Binoculars and deer hunting - do you use them?

[Oldbloke]

I do based on the situation. If it's fairly open I take them. If it's thick and intend walking a lot I don't. I have 7.x 20s. A tad small I reckon 8 x 30 are the go.

I like to travel light. Getting too old to lug stuff I don't use.

[RoginaJack]

Well said Wyle27, no argument from me on that point and .45 too!

[bigfellascott]

I do use my scope if I don't bring my binos with me when out hunting (which is most of the time) but for deer bino's can be very important due to the fact you usually glass more than walk as a rule.

[Bent Arrow]

No disrespect intended, I am sure you all are very successful when you are hunting...... I bet you either walk past, spook, or walk away from a lot of game if you are not spending a lot of time looking through your bino's. I've lost count of the number of times I have found game and been able to stalk into them only because I spent the time looking rather than walking

[on_one_wheel]

Not sure I'd bother with 16x mag for glassing duties, much rather a 8x30 or similar (way too much movement detected through high mag scopes/binos and I'd imagine those wouldn't be real flash eye relief/comfort wise either and probably a bit ordinary in the shadowy stuff too but time will tell how well they go for you mate.

I bought a cheap 2nd hand set for $40 a while back 10x50 they are if memory serves me correctly, they are ok (not the best sharpness wise but good enough for the duties I bought them for (Whistling foxes) and general hunting duties but they are a bit heavy to be walking the hills with (which is an important thing to think about when doing long stalking duties) so reasonably compact and light is the way to go for those sorts of things in general (heavy is a PITA for long days walking) and you will soon get sick of having them around your neck so a harness is a good idea to have also.

I can report that the Tasco 16x32mm binoculars are terrible.

Just as you said the eye relief is so small that you need to open your eyes wide and press the binoculars almost hard against your eyeballs to see through them.
The high magnification amplifies the slightest hand tremble making the viewing picture look like a special effects scene from some kind of earthquake movie.

I rate them 0 stars but the kids think they're great

Back to the drawing board.

[on_one_wheel]

No disrespect intended, I am sure you all are very successful when you are hunting...... I bet you either walk past, spook, or walk away from a lot of game if you are not spending a lot of time looking through your bino's. I've lost count of the number of times I have found game and been able to stalk into them only because I spent the time looking rather than walking

Not a truer word has been said... there's some good advice hiding in that statement

[Oldbloke]

7 to 10 mag x 20 to 50mm

It's about compromise. Weight and light transmission

[bigfellascott]

Not sure I'd bother with 16x mag for glassing duties, much rather a 8x30 or similar (way too much movement detected through high mag scopes/binos and I'd imagine those wouldn't be real flash eye relief/comfort wise either and probably a bit ordinary in the shadowy stuff too but time will tell how well they go for you mate.

I bought a cheap 2nd hand set for $40 a while back 10x50 they are if memory serves me correctly, they are ok (not the best sharpness wise but good enough for the duties I bought them for (Whistling foxes) and general hunting duties but they are a bit heavy to be walking the hills with (which is an important thing to think about when doing long stalking duties) so reasonably compact and light is the way to go for those sorts of things in general (heavy is a PITA for long days walking) and you will soon get sick of having them around your neck so a harness is a good idea to have also.

I can report that the Tasco 16x32mm binoculars are terrible.

Just as you said the eye relief is so small that you need to open your eyes wide and press the binoculars almost hard against your eyeballs to see through them.
The high magnification amplifies the slightest hand tremble making the viewing picture look like a special effects scene from some kind of earthquake movie.

I rate them 0 stars but the kids think they're great

Back to the drawing board.

Yeah knew they would be, cheap high mag optics are never a good combo sadly and as you found out high mag often means every movement will be noticed and it makes them hard to use for the purpose you bought them for (get yourself something to sit them on like a tripod they may be slightly better to use then but I'd go around 8x 30 or 40/50mm depending on what you are wanting them for (smaller and lighter for doing long walks) heavier and bulkier is ok for sort walks and general use I find but lighter and compact for the long walks where weight becomes more of an issue.

[Bigjobss]

No disrespect intended, I am sure you all are very successful when you are hunting...... I bet you either walk past, spook, or walk away from a lot of game if you are not spending a lot of time looking through your bino's. I've lost count of the number of times I have found game and been able to stalk into them only because I spent the time looking rather than walking

Having a pair of binos around my neck reminds me to stop occasionally and slow down, catch my beath and look around.
For me at least I think that living a hectic 9-5 working life can have negative impacts on stalking technique.

[Bosbefok]

I just got a set of Vortex Talons 10x42 i think. From optics planet for around $350. Nice compact set with great glass. Very happy. Not the cheapest but definitely not the most expensive. I also grabbed a harness that attaches the binos to your chest. Way more comfy.

[d3driver]

Got my Vortex New Diamondback in 10x42 delivered today for just under $300 from the US on eBay. Hope to have an opportunity to use them soon.

[AusTac]

Very happy with my diamondback i reckon you will be too

[discostu]

I have 2 pairs 8x42 Bresser and new 10x42 Vortex Viper HD which are amazing. I have seen a lot more using Binos than walking through the bush.

[P01ntman69]

Hi everyone,

New here and relatively new to deer hunting - though I have been out a few times. Last time I saw someone using their rifle to glass there was a person at the end of it. Admittedly the idiot was wearing a brown jacket with no blaze orange so binos are safer that your scope.

Most people I've hunted with swear by using binos - particularly if your hunting Sambar who can smell/hear you a mile off.

I use a small pair of Bushnell waterproof 10x25 which do the trick - so thats a yes from me.