This isnt really a review of the Leupold Yosemite Binoculars and the Bushnell Powerview Binoculars. You can view both of them at the following links, Leupold Yosemite 6×30 – bit.ly Bushnell PowerView 10×50 – bit.ly (this is the new version of the ones in the video) The binocular strap I mentioned from SOE Tactical Gear can be viewed here – bit.ly This is more about how to choose a pair of binoculars for the right application. Generally for hunting applications I prefer a mid sized pair over full sized binoculars. I definitely do not like compact binoculars, to me mid sized give you the right balance. I also prefer binoculars in the 6-8X range for use in cover and timber. When hunting on open terrain I would opt for binoculars in the range of 10-14X. Make sure to visit www.thesurvivalpodcast.com to subscribe to my daily audio podcast and join our awesome forum.
A video tour of the Leupold Riflescope factory, hosted by Tim Lesser, gives an inside look at the detailed processes involved in the production of the most rugged, dependable scopes made. Located in Beaverton Oregon, Leupolds 150000 Sq. ft. campus houses a state-of-the-art optics lab and employs over six hundred American workers. The glass that every Leupold riflescope uses is manufactured by the finest glass manufacturers; The same used by Europes leading scope makers. Leupold is a fifth-generation family owned company known for its superb quality optics and its famous lifetime warranty. ScopeShack.com offers a full selection of Leupold products including Riflescopes, Binoculars, and Rangefinders. We also carry mounts, rings, bases, lens covers, lens shades, and other scope accessories. Visit: www.scopeshack.com
Night vision binoculars are exciting. They literally allow you to see well in the night. They have many uses for kids and adults, and can be used for night hunting, boating or just for fun.
Use of night vision binoculars
There are many ways you can use a night binoculars. Here are the most popular ways people use binoculars with night vision.
- Exploring caves
- Scouting game
- Security and surveillance
- Camping
- Wildlife observation
- Night hunting
- Nighttime navigation
- Night fishing and boating
Many night vision binoculars work similar to digital cameras, they have a built in flash. The size varies a lot – smaller binoculars are more expensive, but they might be just as powerful as the big ones. When choosing a night binocular first decide what you are going to use it for. If it just for the kids to play, then go with a less expensive model that they will not break easily. If you are going to use the binoculars yourself go for a higher quality optics which naturally would cost more.
How night binoculars work?
Optics in night vision binoculars amplifies the existing light. They use not only light visible to our eyes, but also infrared spectrum. Quality night binoculars have an infrared illuminator which increases the available infrared light.
All things you see through a night binocular appear green, because you don’t look directly at the objects but at their image on a phosphor screen.
Depending on light conditions at night binoculars perform differently. You will not see anything if there is no single star in the sky and no street lights. The lower the light situation is, the more powerful night binocular you will need. You can get Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 night binoculars. Gen stands for generation. Gen 1 are all right during a night with full moon and bright stars. For a crescent moon Gen 2 works better, and for a dark cloudy night you will need Gen 3 binoculars. Generation 1 night binoculars are affordable, Gen 2 and Gen 3 binoculars are much more expensive.
Kids enjoy night vision binoculars
If you are going on a long trip, a night vision binoculars will be excellent entertainment for kids. They will stare in the windows for hours and discover many thing that otherwise would be missed.
When it comes to binoculars you always get what you paid for. Brand name binoculars like Yukon, Night Owl, Weaver or N-Vision Optics cost more, but they come with more features. Also be aware, that night binoculars cost much more than ordinary binoculars.
Night vision range
The range of you binocular depends on three things – its gain, resolution and magnification. If you have powerful lenses, the magnification is good, but the amount of captured light decreases significantly. Usually only magnification below 5X works well for night binoculars. So unlike ordinary day light binoculars the range for night ones is not that extended.
Night vision monocular
Night vision binoculars are not your only option when it comes to night vision equipment. You can also get night vision monocular. Monocular have similar features and provide the same image. One advantage of night vision monocular is that they are much cheaper than binoculars.
Smartphone Software
It’s hard to track game if you can’t see it. Therefore, one of the most important accessories for hunters is a good pair of binoculars.
While there are literally thousands of different models of binoculars on the market, not all are suitable for hunting. Most are not rugged enough for the woods, marsh or field. Many are not suitable for low-light conditions. Some are too powerful, and others not powerful enough.
Here are some factors you should consider when choosing hunting binoculars.
Binocular Construction:
Hunting is a rugged sport that puts demands on your equipment, including your binoculars.
Hunting binoculars should feature some sort of rubberized exterior armoring to protect them from being damaged if dropped or bumped against trees, brush, rocks and so on.
Because you’ll likely be hunting in extreme weather conditions, you’ll want a pair of binoculars that can withstand such conditions. They should be waterproof, and the lenses should be fog-proof. Another feature to consider are the lens caps. Binoculars with attached caps will protect the lenses, but not require you to fumble in your pockets looking for lens caps if it starts to rain or snow.
Roof prism binoculars are popular with hunters. Light enters the front (objective) lenses, and is then redirected through the roof prism to the rear (ocular) lenses. The roof prism design allows the binoculars to be more compact than binoculars that transmit the light directly from the objective lenses to the ocular lenses.
Binocular Lenses:
When it comes to lenses, bigger is indeed better. The larger the objective lens, the more light the lens transmits to your eyes. If you like to hunt at dawn or dusk, you’ll want the largest objective lenses you can get. The objective lens size is the second number in the manufacturer’s description of the binoculars. For example, 10×42 binoculars have 42 millimeter objective lenses. Objective lenses for hunting binoculars range from 40 millimeters to over 60 millimeters in diameter. Again, bigger is usually better.
When choosing hunting binoculars, look for phase corrected lenses. Phase correction is a coating on the lenses that increases the sharpness, contrast and color saturation. When you’re trying to spot game that blends in with its surroundings, you need every edge you can get.
Another feature to look for in hunting binoculars is nitrogen-filled optics. The nitrogen inside the binoculars displaces oxygen, so that moisture cannot form inside the optics, fogging the interior lenses.
The rear (ocular) lenses are another thing to consider when choosing hunting binoculars. If you’re like most people, your eyes aren’t identical when it comes to focus. Therefore, you’ll want to look for binoculars that allow each ocular lens to be adjustable for focus.
Consider, too, the amount of eye relief the binoculars feature. This is the distance from the lens to your eye at which you can still see the view. If you wear prescription glasses or sunglasses while hunting, you’ll need some eye relief. Also, binoculars with good eye relief allow you to bring them up to your eyes quickly, without having to get your eyes perfectly aligned. 15 to 20 millimeters of eye relief is generally considered optimum.
Binocular Magnification:
The first number in the manufacturer’s description of binoculars is the magnification. A pair of 8×42 binoculars magnifies the view by eight times.
For long-distance hunting, such as prairie dog hunting, a high magnification may be desirable. But for most types of wood/field/marsh hunting, too much magnification is undesirable. You’ll be viewing too small a portion of the area you’re scouting.
8x or 10x magnification is generally considered ideal for most hunting applications.
Many manufacturers offer zoom binoculars, which allow you to vary the magnification. In practice, though, zoom binoculars aren’t always ideal for hunting. They tend to be more fragile and weigh more than fixed-magnification binoculars. Also, as mentioned previously, high magnifications restrict your view of an area.
The amount of area binoculars allow you to view is called the “field of view.” The field of view (FOV) is referred to in degrees, or in feet at a specified distance. For example, 6 degrees of field of view is common. Expressed in feet, a pair of binoculars with 6 degrees field of view will allow you to see 314 feet of area at 1,000 yards.
Other things to consider when choosing hunting binoculars:
Weight is a consideration for any hunting equipment, including binoculars. 32 ounces may not sound like a lot of weight but, after a full day in the field, it will feel like it. Most binoculars made for hunting weigh around 20 ounces.
When selecting your binoculars, pay attention to the warranty the manufacturer offers. You’re going to be exposing your binoculars to some pretty rough treatment, so you’ll want the best warranty you can get. Many manufacturers offer warranties that last twenty years or more. Some even offer lifetime warrantees.
Properly cared for, a good pair of binoculars will serve you for decades. When you consider the cost of a single hunting trip, quality $300 to $500 binoculars are a great investment.
