Thread: Starter binos for close bush

Hey guys,

Looking for advice on some compact starter binos for some relatively short range bush hunting.
My boy and I just got some access through a friend to some private bush in north Auckland.. you can see just over 100m in patches. A little further along the track sometimes.
I have been looking around and from what I’ve seen, people seem to recommend things like the Leupold BX-1 Rogue 8x25 for this type of area.
These seem pretty cheap and readily available but want to know if you guys have any advice for us?
TIA.

8x Magnification will be ok. But I‘d rather look for a 8x32. They are still compact and not heavy but give you more light in the bush.
Or even better a 7x42.

Originally Posted by littlemorepork

8x Magnification will be ok. But I‘d rather look for a 8x32. They are still compact and not heavy but give you more light in the bush.
Or even better a 7x42.

Something more like this?
https://www.jacobsdigital.co.nz/prod...BoCtVIQAvD_BwE

I can’t recomend any binos in that price range because I have no experience with them. In doubt I would rather go second hand. you usually get more quality for the same sort of money. Cheap optics mostly fail in low light conditions and that‘s where you need them the most.

Would you recommend just taking the plunge into a higher price point then?

As per above, 7-8 power and bigger lenses the better. Hunting in bush you are trying to discern dark from dark so better quality is better. If you go too cheap, the binos are just extra weight.

I have a pair of Leica 10x25s and a pair of Leupold BX2 cascades 8x42.

The leupolds are nice to use and I would recommend them as one option if thats in your price range.

Close range a 6 power is sufficient. Need lots of field of view.

Leupold 6x30 BX-1 Yosemite Binoculars are light, good quality and fairly low price: wide field of view, comfortable to look through and light weight (also youth friendly in terms of face fit).

+1, Kowa do the same and would probably be my preference.

Whatever you get, look overseas, amazon ships to nz again and binos are waaay cheaper there than with the folk that rip us off here...

I’ve got an older pair of Zeiss Terra in 8x32 that are nice & compact for stumbling round in the bush. The optical performance is not too shabby either, but don’t expect it to perform like top end euro glass. I picked them up 2nd hand for $350.

I'd look for something under 8x for bush hunting.

I have a pair of Kowa 6.5x32 BDIIs and they are excellent binos. Super wide FOV and 6.5x is more than enough for spotting animals even at a few hundred meters.

They are great for bird watching, about 1000x better than 10x binos for close range hunting/spotting.

I spend most of my time bush shooting on a weekly basis. 8x25’s are plenty for this caper, compact and not a pain in the arse to carry. 6 power are even better with a wider field of view. You only need to be able to identify what you’re looking at, not whether the animal’s brushed it’s hair this morning or whatever.

Leupold 6x30 are great, used to be USD $100 off several US on line stores.

I'm using stiener safaris. Seem pretty good to me. Send me a pm If your near me and you can have a look at them If you want.