Binoculars for my son

[TheCougar]

My son is turning 12 and he just drew a trophy elk tag in AZ. The last couple of years he has been using an exceptionally crappy pair of binoculars and I want to give him a decent set to use. My budget is around $300 max. I’ve done my research and narrowed it down to the Maven C1, the Vortex Viper, and the Meopta Meopro (with their military programs, they are pretty close in price). The mavens seem to be better than the vortex, but some guys complain about the narrow FOV and the poor eyecups. I know very little of the Meopta, so I’d appreciate any thoughts on those. I was thinking 10x, but wondering what your thoughts would be on 8x for a kid? What’s more important for beginning glassing - magnification or FOV? Are any of these hands down the best for durability and reliability and ease of use? I’d give up a little optical quality for some other intangibles - gasp! The 8x are also lighter, which matters when you’re a little dude, but the difference is pretty slight... and if someone could tell me how the Meopro 8x32s have a FOV that crush all the 8x42s (including the Meopros), I would appreciate the lessons.

Doug recommended the athlon. I know nothing of those, so I’m interested in your thoughts.

 

[Trial153]

I dont have much experience with any of those models. But good luck with your sons tag, i hope he kills a great one.

 

[TheCougar]

I dont have much experience with any of those models. But good luck with your sons tag, i hope he kills a great one.

I think I am more excited than he is!

 

[NoWiser]

Congrats to him on his tag! You both will have a lifetime of memories from this hunt. I'd go 8X without hesitation. Kids and new hunters struggle to find things in optics, especially during the heat of the moment. The larger FOV and steadier image will outweigh any difference in magnification. Very little is lost going from 10X to 8X. A fair bit of usability is gained. Good luck.

 

[gburk]

Trophy tag at 12! Congrats I couldn’t even draw them a youth cow tag this year. I like the 8x advice above and also would be serious about tethers to ensure he breaks, rather than loses them

 

[Terrapin]

I’ve switched to 8X for almost everything. My favorite hunting binoculars for N Idaho elk (brushy) are a pair of 8x32 Vipers I got accidentally... I was going to send them back, but used them one day and fell in love with them. They go with my when the larger, way more expensive binoculars stay home.


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[TheCougar]

Trophy tag at 12! Congrats I couldn’t even draw them a youth cow tag this year. I like the 8x advice above and also would be serious about tethers to ensure he breaks, rather than loses them

I modified an old Bino harness to fit him, so losing them shouldn’t be an issue. I hope.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Congratulations. You and your son will have a great time. Which unit did your son draw? Depending on the unit, you may want to put both of your's binoculars on a tripod. Makes glassing a lot easier as well as let you put the elk in his binoculars for him.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

If I may suggest, on sale from $489.99, for only $319.99, the Athlon Optics Cronus 8.5x42 Binocular

• E2ES System- Edge 2 Edge Sharpness system: E2ES System is a field flattening system that produces sharper, clearer images all the way from one lens edge to the other
• ED Glass- High definition glass: ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings a clearer and sharper image to your eyes
• ESP Dielectric Coating- Enhanced Spectral Prism Dielectric Coating: ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
• Lightweight Magnesium Chassis: Magnesium chassis give you the strength of a metal chassis while reducing the weight as much as 35%
• XPL Coating- Xtra Protective Layer coating: XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
• Phase Corrected prisms: Phase corrected prisms produce images that have better contrast, a higher resolution and better color reproduction
• BaK4 prisms: Bak-4 glass prisms reflect more light to your eyes which will give you brighter and sharper image.
• Advanced FMC: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
• Locking Diopter: Locking Diopter keeps the diopter adjustment knob from accidentally moving from the optimal setting
• Long Eye Relief: Long eye relief can be particularly important for eyeglass wearers because longer eye relief allows them to still see the entire field of view.
• Close Focus: Close focus is important for those who are nature observers and especially important if you are going to watch butterflies or insects
• Twist Up Eyecups: Twist up eyecups with intermediate stops allow you to set the eyecups to the ideal eye relief for you eyes
• Waterproof: Waterproof to protects the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater
• Argon Purged: Argon purging gives you better waterproofing and thermal stability

 

[TheCougar]

Congratulations. You and your son will have a great time. Which unit did your son draw? Depending on the unit, you may want to put both of your's binoculars on a tripod. Makes glassing a lot easier as well as let you put the elk in his binoculars for him.

He’s already got a tripod! A small slik tripod that works for his height. I’m big into glassing, so a tripod was mandatory equipment. Crappy binos on a tripod are better than great binos in the hand! We drew two tags, probably both 27 and 1. One of the tags will get turned back after I figure out what we drew and which one is better. I know 27 has bigger elk, but rougher country. He can hike and did well on a mule deer hunt last year, so I might lean towards 27 if the elk densities are high enough that we can see enough elk to keep him interested and motivated enough to keep climbing into canyons.

 

[AGPank]

I’d balance his optics with yours. I really like 8x32 for most hunting. If you are in a trophy area and may be doing more distant glassing, do you have a spotter? Do you have 10x42 for you?

Mavens are well reviewed. I like Meopta, but haven’t tried the Meopro line. If you have discount, I’d lean that way.


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[TheCougar]

I’d balance his optics with yours. I really like 8x32 for most hunting. If you are in a trophy area and may be doing more distant glassing, do you have a spotter? Do you have 10x42 for you?

Mavens are well reviewed. I like Meopta, but haven’t tried the Meopro line. If you have discount, I’d lean that way.


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Yeah, I’ve got 10 and 15 SLCs and a 65mm razor. I’ve got my glass covered. With 4 kids, I’d like to get decent glass for them that will last and are reliable. There’s no way I’m Letting him carry my SLCs! I’ve let him use them before on his tripod, but I was really nervous and pushy anytime he touched them. Better for all of us if he has his own.

 

[gburk]

He’s already got a tripod! A small slik tripod that works for his height. I’m big into glassing, so a tripod was mandatory equipment. Crappy binos on a tripod are better than great binos in the hand! We drew two tags, probably both 27 and 1. One of the tags will get turned back after I figure out what we drew and which one is better. I know 27 has bigger elk, but rougher country. He can hike and did well on a mule deer hunt last year, so I might lean towards 27 if the elk densities are high enough that we can see enough elk to keep him interested and motivated enough to keep climbing into canyons.

That’s awesome. You probably are aware but jay Scott had a guy on about a month ago talking about 1 vs 27 for early vs late season. Might be worth looking that up and giving the outfitter a call for his take. Seems that bulls from 1 will winter in 27 (don’t quote me on that I don’t have either tag so only paid half attention)
We drove through a huge herd in unit 1 on private last October at night and my son got the herd bull all fired up. They are still talking about that trip! Good luck

 

[SteveCNJ]

Congratulations! I'm excited for him as well! I had a pair of Nikon Monarch 5's that I really liked. I found a pair on sale for $244.99. Best of luck to you and your son!

NIKON | 10x42 Monarch 5 ED Binoculars *FREE SHIPPING* | 7577 / M511 | Tri-State Camera, Video, and Computer

NIKON 10x42 Monarch 5 ED Binoculars *FREE SHIPPING* - 7577 / M511. For more information, please call 800-221-1926.

tristatecamera.com

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[Hatchet Jack]

if you got a late tag in 27 i'd suggest at least a 10x bino on a tripod, it is huge country and you're glassing across some big canyons. Those bulls have an uncanny ability to hide in that deadfall with yellow grass.

 

[Lionhound1975]

I would go with a Meopro, it is not as good as a Meostar but i think it is still good for the money and will be a good piece of glass for your son as he learns to take care of his gear. I have a Vortex Viper HD that was made in Japan, it is pretty good but i don't know if the Viper is still being made in Japan or China. I don't have any experience with the Maven C1.

For a kid that is just learning to use optics i would go with a 8x even if i was hunting open country where a 10x would be better simply because of the usually wider FOV and depth for glassing as well as the brighter image. All of these factors combine to make it more enjoyable for a kid to use for several hours a day. It will also be easier to hold and scan as you stop every few minutes while climbing or hiking. I started my son out with a Leupold Yosemite in 6x32 because it was so much easier for him to hold still than that the 8x or 10x and because he was small enough that most binoculars's eyepieces would not adjust close enough for his eyes. Once kids get used to holding glass and like it, they will constantly be glassing areas on their own when you take them out in the hills. Plus once your son or daughter gets addicted to binoculars, their little angelic voices are a powerful back up as you attempt to convince your wife that spending money on yet another spotting scope is an incredible investment! LOL

Congratulations on the elk tag and more importantly the incredible adventure you and your son will have in back country together.

 

[TheCougar]

I would go with a Meopro, it is not as good as a Meostar but i think it is still good for the money and will be a good piece of glass for your son as he learns to take care of his gear. I have a Vortex Viper HD that was made in Japan, it is pretty good but i don't know if the Viper is still being made in Japan or China. I don't have any experience with the Maven C1.

For a kid that is just learning to use optics i would go with a 8x even if i was hunting open country where a 10x would be better simply because of the usually wider FOV and depth for glassing as well as the brighter image. All of these factors combine to make it more enjoyable for a kid to use for several hours a day. It will also be easier to hold and scan as you stop every few minutes while climbing or hiking. I started my son out with a Leupold Yosemite in 6x32 because it was so much easier for him to hold still than that the 8x or 10x and because he was small enough that most binoculars's eyepieces would not adjust close enough for his eyes. Once kids get used to holding glass and like it, they will constantly be glassing areas on their own when you take them out in the hills. Plus once your son or daughter gets addicted to binoculars, their little angelic voices are a powerful back up as you attempt to convince your wife that spending money on yet another spotting scope is an incredible investment! LOL

Congratulations on the elk tag and more importantly the incredible adventure you and your son will have in back country together.

Several guys reached out and recommended 8x. I think it’s solid advice and that is the way I plan on going. I’ve had several guys recommend the meopro as well. Leaning towards Meopro or maven.

 

[vermeire]

Leupold has amazing prices in their VIP program. You mentioned military so you should qualify. Not trying to muddy the water just trying to get you great prices on glass.

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[pc3]

My son has a vanguard veo 204 tripod, vortex vanquish 10x26 bino's and a hawke spotting scope.

Ill get him a velbin bino holder so he can mount them on a tripod....he wants some vortex vulture 15's for his brithday now too, so maybe ill forget the velbin holder idea for the vanquish's

The vanquish are very good for the money. The hawke spotter is also very good for the money. The vanguard veo tripod is super light and really nice.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

If you’re not in a rush look for a used set of Swarovski 8x30 SLC
I’ve seen them sell used in the $400-600 range and they are way beyond what you’ll find new in that price range