Binocular question

this may sound like dumb question,but here goes for some of you guys that use bingos a lot. Have a set of 10 x42 Binos and just trying to figure out if mine are ok compared to others, there not expensive but don't have anything to compare them too.heres the question how far can you expect to tell if a white tail has horns with a 10x42. Not talking $2000 binos basically on lower end binoculars and just talking about being able to tell if has horns. 300,500,700yds what is reasonable? Thanks for any input.

Whitetails have antlers, obviously the size and thickness of antlers makes a huge difference as does weather conditions, wide open fields or through the trees.. 500yds with my 8x32 CL are no problem.I recall seeing them at over 1k also.
Antler Detail, counting points or just seeing them? pretty vague question.

Better quality optics will allow you to see more detail than simply seeing antlers in a wider range of weather conditions. Once you own a great pair of binoculars you will never go backwards. Right down to eye fatigue.
having them iand using them is better than having none at all though.

6.5x47hunter said:

Whitetails have antlers, obviously the size and thickness of antlers makes a huge difference as does weather conditions, wide open fields or through the trees.. 500yds with my 8x32 CL are no problem.I recall seeing them at over 1k also.
Antler Detail, counting points or just seeing them? pretty vague question.

Better quality optics will allow you to see more detail than simply seeing antlers in a wider range of weather conditions. Once you own a great pair of binoculars you will never go backwards. Right down to eye fatigue. Nothing worse than a cheap pair of binoculars.

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Not really talking about every detail just to be able to tell if has horns,mostly talking open field. As in post just tryin to see if mine compare at price point ($200) like said have nothing to compare to. 6.5 hunter what are your 8x42?

Being able to see antlers really depends on a lot of things with binocular glass quality being one aspect. Is the lighting bright or dim? Is the air crystal clear or hazy? Is the animal standing in the open or in some trees / bushes?

You really need to go out somewhere with a variety of binos and see what works for you.

Rilow said:

Not really talking about every detail just to be able to tell if has horns,mostly talking open field. As in post just tryin to see if mine compare at price point ($200) like said have nothing to compare to. 6.5 hunter what are your 8x42?

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you'll never be able to see horns on a whitetail no matter what you use. Antlers shed horns keep growing. $200 binoculars compare to $200 binoculars your eyes may see one brand slightly "better" than the other just because they are your eyes. No way will a $200 pair be better than a $1000 pair. Quality of glass will work in shadows and dusk/dawn poor conditions way better. If all you look at is on nice sunny days, wide open fields cheap binoculars may be enough for you.

Uhhh... pronghorn antelope shed their horn sheathes.
Yes, whitetails have antlers, not "horns".
To the OP: Go to an outdoors store and compare binos outdoors during dawn or dusk. It will answer your question.

I was at a trade show where Steiner had a display. Looked at binos and the vendor said, "If you like those, try these." Just a little step up in price, but WOW the difference. Again, he said, "If you like those...". You get the picture. Each step up in price equaled a dramatic difference in quality. You just have to know what your pain threshold is. (I brought home a real nice pair of binos, but still not the nicest.)

You will also improve your glassing results dramatically by tripod mounting your binocular. Before upgrading I suggest you try this first

Better glass also reduces eye strain. If you got a 200.00 pair, then thats what you have to work with. Anything over their ears youll be able to pick out to about 3 or 400 yards. Seeing if a yearling has nubs may be more difficult. Counting points may not be possible. I use Steiners and like them. I can see any horn or count points on developed antlers to about 500. My friend has a pair of Swarovski. Theyre like night and day better. Especially in low light. On the flip side i just bought a box of old binoculars for 10 bucks at a garage sale. An older pair of Japanese made glass in there is pretty darn good. Sometimes you can step up by buying used from the classifieds here or an auction site.

I have Zeiss, Leica, Pentax and Bushnell binos. All have their place in various activities. Yes, there is a difference in resolution and brightness from the $200 Busnells to the better glass but the only issues I have seen while hunting all day is eyestain when using the budget binos. I purchased the Pentax and Leica used on sights such as this for a bargain. I have no problem judging whitetail racks to 400 yards with the Bushnell. Over that distance and the better glass comes into their own. As I grow older, distinction between the top contenders is fading (no pun intended) fast. My favorite is a Pentax DCF SP 8x43. Bought this one almost new online from another site for $175 several years ago. This pair does everything I need and more. The Zeiss and Leica are a step or two above but I wouldn't get upset if I dropped the Pentax and it got more beat up. No eyestrain from the Pentax. Good shooting.

I like 8x for free-hand (less shake) and usually wider FOV. If going 10x or more, maybe think about some sort of rest (tripod/sticks/etc).
Better lenses will reduce eye fatigue over long glassing sessions and give better clarity. They will also give you a little longer in low light situations.
You can pretty much apply all the things you think about with scopes to binos.

Thanks you guys who gave me some yards experience with your binoculars, that's what I was looking for. As for the horn antlers thing I've been hunting white tails for 45yrs and I do know the difference everybody around here calls them horns we don't get that technical with vocabulary but I think you knew what I was talking about. I'll have to talk more educated no disrespect.

Rilow said:

Thanks you guys who gave me some yards experience with your binoculars, that's what I was looking for. As for the horn antlers thing I've been hunting white tails for 45yrs and I do know the difference everybody around here calls them horns we don't get that technical with vocabulary but I think you knew what I was talking about. I'll have to talk more educated no disrespect.

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Keep 'talking' as you wish sir and be yourself. Where I grew up we called them 'horns' too.