A long range hunter needs a special set of binoculars for spotting that partly concealed game in the distance. If you’re in the market for long range hunting binoculars, look no further to find the top-ranked brands and models. We’ve done all the research for you, to make that purchase an informed one, so read on to see our picks for the best binoculars for long range hunting.
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What are the Best Binoculars For Long Range Hunting?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Binoculars For Long Range Hunting and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available long range hunting binoculars that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these best binoculars for long range hunting.
We also wrote a brief best binoculars for long range hunting Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 9 long range hunting binoculars based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. Celestron SkyMaster 25×70 Large Aperture Binoculars
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.3 Pounds (1.5 kg) Size: 11 x 8.7 x 4.3 Inches (27.9 x 22.1 x 10.9 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 70mm Magnification: 25x Eye Relief: 13mm Waterproof: Water-resistant |
See it in your local store:
The Celestron SkyMaster 25×70 will suit those who like stargazing or astronomy due to the high magnification it provides. This binocular can produce bright images in low-lighting. Thus you can enjoy other activities that take place in slightly darker environments. You can rest assured that the binocular will not be easily damaged by water due to its water-resistant finish. There is also a secure grip on the binocular so you can hold it comfortably for long periods. Note that it may not be as easy to produce focused images on this binocular. Thus, you may need to manipulate the focus knob a couple of times before succeeding.
Pros
- Able to produce bright images in low-lighting,
- Water-resistant,
- Secure grip on the binocular,
- Rubber eyecups provide a tight fit to prevent light from entering
Cons
- Binocular may be provided without having been aligned,
- Not easy to produce focused images
2. Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10×42 Binoculars
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 2 Pounds (0.9 kg) Size: 0 x 5 x 5.8 Inches (0 x 12.7 x 14.6 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 16 mm Waterproof: Yes Stabilization: No Video: Yes |
See it in your local store:
The Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10×42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars feature a 42 mm objective lens and a 10 x magnification ability. They come with a 16 mm eye relief and the optics are purged with nitrogen to provide a water and fog proofing quality. These binoculars have fully multi-coated XR lenses, dielectric phase corrected prisms that provide crisp and clear views. They are designed with 2 target modes making them a good choice for long distances. The eye cups are known to have issues coming off, and the carrying case is not great quality but they do come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Water and fogproof,
- Long range focusing,
- Lifetime warranty,
- Easy to use
Cons
- Eyecups don’t stay on very well,
- Carrying case is not very durable
3. 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults with Smartphone Adapter
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.6 Pounds (0.7 kg) Size: 7.9 x 7.9 x 3.1 Inches (20 x 20 x 8 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 20x Waterproof: Waterproof |
See it in your local store:
The 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults are a good choice for those who want a durable and robust binocular. This binocular will be able to go with you on hunting and hiking trips. The neck strap on the binocular is not too tight, so you will feel comfortable using it. The lens caps are also attached to the binocular, so you do not need to be scared of losing them. Furthermore, there is a tripod attachment if you want to obtain a stabilized image. Do take note, however, that the binocular is not fog proof. Another point is that the smartphone adapter is not easy to use, and you may need to use it multiple times to be comfortable with it.
Pros
- Neck strap is not too tight,
- Lens caps are connected to binocular,
- Binocular has a robust exterior,
- There is a tripod attachment
Cons
- Binocular is not fog proof,
- Smartphone adapter is not user-friendly
4. DB-210 Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.9 Pounds (0.4 kg) Size: 4.6 x 4.5 x Inches (11.7 x 11.4 x cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 28mm Magnification: 8x Eye Relief: 18mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
See it in your local store:
The DB-210 Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars could be the solution for those who want a more affordable binocular in the Diamondback series. Like its counterparts, the DB-210 is waterproof. However, it is not entirely fog proof. The binocular also features eyecups that are simple and smooth to adjust. If you want to mount your binocular on a tripod for more stabilized pictures, there is also a tripod attachment on this binocular. You can also hand-hold your binocular for long periods while still feeling comfortable due to its ergonomic design. One thing to note is the binocular strap that may not be of the best quality.
Pros
- Eyecups are not difficult to adjust,
- Waterproof and fog proof,
- Binocular has tripod attachment,
- Binocular is comfortable to hold
Cons
- The binocular strap is only of acceptable quality,
- The lenses are not entirely fog proof
5. Nikon 8252 Aculon A211 10-22×50 Zoom Binocular
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.1 Pounds (1.4 kg) Size: 8.6 x 4.3 x 4.3 Inches (21.8 x 10.8 x 10.8 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 10-22X Waterproof: Yes |
See it in your local store:
The Nikon 8252 Aculon provides powerful zoom capabilities to its users. You get crisp and clear images with these binoculars. The quick and smooth adjustment features provide better control over the binocular settings.
Glasses-wearing bird watchers, hunters, or opera enthusiasts will find that the eyecups can easily slide to provide a comfortable viewing experience.
Another plus point is that it is compatible with a tripod and includes the necessary hardware. The no-slip, sturdy body provides a good grip – you won’t have to worry about losing your grip on these when out in the rain.
Pros
- Adjustable rubber eye cups,
- High adjustment for interpupilatory distance,
- Has a comfortable grip,
- Has a solid construction
Cons
- A bit on the heavy side,
- Lens covers don’t fit
6. Bushnell 132050C Powerview Wide Angle Binocular
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.9 Pounds (0.9 kg) Size: 5.5 x 4.3 x 2 Inches (14 x 10.8 x 5.1 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 20X Eye Relief: 9mm Waterproof: No |
See it in your local store:
The Bushnell PowerView binoculars live up to their name and provide powerful magnification and a wide view of the scene. The multi-coated optics enhance image brightness while the large objective lens only adds to this. The resulting image is clear and sharp. With 20 times magnification, you can get up close and personal with whatever you view.
The build is also durable and provides a good grip to its users. It offers fine adjustment features, but they are tricky to tune while holding the binoculars. Thankfully, these are tripod compatible, so that you can adjust the settings with ease.
These binoculars are better suited for still watching, not for those who are on the move.
Pros
- It has a durable build,
- They have a wide visual field,
- They produce clear and bright images,
- It offers powerful magnification
Cons
- Zoom is a bit too sensitive,
- The focusing control is a bit awkward
7. VABSCE 1080p FHD Digital Night Vision Binoculars
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.4 Pounds (0.6 kg) Size: 9.6 x 8.1 x 3.7 Inches (24.5 x 20.5 x 9.5 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 31mm Magnification: 3-10X Eye Relief: 50mm Waterproof: Yes Stabilization: Tripod adapable |
See it in your local store:
The VABSCE Digital Night Vision binoculars can turn night into day for its users. Not only that, it does not compromise visual clarity in the daytime either. Additionally, you can capture what you’re viewing as a picture or video (no audio) and enjoy playback. The accompanying SDcard chip will act as storage for what you capture.
The 3.6″ LCD allows for comfortable viewing of the scene, while the high-tech IR can illuminate even the darkest night. The zoom capabilities are also of high performance. The only downside is that it requires powerful batteries for operation, but can run on such batteries for a long time.
These binoculars are a good choice for those out and about in the dark.
Pros
- It comes with quality night vision technology for clear views at night,
- You can capture and playback images,
- It provides an extended viewing range,
- It comes with a microSD card for storing images
Cons
- It consumes a lot of batteries,
- Buttons make a loud click noise
8. Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15×70 Astronomy Binoculars
| Specs |
|---|
| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 3.3 Pounds (1.5 kg) Size: 11 x 8.7 x 4.3 Inches (27.9 x 22.1 x 10.9 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 70mm Magnification: 15x Eye Relief: 18mm Waterproof: Water-resistant |
See it in your local store:
The Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15×70 is suitable for those who like stargazing or looking at the different planets or galaxies in our universe. The binocular offers a very high magnification power. What is surprising is that it is relatively lightweight considering how big it is. Also, the lenses are multi-coated, helping you gather the maximum amount of light so that your images are bright. Those wearing glasses may be relieved that this binocular provides long eye-relief too. One downside is the product may arrive uncollimated, so you may need to manually adjust it yourself. Also, the focus screw on the binocular is not too secure, so you might need to pay extra care to it.
Pros
- Lenses are multi-coated,
- Water-resistant,
- Long eye relief,
- Tripod adapter is provided
Cons
- May need to adjust the collimation,
- Focus screw is not secure
9. Steiner Predator Series 10×42 Auto Focus Hunting Binoculars
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.9 Pounds (0.9 kg) Size: 2.6 x 7.5 x 5.9 Inches (6.6 x 19.1 x 15 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm Magnification: 10X Waterproof: Yes |
See it in your local store:
The Steiner Predator binoculars marry form and function to offer an exceptional viewing experience. The autofocus features keep everything in your field of view focused at all times. Additionally, a CAT coating increases the viewing field and helps detect hidden game – much to the enjoyment of hunters. Additionally, they also perform well in low-light situations.
The open bridge design lends the binoculars agility and lightness while making them comfortable to hold. The sharp focus and quick adjustment add to its performance.
The outer material is durable enough to withstand shocks and unfavorable conditions.
These might prove a good choice for hunters looking for quality binoculars.
Pros
- It includes CAT technology for finding hidden animals,
- It has a durable Makrolon outer cover,
- It features ergonomic eyecups for comfort,
- It has a laser-textured grip for better hold
Cons
- The accompanying lens covers don’t fit,
- You might need to replace the harness
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the best binoculars for long range hunting is below:
Overall best best binoculars for long range hunting out there: Celestron SkyMaster 25×70 Large Aperture Binoculars
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: Vortex Optics Fury HD 5000 10×42 Binoculars
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: 20×50 Military Binoculars for Adults with Smartphone Adapter
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Best Binoculars For Long Range Hunting
Binocular Features For Hunting
For hunting, you may want to get a pair of binoculars with night vision and thermal imaging. These features make it easy to spot an animal that may be far away and in the dark. You also want a pair that is lightweight, so that it is easy to transport it from one spot to another. You may also want to get fully coated binoculars because they produce brighter images. The coating also protects against damage from debris and dust and also help reduce chromatic aberration. Also, adjustable eye cups for eye relief and binoculars with a wide field of view may also come in handy when hunting. Lastly, be sure to get binoculars with image stabilization so the images are more steady, thus easier to aim for the target.
Magnification
Binoculars with a high magnification may sometimes not be beneficial. For instance when hunting/fishing, you do not want a binoculars with magnification that is too high because it reduces the quality of the images. The best magnification is between 7X and 8X. High magnification narrows the field of view, but if your aim is to zoom in on far away items, then higher magnification is your best bet.
Angles Of Vliew
The angle of view is the perspective you can see through your binoculars lens. The larger it is, the larger the field of view is. The angle of view is measured in degrees and is usually a low number such as 6 degrees or 7 degrees. If you need a pair of binoculars with a large field of view, make sure to look for the one with the highest number among those offered. At times the number is higher such, as 45 degrees or 55 degrees, but is still expressed in degrees. It’s known as the apparent angle of view, and the larger it is, the larger the field of view.
Weather Proofing
Modern binoculars are made weatherproof by coating the housing unit in silicone. Pairs for hunting are also made from reinforced leather painted in camouflage. The lenses and eyepiece glass is coated with water, dust, and scratch-proof film. These features invariably drive the price of a pair of binoculars up, with multi-coated pairs being the priciest.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens’ size determines the amount of light entering the binoculars. Therefore, the larger it is, the better the image in terms of quality, especially in dark places. When buying a pair of binoculars, check for the lens size, which is the numeric figure right after the X on its description. A ratio of 5 to magnification is best, so in a case where you have an 8 X 25 versus a 8 X 40, the 8 X 40 has better images because generally the lens diameter is wider.
Fog Resistance
You definitely want to get a pair of binoculars that can withstand both hot and cold conditions. External fogging is normal, but internal fogging as it can ruin your binoculars completely. To avoid this, get yourself binoculars with nitrogen filling. Fog proofed binoculars are sealed internally with O rings to prevent moisture from getting into the optical tubes. All fog proof binoculars are waterproof, but not all waterproof binoculars are fogproof.
Questions and Answers About Best Binoculars For Long Range Hunting
What is the maximum range of binoculars?
Binoculars have no limit on how far you can see with them; the magnification of your binoculars is what determines how near the object seems to be. As a result, high-powered binoculars will enable you to see crispier and clearer images over longer distances. However, the horizon and atmospheric conditions may limit how far you can view. When it’s rainy, cloudy, foggy, or highly polluted outside, you can’t see as far as you can in clear weather. The horizon limits how far you can see, and its distance may vary depending on where you are positioned.
What is the best magnification for hunting binoculars?
It’s a fair question to ask what is the best magnification binoculars for hunting, but sadly there is no universally acceptable answer to this. While most hunting binoculars are found anywhere between 6-12x magnification, you may need to consider your hunting location, the type of hunting you do, and your personal preferences in choosing the best magnification binoculars for yourself. Generally, it is advisable to pick a pair of binoculars with a wider magnification range if you do multiple types of hunting.
Are 10×50 binoculars good for hunting?
Binoculars with a specification of 10x magnification and 50 millimeters of objective lenses are a good choice for most hunting expeditions. The 10×50 binoculars will allow you to view your prey 10x closer from any distance to your position. A 10×50 binoculars is also highly effective for hunting when you consider the average shooting distance of your targets.
How do I choose long range binoculars?
If you are looking for a long distance binocular, you should look at binoculars with a high magnification power. The other thing to take note is getting a pair that can zoom fast through different magnification levels. Lastly, If you want to be able to see clear images in low-light environments, you can also consider getting a binocular with a large objective lens diameter. This is because a binocular with high magnification power requires a large objective lens diameter to maintain the same exit pupil.
What’s the difference between night vision goggles and night vision binoculars?
The magnification is the main difference between night vision goggles and binoculars. Night vision goggles have a 1X magnification, while night vision binoculars have higher magnification thus a narrow field of view. Night vision goggles are either affixed to the helmet or come with a head strap, while binoculars can be used freely or be handheld. Night Vision goggles can be used while running or even flying a helicopter; night vision binoculars, on the other hand, cannot be used while on the move. Night Vision binoculars are best for long-distance viewing, while Night Vision goggles are best for close range viewing.
How far can you see with night vision binoculars?
How far you can see through a pair of night vision binoculars depends on factors like the device’s viewing range – retention and recognition range. With simple night vision binoculars, you can see as far as a distance of 400-800 feet, while higher-quality binoculars may allow you to see over a distance of 1300 feet. However, visibility, weather conditions, and the size of prey can all alter how far you can see with night vision binoculars.
