Who Makes The Best Hunting Binoculars Under $200?
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Binoculars are helpful when out hunting when you need to look further downrange to see better all around you. Hunting binoculars can also be helpful just when out bird watching or out hiking. When looking at purchasing the best hunting binoculars under $200 there are a few things that you will want to know about purchasing a set of hunting binoculars.
I’ve compiled a list of things to look for when buying a set of hunting binoculars as well as some that I recommend you check out.
Magnification
When looking at the magnification of binoculars there are typically two numbers that are listed as the magnification numbers for the binoculars. For example, if a binocular is advertised as 10×42 the first number refers to how much the view of the object would be increased so in this example the object would be magnified 10 times.
A magnification of around 7-10 is going to be preferred for hunting. Generally the larger the magnification number the harder it’s going to be able to keep the image within the binoculars steady at a long distance.
Diameter
The second number in the magnification size refers to the diameter of the lenses of the binoculars so in our example these binoculars would have a 42mm diameter lens. The sizes of the lenses determine how much light the binoculars can gather which will enhance what you can see within the binoculars particularly in low light conditions.
Generally the larger the lenses of the binoculars the more you will be able to see, however, the larger the diameter of the lenses the more expensive the binoculars will be and they will generally cost more the larger the lens diameter.
Another note with the lens size is the portability of the hunting binoculars you will be choosing, the larger the diameter of the lenses in your hunting binoculars the harder they are going to be to transport to and from your hunting spots.
Image Quality
Image quality is going to be the number one determining factor when looking at selecting hunting binoculars. The image quality is largely determined by the quality of glass used to make the hunting binoculars as well as the type of prism used to manufacture the binoculars.
There are varying degrees of glass and quality to make sure that you pick one that is going to be of higher quality as the main reason you would want to use binoculars is going to be able to increase your vision at farther distances. If you go with low-quality hunting binoculars the image quality is going to suffer and you will not be able to see downrange as well.
BAK-4 glass vs BK-7 glass
BAK4 glass
BAK-4 glass is a higher density glass than BK-7 glass and therefore is of higher optical quality than BK-7 glass. If you want the best glass prism for your binoculars you would want to go with BAK-4 glass. BAK-4 glass will offer a better image quality than BK-7 glass.
BK-7 glass
BK-7 glass is typically going to be found in lower-priced hunting binoculars and will still produce a good image quality. BK-7 glass is just a less expensive glass that can be used to manufacture binoculars. Some binoculars produced with BK-7 glass can cause blurred edges around the edge of the image.
Lens Coating
Some binoculars will also come with a lens coating that will help transmit the light within the binoculars and make the image clearer. These coatings do this by removing reflections within the lens to allow the binoculars to show what you are looking at downrange instead of glare from the sun or another object.
Field of View
The field of view will also be a measurement that you will see listed on most hunting binoculars. What the field of view is referring to is the distance that you will be able to see effectively using the binoculars. Anything out of this range and the image would not be as sharp. The larger your field of view on your hunting binoculars the larger the overall view that you will be able to see with the binoculars.
Waterproof
Some of the hunting binoculars in this list will also be listed as waterproof hunting binoculars. This means they are constructed to not let any water into the lenses or prism in the event that you were to drop them in water or get wet from the rain. This is an essential feature to have if you are planning on using them on hunting trips a lot where you expect to be in the rain or snow.
Fogproof
Fogproof hunting binoculars are nice because they keep the lenses of the binoculars from getting fogged up by water condensation or drastic changes in temperatures.
Construction
Some hunting binoculars are made from lightweight aluminum housings to make them lighter and easier to carry while out hunting. It may be a good idea to get a pair of binoculars that are rubber coated to help keep the binoculars in good condition and help protect against abrasions.
The rubber coating also makes it easier to be able to grip the binoculars. Some hunting binoculars will also be nitrogen purged in order to try to keep moisture from getting inside of the binoculars.
Lens cover
Some of the hunting binoculars on this list will come with a lens cover included with the purchase of the hunting binoculars. If your set of hunting binoculars does not come with a set of lens covers you may want to look at making that investment to protect your new purchase from damage.
Vortex Optics Crossfire Roof Prism Binoculars
Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars
