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Binoculars for deer hunting.

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Sparky View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/06/2022 at 23:04
Thoughts between these three binoculars for deer hunting. Main priority is low light performance.
Open to other suggestions as well.

Leica 8x42 Trinovid HD

Vortex Razor HD 8x42

Meopta MeoPro HD 8x56

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/07/2022 at 02:04
Well, for the exit pupil and glass I'd go Meopta. The resolution of the Leica I suspect will be stunning if the lights a bit better.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 08:30
The Meopta Meopro provides essentially the same performance for a significantly less price.  There are some "upgraded" features provided by Trinovid, but don't impact overall performance.  I've only briefly looked through Trinovid and Meopro side by side and not in "outside" conditions.  There may be a little crisper image with the Trinovid, but not significantly different.  I've not used a Meopta scope or binocular that was not exceptional in low light conditions... the Trinovid acuity is similar.  Some have said it is "less", but "a difference that makes no difference is no difference".  If night hunting in moonlight, I don't believe there would be a "situation altering" difference in observational capability.  The Trinovid is about a 1/4 pound lighter... which is important to some.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 13:07
Thanks guys. My buddy was looking to upgrade and asked me about these. He is mainly using them for deer hunting. Since I haven't looked through any of them so I thought I would ask.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 14:04
If in Europe and allowed to shoot at night and no long strenuous hikes are required, I vote for the Meopta 56mm. 
If anywhere else, and you have a -30 sunrise + 30 sunset limitation (minutes), I would opt for a 8x42 or 8x32. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 15:42
Originally posted by anweis anweis wrote:

If in Europe and allowed to shoot at night and no long strenuous hikes are required, I vote for the Meopta 56mm. 
If anywhere else, and you have a -30 sunrise + 30 sunset limitation (minutes), I would opt for a 8x42 or 8x32. 

Last Fall I picked up a brand new pair of Kowa Genesis 8x32 for half price. The gentleman never used them.They are great.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 18:27
Originally posted by anweis anweis wrote:

If in Europe and allowed to shoot at night and no long strenuous hikes are required, I vote for the Meopta 56mm. 
If anywhere else, and you have a -30 sunrise + 30 sunset limitation (minutes), I would opt for a 8x42 or 8x32. 
He is in the US so he has the -30 sunrise + 30 sunset limitation. But he hunts in a stand.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2022 at 21:18
In many places, hunting of hogs and other "predatory" creatures CAN and DOES occur at night in the U.S. (No longer just foreign locations)... EVEN IN ALABAMA, I can hunt predatory creatures/pests at night with thermal optics (and Alabama is behind the curve on modern hunting).  However, on a moonlit night, I hunt pests with my 338 Lapua with the Hensoldt 6-24x72 (which has no equal)... and use a binocular in certain areas... I don't currently have the Meopta binocular (it is hard FOR ME to spend money on items I seldom carry along), but WOULD if I chose to buy a binocular for low light/night use.  Deer hunting, while a different situation, does not demand a "different choice"... it's not like I could not use the same binoc for a daytime hunt, even though I am trying to optimize for a "low light" hunt.  The Hensoldt performs with anything in the "daytime" class... but far exceeds most non-NV/thermal optics for "dark" applications.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2022 at 10:00
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

In many places, hunting of hogs and other "predatory" creatures CAN and DOES occur at night in the U.S. (No longer just foreign locations)... EVEN IN ALABAMA, I can hunt predatory creatures/pests at night with thermal optics (and Alabama is behind the curve on modern hunting).  However, on a moonlit night, I hunt pests with my 338 Lapua with the Hensoldt 6-24x72 (which has no equal)... and use a binocular in certain areas... I don't currently have the Meopta binocular (it is hard FOR ME to spend money on items I seldom carry along), but WOULD if I chose to buy a binocular for low light/night use.  Deer hunting, while a different situation, does not demand a "different choice"... it's not like I could not use the same binoc for a daytime hunt, even though I am trying to optimize for a "low light" hunt.  The Hensoldt performs with anything in the "daytime" class... but far exceeds most non-NV/thermal optics for "dark" applications.  

Yikes! How's your night vision after that has gone off?!?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2022 at 14:08
Good question Scrum, not to mention that his rifle scope is a helluva lot longer than my reproductive appendix and 6 times heavier than my rifle with 2-8x32 scope,and 8x32 binoculars. I never found them lacking even in the dark. Well,a bit of moon helps.
But I can still hike 2 miles with the stand on my back.
Yes, bigger is better, but getting there fast and  quietly is even better. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2022 at 08:05
Originally posted by anweis anweis wrote:

Good question Scrum, not to mention that his rifle scope is a helluva lot longer than my reproductive appendix and 6 times heavier than my rifle with 2-8x32 scope,and 8x32 binoculars. I never found them lacking even in the dark. Well,a bit of moon helps.
But I can still hike 2 miles with the stand on my back.
Yes, bigger is better, but getting there fast and  quietly is even better. 


I regularly hike my property with that rifle and scope(15 inches, 1lb), just for practice... very hilly, most people won't walk it with no accoutrements... I sometimes carry it with my .50BMG in a gun bag on my back...just to stay in practice... two miles with that rifle and the 50 is not a issue, I've spent all day walking around with them, though I have occasionally stopped to drink water on really hot days.  A man's got to know his limitations... 
I have much smaller/more compact, lighter packages... (the .338/Hensoldt package weights 14.0lb with a 30" barrel...the 50 with SS10xHD scope, 21 inch Lothar-Walther match barrel weighs right at 20lb... for a normal walkabout, I carry 50 rounds of each ammo...but could carry a lot more)... and use them regularly... was just giving the information that "night hunting" does not have to be extremely limiting and if sitting in a static location, not that tough.  

Scrummy, there is no issue with muzzle flash with that gun... 30 inch barrel, pretty much everything is burned up...no impact to vision, but hearing protection is ALWAYS required... sucker is sharply LOUD...suppressor helps, but still requires earpro(at least for me... I want to be able to hear for a lot more years).  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2022 at 09:40
Originally posted by Sparky Sparky wrote:

Thoughts between these three binoculars for deer hunting. Main priority is low light performance.
Open to other suggestions as well.

Leica 8x42 Trinovid HD

Vortex Razor HD 8x42

Meopta MeoPro HD 8x56


Low light conditions meaning typical first light/last light or are you hunting at night?? Do you already have binos… what configuration??
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2022 at 13:45
Originally posted by mike650 mike650 wrote:

Originally posted by Sparky Sparky wrote:

Thoughts between these three binoculars for deer hunting. Main priority is low light performance.
Open to other suggestions as well.

Leica 8x42 Trinovid HD

Vortex Razor HD 8x42

Meopta MeoPro HD 8x56


Low light conditions meaning typical first light/last light or are you hunting at night?? Do you already have binos… what configuration??


He has a pair of Nikon Action 10x50. But he likes my Pentax 10x42EDs much better and I think an 8x would be a better choice for him. Better FOV and low light. But I haven't looked through anything else for about 15 years since I purchased my Pentax binos. So I am not up on what would be a good choice now, but I am comfortable with these brands.

And yes typical first light/last light.

Also his budget is around $1K.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2022 at 19:52
For $1,000 I would choose Vortex Razor HD 8x42 or the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42. 
I have not looked through a Razor in a long time, maybe never, I don't remember. 
I have looked through the Conqueest HD one late evening after sunset  and the following morning this past April and was very impressed. 
I am sure that there are a few other excellent models and brands in the $500 to $1000 range. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2022 at 20:32
x42’s, I think are a great choice for hunting deer and what I use 90+ % of the time. I have a pair of really good 50’s but rarely use ‘em so I would probably steer clear of the x56 unless it’s going to be special purpose use. Been playing with some x32’s and they feel great stalking but I find myself always going back to the x42’s. So…. between the two x42’s Sparky mentioned, tough choice. RifleDude has a pair of Trinovid in 8x32 and raves about them, that’s quite an endorsement. The Vortex are really nice too, have a large sweet spot, outstanding customer service. I’d see if your friend could handle both and feel which feels better in the hands and view through the optics too. 
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/14/2022 at 10:13
My favorite binoculars for big game are both 7x42 in Zeiss and Swarovski flavors. They are easy to get behind with generous light transmission. The 8x42's seem to be all the rage these days and should also be quite good.
I haven't looked through an 8x56 Meopta. But, the glass in my 10x42 Meopta is quite good. With a 4mm exit pupil aren't worth much in low light. The 8x56 are quite large, too.
A friend has the 8x42 Razor and they are also very good. They are fine in low light and easy to carry. They would get my vote of the two.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/14/2022 at 17:12
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

My favorite binoculars for big game are both 7x42 in Zeiss and Swarovski flavors. They are easy to get behind with generous light transmission. The 8x42's seem to be all the rage these days and should also be quite good.
I haven't looked through an 8x56 Meopta. But, the glass in my 10x42 Meopta is quite good. With a 4mm exit pupil aren't worth much in low light. The 8x56 are quite large, too.
A friend has the 8x42 Razor and they are also very good. They are fine in low light and easy to carry. They would get my vote of the two.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/14/2022 at 17:18
He he, I love Zeiss 7x42. I have two.. The first one is from the early 90s, long rubber tube. Won in a shooting contest.. The other one is the last 7x42 they made.  Paid dearly. 
Work well hunting or birding. I just drink coffee and check out birds over the valley.
Nothing is better in low light than  a good 7x42. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/14/2022 at 19:52
I have the last model of Swaro SLC 7x42’s before they stopped making ’em, they’re still pretty impressive to look through.
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/26/2022 at 23:06
Thanks for all the comments guys! My buddy went with the Vortex Razor HD 8x42. He is very pleased with them.

I decided I wanted something with a wider FOV than my 10x42s and ended up with a pair of Maven B.3 6x30s.
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