One binocular to rule the mountains

If I was looking at buying one magnification of binocular to cover most Western style hunting what type and magnification does everyone recommend? Thanks

10X42 power is the good ole work horse. If I was to purchase a new set, it would have built in range finding capabilities such as the Leica brand. Whatever you do, purchase the best you can afford or better yet save your pennies until you can purchase in the alpha class.

Rick Richard said:

10X42 power is the good ole work horse. If I was to purchase a new set, it would have built in range finding capabilities such as the Leica brand. Whatever you do, purchase the best you can afford or better yet save your pennies until you can purchase in the alpha class.

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Love my Leica great choose Rick....

What he says, augmented with the best spotting scope you can afford.

That would be about like selecting a pickup truck to fill all the needs for a pickup Truck.

yobuck said:

That would be about like selecting a pickup truck to fill all the needs for a pickup Truck.

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You mean you need something more than a Ford Ranger? Just kidding

leica 10x42 HD-B 3000 done! best glass on the market and best range finder in its class
perfect for all around glassing out here

Leica 10x42 HD-B 3000.

Swarovski 10x42 EL Range. Superb optics and an awesome range finder.

Love my swaro el 10x50. I have spent a lot of time behind a Leica 10x42 hd B and might go that route if starting over. The feature of the laser and semi programable ballistics data is nice feature. You can eliminate a separate LRF potentially depending on how precise and far you are shooting.

ColtyJr said:

If I was looking at buying one magnification of binocular to cover most Western style hunting what type and magnification does everyone recommend? Thanks

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Swarovski all the way 10x42 great for low light and great in sun glare and low light

Zeiss

Tough to beat switchpower binos....
Last year was looking at deer at 1000yd...could tell that it had antlers.....couldnt say how nice at 10 power....switched to 17 power and could see uprights(whitetail)....
Wasn't any need for a spotting scope....

Also purchased a used pair of leica 10x42hdrf..2200...
Compared to my Leupold...
In actuality...the leica may have higher magnification then 10x...or the leupold less....because there's a distinct difference at 10x setting......weight....huge...leicas way heavier.....

Meopta makes some really excellent binoculars for the money. I would buy the largest objective you are comfortable carrying. I have the 8x56 Meopro's for low light performance based on the exit pupil. They are really easy to sit behind unmounted and not stress my eyes out. For typical western hunts a 10x or 12x would likely serve you well. I wouldn't go below a 50mm objective.