New Binoculars: OL Reviews the Best Full- and Mid-Size Hunting Binoculars

Take a look at this shiny new collection of optics

By Andrew McKean | Published May 14, 2013 1:13 AM

Gear

From the flimsy to the fortified, this year’s field of 14 full-size binos and 4 mid-size binos have something for everyone. The most interesting trend is the continuing integration of electronics into hunting optics. Three binoculars feature rangefinders. See our review of the best new hunting binoculars on the market.

These binoculars are from 2013. Looking for 2015’s best binoculars? Check out our Optics Test here.

Full-Size Binos

Units with ranging features include the plasticky Pulsar Expert ($800), Bushnell’s Fusion 1-Mile ARC ($1,200), and the new Geovid HD-B from Leica ($2,945), which represents the pinnacle of this alliance of electronic and optical technology.

The Pulsar’s rangefinder is a simple laser unit with no angle-calculating inclinometer or ballistics information.

Bushnell has come a long way with its ranging bino since the first Fusion was launched a couple of years ago. The objective lens coatings are much clearer and the dot-matrix display is much easier to read. The Bushnell includes a sophisticated inclinometer, a bullet-drop calculator that displays holdover references for eight families of rifle calibers, separate bow and rifle settings, and a laser that ranged targets out to 1,800 yards. Bowhunters will like the Fusion’s close-in ranging ability.

The more traditional full-size binos ranged from Carson’s handy $250 3D to Steiner’s Tactical ($799), which sports bat-wing eyecups and a blacked-out finish.

Weaver’s Kaspa makes the case that a headache-inducing binocular is no bargain even at $125. Other disappointing optics included the Redfield Rebel ($175), the Sightmark Solitude XD ($399), and Leupold’s McKinley HD ($775), which had such boxy eyecups that most testers couldn’t get the binocular to comfortably fit their face.

Three super-size binoculars completed the field: Alpen’s well-priced and appealing 10×50 Teton ($445); a tight and bright Vortex Razor HD in 10×50 ($1,289); and the behemoth 15x56mm Minox BL ($899), which ships with a tripod adapter to minimize hand shake and fatigue.

Zeiss Victory HT 10×42

This stunning German optic may be the brightest binocular in the world. Most well-made sports optics transmit around 90 percent of visible light to the user’s eye. Zeiss claims the Victory HT has “more than 95 percent light transmission,” and our testing seems to confirm its optical superiority. The binocular won our resolution test hands down, and was one of the top-scoring 42mm optics in our low-light test. A new class of Schott glass is responsible for the bright, crisp image. But Zeiss has engineered plenty of hunter-friendly features around the glass. The durable short-single-hinge design and grabby armor lock your hands around the contoured barrels, and the oversize focus wheel makes adjustments easy and precise, even with gloved hands. Whether you can afford that level of performance is another question. Configuration: 10×42
Price: $2,499
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: An heirloom optic, with gem-bright glass and hand-gripping barrels

Nikon Monarch 7 10×42

With this light, bright, durable hunting optic, Nikon has delivered affordable excellence that bridges the gap between its flagship EDG and entry-level ProStaff lines. The Monarch 7 was a unanimous selection for our Great Buy award, which is no small feat, as each panelist’s assessment of value depends on his experience and budget. The team felt that the Monarch 7 delivered “silly-nice” glass for $500. Testers praised its tacky armor and solid hand feel and balance, as well as its 23-ounce weight, which seems even lighter when supported by a binocular harness. Optically, the team noted clarity all the way to the edge of the image—we pay special attention to peripheral distortion, which can be a sign of inferior glass and grinding. The Nikon finished near the head of the class in both low-light and resolution testing, and one panelist deemed it the “purest hunting optic” in our test. High praise, indeed, considering the field. Configuration: 10×42
Price: $500
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: A screaming value in a tight, bright, light, and grippy hunting optic

Minox BL

Configuration: 15×56
Price: $899
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design Durability: B+
Price/Value: B+
Verdict: Very nice image in this gargantuan configuration. A good value.

Vortex Razor HD

Configuration: 10×50
Price: $1,289
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: A
Final Verdict: A sweet optic, this well-made binocular is very fairly priced and very bright

Leica Geovid HD-B (Innovation Award)

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $2,945
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A+
Design/Durability: A+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Best rangefinder in the industry, monster field of view. A game-changer.

Steiner Tactical

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $799
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Love or hate the bat-wing eyecups, the tactical-leaning Steiner has fine glass.

Alpen Teton EDHD

Configuration: 10×50
Price: $445
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: B+
Performance: B+
Design/Durability: B+
Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: Great balance and hand feel, and adequately bright optics, in a value bino.

Sightmark Solitude XD

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $399
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: A-
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Optically sharp, this priced-right open-bridge bino features textured armor.

Leupold BX-4 Mckinley HD

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $775
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B+
Perceived Image: B-
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: This tight, heavy bino features disappointing glass and a boxy frame.

Carson 3D

Configuration: 8×42
Price: $250
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: B
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: Optically average, this is a solid price-point binocular.

Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $1,200
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B-
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: Optics and coatings are much improved in this fast, accurate ranging bin.

Redfield Rebel

Configuration: 8×42
Price: $175
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: C+
Perceived Image: B-
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B+
Final Verdict: An optically underwhelming but otherwise tight, value-priced binocular.

Pulsar Expert LRF

Configuration: 8×40
Price: $800
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: B-
Perceived Image: C+
Performance: C
Design/Durability: C+
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: The rangefinder in this plasticky binocular is adequate, but optics are not.

Weaver Kaspa

Configuration: 10×42
Price: $125
Overall Score: ★ ★
Optical Quality: C-
Perceived Image: C-
Performance: C
Design/Durability: C
Price/Value: C
Final Verdict: This bino is cheap in every way, from its price to its questionable durability. Mid-Size Binos This year saw a stark division between entry-level and more sophisticated optics in the mid-size class. At the lower end of the spectrum was Bushnell’s porro-prism NatureView ($100), detailed above, and the 8×32 Sightmark Solitude ($175), which failed to impress both optically and mechanically. At the other end of the price and quality spectrums were the Zeiss Conquest HD ($900), left, and another European bino, the bright 8×32 Kahles ($921) that testers thought was overpriced.

Zeiss Conquest HD 8X32

As one of the handful of elite European optics dynasties, Zeiss is making some unconventional decisions. The German company continues to craft some of the world’s brightest, clearest optics. But this year Zeiss launched its Terra line—entry-level optics sourced in China and marketed to American hunters who want the Zeiss brand without the European price tag. To make room at the bottom, Zeiss has elevated its mid-level Conquest line, which offers reasonably priced optics with a Euro pedigree. The Zeiss Conquest HD binocular is a fine example of this class. For $900, hunters get a very good German-made binocular, featuring a durable, ergonomic design and bright glass. The do-everything Conquest HD performed better than several full-size binos on the resolution range. As such, some testers expected it to cost more than $900. Configuration: 8×32
Price: $900
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: A+
Perceived Image: A
Performance: A
Design/Durability: A Price/Value: A-
Final Verdict: Bright glass in a durable, marvelously balanced optic. our only knock: the focus feels too slick.

Bushnell NatureView 6×30

An old-school, low-magnification binocular, this Bushnell belongs around the neck of every beginning hunter in America. And it’s just as much at home on the dashboard of your pickup as on the sill of a picture window. The 6-power porro-prism NatureView is light and bright, with a generous field of view. It’s not as compact as a roof prism, but the design allows Bushnell to manufacture an accessibly priced binocular that features decent optics. The NatureView had the lowest resolution score in the admittedly small mid-size binocular field, and it struggled in low light. But the glass is not the reason to buy this bino. Instead, look to it for its durability, its no-nonsense design, and above all, for its price. “This Bushnell is, for me, the surprise of the test,” said gear editor John Taranto. “Its close focus isn’t great, but it has a lovely in-hand feel and is an incredible value.” Configuration: 6×30
Price: $100
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★
Optical Quality: C
Perceived Image: B
Performance: B
Design/Durability: B
Price/Value: A Final Verdict: A basic porro prism with decent glass, this is a good deal for an entry-level optic.

khales bino — Configuration: 8×32
Price: $921
Overall Score: ★ ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality B+
Perceived Image: A-
Performance: A-
Design/Durability: A-
Price/Value: C+
Final Verdict: This tight, compact binocular is a good choice for a hunter who wants a bright, light optic. *Jeff Wilson*

Sightmark Solitude

Configuration: 8×32
Price: $179
Overall Score: ★ ★ ½
Optical Quality: C
Perceived Image: C+
Performance: B-
Design/Durability: B-
Price/Value: B
Final Verdict: This nicely sized and balanced binocular failed to focus well and caused eyestrain.

See how we test and evaluate optics.
See the riflescope review.

Andrew McKean

Andrew McKean is Outdoor Life’s hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. He’s also OL’s optics editor, helping readers to make informed buying decisions.

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