The Takeaway:
1. Our Pick: Bushnell Trophy
2. Runner-Up: Tasco Essentials 168RGB
3. Budget Pick: Carson 3D Series TD-042ED
There are a lot of binoculars out there aimed specifically at hunters. So many, in fact, you may wonder what the best binoculars are for deer hunting. It isn’t enough that they’re compact, lightweight, and have snazzy camouflage coloring. The best binoculars for deer hunting need to be as tough as you are, able to withstand the elements, and still perform every time. You’ll require a good field of view to spot your target without giving away your position, yet provide enough detail so you can clearly count the tines on that monster.
Our pick for the best deer-hunting binoculars is the Bushnell Trophy XLT Bone Collector Edition, but we’ll take an in-depth look at three other great contenders to help you decide which one will spot your next trophy.
Our Pick: Bushnell Trophy
The Bushnell Trophy XLT Bone Collector Edition Binoculars have a magnification of 8x, which is great for hunting as it allows you to see at a distance while still giving you detailed close views. The 42mm objective lens is large enough to let in a lot of light, even in low light conditions, while not being so large as to make these binoculars cumbersome and heavy.
What really makes the Trophy XLT the best binoculars for hunting deer, though, is the amazingly bright images with sharp details you’ll have, even in the humid marshes of the Midwest. They have BAK 4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics, and lead-free glass.
These binoculars also feature a modern design with a rugged construction that makes them very functional to take out into the field. They’re coated in Realtree Xtra DuraGrip rubber that offers lasting protection. Soft-touch thumb grips along both sides provide a secure hold, so you won’t have to worry about dropping these bad boys from your tree stand. And forget about the weather! These binoculars are both 100% fog proof and waterproof, thanks to O-ring seals and a nitrogen-purged housing.
The only downside on these is the weight, two pounds, which may be heavy for some while being a healthy weight that lends confidence for other hunters. They measure 10.2 inches long, so while they aren’t huge, some hunters may find use with a harness to be more comfortable.
Runner-Up: Tasco Essentials 168RGB
If you do a lot of hunting in the mountains or across the prairie where you need to lay low frequently, then a compact pair of binoculars for deer hunting is just what you need. These Tasco Essentials Compact Binoculars are available in a wide range of colors -of course, we favor the camo- and they weigh a barely noticeable 6.56 ounces. With that smaller weight and size comes a smaller objective lens size of 25mm, although this is larger than other compact binoculars of similar and even greater price.
However, the 10x magnification and fully coated optics make it clear that these binoculars are made to perform. They also feature a rugged armor housing to offer protection and a no-slip grip. They do also fold-up toward the center, allowing them to take up even less space and store even more compactly.
These deer hunting binoculars will easily fit in your jacket or pants pocket, or could even be kept as a backup pair in the glove box for your trunk. They come with a carrying case and neck strap. They have a limited lifetime warranty, but the price is so great that you could easily just pick up an extra pair or two rather than waiting to get your old ones repaired.
Also Great: Carson 3D Series TD-042ED
These Waterproof Carson 3D Series Deer Hunting Binoculars have all the features you need in the perfect size. Whether you’re hiking through the mountains, picking your way through the marshy scrub brush, or weaving amongst the hardwoods, these binoculars will get the job done. With a 10x magnification and objective lens of 42mm, they have the power to see across the prairie or deep within the pines tracking that monster buck. With extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and fully multicoated lenses, you can expect bright, clear images with no chromatic aberration. The phase-corrected BAK-4 prism provides excellent resolution and true color fidelity.
They have a mossy Oak rubberized armor housing that provides shock resistance and waterproof protection thanks to the O-ring seals. The nitrogen-purged body also makes these binoculars fog-proof, so using them in the high humidity of the upper Midwest or the Pacific Northwest is not a problem. The textured housing also has perfectly placed thumb grips that allow for a comfortable no-slip grip.
With a close focus of 9.8 feet and a field of view (FOV) of 314 feet, these binoculars are versatile in a wide range of environments. The great eye relief of 16mm and twist-down eyecups make them truly functional if you wear glasses or goggles while hunting. They measure 5.5 inches long by 5 inches wide by 2 inches high and weigh just 1.4 pounds.
This size and weight won’t become a burden after hiking a mile or so out to your secret spot. Yet, these binoculars still have the high performance you need when deer hunting. They come with a neck strap, armored carrying case, and harness.
Other Products to Consider
Barska WP Blackhawk AB11850
Recommended For: Anyone. A wonderful mix of high quality and affordability.
The Barska WP Blackhawk AB11850 are some of the best binoculars for deer stalking due to the great Mossy Oak break-up camouflage, high performance, and rugged construction. They have a magnification of 10x with an objective lens size of 42mm. This provides a close focus of 6 feet and a field of view (FOV) of 342 feet at a thousand yards. This is a versatile range that lets you accurately track moving prey whether you’re hiking through the forest or crawling across the plains. Fully multi-coated optics and BAK-4 prism provide excellent images with bright, contrasting colors and sharp details. These binoculars also have an eye relief of 17mm and twist-up eyecups, making them ideal for use with glasses or goggles.
The rubber armored housing provides shock resistance, while the added diamond cut texturization helps to ensure a confident grip. O-ring seals and a nitrogen-purged housing make these binoculars fully waterproof and fog proof. Included with these excellent deer-stalking binoculars are a neck strap, carrying case, lens caps, and lens cloth.
What Are the Best Binoculars for Deer Hunting?
Some key features distinguish the best binoculars for deer hunting from pairs that are better suited for birding or casual night viewing. A rugged construction that can withstand the elements and abrupt changes in weather conditions (frequent in day-long hunting trips) is imperative. Having enough power to see at a distance while providing detailed close-up views can really make the difference when tracking your prey after a hit. And, of course, a great camo finish on the housing doesn’t hurt.
Our top pick is the Bushnell Trophy XLT Bone Collector Edition. They have a great design and all the power you need while out hunting. They are a little larger than some of the other choices on this list, but with that size comes great performance.
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