Hunting is a long-time practice where animals are killed or trapped. Wildlife animals or feral animals are usually hunted in the mountains for the purpose of preparing food, recreational activities, keep the predators away from human or domestic animals and for trading.
When hunting is done legally and for good reasons, then it won’t be harmful to animals. Hunting is also done for the purpose of religious beliefs, culture, traditions and scientific purposes.
If you can see, people have various reasons. Today, hunting is one of the outdoor activities that people from different walks of life enjoy. They go to the mountains and hunt for animals for recreational activities. For this reason, they need to have their own hunting binocular for a more successful activity.
Factors to consider when buying a hunting binocular
Before buying your own hunting binocular, you have to take a look at some factors. Consider these factors as a basis in choosing the best equipment for your hunting activity.
This has to be associated with the objective lens diameter measured in millimeters. It is fine to use a 7x – 10x magnification because it is ideal for any type of hunting.
Objective Size of the Lenses
You normally see numbers, such as 7×40. The second number, which is 40 is your objective measured in millimeter. If you have a higher objective size, then you can see more details. But, if your lens is bigger, then the hunting binocular is also heavier.
Field of View
The Field of View or the FOV in measured in yards. This refers to your distance from the object that you are viewing.
The exit pupil is determined by the magnification and objective sizes. This the light allowed to pass through the eyes of the viewer. If you have a higher exit pupil, then you can visualize a bigger amount of light.
Relative Brightness Index
A Relative Brightness Index or RBI is equal to the square of the exit pupil. If you are hunting in a low light, then a 25 or higher RBI is needed.
Type of Prism
Hunting binoculars have roof prisms or porro prisms. A Roof Prism is reflecting light 5x, lighter, slimmer and directly lined with the binocular’s eyepiece. A Porro Prism needs larger housing to reflect 4x light, so it is heavier. It is not directly lined with the binocular’s eyepiece.
The focus could be an eyepiece for viewing more than 30 yards or a center focus for viewing less than 30 yards.
This is essential, especially if you are wearing your eyeglasses. This is the distance you can hold from the eyes to the binoculars.
The coating is added to the surface of the glass lenses that helps in reducing or eliminating reflections of light.
Size and Weight
Choose a binocular that you feel comfortable and convenient to hold and carry.
Outside or Housing
It could be made of rubber material for easy gripping and it would be best to have a waterproof housing.
Reviews of Hunting Binoculars under 500
There are various of the best hunting binoculars under 500 that is available on the market. We have here some options briefly reviewed for you to choose from.
For the first option, we have the robustly designed, 8×42 Nikon 7548 Monarch 7. It comes with a Field Of View or FOV, nitrogen-filled housing with a rubber armor material coating, prism coated lenses with a Dielectric High-Reflective Multi-layered, an Extra-low Dispersion or ED glass, fog-proof and waterproof. You can get it for only $463.99.
We also have the Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 Binoculars. It comes with a High-density ED Glass, XR fully-coated multiple layer on every glass surface of the lens, optics with dielectric prism coating, O-ring seals, argon gas-purged housing, waterproof, fog-proof and uses RainGuard Technology. It also comes with a neck strap and a carry case. You can get it for only $499.00.
Lastly, we have the Nikon 7577 Monarch 5. It comes with an extra-low dispersion and eco-glass lenses, multi-coated lenses, flip-down lens caps, water-proof, fog-proof, the outer body is made of rubber Armor material, anti-slip, rubber eyecups, smooth central focusing knob and with long eye relief. You can get it for only $326.95.
“Chad and his family live in a countryside. Just a few kilometers from his home is a mountain with various animals. He is interested in hunting. So, he had decided to buy his own binocular for his hunting activities.”