Looking for suggestions on best Binoculars for Newfoundland Moose Hunting

[GatorMike]

Going to NF in 2020 and looking for recommendations on binoculars

 

[Wapiti1]

8X30's would be my suggestion. You can see a ways, but it isn't like western hunting. Larger 10X42's would be fine as well, but if you are buying specifically for this hunt, I'd go with the lighter and smaller size.

Brand depends on your budget. Expect to pay $300 to get a good set, and the sky is the limit from there. Call Doug at CameralandNY and see what they suggest.

Jeremy

 

[jspradley]

What's your budget?

Swaro, Leica, and Zeiss are "the best" glass you can buy but they are $$$$$

There's some good options for less money though

 

[Hhardrockminer]

Hey Gator, We just got back from Mont elk hunting and the son had a pair of Nikon 8x56 a little large but was really impressed with their clarity and viewing. Just my .02 Hhardrock

 

[targetpanic]

While treestand hunting in the Northeast I typically use a pair of 8X45 Brunton Eternas. On my recent moose hunt in Maine I used my Swarovski 10X42, but I knew we would be glassing cuts, sometimes from long distances. From most accounts I have heard of Newfoundland either size would be just fine for the topography, and you typically aren't trying to discern a 40" bull from a 42" bull, your guide will be saying it's a moose...if you want meat you should shoot it!

 

[GatorMike]

What's your budget?

Swaro, Leica, and Zeiss are "the best" glass you can buy but they are $$$$$

There's some good options for less money though

Budget is open....just looking for a solid pair to use for long range hunt trips...I have heard of some $300 pairs that are just as good as $1500 pairs...just looking for suggestions from those that have hunted moose before as from hat I hear you need to spot a long way off

 

[CBECK61]

Swaro SLC is a super solid option for the money. There are some great options at the $300 price point but in the optics world you are gonna get what you pay for. Good glass saves you a lot of miles walking IMO. I see the SLCs on B&H for $1659 and I think its a great "value".

 

[jspradley]

This is gonna sound really bad but anyone saying their $300 binos are as good as $1500 binos is selling you a line of crap lol

$300 binos today are certainly better than $300 binos of 10 years ago though but glass is one area where the amount you pay really does make a difference quality. I have Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42s (around $200) Vortex Viper 10x42s (around $500) and Swaro EL 12x50s (about $2800) and the difference between the three is incredible and immediately apparent and I'm not trying to brag about having super expensive binos (though I do like to brag about snagging the Swaros for $1100 brand new lol)

If you can afford it then go for the best you can afford, if you have $1500 in the budget you really cant go wrong with the SLC as was recommended above. Maven makes some awesome binos in that price range too, Vortex Razors are nice but again, you get what you pay for. If you can swing $1100 for the Razors might as well save up a bit more for the SLCs if you can.

Whichever binos you get, make sure you get a tripod and adapter, even my Vipers on a tripod will smoke my Swaros handheld. It's that big of a difference.

 

[RAPTOR]

Agree with above, there's no $300 binos that compare with $1500 binos. I have a sweet pair of Razor HD 10x42 in the classifieds though that would be perfect

 

[Michael54]

(though I do like to brag about snagging the Swaros for $1100 brand new lol)

Amd i thought my used kodiak canvas 10x10 was a deal at $75 off fb marketplace was a steal....i need you to teach me

 

[jspradley]

Amd i thought my used kodiak canvas 10x10 was a deal at $75 off fb marketplace was a steal....i need you to teach me

Jump in your Delorean, hit 88mph and go back to when Cabela's was closing their bargain cave. lol

 

[elkguy]

If you can afford it, go for the best. I bought my swaros 10 years ago and don’t ever plan to buy another pair. I send them in every couple years for cleaning and inspection. I plan to buy a swaro spotter someday.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Get a pair of Swarovski SLC 10x42. Binoculars are a one time investment if you get the right pair and will heavily influence your hunting habits and enjoyment of hunting in general. I just got back from Idaho glassing on a tripod with my Swarovski ELs for the first time and it was amazing.

 

[pfillion666]

I have created an account just to answer your question

I just came back from a moose hunting trip in the eastern part of the Province of Quebec where I had the chance to compare a pair of Maven C1 10x42 ($350) and a pair of Nikon Monarch 7 8x42 ($400). Long story short, I prefered by far to use the Monarch 7 8x42 because of their wide field of view and it's also easier to be steady with a pair of 8x42. Especially when it's a little bit cold and you have a black bear in front of you

The area where I was is very similar to Newfoundland and in my opinion you should invest in a good pair of 8x42 for this type of hunt.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Zeiss conquest is pretty good for the $$$.

 

[keepriding]

I prefer the 10x40's for all of my hunting.The compacts don't gather enough light while the 50 mm's are too bulky.I find 10 power the maximum that I can comfortably use.

 

[camelcluch]

If budget is open, Swarovski. There are no $300 binos that compare to the top brands. The conquest is a good bino and falls very short of the swaro slc. Why cheat yourself on a trip like this?

 

[tdot]

A) What's your budget?

B) Where in Newfie Land are you going? There is a big difference in optics need depending on location.

C) Where/How do you hunt regularly and what would you need long term.

The one nice thing about top tier glass, is that you can buy it used and sell it for damn near the same price a year later.

 

[Trial153]

NL moose hunting isnt very optics technical. Buy the best 10x or 8x binoculars you can afford and call it a day.

 

[Jimss]

As mentioned above buy the best! It will likely be wet and rainy in New Foundland so that's an even bigger reason to buy the best. By far the top 2 brands are Swaro and Leica.....hands down! If you can't afford new take a look at the classified section on this website. I would much rather have a nearly new or demo pair of Swaro or Leica's than a brand new other brand. I recently got a killer deal on a pair of Leica 10x 40's from cameraland that were demos. They have a rangefinder built into them....which is super nice not having to have both!