The 7 Best Binoculars for Elk Hunting (2022 Update) – Reviews & Buying Guide

Are you looking for the best binoculars for elk hunting? Hunting elk is a big dream for most hunters in America. It is one of their best hunting experiences, and they, therefore, strive to taste even if it is for one time. It is not such a manageable activity, especially since it comes with a cost, but hunting enthusiasts would rather experience the thrill and have the pride than not.

And for that, they are often willing to pay whatever price it brings their way. This article guides you through the process of selecting one of the most vital hunting equipment; binoculars.

Best Binoculars for Elk Hunting Comparison Table

Best Elk Hunting Binoculars Reviews

While the market has a wide range of binoculars for elk hunting, not all of them are up to the market. We have researched the market to provide you with top models that will make elk hunting successful.

 Read our reviews and guide to help you make the right decision.

1. Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 10x42 Binocular (Black)

It has lots of user-friendly features, a rugged design, and amazing optical capabilities that would transform your hunting moments into a success. The optics are built to take a severe beating, which is what any thoughtful hunter would want.

The binoculars features Nikon's premium extra-low dispersion glass for sharp and clear images as well as large field of view. The designers of this equipment have heard the cries of their users and made this new model lighter than its predecessors.

You are bound to have a more enjoyable hunting experience since it would not weigh you down, no matter how long you will be on the field trying to bring down the jungle's fattest elk.

If you are a crazy hunter, it would be good news for you to know that the Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 is built for extreme use. Just to try to break it down for you, this equipment is fog proof waterproof and boasts a rubber-armored body for extra durability. Therefore, you can carry it all the time and use it everywhere as you try to make every day count. It has fully multi-coated eco-glass lenses that provide maximum light transmittance across the whole visible light spectrum.

Pros

• Superior optics
• Built for extreme use
• Equipped with user-friendly features
• The rubber-armored body provides strength
• Durable

Cons

• The lens cap is not as impressive as other parts.

2. Athlon Optics Cronus Roof Prism UHD Binoculars

Hunt in style with this innovatively designed pair of binoculars. Your elk hunting will never be the same again when this becomes your number one choice of binoculars. The shape size and would make it comfortable for you in the field, with excellent grip to make holding it a breeze.

With such an excellent grip, it will not fall off your hands to hit the rocks. This design contributes significantly to its overall durable quality. The argon purging gives better thermal stability and waterproofing.

The quality of its objects is excellent, making it possible for you to get an accurate picture of your target. It also has advance fully multi-coated lenses that would give you superior light transmission. What you get as a result is better coloring and optimum light transmission to back it up.

It’s most exceptional qualities lie in its power. This equipment provides full 8x, 10x magnification, hence allows you to get a closer and more extensive view of the images. Besides, the Athlon Optics Cronus Roof Prism UHD Binoculars is a pair that is easy to use. If you consider that it is convenient to carry and easy to adjust, this equipment maximizes your chances for success in various outdoor activities.

Pros

• Brings a clear, bright image to your eyes
• Gives better light transmission
• Argon purging provides excellent waterproofing
• Better thermal stability
• Accurate color reproduction

Cons

• Scratches easily

3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars 8x42

It comes from the Vortex lineup, which is famous for its top optical quality and durability. They come packaged in an excellent case with a cushioned interior, which ensures they stay safe always stored in it.

The magnification power of 8x can help you cover a long distance to hunt down an elk. There is no blur at all when looking through these binoculars. Just as the manufacturer promises, you get a clear view of your prey with just some little adjustments.

The 42mm objective lenses provide optimal performance, letting in enough light, and giving crisp and clear images at different times of the day. The lenses are dielectric and fully multi-coated, hence provides you brighter images.

This equipment is sleek, having a small hinge design that gives it a contemporary look. Its rubber armor and thumb indents offer enough space for you to hold when using it. The design also ensures more comfortable, secure, and non-slip holding. You can adjust the eye relief thanks to its multi-position eyecup that you can twist up appropriately. Your eyes will not tire from staring through the binoculars for too long with generous eye relief.

Pros

• Adjustable eye relief
• Secure non-slip grip
• Sleek and convenient design
• Weatherproof hence you can use it in all weather conditions
• One of the largest field-of-view in its class

Cons

• The strap is less impressive.

4. Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 Binocular, ED Glass, Waterproof/Fogproof

These binoculars give you high-performance features at a fantastic value. This is a multiple award-winning piece of innovation that every outdoor enthusiast, especially hunters, should own even once in a lifetime. It has an ergonomic, open-bridge design that makes it very comfortable to handle for the user. One of the many qualities that you will love about it from the first time you give it a try is the wide viewing angle.

The Vanguard Endeavor is 100 percent waterproof and fog proof. This quality makes it the perfect binoculars to use in places with changing weather and climate. It is crawling with technology, with a couple of features that are unique to itself.

The ultra-reliable BaK-4 roof prims make usable in a variety of situations and get the best view of your target. Its premium ED glass provides high-resolution colors and clarity by reducing color dispersion.

It is a model that is well-known for its clarity and resolution. Its field of view is 367 feet per 1000 yards. Most, if not all, elk hunters will find this very convenient and reliable. This equipment is suited for extreme outdoor use with eye relief of 19mm and a unit weight of just 25.8 ounces.

You can carry it around for long in a long hunting session without causing you strain. These are just some of the reasons why it is one of the most sought after binoculars on the market among outdoor enthusiasts.

Pros

• 100 percent waterproof and fog proof
• A large precise focus wheel
• Magnification of 10x
• Advanced lens coating
• Lightweight

Cons

• The focus wheel makes noise when turning it

5. Vortex Optics Vulture HD Binoculars

These are a fantastic product that works both in good light and low light. You understand that morning light is slightly dimmer than afternoon light. Go for these pairs of binoculars, especially if you are hunting early in the morning and late in the evenings.

A good view is courtesy of the objective lens of 56mm. The fully multi-coated optics, a feature mostly mistaken to multi-coated optics, gives you extra clear images. This means little strain to the eyes. Glaring too much hurts the eyes and can make hunting tedious.

The roof prism is more comfortable to hold and carry around. It is light, so the user doesn't get tired carrying it around. The outer lens is coated with AmorTek, which makes them sturdy and does not succumb to scratches and chipping off due to accidents. They also have IPD available to make viewing better by merely changing the IPD itself to match your eyes. Thanks to the center diopter, you can change the distance between your eyes to see images clearer.

Water does not get inside the binoculars because it is sealed. Hence, this Argon purged product is resistant to fog. This product can guarantee you a good experience while hunting with minimized distractions.

Pros

• You can adjust for the focal difference between the eyes
• Scratch-resistant armortek coating
• Clear and sharp images
• Twistable eyecups
• Extra-low dispersion glass

Cons

• Not so suitable for users with glasses

6. Celestron 71372 10x42 Granite Binocular (Black)

This is the best power binoculars for elk hunting. It is all-around binoculars going at an affordable price. And for that, you can own it or acquire it without breaking the bank. It is ideal for various usages, or use in a variety of fields including sporting, hunting, among other outdoor activities.

These binoculars have lens and prism coatings with optics that are multi-coated to help you get high resolution and contrast views. With these qualities, it means the light transmission is also enhanced.

You get to view your target more vividly with this binoculars thanks to its Bak-4 prisms. What you get when looking through the optics are high reflectivity and vivid colors. In the general sense, this equipment will make your outdoor life very easy and enhance your chance to optimize on whatever you are doing.

The Celestron 71372 also has a harness strap that is very comfortable and keeps the equipment handy. Besides its high-quality performance, this model is easy to carry around even if the elk hunting extends.

Besides, it is an eco-friendly pair of binoculars since it is lead and arsenic-free. This is partly why many outdoor enthusiasts mostly accept it. Also, you can use it in all weather conditions since it is fog proof and waterproof. It is nitrogen purged hence prevent fogging or letting in dust in all weather conditions.

Pros

• Great for beginners
• One of the most affordable models here
• The quality is pretty decent
• Amazing low light use
• Water and fog cannot get in

Cons

• The focus is not so sharp.

7. Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular

This way, you do not need to keep wiping the mist off the lenses. Being sealed, helps the binoculars be resistant to water. This is just what you need because most hunting takes place early in the morning when there is dew in the fields.

The BaK-4 roof prism gives a broad angle view. Get to see quality images of the animal and background. Another great thing with Bushnell is that it has adjustable eye cups to suit the needs of your eyes. This is a must-have feature for people with eye defects.

You will never damage your new binoculars if you make use of the neck strap. Just wear it on your neck, and whenever the binoculars slip, they hang around. These binoculars rarely slip off anyway. This is because of the non-slip rubber material that offers an excellent grip.

The binoculars are constructed with sturdy materials that have been tried, so you are guaranteed a long-lasting type. Furthermore, the product beats all harsh weather so you can enjoy uninterrupted periods of hunting, especially for people who are crazy about hunting. The appealing design is just great for people who are cautious about class and designs.

Pros

• A wide FOV of 102 feet at 1000 meters
• Stunning HD clarity that the quality optics provide
• Improved light transmission
• Wider field of view
• Easy to adjust and use

Cons

• Image not sharp enough

Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Binoculars For Elk Hunting

Before you buy the right binocular for elk hunting, you need to consider a few essential aspects. I have provided you with some tips that will help you choose the right binoculars.

The Type Of The Prism

We always have two types of prisms; porro and roof. Porro prisms are less preferred. They are slightly heavy, and although they give better magnification, they are expensive and costly to acquire. On the other hand, roof prisms are light, thus being most comfortable to use during hunting. You can get to hunting for long without getting tired. Also, the slim design makes it easy to be held and fits in the hands.

Magnification

Magnification depends on the type of hunting you are planning to do. Sometimes we prefer a high magnification so that we can monitor the animal without alarming it because it might be scared away. Accuracy is vital when hunting, so choose a pair that will offer stability. You cannot acquire balance without useful magnification.

In most cases, good binoculars have a magnification of 7×. You should also know that large magnification binoculars usually need stands. Tripod stands can make your hunting cumbersome. Be careful not to assume size that bigger is better, just like many have fallen victims of this. Sometimes large magnification can make hunting tedious. Make the right choice.

Eye Relief

How close or far are your eyes from the lens? You should know that when you are too now from the glass, the images will be blurred. You will also realize that when you are very near, you will not see the entire field of view.

People who use sunglasses or spectacles may have trouble viewing through the binoculars' lens. That way, eyecups must be adjustable, especially for people with eye problems or when wearing sunglasses.

Quality

Consider buying a pair of binoculars that are made of sturdy materials that guarantee durability. Resistance to water and fog are features to check out because they also add life to this product. You should even think of buying binoculars with coatings that are not prone to chipping off and scratching.

Put in mind that good quality will cut on maintenance costs while low-quality binoculars will eat up your pocket a great deal. They end up being a liability and irritating to repair them every time.

Focus Type

The two types of focus are center spotting focus and individual eyepiece focus. Center spotting focus is ideal when dealing with short distance hunting. For the case of singular eyepiece focus, long-distance shooting is excellent.

It ensures easy catching of animals with minimized sweating. Other must-know features are that the individual focus type of binoculars is long-lasting and waterproof. So you may want to forego the center spotting focus type to get binoculars with this focus to enjoy the distinguishing features.

Image Quality

Image quality is also really vital for those planning to take hunting to another level. Real hunters want quality images. Blending high-quality images with water resistance is a difficult task. However, you can get such a combination at a higher price.

Even though these binoculars are expensive, they are worth the extra cost. Clear images are seen, and this causes less strain to the eyes. Average image quality should be preferred if you have occasional hunting sessions.

The Field of View

The size of the area seen via the binoculars is what we call the field of view, commonly known as FOV. We have high and small FOV, which are reasonable depending on preferences. High FOV is suitable for an open and extensive field. It is also essential when hunting swift animals. As for the small FOV, it is used in narrow areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is elk hunting as easy as deer hunting?

A: Not. With elk hunting, you need to gear up and include the best binoculars because it is complicated. Besides a pair of high-quality binoculars, you need a gun that is highly accurate and precise. You also have to learn to shoot well if you are not a good shooter for the sake of succeeding at hunting elk.

Q: Which is the best objective lens size for hunting?

A: An objective lens size of 40mm to 50mm is ideal for hunting. You need more substantial objective lenses to be able to keep track of your prey more conveniently. Though the models with these lenses may be pricey, you have to sacrifice for the right equipment.

Q: What weight is appropriate for binoculars?

A: The right may vary with a lot of factors, including personal preferences. However, you need lightweight binoculars since you can use it for more prolonged viewing. Any model that weighs less than 28 ounces would be an excellent choice.

Q: Which is the best budget binoculars with good quality in this list?

A: That would be the Bushnell H2O. It is an excellent option that you can acquire without spending too much, especially if you are not so financially stable.

Q: How do ED glass help?

A: It removes chromatic aberration to deliver crystal clear view even at long distances. That is why most elk hunters need binoculars that have this quality.

Q: Which is the best leupold binoculars for hunting?

A: Though they have not reviewed here, some of the best models include the Leupold Rogue, Leupold 119197 BX-1, andLeupold BX-2 Acadia 10x42mm among others.

Final Verdict

Purchasing the best binoculars for elk hunting may take some time and effort. Do not underestimate the process because if you do, you may end up with the wrong pair of binoculars. To do it right the first time, take your time to do ample research or just go through this comprehensive guide.

This article is a compilation of extensive research done by our team, and you can trust it to lead you to the right choice. Therefore, if you are looking for a hunting experience like no other, you can find your favorite among the excellent binoculars reviewed above.

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