- Brand Nikon
- Material Rubber
- Waterproof
- Brand Bushnell
- Color Black
- Waterproof
- Brand Carson
- Color Black
- Waterproof
- Brand VANGUARD
- Material Aluminum
- Waterproof
- Brand Steiner
- Color Multicolor
- Water Resistant
Choose the Best Hunting Binocular Under $300
Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Hunting Binoculars Under $300
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It can be hard to find the best hunting binoculars for your needs. But not today! We’ll give you a list of the top 5 and will also provide some tips on how to make sure you buy one that is right for you. This article should help take all the guesswork out of finding a great pair of binoculars at an affordable price.
Table of Contents
Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 10×42 Binocular (Black)
The lightness of this binocular makes them easy to carry anywhere without even noticing how much gear they’re taking up–and their fully multicoated eco-glass lenses allow closer looks at nature too; get close without having any worries or concerns about getting scratched by branches while trying not hit anything else on accident. With features such as user-friendly turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, a durable watertight shell that protects against scratches and bumps, plus comfortable handling features.
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular
If exploring the uninhabited continent of Antarctica has been on your bucket list (and why not?!) then this is an essential tool that will help complete that goal. Make sure you get them before they’re gone, as these deals won’t last long!
Carson 3D Series High Definition Waterproof Binoculars with ED Glass
They feature an objective lens diameter of 42mm with included carry case, neck strap, shoulder harness, lens covers and booklet containing information on how to use the device. Also includes rubberized armor textured coating so they’ll stay protected! For clearer views and images “ED” glasses will be sure to deliver seeing vividly through their lenses which also come fully multi-coated guaranteeing all surfaces of light transmission.
VANGUARD Endeavor ED 10×42 Binocular
These advanced multi guard coatings translate to higher light transmittance even in low light making these Vanguard’s ideal for nighttime sport or astronomical observation. The three-stage twist out eyecups with long eye relief provide comfortable wear without sacrificing stability on uneven terrain over others that offer short eye relief which may give some users headaches after more than an hour of use.
Steiner BluHorizons Binoculars
You get flexible focus ability to adjust your view and eyecups that will never hinder your sight so you can enjoy concerts, sporting events, sightseeing and more in comfort during any light condition. Choose Steiner’s BluHorizons Binoculars today!
Buyer’s Guide
Main Features
There are a few features to look for when choosing the best hunting binoculars under $300.
Optics
The best hunting binoculars under $300 offer fully multi-coated optics to increase light transmission, contrast and color fidelity. These coatings reduce surface reflections or ghosting for increased visibility in lowlight conditions that can be caused by foggy lenses or other types of imperfections on a scope’s exterior surfaces.
Optics also play an important role in determining how well you see far away objects. Good hunting binocular has at least a 50mm objective lens that is made of high-quality glass or extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for even better resolution and brightness.
Bak-Klar prism coatings are another optical feature to look for because they reduce color fringing around the edges of bright, contrasting images. Image stabilization technologies like Bak-Klareliminate image shake so you can see clearly when your hands shake from adrenaline or fatigue after hours of waiting under the hot sun on a stand with no shade in sight!
To choose good optics, look for magnification, objective lens diameter and material of lenses that are high-quality glass or ED. Also, keep an eye out for anti-reflective coatings that increase light transmission so you can see better in low light conditions like early morning hunts on new snow before the sun rises over the horizon.
The optics on the best hunting binoculars under $300 are usually fully multi-coated to provide better clarity and color fidelity for more realistic images, plus they have Bak-Klar prism coatings that reduce chromatic aberration effects like fringing around bright objects while increasing contrast and reducing blurriness caused by hand movement or shaky vision from fatigue after hours of waiting in the stand without shade. Optical stabilization technologies also help you see clearly even when your hands start shaking with adrenaline pumping through your veins as you wait hours on end not knowing if any game is going to show up at all!
There isn’t much difference between a good set of hunting binoculars and high-quality ones designed for other purposes such as bird watching or hunting. The main difference is that birding optics are designed to increase the contrast of objects like flight patterns, colors and shapes while binoculars for hunting need better magnification capabilities to see game animals in their natural habitat.
Shell material
The shell material of the binoculars determines how durable they are, and what weather conditions they will withstand. It also impacts how comfortable they feel in your hand. Shell material will also impact how heavy the binoculars are, which can be important if you plan to carry them around for extended periods.
The most common materials are aluminium and resin, but there are also some newer materials like carbon fibre that you might see.
While hunting binoculars can be used in all sorts of different environments there are some factors you should consider before choosing your ideal shell material.
If you plan to use them frequently in both warm and cold temperatures then resin might be a better option because they hold up very well across a wide variety of temperature ranges. However, if you will mostly use the binoculars in warmer areas where snow isn’t an issue then aluminium is probably going to work just fine too! On the other hand, people who hunt often during winter months or live somewhere that gets lots of snow may want something more durable than either resin or aluminium like carbon fibre.
Aluminium is typically lighter than resin which can be a pro or con depending on what your preferences are. Aluminium is also not as durable in rough weather conditions, but it can take more abuse than resin.
Resin is typically stronger and very difficult to crack or break which makes them great for rougher environments. Resin binoculars tend to hold up better in the face of abuse and won’t break as easily if dropped accidentally. However, they are much heavier than aluminium which may make carrying the binoculars around over longer periods uncomfortable.
There are other materials like magnesium alloy that you might see used on high-end hunting binoculars, however, they tend to be quite expensive because of how rare these metals are. Which material your choice will depend on what type of environment you plan to use them in most often. Most people prefer either resin or aluminium based on their personal preferences when choosing a shell material for best results!
Aluminium shells will warp slightly when exposed to very cold weather conditions while resin doesn’t have this problem so it’s best for warmer climates where snow isn’t an issue.
Сarbon fibre is a newer material that is typically stronger than both resin and aluminium. Carbon fibre tends to be much rarer so it often comes with hefty price tags attached due to how difficult it is to find these materials! Carbon fibre also doesn’t warp when exposed to cold weather conditions like aluminium does, making it a good choice for colder climates as well!
Lastly, some binoculars have a rubberized coating that is textured to provide an improved grip and also protect the exterior. This can be especially useful in wet conditions when you’ll want better traction so they don’t slip out of your hands while trying to get on target with them.
Safety equipment
Before using your binoculars, always make sure you have the proper safety equipment. For the best hunting binoculars under $300, this means at least a harness strap. Some hunters prefer to wear their full-body harness or hip waders if they are going into deep water for an extended period.
In the case of binoculars, you should always have a safety harness so that your expensive optics never slip from your grip.
Taking care of your optics also requires that you have appropriate cleaning equipment with you as well. For example, lens tissue and lens cleaner should be kept in a sturdy case along with any tools needed for adjusting eyecups or lenses on your binoculars. If there is condensation inside one pair over another it might mean trouble ahead so make sure everything is dry before doubling back out onto the trail!
Hunting in bone-chilling rain might also mean you’ll need to invest in an extra pair of weatherproof optics. One way to accomplish this is by using a monocular that can be worn on your hip or inside pocket, but these tend to fall into the more expensive price range for higher-end models so you may have better luck with waterproofing spray and protective lens covers if it’s just drizzling lightly throughout most of the hunt.
A final bit of safety equipment includes having some kind of blaze orange vest along with additional blaze orange clothing for warmth underneath plus any other brightly colored gear needed depending on which hunting environment you are traversing through at the time.
Performance
The next thing you should look at is its performance. Which binoculars are the most durable? How well will they stand up to low light conditions, like early morning or late evening hunts? A quality hunting pair of binoculars need to be able to deliver great image clarity and brightness in any condition; not just on bright sunny days.
Hunting binoculars are not the same as regular ones. The latter is used for observing faraway objects and so, they need to perform an excellent job at providing a clear image. For hunting, you will be using them under low light conditions since animals usually come out only when it’s dark or sunrise/sunset time. Therefore, it’s important to have a good quality product so you will be able to see the animals clearly even if there is not enough light.
Performance is important and it’s not that simple to figure out. You need to look at how well they perform under low-light conditions and the type of coating used on them (which improves light transmission).
For example, if you’re going to be hunting in the early morning and twilight hours, you will need a pair of binoculars that perform well at those times. Binoculars with larger objective lenses (the front lens) tend to perform better during low light conditions than ones with smaller lenses.
Another thing is their coating as it’s one factor that influences brightness and image clarity. Usually, multi-coated models are considered more durable because they offer more benefits like increased light transmission even under lower lighting conditions. Plus, they reduce reflections coming from different surfaces reducing glare too.
However, not all expensive products have this type of feature so make sure to check before buying them since cheaper options might also work for your needs too depending on what kind of hunting you’re going to be doing.
You should also pay attention to its resolution power because this factor determines how well you’ll see your target in detail such as the pattern on the skin of birds and other similar aspects that can help identify whether it is safe to shoot or not.
The last thing about performance is how durable it will be during use, especially when exposed to bad weather conditions like rain or snow for example. You want a product that can resist moisture and fog which could interfere with your vision while looking through them so always check if they have this feature before buying them.
Magnification
The magnification is the most important detail when considering hunting binoculars under $300. A magnification of at least x15 is recommended. Anything less than that will likely have a field of view on the low end, which can make glassing for the game difficult and tiring on your eyes after only about 15 minutes. A good starting point would be around eight power or lower because this will give you a wide field of view with little distortion at long distances.
When you are looking at hunting binoculars under $300, there is a tradeoff between magnification and field of view. A big benefit to buying higher magnifications is that they will help you see objects from further away. Hunters need to know the limitations of their equipment so it’s not worth sacrificing too much clarity or function in your optics just to get more power because this increases both weight and price significantly.
There are different options available for magnification including binoculars with a variable power so you can play around with different options to see what works best for your needs.
The most common magnification available are:
- x20 – usually found in compact or mid-sized binoculars and provides a wide field of view with little distortion at long distances.
- x30 – this magnification is recommended for hunters who need to see objects from further away like those hunting open fields, mountainsides, and the desert. They will also have less eye strain because they are not as bulky as higher-powered optics.
- x40 – An excellent choice if you’re looking at binoculars under $300 that also has good light gathering capabilities so you can use them during low light conditions such as dawn or dusk when many animals tend to feed or move around freely. These high power models should allow for adequate viewing ability even on foggy days which is an issue for many hunters.
The best hunting binoculars under $300 will likely fall somewhere between five power magnification suitable for short distances like inside a forest or five to eight power for medium distances like along the edge of a clearing.
Field of view
Field of view is another important factor to consider when choosing the best hunting binoculars for your use. It refers to how wide an area you can see through these devices at a single time, which is measured in feet or meters. A wider field of view means that you’ll be able to keep track of more things around you even with limited eyesight. You will find this feature helpful when tracking animals while they are running away from hunters, especially if they are fast runners like deer and antelopes.
This feature is highly important for bird watchers too, especially those who are into watching birds in flight. A wider field of view enables these people to spot more kinds of birds with ease even if they fly at different distances from the observer’s position.
Erect binoculars have a shorter magnification power compared to inverted ones which mean that their objectives need not be as large and heavy as what you would find on standard binos. This also makes them easier to carry around wherever you go without straining your arms or back because the weight isn’t distributed evenly between both sides of these devices.
This makes this type of binoculars perfect for hunting and bird watching, especially if you have a bad back. However, there are also downsides to purchasing these devices too which include decreased brightness when compared with standard ones even at the same magnification power.
These types of binos can be confusing for some people because their eyepiece has an inverted image that looks upside down due to their design. This feature may take time to get used to but it’s not much different from what other field glasses offer except in how they look during viewing.
The good news is out-of-the-box adjustments make up for this minor downside so no need to worry about lining up or focusing your target while using them since everything will already be ready at the time of purchase.
Binocular size
The size should never determine if a pair of binocs fits your needs or not since you can always buy accessories to carry them around with ease while still maintaining their stability when held up against your eyes for viewing purposes.
The average weight for a pair of high-quality binoculars is around 850 grams. Anything lighter may be less sturdy, which can affect the quality of images you are viewing. If they are too heavy and bulky it will not only be harder to carry them on your hunting trips but also make it more difficult to hold them steady when looking through them as well as keeping both eyes open while doing so (also known as “binocular fusion”).
- Compact – they are popular for hunters because their compact size makes them easy to carry when you’re in the field.
- Mid-size – the mid-size binoculars are generally more popular than the other sizes because they can be easily adjusted to fit your eyes and face so you will get a good view through them.
- Full-size – A full-size pair of hunting binoculars will give you the best image quality, but they are typically too large for hunters to carry in their daypack.
The size is also determined by what you plan to use them for and how often. If you aren’t planning on carrying the binoculars around with your every day, then a full-size pair will be great if not better than mid or compact sizes because they offer more light-gathering power which is always beneficial when it comes to viewing images in low levels of light such as at dusk or dawn.
Why Do You Need Hunting Binoculars?
- Hunting Binoculars are used to see objects at a distance. They allow the hunter to observe an area for the game before they make their approach. The binoculars also can be used as spotting scopes, allowing them better viewing capabilities on large open areas or waterfowl blinds.
- Hiking, camping and other outdoor activities are also enhanced with the use of Hunting Binoculars. They allow you to see your surroundings in a different view which is very beneficial when out in nature. They are lightweight, compact and can be transported easily.
- Hunting Binoculars offer a wide range of magnification (up to 25x), allowing the user to look at different objects in greater detail.
Hunting Binoculars Care and Maintenance Tips
- Focus on the optical glass and examine for scratches or chips. Binoculars with good care should still work even if they have a few micro scratches, but those that are too deep can affect how well you see your target – so it’s important to check them out before buying.
- Don’t expose your binoculars to extreme conditions.
- Keep them away from moisture, as well as direct sunlight or UV rays for extended periods.
- Keep binoculars away from extreme temperatures as this will affect their performance. You do not want to expose them to cold because condensation may form between lenses which make focusing difficult; nor do you want heat exposure because it might cause distortion in the optics and also warping of metal parts over time. This is why a carrying case can be very beneficial: besides protecting your investment, it keeps temperature levels consistent inside its insulated walls no matter what weather is outside.
- Hunting Binoculars can be purchased according to the type of game you’re hunting. For example, an open field or a tower blind might require more magnification than say, deer in the heavy brush; therefore, look for something with at least 50mm objective lenses if possible.
- If you do plan on using a pair over a long time it’s best to purchase ones with fully multi-coated lenses since they will be able to handle the elements better than those that are not.
- Make sure the lenses are clean before using your binoculars. Dirty or foggy optical glass can affect how well you see what you’re looking at, so always make sure to give them a quick wipe down with a lint-free cloth before use.
- Don’t get a binocular that has a loose part, because it can easily fall off and damage the glass. If you notice any parts of your binoculars are moving or not snugly in place, don’t buy them! Furthermore, avoid using these types of products for anything other than their intended purpose – hunting.
- Be careful when using your binoculars in dusty or humid conditions. For example, if you plan on hunting during a torrential downpour and will be caught in the rain for hours at a time, opt to buy waterproof models that can withstand these harsh weather conditions.
- If dirt gets inside of your product while it’s being used outside in wet environments like rainfall or even just walking through thick brush and grass, then they may develop some fogging issues which reduce visibility – so keep this in mind!
- Do not hold binoculars by the body because this will cause it to warp, resulting in blurry images and poor performance. When you need to keep them steady like when hunting or watching birds/nature shows, use your hands on both barrels instead of one or wrap around the neck with a strap for support; if possible get a tripod adapter which is sold separately (or included) so that you can mount them securely on tripods as well – they are very helpful especially during long observation periods like birdwatching where getting tired arms might result into dropping equipment onto the ground!
Useful Tips
- The first thing to consider when shopping for hunting binoculars is how you’ll be using them. If you plan to use your binoculars frequently, then it would make sense to invest in a pair that has great quality and durability. On the other hand, if you are only looking for a pair of binoculars to take on your hunting trips or birdwatching expeditions, any relatively high-quality model is likely to be suitable.
- Assess what kind of environment you’re planning on using the binos in before choosing one; some feature fog proofing which helps protect lenses against moisture up when used outdoors. Not all binoculars are designed for extreme weather conditions, so keep that in mind when making your purchase.
- The size and weight of your binos will also play a big role in how often you can use them throughout the day without getting tired out from carrying heavy equipment around all day long. It is always best if they come with straps so as not to drop them when trying to aim at an animal.
- When considering style and design, focus more on function over form; most people won’t notice what brand name logo is displayed on the binos when you’re in the middle of hunting down prey.
- One way to save a bit of money is by comparing the price per quality ratio. In general, you get what you pay for in terms of hunting binoculars; if it’s too good to be true then there may be something wrong with its build or design that will affect your experience later on down the line when using them.
- The most important thing when shopping for new hunting binoculars is determining how much money you can afford to spend. While there is no minimum price that one must pay to purchase quality optics, anything under $200 will not allow users access to an elite category of products designed with durability and top performance features in mind. If you’re hoping to find great value without breaking the bank then it would make sense to check out mid-range models priced between $300-$400 which offer some significant advantages over more expensive options while still being within the average consumer’s budget range.
- If you are on a tight budget, then it would make sense to search for binoculars priced between $100-$200 which offer great value without requiring users to empty their wallets. While this price bracket will not allow access to many of the top tier products currently available on the market today, there are still several excellent options that should be able to meet your birdwatching or hunting needs while offering some significant advantages over more affordable models in terms of optical quality and other features.
- For those who have specific requirements when shopping for new optics such as wanting night vision capabilities or being required by law enforcement specifications, these types of speciality equipment typically come with very high price points due to added technology costs so it would make sense to check out some of the top tier models listed in this article if you want a high-quality solution that will give users access to unique performance features.
- Once you have made a decision and purchased a specific pair, take your time to test out all their features before going off somewhere where they could potentially get broken or lost. Doing so beforehand can help prevent issues from occurring while out in the field which saves both time and hassle. It is always best to make sure everything works properly before heading off on a big hunting trip.
FAQ
Are 20×50 binoculars good for hunting?
Yes, 20×50 binoculars are perfect for hunting because you can see a lot of details from far away.
What binoculars do professional hunters use?
Professional hunters use all kinds of binoculars. It depends on personal preference and what you are comfortable with, but most professionals choose hunting binoculars under $300 because they want to save money!
Which binoculars are the best for long-distance viewing?
The best binoculars for long-distance viewing are usually the ones with a big field of view and fast focus.
How far can you see with 10x binoculars?
You can see objects up to 300 meters away with a pair of binoculars that have a magnification power of ten.
How far can I see with 20×50 binoculars?
You can see objects up to 500 meters away with a pair of binoculars that has a magnification power of twenty.
Useful Video: Best Hunting Binoculars Under 300 Dollars in 2020
Final Thoughts
In the end, it’s all about your needs. Know what you want from a pair of binoculars and match those to their features before making a purchase. If you know exactly what you’re looking for in hunting binoculars then this guide will help point out some important factors that may influence your decision-making process. But don’t forget – focus on your purchasing criteria rather than just going with the top-rated product if its features aren’t suited to how you hunt or use a set of optics!
We hope this guide has helped you in some way to find the best hunting binoculars for your needs. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, we’d love to help.
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