October 28, 2010
A good pair of binoculars can help you peer into the shadows and discover hidden game animals...
To enhance your understanding of the big picture when you observe wildlife, always carry and use binoculars, and consider taking photographs. Binoculars help you focus on the small details, and photography helps make you far more aware of lighting and shadows. Below are some of the top binoculars for 2010.
Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC
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Combining 10x42 binoculars and ARC assisted laser rangefinding; Bushnell's Fusion 1600 ARC ($899; www.bushnell.com ) is ideal for bowhunters thanks to its slim shape and ergonomically enhanced body. The new Fusion displays distances from 10-1,600 yards and includes a built-in ARC Bow and Rifle Mode, which provides the true horizontal distance plus angle-compensated shooting distance.
Top features include a RainGuard HD antifog coating, waterproof construction and Bak-4 prisms with PC-3 phase corrective coating for the ultimate in clarity. The rangefinder also boasts AutomaticScan, BullsEye and Brush modes for pinpoint ranging.
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Redfield Rebel Series
Available in 8x32 and 10x42 magnifications, Redfield's Rebel ($130-$150; www.redfield.com ) roof-prism binos are economically priced yet packed with features. The roof-prism design reduces bulk and weight; the 8x32 binos weigh 17.1 ounces and measure 5 inches long, while the 10x42 model weighs 26.4 ounces and is 5.9 inches long. Featuring fully multicoated lenses and Bak-4 prisms, image clarity and brightness excels on the Rebel bino line. Notable features include a fully armored aluminum body, nitrogen filled for waterproof/fogproof performance, twist-up eyecups and tripod compatibility.
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Nikon 10x42 Trailblazer ATB
Addressing the requests of their consumers, Nikon added a 42mm binocular to its ATB (All Terrain Binocular) line in the Trailblazer series. The new 10x42 Trailblazer ($150; www.nikonhunting.com ) hits a price point all bowhunters will appreciate plus includes hunt-friendly features such as multi-coated lenses, rubber-armored coating, and turn-and-slide rubber eyecups and ample eye relief -- perfect for eyeglass wearers.
The durable, waterproof/fogproof roof-prism Trailblazer 10x42 weighs 23.6 ounces and has a 367-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. Its easy-to-operate Central Focus Knob offers smooth and fast focusing for quick viewing.
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Kowa Genesis-33 Series
KOWA's Genesis-33 Prominar Binocular Series ($1,250-$1,400; www.kowa-usa.com ) includes two models -- 8x33 and 10x33. Both binoculars feature four Prominar XD lens elements, which help reduce chromatic aberration and produce crisp images edge to edge with brilliant color definition.
Combined with C3 prism coatings, you get higher reflectivity and minimal loss of light for extended viewing sessions in the morning and evening. The 8x model offers a 420-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, while the 10x model provides a 357-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. Both models have a minimum focusing distance of five feet -- perfect for spying on squirrels out of your treestand.
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Steiner Wildlife Pro Ultra-Sharp 8x30
Designed to help viewers focus quickly and deliver sharp images even in low light, Steiner's Wildlife Pro Ultra-Sharp 8x30 ($399; www.steiner-binoculars.com ) bino features a two-part focusing system. The first element is Steiner's auto focusing system that produces detailed, rich images from 30 yards to infinity without having to manually refocus.
The second part includes fine-tuning focus options, requiring only a soft touch on the fingertip wheel for focusing on closer subjects. The auto-focusing system also lets users set the focus specifically for their eyes, adjusting focus for both the left and right eye. Lightweight and rubber armored, the Ultra-Sharp 8x30 is reasonably priced at just under $400 and perfectly sized for bowhunting applications.
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Vanguard Endeavor ED Series
Comfortable fit and fast focus are hallmarks of Vanguard's Endeavor ED ($569; www.vanguardworld.com ) binocular series. Available in two models, 8.5x45 and 10x45, Endeavor ED binos boast ED glass, which helps reduce color dispersion to help provide exceptional color resolution and detail.
Endeavor ED binos have Bak-4 roof prisms and special lens coat
ings for the ultimate in clarity. O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled, Vanguard's new binos include 3-stop eyecups, position-locking diopter ring, long eye relief, ergonomically designed center finger rests for comfortable viewing and an anti-reflection AR Coating that helps minimizes light reflection on the lenses.
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Bass Pro Redhead Epic 8x32
Don't let the price fool you. Packed with features, Bass Pro's Redhead Epic 8x32 ($170; www.basspro.com ) binocular features a Realtree APG camo finish, a 367-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, and measures just 4.7 inches long.
Durability is provided via shock-absorbing rubber armor, 100-percent waterproof design and nitrogen purging for fog-free performance. The compact bino also includes a Bak-4 roof prism for increased light transmission, right-eye diopter for precise focusing, multi-layer phase coating for detailed imaging, large center focus knob for quick focusing and twist-up eyecups for easy viewing.
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Alpen Wings Series
The Wings ($264-$275 for non-ED glass, $561-572 for ED glass; www.alpenoptics.com ) binocular series includes two models -- 8x42 and 10x42 -- and delivers an ergonomic, textured, rubber-armored design with exceptionally sharp optical performance.
The open-hinge design provides comfortable viewing, while optional high-quality extra dispersion (ED) glass adds unsurpassed color reproduction and contrast in all light conditions. Alpen's Bak-4 prisms, combined with fully multicoated and PXA phase coatings, help enhance brightness, clarity and color. O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled, Alpen's new binos also include twist-lock eyecups that allow use with or without eyeglasses.
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Cabela's Euro Binoculars
Cabela's teamed up with European optics manufacturer Meopta to introduce the new Euro ($850-$950; www.cabelas.com ) Binocular series. Available in two models, 10x42 and 12x50, all lenses are multi-coated using an innovative Ion Assisted lens coating for superb light transmission.
Combining half-pentagonal and Schmidt roof prisms, Euro Binoculars produce excellent color definition from edge to edge. Built on an aluminum-alloy body protected by rugged rubber armor, Cabela's new line of binos is made to hunt. Additional features include nitrogen purged lenses for fogproof, waterproof performance, twist-up eyecups and an extra large center focus wheel with integrated adjustable diopter for easy one-hand focusing.
