Few things get you closer to nature than hunting. If a hunter wants to get even closer to nature, they need a good pair of binoculars. Keeping your distance is one of the most important things a hunter can do. The closer you get to your prey the more likely you are to spook them. Every hunter knows the pain that comes from losing a target you’ve spent hours tracking through the woods. Don’t let that happen to you, come equipped with a pair of hunting binoculars that will allow you to stalk your target from as far away as possible.
It’s one thing to know you need a good pair of binoculars, finding the right one is a little trickier. That’s where we come in. We’ve looked at the top models on the market that will fit the average budget. We present you with the three best-hunting binoculars under 200 dollars.
Top 3 Choices for the Best Hunting Binoculars under 200 Dollars
Bushnell Trophy XLT Roof Prism Binoculars, 10x42mm (Bone Collector Edition)
Bushnell is one of the biggest names in hunting, and for good reasons. They specialize in helping hunters get the best look at their targets, so no time or bullets are wasted. This philosophy can clearly be seen in their Trophy XLT Roof Prism Binoculars. The binoculars offer 10X magnification and a 42 mm objective lens. It gives you a wide sweep, at a thousand yards the field of view is 325 feet. You can also get a good look at nearby prey with a close focus of 8.2 feet.
Bushnell understands that all the magnification in the world doesn’t matter if you can’t actually see anything. That’s why they make their lenses waterproof and fog proof for maximum visibility even on the most humid days. Despite its power, the XLT is a very compact piece of equipment. It’s 6 inches wide, 7 inches long, and 3 inches thick. The whole thing weighs just a touch over one and a half pounds. You’ll have no problem carrying this with you, whether you’re out on the hunt or headed to the ball game. The only real downside is the quality of the flip covers, which aren’t as sturdy as we would have liked. Still, it’s a great package overall. And All of this is available in the most affordable pair on our list.
The particular model we’re recommending is the Bone Collector Edition. It is inspired by the TV show Trophy XLT Roof Prism Binoculars, where former NFL cornerback and lifelong hunting fanatic Michael Waddell shows off his passion for the pastime. He has left his personal stamp in the form of an awesome name and a killer logo. With these babies in your hand, you’ll feel like a real hunter. Just don’t let the deer see these things, one glance at the skull and deer head logo and they’ll go running. Fortunately, with these binoculars, you should never get close enough for animals to see you.
Redfield Rebel 10x42mm Binocular
#2 on my list of the best hunting binoculars under 200 dollars is Redfield which is another company that hunters have come to trust. They’re committed to helping hunters keep an eye on their prey; they make binoculars and high powered scopes. Nothing escapes a trained hunting eye looking through a Redfield. The Redfield Rebel is a prime example of this theory in action.
This particular model has 10x magnification and a 42-mm objective lens. The clarity of vision you get through these binoculars is remarkable. It really shines when you’re in situations where the light isn’t what you might want it to be. This Is thanks to the BAK4 prisms, which are chosen specifically to assist hunters. It’s all wrapped up in an aluminum case that can take a licking without allowing the precious lenses and prisms inside to be damaged. If there is a defect with the binoculars then you don’t have to worry, this pair is covered by Redfield’s limited lifetime guarantee.
The Rebel is the heaviest pair on our list, but it still weighs a mere 1.65 pounds. The design is 6 inches wide, 7 inches long, and 3 inches thick. The one real downside is the focus control. It’s not bad; it’s simply more finicky than you might like. It takes a careful hand to accurately pull focus, but once everything is lined up, you’ll get a perfect picture.
Nikon 16001 PROSTAFF 7S 10×30 Inches Compact Binocular (Black)
Some hunters might be hesitant to buy a pair of Nikons. After all, Nikon is known as a camera brand and not a hunting brand. They may not make gun scopes, but they know a thing or two about lenses. These binoculars offer incredible power and clarity for their price point, earning them a solid spot on our list.
This pair of binoculars is known for its brightness. The prisms used don’t lose light like cheaper models. You can see perfectly through these beasts from the dark of dawn to dusk. Even after the sun goes down, you can use these glasses to see constellations of stars like never before. With that kind of power imagine how easy it is to see animals 100 yards away. All of the PROSTAFF 7S’ power is packed into a remarkably compact package. The whole thing weighs around 0.92 pounds and measures in at 4.8 inches wide, 4.7 inches long, and 1.2 inches thick. With these measurements, it’s incredibly easy to carry these binoculars with you at all times.
These Nikon Binoculars may be the most expensive pair on our list, but they earn every penny. It should also be noted that there are different sizes available for people. The 10 x 30 inch is the most powerful and most expensive while the 8 x 42 and 8 x 30 models both cut back on power and shave money off the price tag. With the Nikon PROSTAFF 7S, you get some of the best magnification and clarity for your investment.
Picking the Right Pair
All three of the models we have looked at will help you on your next hunting trip. Every one of them is high quality and available for less than $200. The differences are in the details. If you want the lightest and most compact model possible, then you should check out the Nikon PROSTAFF 7S. If you want the most affordable binoculars, Trophy XLT Roof Prisms from Bushnell are a slam dunk. The Rebels sit in the middle, offering plenty of power for its price point.
In the end, you have to pick the one that calls out to you. You can’t go wrong with any of these binoculars and that’s why you can trust my judgement when it comes to picking the best hunting binoculars under $200!