Are you struggling to find the best binoculars for elk hunting? Here is your full stop as we have done complete work to give you an in-depth analysis and clear options of binoculars to choose from!
Elk is a member of the deer family and one of the most loved animals by hunters. Most stalkers spend days and nights getting it. Getting the elk is the biggest success that a hunter can ever imagine. It is located in Northern and Central America and hunters get permission to do elk hunting in those areas.
However, for elk hunting, one will need some equipment, and power full pair of binoculars are top of the list. Without spotting elk, it is literally impossible to shoot them accurately. Most of the hunters follow them with their powerful binoculars and then make a move to shoot a buck.
But finding binoculars for elk hunting is not an easy job as countless options are available in the market that can easily confuse those who are new to hunting. However, we have done all the work and picked some top-class binoculars that help you get your buck without any painful hassle.
Buyers’ Guide: Top Factor to Consider while Choosing Binoculars for Elk Hunting
Every binocular is made for a specific function and one which is good for nature viewing is not going to give you a decent experience on your next hunting trip. So, it is important to have basic knowledge about those factors which play important in making an optic good or bad. We have brought an in-depth buying guide for you in which we have focused on explaining those factors which make binoculars good for elk hunting.
Magnification power
For elk hunting, choosing binoculars with higher magnification power is going to leave you in trouble as you won’t be able to get a stable image with a wider field of view. We recommend you choose 8x magnification power which is good for locating the buck. If you love to get zoomed images then you can get 10x magnification but never choose anything above 10x magnification power in your elk-hunting binoculars.
Field of View
Having binos with a wider field of view for elk hunting is literally a blessing. With wider FOV, you get more space to look at and you end up finding the target. Keep in mind that hunting is all about finding the buck. To be more accurate, choose binoculars with 330+ feet of field of view.
Eye Relief
Do you want to get tired while viewing through your binoculars? If not, then make sure to choose binoculars with an eye relief of 15 mm or more than that. The adjustable eyecups uplift the ease of usability of binoculars and add comfort to your elk hunting experience.
Weight and Size
As said previously, choosing binoculars that are easy to use and do not make you tired is very important. Those optics that have lesser weight and smaller sizes also support your ease of usability. You won’t get neck pain due to hanging heavy binoculars around the neck with a neckstrap.
Build Quality and waterproofing
It is a fact that you will have to spend days and nights to get your buck. So, chances are high that you will come rain where the build quality and waterproofing of your binoculars will be tested. So those binoculars which strong build quality with good gas purging and o-ring sealing give you an excellent experience.
Optical Performance
Does it make sense to choose binoculars that do not provide you with top-notch image quality? We recommend you not compromise the lens quality. Make sure to check that your chosen elk hunting binoculars give you edge-to-edge clarity and top resolution.
Lowlight Usability
For elk hunting, you may have to move in low-light conditions. So, it is better to be prepared for every possibility and choose those binoculars which provide superior visual quality in lowlight conditions. You will be wandering before dawn or after dusk and these binoculars with low light usability aid you a lot.
We have given buying guide that you should keep in mind while making a purchase from any local optical store. However, we have picked some of the best-performing binoculars for elk hunting. Have a look at them to make your decision easier.
Before going down, we would like to credit my team which works day and night to get all the data and the best pick to ensure that you get the unbiased and full research guide. So, let’s wait no more time and dive deeper into the main part of the article with a list of our picks.
Celestron 8×42 Elk Hunting Binoculars
Athlon Optics Midas G2 8×42 UHD Binoculars
Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10x42mm Binoculars
Vortex Optics Fury HD Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
These Celestron are well known due to their rugged body and strong build quality. As a hunter, you will have to go through difficult physical conditions as well as extreme weather, and the stronger binoculars ensure that your optics will stay loyal friends with you.
The visual performance of these binoculars is also top class and you will get a better viewing experience even in low-light conditions. All the lenses are coated and the high-density optical system is used to ensure better image quality.
These binoculars are very comfortable to use. The eye relief is not perfect- but decent enough to give you a comfortable viewing experience. One thing that we like in these binoculars is their adjustable eyecups. Although the eye relief is not perfect, with adjustable eyecups, these binoculars give you comfort when you use them for an extended duration.
The use of polycarbonate material in their body makes them very strong. They are very much capable of bearing shocks and falls from a height. Moreover, their water and fog proofing is also optimal and you will not see moisture inside the binoculars.
The provision of additional accessories makes them a very good choice for hunting the elk. You won’t have to buy separate accessories for increasing the practicality of these binoculars. Additionally, the lifetime warranty uplifts the charm of the deal.
Pros
Lightweight and compact
Additioanl accesories
Lifetime warranty
Usage of polycarbonate material in the body
Cons
Many users have complained about their fragile eyecups.
These are very good options for those who want optimal performance at affordable pricing. We picked them to give you the budget option as not all of us have some financial freedom to spend on binoculars. Moreover, their performance will surely impress you.
Athlon is one the famous brand and their products are manifestations of pure quality. To be honest, we are using these Athlon G2 Midas binoculars for the last 7 months, and are pretty satisfied with their performance.
Starting from the build quality, these binoculars are made with Aluminum material which is very strong and gives durability to these binoculars. In fact, we did test them by throwing them from a height of 8 feet and they were perfectly fine and did not get scratched as well.
Are you thinking why did they not get scratched even after being thrown from 8 feet? These binoculars have XPL coating on their lenses which is specialized in protecting the lenses from scratches, dust, and oil.
The most important part of reviewing binoculars is the visual performance. So, let’s talk about their optical performance which is amazing and you will never regret your purchase. They have FMC and ED lenses with high optical density to ensure that the users will get top-class edge-to-edge clarity with no chromatic aberration.
Most binoculars give the image blurry edges. But you won’t get any blurry effect with the optics. In fact, they are very much capable of giving you sharper and more vibrant images even in low light conditions.
Their water and fog proofing is also excellent. You can use them in heavy rain and their performance won’t go down at all. In fact, we have been using them in bad weather conditions for our door fun and they never disappoint us at all.
As said earlier that spotting the buck is the most important part of hunting elk. So, these Athlon binoculars give a wider field of view which give you more space to look at. Getting more space is like a blessing when finding the buck. They also come with a lifetime warranty which ensures that your purchase won’t give you disappointment as you will be having the option for a replacement or a refund.
Pros
Lifetime warranty
Water and fog proofing
Wider field of view
Ideal eye relief with adjustible eyecups
Lightweight and compact in size
Cons
As said earier, we do own them and found no fault in them. They are perfect to give excellent performance.
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
They are the best-performing binoculars with slightly higher prices when compared with the previous product. However, their top-class feature and easy usability deserve the price. We don’t say that overpriced at all as they fulfill all the needs of elk hunters and produce value.
3- Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 10x42mm Binoculars
Image Credit: Amazon
These Leupold binoculars are famous for their ease of usability, build quality, and top-notch visual performance. Many people have appreciated their overall performance like low light usability, lightweight and lifetime warranty.
They have an open bridge design which makes them very comfortable and easy to use. The rough texture that is present on the body enhances the gripping and handling. So, even if you use them with wet hands, they will provide you with good solid gripping.
Their FMC lenses and latest optical system ensure that the users will get good image quality. No matter if you use them in cloudy weather or any other low light conditions, their performance won’t go down.
BAK-4 prism with phase correction has been used in these binoculars which ensures clarity and resolution. Do you like to carry binoculars with better build quality? If yes, these Leupold binoculars are made for you as they consist of aluminum material which is very strong and gives them durability.
Water and fog proofing is also optimal. The provision of a lifetime warranty and additional accessories make them a very practical choice for elk hunting. You won’t have to be worried if you get a faulty product as your product will be secured by a lifetime warranty.
These are good options for those who want affordable pair of binoculars for elk hunting. Their performance is optimal and the user will get a decent value. However, their focus system is not ideal.
4- Vortex Optics Fury HD Laser Rangefinding Binoculars
Image Credit: Amazon
Vortex Fury binoculars have been famous among hunters due to their advanced rangefinding capabilities. As said earlier, it is important to locate and then track the elk to shoot it down. So, knowing the distance between you and the elk give you authority and confidence to shoot.
There are two modes are available in terms of giving you accurate reading about the range. Both modes are specialized for giving you pinpoint accurate reading regardless of the obstruction that is present between you and the buck.
These binoculars have outstanding visual quality. One may fall in love with their edge-to-edge clarity. In fact, they are very much capable of giving you sharper and more vibrant images even in low light conditions.
HD lenses along with dielectric phase corrected prism and multiple coating layers give you high-resolution images without any glare or blurry effect. Moreover, the color fidelity and contrast will be optimal and you will see in the image what the original target looks like. Due to the color contrast and ideal clarity, these are the best vortex binoculars for elk hunting.
These binoculars are made with durable material and come with water and fog proofing which ensures that you can use them in rainy weather without any problem. Nitrogen gas is used as purging which is not ideal – but decent for making your optics water and moisture-proof.
Pros
Additional accesories
High resolution image
HD lenses are used
Water and fog proofing
Cons
These are binoculars for perfect for elk hunting. The only issue that we found is their pricing. A common man cannot afford them and they can break your budget quite easily.
These are very good option that gives you an accurate reading of ranges. Moreover, their visual performance and durability is perfect. However, their pricing is very high which can be a drawback.
5- Nikon 7576 Monarch 5 8×42 Binoculars
Image Credit: Amazon
These Nikon binoculars are well known due to their optical performance. We bought them a few months back to check why people praise their image quality and we came to realize that they give edge-to-edge clarity without no chromatic aberration which makes the image pleasing to the eyes.
To prevent chromatic aberration, these optics are made of ED glass, which is used to produce all of their lenses and glassy components. In fact, all the lenses have been coated with layers to ensure the maximum transmission of light. More transmission of light means that you will be able to get brighter and sharper views of the target object even before dawn or after dusk.
If you compare them with their own predecessor, then you will come to know that this Nikon generation is lightweight and easy to use. The ideal eye relief as well as easily adjustable eyecups make them the perfect choice for those who wear glasses due to weak eyesight.
To be honest, we did not love their build quality. Maybe, it is because we checked them critically or we had used some high-end and premium binoculars before using them. But whatever the reason is, we don’t appreciate rubber armor as major construction material. However, their water and fog proofing has impressed us. Full marks to their o-ring sealings and nitrogen gas purging.
The central focus system has been used in these binoculars which is very handy in adjusting the focus manually. Moreover, there is a small knob or wheel located at the center of the barrel to zoom in and zoom out. Their quick and efficient focus system makes them stand out.
Pros
Lightweight, compact and portable
Come with additional accesories like neckstrap and carrying case
Fully FMC eco friendly glass lenses
Top class resolution and clarity
Cons
We are a bit worried about their build qulaity. However, we have asked from our friends who are using them for long and asked about their build quality and they looked satisfied.
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
The previous product was on the high end and had range-finding capabilities but these Nikon binoculars do come with basic features that you will need for elk hunting. Moreover, the high-resolution image and top-class focus system help them stand out.
6- Steiner Predator Series Hunting Binoculars
Image Credit: Amazon
These are very good options for elk hunting and give optimal performance. Although their pricings are on the higher side their top-notch visual quality and strong build quality deserve the price.
They have a fast and quick focus system which helps you in adjusting your focus very quickly. In fact, the knob which is located between two barrels is very sensitive, and very little movement from the index is needed to adjust the focus.
Their lightweight and compact size help them to be added to this guide. In fact, you can carry them on your side and you won’t have to carry a separate carrying case.
Good thing is that these binoculars come with rangefinder capabilities. It means you won’t have to estimate the distance between you and the elk while shooting. In fact, you will have the exact distance and you will be able to make an informed decision.
They have all the features of any high-end binoculars and you will not miss anything after buying them. The excellent visual performance, lightweight, ergonomic design, and lifetime warranty help them stand out in this guide.
Pros
Lifetime warranty
Lightweight and portable
We love their image quality
Strong body and capable of bearing shocks and falls.
Indeed, they have all the features that one may like in their products. Their rangefinding capabilities are matchless and help them stand out in this guide.
7- Bushnell Legend Ultra HD E-Series Binoculars
Image Credit: Amazon
These are budget products and are only recommended for those who have very little money to spend on binoculars. Obviously, when you compromise on the budget, you actually compromise on the quality. In these Bushnell binoculars, many features are missing but still do a fine job.
Their ease of usability is something we love. The ideal eye relief coupled with adjustable eyecups makes them a very good option to be used for an extended duration. In fact, we did use them for 4 to 5 hours continuously and did not get tired at all.
Their visual performance is just decent – not ideal. You won’t be able to see the target in low-light conditions. Keep in mind that elk hunting is very tough and you will have to wander before dawn or after dusk. So, having binoculars that do not give good results in low light conditions is not recommended.
They have nitrogen gas purging and o-ring sealing along with water-repellent coating which makes them water, moisture, and fog proof. We love their water-repellent coating which is an additional protective layer.
The body is decently stronger and the magnesium housing gives them durability. So, you will be very happy while using them. No matter if you throw them or use them harshly, their build won’t deteriorate at all.
These binoculars are very good options for those who have little financial power to spend on binoculars. However, there are many limitations that can affect the viewing experience. The visual performance is not what you expect for elk hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do binoculars help in elk hunting?
Elk hunting is all about finding buck and binoculars help you see in locating the elk. Once you find your buck, it becomes easier to track and shoot the elk with confidence.
What size binoculars for elk hunting?
In terms of size, compact and smaller-sized binoculars are always beneficial for elk hunting. However, we suggest you choose 8x of magnification and 42mm objective lens size to get the most out of your elk hunting.
What is the ideal magnification for elk-hunting binoculars?
To be honest 8x is the ideal magnification power for binoculars for elk hunting. However, 10x can also be a good option for getting a closer view of elk.
No doubt that choosing binoculars for elk hunting is a very tedious job and one can easily choose the wrong pair which give regret in the hunting field. So, we have done complete work to find the ideal binoculars for elk hunting.
Not only reviewed binoculars but also wrote the buyers’ guide which will help you when you visit the local optical store. We hope that you will get your perfect match. One thing that we would like to guide you about is that all the binoculars reviewed in this guide are equally well and you won’t feel any difference in them until you’re experienced pros.
Ending this guide with the hope that you will be able to grab your perfect match!
I am Richard from Michigan, and who has a craze for hunting. I have been around optics especially binoculars since 2001 and have gotten decent experience while using them to hunt. I have made this website to share my experience with those who are new in the field. My guides & reviews will help my readers to get in-depth information about binoculars. Let’s hunt for binoculars NOW!
