7X50 porro binos for deer hunting

[puddleglum]

Hi all,

I am looking at binos for rifle deer hunting in Eastern WI. Most of my hunting will be morning and evening, relatively stationary, over fields, and next to a small woods. I also might use them for turkey hunting.

I have been reading up on different kinds of binos and something like a Steiner 7x50 porro prism type bino seems interesting. Good for low light, not going to be super shaky, and the "set it and forget it" focus seems interesting. Long eye releif is a must for me.

Anyone using something like this and like it, or used one and found it lacking?

Thanks,
-pg

 

[4th_point]

Can't help with modern 7x50, but I would personally like to check out the Kowa 8x56 that Doug has on sale.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

ETA - it's normally a $600-ish binoc, so expectations need to reasonable

 

[Bugger]

What’s the distance across the fields?

 

[puddleglum]

I am hunting a back 40 acres but there are other 40s abutting it on three sides, so maybe 800 yard glassing in two directions, and 400 yards in another. Not that I am going to be shooting that far, but for being aware of deer that are heading to where I would shoot. The woods are about 100 yards from where I plan to put in a blind. No paths or clearings in the woods yet but I might want to put in a clover patch and a few apple trees eventualy with shooting lanes into the woods

What’s the distance across the fields?

 

[Bugger]

I am hunting a back 40 acres but there are other 40s abutting it on three sides, so maybe 800 yard glassing in two directions, and 400 yards in another. Not that I am going to be shooting that far, but for being aware of deer that are heading to where I would shoot. The woods are about 100 yards from where I plan to put in a blind. No paths or clearings in the woods yet but I might want to put in a clover patch and a few apple trees eventualy with shooting lanes into the woods

Sounds like a nice setup. I think you’ll be disappointed with the 7x magnification at those distances if you’re looking to judge antlers. There’s no “1 size fits all” fixed power solution for varied distances in low light. Most small spotting scopes either have too small of an objective and/or the lowest magnification setting is too high to be useful in very low light. A 56mm rifle scope has the best potential for adjusting magnification to get the most detail every minute the light changes but it’s attached to a gun so that’s not very safe or neighborly. I’ve been looking at the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56 as a secondary optic for a similar use case you have. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet because it’s not a familiar brand.

 

[hobbler]

How much are you looking to spend? could spend a grand for nice porros or 300 for some decent chinese.

 

[puddleglum]

Sounds like a nice setup. I think you’ll be disappointed with the 7x magnification at those distances if you’re looking to judge antlers. There’s no “1 size fits all” fixed power solution for varied distances in low light. Most small spotting scopes either have too small of an objective and/or the lowest magnification setting is too high to be useful in very low light. A 56mm rifle scope has the best potential for adjusting magnification to get the most detail every minute the light changes but it’s attached to a gun so that’s not very safe or neighborly. I’ve been looking at the Celestron Hummingbird 9-27x56 as a secondary optic for a similar use case you have. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet because it’s not a familiar brand.

My thinking was, at long distance, I would just need to know if it is a deer and if it is coming my way or not. Not a trophy hunter, more interested in putting something in the freezer, and the crock pot later. I lean toward the less is more philosophy with optics, bigger isn't automatically better. With a 7x50 porro, I would have a wider field of view and less work focusing at different ranges could be helpful as well. But this is largely in theory on my part, since I have hunted very little. I could see how, at the ranges I am going to be glassing more magnification could be be helpful. I appreciate your input and will consider it.

How much are you looking to spend? could spend a grand for nice porros or 300 for some decent chinese.

I probably am looking at something in the sub $750 range. I will keep an eye out on ebay and classifieds for a decent price on a used/refurb bino. Mostly doing my research now, since I need to buy a spotting scope first for practice shooting at 100, then 200, then 300 yards. If I am watching for binos now and have a good idea of what I am looking for, I will know the right deal when I see it.

 

[nm.otter]

I need to buy a spotting scope first for practice shooting at 100, then 200, then 300 yards.

Have you given any thought to a pair of 15X-18X binos for that purpose?

 

[hobbler]

I see. https://binocular.ch/ and https://www.allbinos.com/ are decent sources. i wouldnt look to a porro. your not gonna get much more for your buck. light transmission is also as or more important than the exit pupil size.

 

[puddleglum]

Have you given any thought to a pair of 15X-18X binos for that purpose?

I haven’t. You think they will be enough to pick up my hits on splatter/high vis targets at 300 yards? Could I get a pair of 18x binos that would be good enough for that job for less than a spotting scope?

I have a Trijicon 2.5-15x42 on my rifle. I was assuming that might not be quite enough for picking up my hits out past 100 yards.

 

[puddleglum]

I see. https://binocular.ch/ and https://www.allbinos.com/ are decent sources. i wouldnt look to a porro. your not gonna get much more for your buck. light transmission is also as or more important than the exit pupil size.

Interesting. I was under the impression porros could have just as good of light transmission as roof prisms, often for less money.

Was I mistaken about this?

 

[nm.otter]

Could I get a pair of 18x binos that would be good enough for that job for less than a spotting scope?

In short -- maybe / probably.

Plenty of first-hand reports and discourse here on the topic.

 

[rookieforever33]

You might want to look into a decent pair of 8x or 10x roof prism binos. Get some steel targets for your 200 and 300 range shots. Skip the spotter unless you want to stretch out your viewing.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

For quality as well as a very bright view the Kowa BD56-8XD 8x56mm Prominar XD Binoculars are an excellent option. On sale for only $349.99, reduced from $599.00,
Use of phase-coated prism surface
Close minimum focusing distance
Use of twist-up eyecup for easy viewing
Rubber coating that is comfortable for holding
Waterproof structure filled with dry nitrogen gas
Polcarbonate body

 

[Formidilosus]

Hi all,

I am looking at binos for rifle deer hunting in Eastern WI. Most of my hunting will be morning and evening, relatively stationary, over fields, and next to a small woods. I also might use them for turkey hunting.

I have been reading up on different kinds of binos and something like a Steiner 7x50 porro prism type bino seems interesting. Good for low light, not going to be super shaky, and the "set it and forget it" focus seems interesting. Long eye releif is a must for me.

Anyone using something like this and like it, or used one and found it lacking?

Thanks,
-pg

The 7x50mm Steiners I have used (they’re tactical ones) have been “meh”.
I’ve been using a pair of the Kowa BD II 6.5x32mm binos the last week or so. My use was for glassing large hill sides for bear, and they are proving to be really good for that.

These things are tailor made for woods or eastern deer hunting.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[180ls1]

Monarch HG are worth a hard look 8x42 - 435' FOV and $500-600 used.

Their cheaper cousin Monarch 7 are slightly less impressive and 60% of the price.

 

[hobbler]

Interesting. I was under the impression porros could have just as good of light transmission as roof prisms, often for less money.

Was I mistaken about this?

Not mistaken. Porro have inherent advantages leading to better light transmission, but they don’t get the focus in R&D that roofs do, and thus lag behind. An 8x will be pleasant to hand hold. There’s a million options and it is a lot of hair splitting.