Any kind of hunting requires good binoculars. Some say they’re just as essential as your hunting knives. In fact, as a hunter, you do need binoculars to keep an eye on your surroundings and get as close as you can to potential targets. What’s more, binoculars allow you to identify different species, specific genders and assess the range or just get a better view of the target. Below, we look at how to pick the best binoculars for your hunting endeavours.
1. FOV and Magnification
Most hunters know that a higher magnification doesn’t always mean the best product. Interestingly, a higher magnification makes it far more difficult to stabilise an image. Also, when you’re holding high magnification binoculars, even the tiniest movement will lead to a shaky image. A larger magnification further means that your FOV, or field of view, is narrower.
In turn, a smaller FOV means you have a tougher time spotting what’s in front of you, especially the faster wildlife.
The best type of magnification takes into account the terrain that you most often hunt in. If you prefer the woods, you’ll want binoculars with a lower magnification, so you can achieve a wider FOV.
But, if you prefer to hunt in the more open locations, or observe from a longer distance, then go for greater magnification. This allows you to spot targets from further and in greater detail.
You can find a wide range of binoculars for sale at Hunting Haven.
2. The Best Size Lens
Some of the best times to hunt include late evening or early morning. So, your binoculars should be able to filter in enough light to make images as bright as can be.
With larger lenses, the binoculars can gather more light in darker settings. There will, of course, be other elements like how well the lenses may be crafted, the prisms and the lenses coatings that will all determine how well the binoculars transfer light to the eyes.
One of the downfalls of having bigger lenses, though, is that they are costlier and heavier. So, you will need to figure out whether or not you want small, medium or large lenses. It all comes down to personal preferences.
Most standard size binoculars come with an objective lens diameter of about 42mm. Usually, the smaller sizes have a diameter of about 20mm – 32mm. It seems to be that the 42mm binoculars are a popular choice amongst hunters. They serve as a great balance between good light intake, good magnification and they are still easy to handle.
3. Fog-Proof and Waterproof Binoculars
When you’re hunting in the bush, you are sure to encounter all kinds of different weather conditions. This means you should choose binoculars that are both fog-proof and waterproof. Sealed binoculars do well to keep out dust, moisture and foreign objects. What’s more, fog-proof varieties contain either nitrogen or argon gas to stop the inside fogging up. Try to opt for binoculars that have rubber armour as they also offer a better grip and decent protection for times when you might just drop them.
Use these 3 tips to find the perfect binoculars for your hunting adventures.
