New Optics & Scouting Gear for 2022

From rangefinders and binoculars to trail cameras and smartphone apps, the new year always brings exciting innovation to this category!

January 07, 2022 By Jace Bauserman

Good Just Got Better — Browning Defender Pro Scout Max

Another winner from the minds at Browning Trail Cameras, the new Defender Pro Scout Max cellular cam is outfitted with Browning’s state-of-the-art Dual Carrier Technology, which means cameras can be activated on AT&T and Verizon network plans. Adding icing to the cell-cam cake is Radiant 6 Night Illumination, an innovative technology that utilizes high-resolution camera sensors so you get the clearest day and nighttime photos possible. IR flash settings are adjustable up to 120 feet, and trigger speeds are rapid — .25 seconds with a .35-second recovery time. Browning’s Strike Force Wireless app is a breeze to use, and there are multiple plan options from which to choose. $159.99 | browningtrailcameras.com

Know Your Distance — Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W

A ballistically calculated rangefinder that promises rapid yardage readout and performs flawlessly regardless of external lighting conditions, Leupold’s RX-1400i TBR/W is just what the rangefinder doctor ordered. Users will applaud its compact build, and its ergonomics are second to none. The housing is a lightweight polymer, and the rangefinder ensures you get a true ballistic range to your target. $199.99 | leupold.com

Two In One — Garmin GPSMAP 66i

An innovative outdoor unit that effectively combines Garmin GPS navigation with inReach satellite communication technology, the GPSMAP 66i makes an ideal in-the-field companion. The 66i provides two-way messaging and location tracking no matter how far off the beaten path you roam, and you can easily trigger an SOS to the GEOS 24/7 emergency response team for interactive support in case of an emergency. Mapping, dropping pins and other functions are a breeze with this easy-to-tote handheld unit. $599.99 | garmin.com

Super Fast, Super Silent — Covert WC20

An economical cell cam with a new-for-2022 housing that keeps the camera small and compact, the WC20 connects seamlessly with AT&T or Verizon networks. A total of 40 IR No-Glow LEDs provide a 100-foot flash range, and Turbo Shot Burst Mode allows users to select either one- or three-image captures per activation of the .30-second trigger. Another feature of the ultra-sensitive, rapid trigger is that photos are centered better so you get a quality look at that buck of a lifetime. MaXimum Silence Image Capture keeps the unit hushed, and each event is stamped with time, date, temperature and moon phase. Thanks to the 1.5-inch color settings screen, setup is easy; scanning the included QR code allows for even quicker activation. $129.99 | covertscoutingcameras.com

Send Them Home — Muddy Manifest 2.0

When you think of whitetail deer hunting, you have to think of Muddy, since this stalwart manufacturer produces everything from quality treestands and ground blinds to safety harnesses and trail cams. For 2022, the company is adding to its robust product line with a new wireless camera dubbed the Manifest 2.0. Available in AT&T and Verizon network models, the camera offers numerous features including an IR flash detection range of 80 feet and a burst mode. It’s also very user-friendly thanks to the easy QR Code setup and data-plan activation. Plans start as low as $5 per month and there are no contracts. A new firmware update immediately boosts photo quality, while the Stealth Cam Command App & Web Interface give you complete control of the camera. $149.99 | gomuddy.com

What A Pair! — Tactacam Reveal SK & XB Cell Cams

The Reveal SK and Reveal XB are a pair of cell-cam wins from Tactacam. The SK is a solar, rechargeable unit with a lockable front housing; its onboard WiFi automatically connects to the app for simple setup and a live-view option with instant image capture. The camera operates on AT&T and Verizon networks, and there are no contracts or activation fees. You can request HD video from the app if you want to glean more intel about Mr. Big, and No Glow IR technology eliminates game-spooking flash. The XB is a more economical option that provides on-demand HD photos, has adjustable No Glow Night Illumination and promises less than half-second trigger speeds. Both cameras are great for keeping an eye on your deer herd 24/7 year-round, without ever having to step foot in the woods. $199.99 (Reveal SK); $169.99 (Reveal XB) | tactacam.com

Upgrades! — onX Hunting

onX continues to lead the digital mapping world by example. Among the new features for 2022 is the Tree Species Layer, an innovative layer that not only highlights specific trees, but also acorn-producing oaks, thermal deer cover and more, all helping to solve the “where-to-hunt” piece of the deer puzzle. Also new is the app’s Wind on a Waypoint capability that lets hunters get wind direction, wind speed and up-to-date forecasts right from the treestand. Starting at $29.99 annually | onxmaps.com

A New Cell-Cam Victory — Wildgame Innovations Terra Cell

With the all-new Terra Cell from Wildgame Innovations, scouting for deer is very simple — download the HuntSmart App, turn on your camera and walk away! No disturbing your precious deer dirt or making multiple trips in to change settings and check cards. All camera settings can be changed on the app, and this 20MP camera works with both AT&T and Verizon networks. The Terra Cell’s trigger speed is rapid — under one second — and the detection and flash range are both 80 feet. QR code setup makes operation easy, while the 12-volt DC jack is compatible with solar power panels. $119.99 | wildgameinnovations.com

Cellcamology — Bushnell CelluCORE A20 & V20

A pair of cell cams that won’t crack the monthly budget, Bushnell’s CelluCORE A20 and V20 do an excellent job of connecting, capturing photos and delivering high-quality images. Both cameras provide 20MP images with 1080p video and sport a nighttime detection range of 80 feet. Day and night photos are crystal clear, and the units’ battery life is long. Pair all of this with a less-than-one-second trigger speed and data plans that start at $10 per month, and you can afford to start building a CelluCORE collection. The app is easy to use, and the only difference between the cameras is the A20 works with AT&T and the V20 works with Verizon. $129 each | bushnell.com

Range It, Pin It — Sig Sauer KILO5K Rangefinder

The rangefinder hits keep coming from Sig Sauer as it unveils the latest addition to the tried-and-true KILO K-Series: the KILO5K. Ready to reach out and give you an instant reading, this lightweight, ergonomic beauty can range reflective targets up to 5,000 yards, trees and rocks to 2,500 yards and deer to 2,000 yards. Sweetening the pot is the fact that once you range an object, you can instantly drop waypoints into the BaseMapp App, helping lead to more successful stalks. The rangefinder is powered by Sig Sauer’s proprietary LightWave DSP Gen II with extended range technology. $779.99 | sigsauer.com

Quality When It Counts — Stealth Cam DS4K Transmit

If crystal-clear video and photo resolution are essential in your image captures, the DS4K Transmit is a wireless cam that needs to be in your scouting arsenal. This camera delivers Ultra High Definition 4K video at 30 frames per second any time of the day or night — complete with high-quality audio — with the ability to capture 32MP images. The camera also provides GIF previews of video clip uploads, has a blazing fast, .2-second trigger speed; offers 100-foot detection and IR flash ranges; and can take 1-9 images in Burst Mode. Want it all? The PIR Combo Mode captures a high-resolution image of your subject followed immediately by HD video. The DS4K Transmit operates on both AT&T and Verizon networks; it’s easy to set up via the Command App and operates on 12 AA batteries. $299.99 | stealthcam.com

An Economical Scouter — Moultrie MICRO-42i Kit

Promising up to 13,000 images on a single set of four AA batteries (included), Moultrie’s new-for-2022 MICRO-42i Kit is cloaked in Mossy Oak Bottomland and has an invisible flash range up to 80 feet. A tremendously economical trail camera loaded with technology, the 42i captures crystal-clear, 42MP photos and has a game detection range of 70 feet. Plus, at only .4 seconds, the trigger speed is fast! $89.99 | moultriefeeders.com

Engineered to perform in low light when game animals move most, Vortex’s Razor UHD 10x50 binos sport the Abbe-Koeing prism, with the prism’s larger size dramatically increasing light transmission. The short-hinge design boosts overall ergonomics, and the 50mm objective and lens coatings work in harmony to give you the lowlight performance you demand. $2,199 | vortexoptics.com

Exciting, New Additions — HuntStand

Constantly pushing the technology envelope, HuntStand has added many app enhancements specifically designed to boost user functionality and satisfaction. Improved land parcel intel provides greater depth-of-parcel data for state, federal and private lands — the new Parcel Search Tool allows users to quickly locate the Property Information Layer to ensure they’re in the right spot. Sweetening the pot is a new Monthly Satellite Imager feature that uses micro-satellite technology to provide users with the best current images and allows them to go back in time, month by month, for several years to compare and analyze photos and info. $29.99 annually | huntstand.com