March 10, 2014
By Bowhunting Online Staff
If it's time to upgrade your hunting optics , the good news is there's plenty of great options for 2014.
Whether you're looking for a new set of binoculars or rangefinders, there's a ton of great technology to assist you this year. This year's optics can do more than ever, so be sure to check out our list of the best new hunting optics for 2014, straight from the ATA Show in Nashville, Tenn.
Bushnell G-Force DX The new G-Force DX laser rangefinder from
Bushnell features a second-generation E.S.P. (Extreme Speed Precision) processor for unprecedented distance acquisition. The G-Force DX includes a 6X eyepiece and 1,300-yard ranging capabilities. It boasts ½-yard accuracy and 1„10-yard display precision from 5-125 yards. Vivid Display Technology (VDT) and Angle Range Compensation (ARC) are also included for a 15 percent brighter display and point-on, no-guess aiming at uphill and downhill targets. Built from a machined metal housing and covered in rubber armor, this unit is rugged, fully waterproof and protected by RainGuard HD technology. Look for it in grey or Realtree Xtra.
MSRP: $ 399-
$ 419
Leupold BX-1 Yosemite Leupold has added a new, 10x30 model to its
BX-1 Yosemite line of binoculars. Designed for smaller hands, the BX-1 Yosemite is great for women and youth hunters, also adjusting to accommodate smaller inter-pupillary gaps for smaller faces. Forgiving eye relief also makes them friendly to eye-glass wearers. Fully multicoated lenses provide optimal brightness, resolution, contrast and color fidelity. They're rugged and waterproof and include Leupold's Lifetime Warranty.
MSRP: Starting at
$ 130
Nikon Monarch 7 For 2014,
Nikon is offering two scaled-down versions of its renowned
Monarch 7 product line; now available in 8x30 and 10x30 versions. The 30mm objective lenses feature a compact body measuring 4.7 and 4.8 inches wide and made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin covered in rubber armoring. They weigh a bit more than 15 ounces. Additionally, they feature ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass like other Monarch 7 models, and high-reflective, multilayer prism coatings for excellent images. They also have 15mm eye relief and multi-click, turn-and-slide rubber eyecups and are 100 percent fog- and waterproof.
MSRP: $ 380 (8x30),
$ 400 (10x30)
Redfield Renegade The porro prism
Renegade binocular line from Redfield is being expanded for 2014 to include 8x36 and 10x36 models. Renegade provides excellent performance at a price that's tough to beat, including fully multicoated lenses and BAK-4 prisms for good brightness, resolution and edge clarity. The newest versions are compact and lightweight while also proving waterproof and fog-proof for assurance that nasty weather won't ruin your hunt. Twist-adjust eyecups make them friendly to any user. All Redfield products are covered by the Redfield 'No Excuses ' warranty.
MSRP: $ 100 (8x36),
$ 115 (10x36)
Swarovski SLC Swarovski's SLC is synonymous with exceptional quality, ruggedness and reliability via advanced optical systems and state-of-the-art coatings. HD optics, compact design and easy handling have made them a hunting favorite. Swaroski's new generation of binocular is set to make a great product even better — brighter, tougher and lighter. Look for them in 8x42 and 10x42, and the newest, the 15x56, to be launched in January 2014.
MSRP: $ 1,921 (42 Series)
Celestron Regal M2 Spotting Scope The
Regal M2 Spotting Scope from Celestron is offered in 60mm, 80mm and 100mm models; each with ED lenses and advanced optical features providing sharp viewing. XLT multi-coating provides truer color, sharper contrast and higher resolution for brighter, crisper images. They include magnesium-alloy bodies so they're 14 percent lighter than previous models. A dual-focusing system allows rough or fine control to dial into targets faster, and the rotating tripod mount with audible clicks also aids in faster target acquisition. A sliding sunshade with sighting line is also included. The variable zoom eyepiece with a twist-up eyecup can also be used with an SLR camera (with a T-adaptor ring) to take long-range images.
MSRP: $ 499
Bresser LR800WP Bresser's LR800WP laser rangefinder is an essential tool in making that season-making shot by quickly providing the distance between you and your target. The compact unit is waterproof and housed in a non-slip rubber armor coating to be rugged in the field. It's designed to measure up to 800 yards. It includes multicoated optics, 21mm objective lens and 4X magnification. It also features LCD readout, CR2 3-volt battery, a carrying case and a lens-cleaning cloth.
MSRP: $ 180
Leica Rangemaster 1000-F Now in its second generation, the
Leica Rangemaster 1000-F has emerged as one of the finest laser rangefinders in the business. The German-engineered unit includes 7X magnification and sharp 24mm objective/front lens with a light-gathering twilight factor rating of 13. It is designed to range from 10-1,000 yards with +/-1-yard accuracy. It contains an integrated ballistic program and a turn-down rubber eyecup. Optics include AquaDura coating to shed water, while the entire unit is fogproof and waterproof.
MSRP: $ 599
Nikon Aculon Nikon's smallest laser rangefinder to date — the
ACULON — measures 1.5x2.9x3.6 inches and weighs only 4.4 ounces without batteries. It offers a 6X magnification eyepiece and 20mm objective lens with long eye relief, while all glass receives Nikon's multilayer coatings for bright, clear images. Distant Target Priority Mode automatically displays the range of the farthest target from a clustered arrangement; helpful when ranging through grass or branches. It provides yardage from 6-550 yards with single-button operation, including continuous scan mode. They're offered in green or Realtree Xtra Green.
MSRP: $ 170 (green),
$ 190 (camo)
Leupold Mojave Leupold's Mojave binocular line now includes lighter, more compact 8x32 and 10x32 models. The smaller versions weigh only 17 ounces. They're well balanced and easy to handle via an open-bridge body design and include L-Coat BAK-4 prisms and silver-enhanced, cold-mirror coatings for excellent image quality. Long eye relief makes them friendly to eyeglass wearers. They're armor coated, nitrogen filled and 100 percent fog- and waterproof, and include Leupold's Limited Lifetime Warranty.
MSRP: Starting at
$ 465
Bohning Trail Camera Bag Bohning Archery has come up with a nifty way to store and protect up to four trail cameras. The
Trail Camera Bag is a gray and black satchel with three Velcro-edged dividers that can be repositioned to hold your cameras in fully padded compartments. The exterior zip-closure pocket is perfect for keeping spare SD cards handy and organized. The bag includes an adjustable and removable padded shoulder strap. The bag measures 5.5x8.18 inches.
MSRP: $ 53
SpyPoint XCEL Capture full, 1080p, HD footage with
SpyPoint's new XCEL compact action camera. Replay, enjoy and share every exciting moment with wide-angle video. The waterproof housing helps protect the camera in all weather conditions. The camera can be powered on or off from a distance with the provided remote control. The XCEL HD camera is fully compatible with a wide range of accessories designed for hunting and various other outdoor activities.
MSRP: $ 250
Bohning Aim-It Bohning Archery's Aim-It camera mount is fully adjustable to hold your camera at any angle or to accommodate crooked trees. Aim-It is quickly and easily attached to any tree using the 'clawed ' base and adjustable nylon webbing strap (included), or four wood screws (not included). Three points of rotation allows it to turn to nearly any angle, the small footprint making it easy to hide from thieves. It's constructed of lightweight but tough glass-filled nylon, and includes a tripod-type mount that screws into the threaded tap of most popular trail cameras.
MSRP: $ 25
Bushnell Equinox 3x30mm Bushnell has expanded its
Equinox night-vision family with a new 3x30mm digital monocular unit. The version provides crisp, clear images and a dual output mode allowing users to display images in green, black or white. Built with a rugged, water-resistant housing meeting IPX-4 waterproof qualifications, it offers all-weather performance. Integrated polarized filters, variable screen brightness and image contrast optimize viewing. It's tripod mountable and includes integrated rails for the addition of an IR light to extend viewing range.
MSRP: $ 330
HookUpz Smartphone Adaptor HookUpz adaptors for Samsung Galaxy S4 iPhones easily connect your smartphone to your full-sized 32mm-50mm objective lens binocular. It includes two interchangeable rubber rings allowing the adaptor to fit most full-sized binoculars that also have an outer eyepiece housing diameter between 40mm and 44mm. It allows taking photos or video directly through the binocular and onto your phone for easy sharing.
MSRP: $ 25-
$ 30
LensPen The improved
LensPen is perfect for cleaning all expensive optics using its retractable, natural brush to remove loose dust, twisting the opposite cap to utilize the carbon-impregnated cleaning pad to safely clean away smudges and watermarks. The carbon compound is like that found in printer's ink, the reason newspapers remain an effective glass cleaner The newly designed twist-action cap makes the LensPen more compact, also recharging the carbon on the cleaning tip after each use.
MSRP: $ 20
