Hunting elk is a most American hunter’s dream. It is one of the best hunting experiences many hunters want to have. Even though it comes with a cost, but many would rather pay for that pride than not.
From Pennsylvania to Oregon, you will find hunters both pros and newbies take elk hunting trips across the country to hunt down these creatures. However, no matter how equipped a hunter maybe, he/she knows that not having the best elk hunting binoculars alongside could hamper ones hunting experience. It’s like a blind man walking in the wild.
There are many reasons why carrying the right elk hunting binoculars is good.
- Elks can easily get threatened and charge on you if you want to get too close to them. And with their gigantic horns, they can do pretty bad damage to anyone. Therefore it is good to keep a good distance from them and if you have the right binoculars with you, you can look at them from far to know what they are up to and know how to position yourself to take your shot.
- Another reason you need to go with binoculars is to help you identify the sex or gender and even the size of them.
- Binoculars are also good for surveying and glassing the area to find the elk.
However, with the many different brands and models of binoculars in the market you might be asking yourself, what do I consider before purchasing the right elk binoculars?. Well, I will be listing some of the best hunting binoculars for elks which will last for years and are popular among elk hunters below but in case you still want to do it on your own. I will suggest you consider the following factors before to get the best for yourself.
Best Elk Hunting Binoculars
Best Elk Hunting Binoculars
If you are a low budget hunter, you might want to cut down cost and yet get the best out of your money. With a budget of under 200 dollars, you can still get a decent pair of elk hunting binos for yourself or loved ones. Below are some of the best option to choose from that many hunters currently own.
1. Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binocular
The Celestron Outland X is all-round binoculars at a very affordable price. You can use it for the hunting, sports events and any outdoor activity you wish to use them for. Binoculars with lens and prism coatings are always preferred and the Celestron Outland X is not different. Its optics are multi-coated to help in getting high resolution and contrast views.
The built quality is good with its rubber cover which allows for rough and tough handling. It also comes with comfortable straps that are pre-attached to them for ready to use. This makes it easier to carry around without getting tired. Plus it weighs 623.7g. Which is not pretty heavy and if you don’t feel like holding it in the hands it can be mounted on a tripod which you have to purchase separately.
They are also made to be waterproof and fog proof making them suitable for hunting in all weather conditions. With an eye relief of 18 mm, this pair is comfortable for use both by eyeglass wearers and non-glass wearers alike. The field of view is wide enough for you to see a fairly large area of the space you are looking at with its value been 356ft @1000yds.
Pros
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Tripod adaptable
- Very affordable
- Low light use
- Pretty decent quality
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Sweet spot not big enough
- Focus not super sharp
2. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10×42 Binoculars
Bushnell binoculars are great in the field. So its no doubt that the legend ultra series can light up any hunter’s day. This model has become very popular among outdoor enthusiasts. The Bushnell Legend is popular for some good reasons.
One of the reasons is its extra-low depression glass and the resolution of details you see through it. It also has a well-built magnesium chassis that makes it durable and lightweight to carry around. It weighs 22.5oz. Its rain guard water repellent lens coatings cause moisture from rain, condensation or snow to bead up and scatter less light.
This model has a good eye relief at 15.2 mm and a wide field of view at 340ft@1000yd with about 55% sweet spot. This means you can see great details and resolution images in the center before blurring begins. That is reasonably ok considering its price which is very affordable at about $200 at the time of writing this article.
It also has an above-average performance in both strong and low light viewing.
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to use and lightweight
- Good optics
Cons
- For the price range it’s ok and no major complaints
3. Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×30 Compact Binoculars
Looking for a more compact option for your hunting adventure?. Then the Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×30 binoculars will be a great option for you. With its fully multi-coated lenses and prisms, you will enjoy viewing them because they deliver high resolution and bright images.
These sleek looking binoculars are lightweight, easy to use and can be used for a variety of outdoor activities whether its the hunting, wildlife, etc. With its rubber-armored body, it is built to withstand extreme use and provides a non-slip grip for even when it is wet.
As usual, Nikon has also promised a lifetime warranty service in case of any defective workmanship or material, the company said they will repair it for you free of charge. This pair is also great for the elderly folks because it has the perfect exit pupil diameter for low light conditions.
Just like the Bushnell and the Celestron Outland X above, they are nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for complete waterproof and fog-proof performance.
The ProStaff’s moderate-size objective lenses place it just above a compact model, offering the performance of a full-sized optic without excessive weight or bulk. It weighs only 15 ounces.
It comes with good eye relief at 15.4 mm and field of view of 314′ field of view at 1000 yards making it one of the best elk hunting binoculars under $200.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Fully Waterproof and fog proof
- Anti-reflective fully multi-coated optics
- Great value for the money
Cons
- Few customers complaint of lens cups not reflecting the quality of the binoculars
4. Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Binoculars
The Vortex Diamondback is also one of the popular binoculars among hunters and other outdoor lovers. This pair has great optical performance at a decent price. With just less than $250, you can grab a brand new one for yourself. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty. It is worth mentioning that Vortex Binoculars come with a lifetime warranty. Which is pretty cool and they also have great customer service.
The lightweight line of this binoculars is easy to take on any hunting or scouting trek and offer an extra-wide field at 345 feet/1000 yards for quick scanning of terrain as well as rubber armor for a comfortable grip. Making it one of the best elk hunting binos in the market.
It comes with fully enhanced multi-coated lenses and a phase-corrected prism that allow high light transmission, producing images that are crystal-clear, at any time. No worries of using it at dusk, dawn or night as images are still as vivid as if they were taken during daytime.
It is also argon gas purged and O-ring sealed to ensure you don’t get disappointed during harsh weather conditions. Its full water and fog proof to give you all-weather usage. It also has a good eye-relief for both glass wearers and non-glass wearers to use with comfort. Its one of the best-rated binoculars in the market.
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- Extra-wide field of view
- Good for both glass wearers and non-glass wearersAffordable price
Cons
- Very few customers complain of lens covers been loose after a period of use. Not a major drawback anyway but worth mentioning.
5. Upland Optics Perception HD 10×42 Hunting Binoculars
Opland Optics is own by hunters and they claim the Upland Optics perception HD binoculars are made with hunters in mind. However, without a rangefinder, it can be safe to say this pair can be used for range purposes.
These binoculars are made with extra-low dispersion(ED) glass to give you the best clarity and precision while reducing chromatic aberration. The lenses are fully multi-coated and the prisms are dielectric mirror coated and phase-corrected.
They have generous eye relief at 17.2 mm for you to use without eye-straining. Suitable also for those who wear glasses.
Hunters encounter all kinds of weather conditions and because of that these binoculars are made to be waterproof and fog proof to get clear uninterrupted performance anytime.
This Upland Optics Perception HD 10×42 Binocular offers you a view that is 339ft wide & high at a distance of 1000 yards away (113m @ 1000m), giving you the opportunity to see a wider area at once.
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Made by hunters with hunters in mind
- waterproof and fog proof
- Works well in low light conditions
- Decent binoculars for the price
Cons
- Some customers claimed the focus wheel is a bit hard control.
6. Steiner Predator 8×42 Binoculars
Made primary for hunting purpose and other uses, the Steiner Predator is made with fully multi-coated lenses and prisms which are enclosed in weather-resistant housing. This model also uses Color Adjusted Transmission (CAT) multicoating to optimize nature observation by enhancing low-light performance and image contrast.
The Germans are really good at making optical devices likes binoculars. Steiner is a respected brand worldwide and they deliver quality at a reasonable price.
This mid-size Predator binocular delivers bright and crisp images without being bulky or weighing you down.
With its lightweight roof prism design, game-revealing color adjusted transmission coatings and excellent low-light performance, this is the perfect choice for elk hunters, turkey hunters, bowhunters, and anyone who hunts the early season or in heavy cover.
It has a wide field of view at 381ft @1000yds to allow you to see large areas at once and spot your target without moving around.
Pros
- Made with hunters in mind
- extra wide field of view
- Advanced in low light transmissions
Cons
- some customers complaint of Eye cups been bit loose
7. Carson 3D Series HD 10×42 Binoculars
The Carson 3D high definition binoculars are one of the best hunting binoculars for elk with very generous eye relief at 20 mm. Its the longest among the above reviews. With its twist down eyecups, you can easily adjust it to your comfort.
Made with extra-low dispersion glass which is dielectric fully multi-coated to increase the transmission of light, the Carson 3D series produces very good quality images even in low light conditions.
The rubberized armor coatings make these binoculars rugged and shockproof. The body for these binoculars are nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed making them waterproof and fog proof. Which is a plus for hunting binoculars as hunters can find themselves sometimes in harsh weathers.
Carson also offers a No-Fault Warranty. In the event that your binoculars get damaged, regardless of the cause, Carson said they will repair or replace them for a total cost of $15.00 which includes shipping and handling fees.
Pros
- Tripod mountable
- fully weatherproof
- lightweight
- Very long eye relief
Cons
- No major complaint
Factors to Consider When Buying Hunting Binoculars
Here are some factors to guide you in picking the right elk hunting binos for your trip:
Magnification and Objective Lens Size
Having the right magnification of binoculars is important. Usually, a magnification of 8x and higher of up to 15x is recommended. With this magnification range, you can see the elk from a distance without having to get closer too much as they can get threatened. From 8x to 10x you can easily handle with your hands and get steady views. But anything higher than that will require you to use a tripod to mount it to ensure steadiness for clear images.
When it comes to lens size, it is important you choose binoculars that can work in low light conditions. As you know hunting is best at dawn or dust. That is when many animals are moving about. If the objective lens diameter is big enough it can gather more light from the target for you to see clear details. Objective lens size of 42mm and above can work well in low light conditions.
Budget
There are binoculars of different sizes, quality, and prices in the market. Your pocket will determine which one you can afford. these days you can get a decent bino without breaking the bank. With about $100 and above you can get a good one. But if you want one that is a super quality you will have to go for the higher priced ones. There is some kind of correlation between price and quality in the binoculars world. You get what you pay for.
Weatherproofness
You can’t always trust the weather will work in your favor when out there. Especially with the different weather conditions such as humidity, rain or temperature rising and falling. This can cause your binoculars to fog up thereby hampering your viewing. It is always advisable to get binos which are waterproof and fog proof.
Also See: The Best Turkey Hunting Binoculars
The above are some of the factors you should consider when getting elk hunting binoculars. let’s now look at the best elk hunting binoculars I came up with after hours of research and gathering users experiences with them.
Final Thoughts
With the many brands and models of binoculars in the market is very tasking and confusing to find the best elk hunting binoculars for yourself these days. Especially with each brand claiming to be the best. Unless you have bought and used alot of different binoculars it’s not easy selecting one for the first time.
That is why I took the time to gather some of the best binoculars used by hunters that have stood the test of time and have also received good reviews and recommendations by their users to help you narrow your options down to the best.
You may also like to read: The Best Binoculars for Western Hunting
So with the above-mentioned binoculars, you can now choose which one you like without spending all those many hours searching. These binoculars can also be used for other adventures besides hunting. All of them are fully weatherproof and they have good field of views and eye relief to help you in the field.
I hope this article was helpful to you in finding the best hunting elk binoculars for yourself.
Wow, such a helpful article for a hunter.
When we go hunting, we need good Binoculars and Riflescope.
Great blog!
Wow, such a helpful article for a hunter.
Binoculars lens are most important in hinting time.
Great blog!
Nice explained here about Best Elk Hunting Binoculars, thanks a lot
You are welcome Tamanna.
Hi Josephine, It’s an amazing explanation and helpful post.
As a hunter, I am using Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×30. I recommend everyone to use better binoculars during hunting a deer or elk. continue to good work.
Hey Josephin, Nicely written. I am really amazed that how you covered the topics perfectly. Thanks for the post. Can you suggest me Nikon Prostaff 7s 10×30 Compact Binocular vs Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Binoculars between this two which will be best for me?
Hi Roland
Thank you and I am glad you found the article useful.
Personally, I would go with the Vortex Diamondback.
Hi Josephine,
It was a great review of hunting binocular. From my personal experience of hunting optics, I found the Vortex optics as best from others. It’s true that Nikon is also a good manufacturer of hunting optics but I prefer Vortex optics.