When going hunting, it’s important that you can spot prey from afar and prepare for an attack, which is why you need binoculars. Before buying a pair of binoculars, you should read as much as you can to find out what’s available and what’s best for you. Or, you can dig into our complete guide which will lead you to the best 10x42 binoculars for hunting.
Here are the best 10x42 binoculars for hunting (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: Celestron 71333 Nature DX 10x42 Binocular
- Best for Tough Weather Conditions: Gosky EagleView 10x42 ED Binoculars
- Best for Deer Hunting: Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars
- Best for Eyeglass Wearers: Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binocular
- Budget Option: Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars
- Best for Low Light Conditions: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular
| 6 Best 10x42 Binoculars for Hunting | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Celestron 71333 Nature DX 10x42 Binocular | |
Best for Tough Weather Conditions | Gosky EagleView 10x42 ED Binoculars | |
Best for Deer Hunting | Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars | |
Best for Eyeglass Wearers | Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binocular | |
Budget Option | Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars | |
Best for Low Light Conditions | Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular | |
Best Overall: Celestron 71333 Nature DX 10x42 Binocular
- Give a crisp sharp image - Phase Coating & BaK-4 Prism
- Very bright view - Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Ideal for people wearing glasses – eye relief is 17.5mm
- Easy to carry – include a strap and case
- The focus wheel is a little tough
The Celestron 71333 gives a blend of reasonable cost, pack-ability, and successful viewing. The images come to very crisp and sharp, the glass is clear and bright, and the build quality is on par with the cost.
Compared to the crossfire, especially in terms of the ease of control, this one is easier to adjust.
If you wear glasses, just rest assured to use these binoculars because their eye relief is 17.5mm. Above all, they are lightweight.
We do appreciate the provided strap and case for extra ease of carrying. Great for hunting on a budget.
| Celestron 71333 Nature DX 10x42 Binocular Specifications | |
|---|---|
Field of View | 5.8° 304 feet @ 1000yds |
Prism Type | BaK-4 Prisms |
Eye Relief Distance (mm) | 17.5 mm |
Highlight Features | Phase Coating & BaK-4 Prism; Fully Multi-Coated Optics; eye relief is 17.5mm; include a strap and case |
Giving bright clear images and a great value at just more than $100, the Celestron 71333 is our solid pick for best overall 10x42 hunting binoculars.
Best for Tough Weather Conditions: Gosky EagleView 10x42 ED Binoculars
- Deliver superior sharpness edge-to-edge - dielectric coating, and advanced fully multi-coated glass lenses,
- Reduces chromatic aberration efficiently - ED glass & smart Phase correction BaK4 Prism
- Able to work well on all weather conditions - Rubber armored body design & Argon purged
- Compatible with lots of different smartphone lines - a go sky 2018 newest smartphone adapter
- A bit heavy
The quality of these binoculars really surprised us.
The glass, the finish, and the feel are just as excellent as a $600-$700 model. What impressed our experts a lot was its superior sharpness edge-to-edge as it gave no chromatic aberration what so ever.
Another good thing is the durability of these binoculars.
Compared to others, they stand out for higher body strength thanks to the rubber-armored design, along with their thermal stability, fog-proofing, and waterproofing properties.
We also like the added smartphone adapter. This is a go sky 2018 newest version highlighting quick alignment and versatility to pair with different cellphone lines and brands.
There also comes with a neck strap belt and soft carrying case for extra convenience.
| Gosky EagleView 10x42 ED Binoculars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Field of View | 307ft/1000yds |
Prism Type | BaK4 Prism |
Eye Relief Distance (mm) | 13.6Mm |
Highlight Features | dielectric coating, and advanced fully multi-coated glass lenses; ED glass & smart Phase correction BaK4 Prism; Rubber armored body design & Argon purged; a go sky 2018 newest smartphone adapter |
Our competition includes several weatherproof 10x42 hunting binoculars, and the Gosky EagleView performed as well as most of them.
Best for Deer Hunting: Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars
- Perform exceptionally well in low light - fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective coatings & Dielectric coating
- Good protection against dirt, oil, and scratches - Armorer coating
- Easy to pack and lug up a tree stand – the weight of 8 ounces
- Spring-like sound when rolling to the right
- A bit overpriced
Out of a bunch, the Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars give the best performance in low light, which is a big plus for deer hunting.
They give unparalleled light transmission, crispiness, and color fidelity while cutting chromatic aberration efficiently. That all thanks to the perfect combination of fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective coatings.
The added Armorer coating is another notable feature as it keeps the outer lenses against dirt, oil, and scratches for longer-lasting. Meanwhile, there’s a Dielectric coating for more precise color images along with sharpness and brightness.
They are also light. Unlike other counterparts, you don’t have to tiredly lug your binoculars up the tree stand because of their weight or how much space they took up in your pack.
| Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Binoculars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Field of View | 330’ 6.3 degrees |
Prism Type | HD Roof Prism |
Eye Relief Distance (mm) | 15 |
Highlight Features | fully multi-coated lenses with anti-reflective coatings & Dielectric coating; Armorer coating; the weight of 8 ounces |
This little 10x42 set is really a stellar performer in low light, making it the best choice for deer hunting.
Best for Eyeglass Wearers: Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binocular
- Easy to adjust – there’s a knob placed in an easy-to-reach location
- Illuminated images & crystal clear view - Multi-layer coatings & lead-and-arsenic-free Eco-Glass
- Perfect for people wearing glasses – adjustable eyecups
- The lens caps are not functional
- The Velcro latch is noisy
These binoculars are fantastic.
They’re easy to set up and quality for the price. Getting the most compliments from our testers is its adjustable knob due to its reasonable location for easy reach while you’re using the device.
Meanwhile, the image almost looks illuminated, everything is so crystal clear and in focus, and the field of view is good for their size and magnification.
The adjustable eyecups are probably the biggest plus for anyone wearing eyeglasses as they can easily customize the eye relief distance to suit their glasses setup.
With a compact design, these binoculars fit nicely in the front pocket of a camera bag, making it portable and convenient for a nice grab-and-go setup for a hunting trip.
| Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 Binocular Specifications | |
|---|---|
Field of View | 62.9 degrees 122m @1000m |
Prism Type | imagesRoof prism |
Eye Relief Distance (mm) | 15.7 |
Highlight Features | An adjustable knob; Multi-layer coatings & lead-and-arsenic-free Eco-Glass; adjustable eyecups |
We would highly recommend these binoculars to anyone wearing eyeglasses.
Budget Option: Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars
- Give bright and clear image, even in low light - A Spherical Multicoated Eco-Glass Lenses
- Easy to use and focus - smooth central focus knob
- Offer comfortable viewing - Turn-and-Slide Rubber Eyecups
- Not waterproof or fog-proof
- Not super lightweight
- The clip-on strap front lens covers do not stay on easily
If your budget is under $100, these 10x42 hunting binoculars are the worthiest to try.
Compared to more expensive brands/models, we think they are just as sharp while the comfort is so much better. They feature excellent glass giving a bright and clear image, even in low light conditions within 100 yards with brown foliage as a background.
The eyepiece adjustment is a good upgrade, among other things, from the action binoculars Nikon used to make.
The size, on the other hand, is perfect for backpacking hunters. It also comes in a nice case which makes it easy to carry and gives it protection.
| Nikon Aculon A211 10x42 Binoculars Specifications | |
|---|---|
Field of View | 42 feet at 1000 ft |
Prism Type | The BaK4 Porro prism |
Eye Relief Distance (mm) | 11.6mm |
Highlight Features | A Spherical Multicoated Eco-Glass Lenses; smooth central focus knob; Turn-and-Slide Rubber Eyecups |
The Nikon Aculon A211 is a great option for those who need high-performance 10x42 hunting binoculars at a bargain price.
Best for Low Light Conditions: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular
- Give good brightness and crispy image in low light - RainGuard HD water-repellent lens coating, Ultra Wide Band Coatings, and ED Prime Glass
- Comfortable to hold - soft-touch grips, soft case and neck strap, and lightweight, magnesium chassis
- A bit pricey
Price aside, these Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binoculars work amazingly during the early morning low-light hours.
As made with optics featuring RainGuard HD water-repellent lens coating, Ultra Wide Band Coatings, and ED Prime Glass, it lets in a lot of light for super-crisp view and good edge to edge sharpness. Besides, somehow the image is not flat like other binoculars.
They are not too big and bulky and hook up great to a binocular system.
We can easily adjust their focus range to make objects stand out well. Lastly, these binoculars are comfortable to hold.
| Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular Specifications | |
|---|---|
Prism Type | BaK-4 roof prism system |
Highlight Features | RainGuard HD water-repellent lens coating, Ultra Wide Band Coatings, and ED Prime Glass; soft-touch grips, soft case and neck strap, and lightweight, magnesium chassis |
We were pleasantly surprised by the overall performance of these Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binoculars, especially in low light conditions.
How To Choose The Best 10x42 Binocular for Hunting?
Prism Type
When choosing binoculars for hunting, you need to decide on a prism type, roof, or Porro. Here’s how they differ from each other.
Roof prism | Porro prism | |
Feature | Reflects light 5 times | Reflects light 4 times |
Pros | Lightweight Slimmer dimension In direct line with the eyepiece | Affordable |
Cons | Expensive | Not in direct line with the eyepiece Larger design |
Optical Coatings
Optical coatings are applied on the glass surface of the objective with the aim of reducing or eliminating light reflection, which helps you avoid light loss and glare. Good optical coatings will give you clearer, brighter images.
Therefore, always get binoculars with optical coatings. You should choose multi-coated, or fully multi-coated. While the last type is expensive, multi-coated is more affordable and gets the job done.
Rubber Coating and Waterproofness
Rubber coating allows you to hold the binoculars even when they’re wet. It also preserves the binoculars better in the long term.
Along with rubber coating, waterproofness is one of the must-have features of binoculars. It protects the product from dust, grime, dirt, and other elements. Waterproof binoculars don’t fog up or leak.
Overall, make sure you choose a pair of binoculars with waterproofness and rubber coating.
Focus Types
When it comes to focusing types, you can choose between center focus and individual eyepiece focus.
With individual eyepiece focus, you will get excellent results for medium to long distances. This type is easier to waterproof, more durable, hence a more popular choice. Meanwhile, the center focus is suitable for a distance less than 30 yards.
Which Brands Make The Best 10x42 Binocular for Hunting?
Celestron
This brand has been around for decades with rich experience in the industry. It offers products with advanced, revolutionary technologies to enhance performance for users.
Gosky
This brand has become well-known in recent years for its optics and accessories. With each and every one of its products, Gosky promises cost efficiency, high quality, and high standard.
Vortex Optics
Founded in 2004, Vortex Optics does everything with its customers’ interest in mind, hence high-quality binoculars for your hunts.
Nikon
This is one of the long-living brands that have set its foot in the global market for decades. Its products have become popular and trusted due to their cutting-edge technology and advanced design.
Bushnell
From this brand, with 70+ years of experience, you will find hunting binoculars made from innovative thinking, offering excellent quality and performance.
FAQs
What does 10x42 mean?
The first number is magnification, indicating the level to which images will be magnified through the binoculars. The second number is the diameter of the objective lens.
In this case, 10x42 means images are 10 times larger and the objective lens has a 42mm diameter.
What size lens should I buy?
This depends on your preference. But for your information, a 40 or 42mm lens can work for all types of hunting. A larger lens (50mm) gives you more detail but it’s costlier too.
In addition, larger lenses are heavier, so if you want extra portability, you can consider small sizes like 30 or 32 mm.
All in all, when choosing a lens size, you should balance between detail and portability based on your own interest.
Is 10x42 better than 8x42 or 10x50?
In comparison, 10x42 will offer the same brightness but larger images than 8x42. Meanwhile, 10x42 will offer the same magnification but less brightness and detail than 10x50.
So 10x42 seems like the best of both worlds, a balance between magnification and detail.
Are 10x42 binoculars good for hunting?
Yes, 10x42 binoculars are the perfect size for hunting.
How far can you see with 10x42 binoculars?
The 10x magnification of 10x42 binoculars means you can see up to 12 miles away and the images are 10 times larger.
Conclusion
A pair of binoculars has a direct influence on your hunts so you shouldn’t bother spending extra time looking for the right product. And we hope that this post will help you find the best 10x42 binoculars for hunting quickly and easily.
Bryan Listor
