Treestand Binoculars

[7025Jack]

Steiner Predators in 8x42 for over 20 years. Nice physical size, rubber armored and 8 power. They finally bit the dust and out of warranty. Looking for a replacement 8x42 now...

 

[Hondo]

Kowa Genesis XD Prominar 8x33 for the last several years. Tried a pair of the BDII's and sent them back as I didn't like them as well as the Viper 6x32's that they were to replace.

 

[Kurts86]

For Eastern hunts I’ll swap out SLC 10x42’s for CL 8x30’s to get something easier to one hand hold with more FOV. I don’t love them once I get out past 500-1000 yards but in close they shine in a ground blind or out of a treestand.

For what it’s worth I’ve always found I struggle with getting comfortable behind 30/32mm binoculars. They seem much more finicky with eye relief and depth of field. The CL’s and many compact binoculars are too small for an ergonomic two handed grip. They only 8x30’s I don’t have that issue with are the old SLC 8x30’s which are more full sized feeling.

Running different alpha glass for Eastern hunting is definitely a first world problem. I spent a lot of years wanting a solution for it and now that I have one its of marginal gains. If anything my CL’s are backup binoculars for western trips now having broken my 10’s during a hunt.

 

[sobry84]

I run the Leupold McKenzie 10×42s. I hunt woods where sometimes I can only see 30-40 yards and other times where I can see 150-200 yards. They are a little much for the close distance but when I can see a long ways I can really pick the woods apart.

 

[Fogalo]

For tree stand hunting binos are the difference maker between I see movement and there’s a specific buck I’ve seen on camera. Absolute necessity in my book. My buddy has the 12x nl pures and is convinced they’re the best option. He could be right. I use zeiss victory 10x42. One other thing is if you’re in stand before daylight, binos can tell you the exact deer you’re looking at before shooting time to make sure you don’t make any errors waiting for the sun to come up.

 

[Davyalabama]

I have some SLC 8x42, nice, light, can use one handed for a little while not for long scanning.

I also bought a pair of zeiss terra, 8x25 for turkey season, these little things may find their way into my cargo pockets if I'm on a ladder stand in Bama where I can't see much past 150 yards. 10 oz., good glass.

If you hunt ladder stands a lot, you understand, some stands are nice and comfy, some are just the old, cheap walmart metal stands. These small metal stands, room is very minimalistic. I put these where I'm not needing a nice shooting rail for distance. I will just bring what I can fit in a pocket, the bino harness did help last year, but with these new zeiss, I may not even bring the harness.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

I have some SLC 8x42, nice, light, can use one handed for a little while not for long scanning.

I also bought a pair of zeiss terra, 8x25 for turkey season, these little things may find their way into my cargo pockets if I'm on a ladder stand in Bama where I can't see much past 150 yards. 10 oz., good glass.

If you hunt ladder stands a lot, you understand, some stands are nice and comfy, some are just the old, cheap walmart metal stands. These small metal stands, room is very minimalistic. I put these where I'm not needing a nice shooting rail for distance. I will just bring what I can fit in a pocket, the bino harness did help last year, but with these new zeiss, I may not even bring the harness.

They seem like a pretty reasonably priced pocket binocular with Zeiss's name on it.

A lot of good suggestions in this thread. I definitely want to try a Rick Young Harness to try and get more minimal. Possibly one of the smaller ones guys mentioned as well in the $300 - $500 range.

 

[JimIsland]

I've been happy with the Meopta Meostar 8X42.

 

[oldskool67]

I have some older Leupold Acadia 8x42. They work perfect for me inside 200 yds

 

[PA Mnt Hntr]

Tract Toric 10x42 for all around use. 8X42 would also be a great option.