Binoculars & Rangefinders
The different types of optics are meant for different purposes:
- A scope is built for precision shots at a distance.
- Binoculars are great for scanning and observing.
- A range finder helps you calculate the distance to your targets.
- Night vision allows you to scan terrain and spot wildlife.
A range finder tells you how far away something is based on an angle, measured either in degrees or yards. Coatings help you see through foggy weather. Infrared technology allows you to see everything that would otherwise be dark in dim light.
When you're hunting, a good pair of binoculars gives you the ability to spot animals much farther away the just using your eyes. It may be advisable to have multiple pairs, some for day hunts and some for night hunts. A quality set will last many years and be worth every penny.
Binocular Features to Consider
Magnification - this refers to how much larger an image will appear when looking through the binoculars. The first number denotes the magnification; for example, 8x32 means the image will appear 8 times larger than if you were just looking with your eyes, while the second number gives you the size of the objective lens.
Objective Lens - this refers to the diameter of the lens at the end of the binoculars. The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image will be.
Field of View - this refers to the width of the area you can view when looking through the binoculars. Field of view is typically denoted in feet at 1000 yards. Generally, a wider field of view means you can see more with each glance.
Lens Coatings - most binoculars have lenses with special coatings that help reduce glare and improve light transmission. Multi-coated lenses are more expensive but allow more light to enter the binoculars for brighter images.
Focus Knob - the knob used to adjust the focus of the binoculars. The knob should be adjustable and easy to use so that you can quickly adjust it as needed.
Weight and Size - binoculars come in a variety of sizes and weights, so it's important to consider how often you plan to use them and if they will be comfortable to carry around. In general, the larger the objective lenses, the heavier the binoculars will be.
Binoculars for Hunting
Hunting binoculars are an important piece of equipment to help you have a successful hunt. With binoculars, you can observe your game from a distance and see it up close before you make your move.
Different hunting areas will require different types of binoculars. For example, if you're hunting in wide-open fields, you'll need higher levels of magnification and a wider field of view. If you're hunting in thick forests, you won't need as much magnification but a greater depth of field. Also, if you're hunting in low-light conditions, you'll want binoculars that allow more light into the lenses than if you're hunting in full sun.
Binoculars for hunting have other features that could also be very helpful in the field, such as being waterproof, fog proof, and impact resistant. This keeps the dust, dirt, and grime of the field out of your binoculars. And since a good pair of binoculars can be fairly expensive, you want them to stand up to the rigors of the hunt.
No matter what type of binoculars or range finders you need, our customer service team can steer you in the right direction and help you find the best product for your needs.