy on February 11, 2018, 04:00:23 PM
Nope. I guess if chipmunks count I would be getting close. Took my first one of them when I was 4 with a recurve bow. Then I cried the whole day when I realized it was really dead. Didn't kill my first turkey till 21.
happy, i hope you aint got artheritis and hemroids from drawing that 80lb recurve at 4 years old, bet it had a 31 inch draw too.
Don't want to derail this fellows thread any further but I am fine. Have dropped down to a 75 lb compound since those days
After a lot of research, I'm very happy with my Vortex Diamondbacks in 10x42
Hi,
New to the group and first post.
I usually carry an older Nikon Prostaff Laser 440 range finder that is 8x20. Its great for getting distance but a little lacking in clarity and field of view.
Depending on where i am hunting i will also carry my Bushnell Permafocus 8x32 Focus Free Binoculars.
I really like the fact that i can just raise them up and look, no focusing and am happy with the clarity and brightness of them.
I found a sweet deal on some Vortex Viper 10x50s a while back, and now I'm addicted to them.
One other thing is with size, if these are truly a turkey hunting pair or if you intend to use for other things will make a bit of difference in that choice. I have a few pairs of binos to use for different pursuits... My turkey binos I wanted small as I have changed over to using a hip pack for chasing longbeards.
My swaro's fit the pack right!
MK M GOBL
Vortex Diamondbacks go on sale around Black Friday up until the new year.. I picked up some 10x42's for deer hunting and scouting ducks for $100.00
I'm happy with my Leupold BX-2 Acadias. Very clear. You can find them around $200
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 13, 2018, 02:34:15 PM
MK M GOBL
I have the same Fiskars ratchet pruners - they work great as well!
For anyone in the market for binoculars, here is my standard advice:
Avoid the off-brand, cheapo stuff for sure. It is not that they won't look like they will work when you look through them at the store, the problem will be that, unless you absolutely "baby" them all the time, they will get knocked out of alignment very easily. Check any possible purchase by doing this: Hold the binos in both hands, look through them at some distant object, and then twist your hands in opposite directions (push up with one hand and pull down with the other). If the image doubles or is otherwise distorted easily, and especially if they do not return to a single, clear image when you release the pressure, pass them up.
You probably do not need really expensive binoculars for what it appears you are planning on using them for. You can probably find something in the $75-$150 range that would work just fine. From what I have seen, Bushnell makes a pretty reliable, functional, and inexpensive product for the kind of use you are talking about.
Leupold Acadia worth every penny.
Vortex diamondback, great glass at a reasonable price
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I never leave the truck without binos. Do yourself and favor and spend the money on a comfortable/quality harness. You'll hardly notice they are there.
I broke down several years ago when I started elk hunting and bought a quality set of binos. I've never regretted that purchase one day. In fact, I'd say it's probably my best hunting purchase. I bought a pair of Leica Geovids with the built in range finder. Do a lot of glassing and your eyes with thank you. My .02!
I consider binoculars to be a must have tool. I always glass the area before I stand up, or go around a corner, or walk into the open, etc. I have spotted many a turkey that were out of sight of my naked eye, or standing in the shadows, etc. I use my Nikon Monarch 10x42's mounted on a chest strap. I would buy another set that's smaller, but I'm too cheap. :lol:
Quote from: Sand Man on February 14, 2018, 05:04:25 PM
Do yourself and favor and spend the money on a comfortable/quality harness.
This !!
I use an age-old Crooked Horn Bino System. A million miles on it and worth every penny.
For compact binos the vortex diamond back are hard to beat. I also have a pair of compact cabela's binos that are very good as well. I use thesecompact binos exclusively for turkey hunting.
Quote from: Sand Man on February 14, 2018, 05:04:25 PM
I never leave the truck without binos. Do yourself and favor and spend the money on a comfortable/quality harness. You'll hardly notice they are there.
Hugely important piece of equipment in my opinion! I went with a bino harness from Alaska Guide Creations and it's phenomenal.
If I had to choose between hunting without my binos or my boots, I'd ask for thick socks.