The 8×42 binoculars have been highly rated for their unmatched performance and wide angle of view, and they are necessary for hunting because you have to be able to scan the horizon.
A top quality hunting binocular is an essential tool for any hunter. When it comes to hunting, you want them to be clear and powerful enough to give you a wide view of your surroundings as well as a precise image of the target.
Our eight of the best recommendations are based on their magnification, lens size, and other features that make them perfect for hunting.
Best Rated Binoculars in 8×42 – Top 4 Picks
The 8 Best 8×42 Binoculars For Hunting
1. Vortex Optics Viper HD 8×42 Binoculars
Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism binoculars are excellent for a wide range of uses. They feature XR fully multi-coated glass lenses with twist-up eyecups, which is excellent for those who want to get a clear view of the sky or ground.
The brightness level on these binoculars is controlled by the center focus knob. The center focus knob allows for quick focusing at any time. Having a clear view of your target is essential when hunting, and the Viper HD is a full-size yet compact binocular that is comfortable enough to carry in your hand.
Again, I have to inform you about Vortex Optics is an American manufacturer that specializes in birding and hunting binoculars. There are a lot of USA made binoculars we reviewed, and most of them are well-rated by global customers.
Hunting is a one of the best times to use these binoculars, as hunters will be able to view game from a great distance and get in close for detailed shots with the help of their powerful and high-quality lenses. They come with a rubber armor chasis for lasting protection.
These binoculars are perfect for long-range observation, hunting, professional sports viewing and bird watching. They’re also waterproof, which makes them more durable than most other options out there.
For those who prefer high quality image clarity, the Vortex Optics Viper HD are the best 8×42 binoculars available today.
Technical specifications:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Field of View | 409 feet/1000 yds |
| Eye Relief | 18mm |
| Close Focus | 5 feet |
| Interpupillary Distance | 56mm – 75mm |
| Weight | 1.53 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 10.85 x 11.05 inches |
2. Maven C1 8×42 ED Binoculars
What’s a good hunting binocular? The short answer is that it’s a set of binoculars with excellent optical properties. As you probably know already, there are hundreds of pairs of binoculars available on the market today. However, not all of them are worthy enough to be regarded as great hunting instruments.
Maven’s C1 42mm ED Binoculars are reliable and C.1 features crystal clear extra low-dispersion glass that offers high-quality imaging.
The binoculars zoom function provides you with a magnification of 8 times. The design is durable and easy to hold for those long hours in the field tracking down your prey.
They’re also waterproof, making them a durable option in the field. This makes them ideal for hunters who will be out in rain or snow. The rubber armor coating makes the binoculars resistant to dirt, dings, and drops.
They are fully coated optics and wide-angle view will produce clear, crisp images.
Specifications:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Eye Relief | 19.5 Millimeters |
| Exit Pupil | 5.25mm |
| Prism type | Schmidt-Pechan |
| Field of View | 341 ft. @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 5 x 2.1 x 5.7 inches |
Read more reviews on the best mini size binoculars for hunting.
3. Bushnell 8×42 Trophy Binocular
Bushnell Trophy Binoculars are designed to provide high quality images and exceptional durability.
The fully multi-coated lenses help provide sharp images. This is important for any binoculars you use when hunting in the field.
The rubber armor coating makes them weather resistant, ensuring they can withstand even severe weather conditions.
You’ve probably heard before that a good pair of binoculars can help any hunter better identify possible game from afar. But what if you’re a beginner who doesn’t know much about binoculars?
Bushnell Trophy can help you make the right choice when it comes to purchasing your first pair of hunting binoculars.
With the large center focus knob and the 2-step twist-up eyecups, you will be able to focus on your object faster.
Bushnell is also USA based company that specialized in various optical equipment’s like telescopic, game cameras, night-vision devices, red dot sights, binoculars, rangefinders, spotting scopes and etc.
Key features:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Prism | BAK-4 Prisms |
| Close Focus | 10 ft. |
| Field of View | 395 ft. @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 25.8 ounces |
| Dimensions | 3.5 x 7 x 9.5 inches |
4. Celestron Nature DX 8 x 42 Binoculars
The Celestron Nature DX binoculars are a good choice for those looking for something with a little bit more range than the typical 7×28.
These binoculars come with a zoom feature that allows you to easily see the distant targets. You can easily see objects from as far away as 1,000 feet.
In addition, It’s lightweight and ergonomic design makes it easy to hold in your hands. The rubber armoring makes them durable and resistant to dirt, dings, and drops.
The fully multi-coated optics and wide-angle view will produce clear, crisp images. These binoculars are also waterproof, making them a durable option in the field.
Designed with phase-coated BaK-4 prisms, these binoculars produce images that are high quality and best fit for outdoors enthusiasts.
These Celestron Nature DX 8×42 are a great choice for those looking for high-quality binoculars at a reasonable price.
More specifications are:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Prism | BaK4 |
| IPD (mm) | 56-74 |
| Prism Coating | Phase Coating |
| Eye Relief | 18mm |
| Close Focus | 6.5 ft. |
| Field of View | 388 ft. @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 1.75 pounds |
| Dimensions | 5.3 x 2 x 4.9 inches |
5. Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD 8 x 42 Binoculars
Hunting is usually a long-term hobby for many people, and it’s important to make sure you’re well equipped for the task.
A good pair of binoculars can be especially helpful in giving you more detailed information on your game at a distance.
Hunters should avoid buying low-priced binoculars because they are not ideal for hunting purposes and the cheaper models may not withstand heavy usage.
Hunters should also be aware that it is important to read reviews before purchasing this kind of high-powered hunting binoculars. These reviews could contain crucial information that would prevent hunters from making an unintended purchase.
These binoculars are a good choice for wildlife view, hunting, and sports. They have a range of brightness to help you see the differences in color and detail for all your outdoor activities.
Leupold BX-2 Alpine designed with fully multi-coated lens system that ensures that you get a bright and clear image. They are also 100% waterproof and fog proof.
6. Athlon Optics Midas G2 8×42 UHD Binoculars
Midas G2 8×42 UHD Binoculars are designed for users who need a good pair of binoculars for hunting, bird watching, and sports.
These binoculars are waterproof and XPL coating to make them weather resistant.
They’re also advanced fully multi-coated, making them ideal for distant viewing in different lighting conditions. With its high light transmission, this product is perfect for spotting animals at long distances.
And the rubber armor coating makes them durable enough to resist damage from drops or impact on hard surfaces.
They are also durable and waterproof which comes in handy when you are on the go or in the field. This makes them a great buy for hunters who are going out into the field for long periods of time.
Midas G2 Specifications:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Interpupillary Distance | 57mm – 74mm |
| Eye Relief | 17.2mm |
| Close Focus | 6.5 ft. |
| Field of View | 426 ft. @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 23.3 oz |
| Height x Width | 5.7″x5.2″ |
7. Carson 3D Series 8×42 Binoculars
Carson 3D Series are one of the best binoculars for hunting. You can explore, hunt and look at nature with this set of binoculars.
These binoculars are waterproof, fog proof, compact and light-weighted. They’re also fully multi-coated which will give you a clear and brighter image.
And the rubberized armor coating makes them durable enough to resist damage from drops or impact on hard surfaces.
The range of brightness allows you to see the difference in color and detail for all your outdoor activities.
Technical key features are:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Prism | BAK-4 |
| Lens Coating | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Eye Relief | 19.5mm |
| Close Focus | 9.8 ft. |
| Field of View | 341 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 1.38 lbs |
| Dimensions | 5.5″ x 2.0″ x 5.0″ |
8. Burris 8×42 Droptine Binoculars
The Burris Droptine Binoculars are waterproof, fogproof and nitrogen purged to make them weather resistant. That ensures that are suitable for hunting.
The non-slip grip and rubber armor coating makes them rugged enough to stand up to the harsh weather conditions that hunters encounter in the field.
The Index-matched fully multi-coated optics and wide-angle view will produce clear, crisp images.
Droptine made with BaK-4 prisms that offers better resolution and has the added benefit of being more compact than porro prism models. These binoculars will produce images that are high quality and best fit for outdoors enthusiasts.
More key features are:
| Magnification | 8x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42mm |
| Focus System | Fast focus |
| Optics System | Roof Prism |
| Close Focus | 7 ft |
| Exit Pupil | 5.25mm |
| Eye Relief | 0.72 mm |
| Field of View | 340 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Weight | 20.1 oz |
| Waterproof Depth | 1 meter |
Buyer’s Guide
With so many options available, picking the right pair of binoculars can be difficult. Hunters need to consider various features as well as different price points before making a purchase.
Choosing the right pair of binoculars for hunting can make a big difference in your day-to-day routine in the field. In order to make your search process easier, here is a guide on the features to look for when buying hunting binoculars:
Learn how to choose a binocular based in requirements.
Final thoughts for hunters
The binoculars above have been chosen after long hours of research, testing and finally; they’re also the best fit for birding and hunting.
Their features are unique and they all deliver on their promises. The only important factors to consider in choosing the top-ranked products above is your needs and budget.
If you try and look for cheap binoculars that may not be as good as their expensive counterparts, you will probably end up not satisfied with your choice.
To conclude; you should always take your time in choosing the binoculars for hunting needs. But remember that it’s not just about looking at the binoculars’ brand or price tag, but their features and what they can do for you.
So, choose the binoculars whose features will help you achieve the target for which you are looking at buying.
If you have something to add to this list; please leave a comment and we will update the list as soon as possible.
