Last Updated on February 23, 2021
Binoculars are handy for multiple purposes. And they play a great role when you are hunting. So it is wise to include a hunting binocular into your necessary hunting gears. Hunting binoculars come in a wide price range and it is challenging to choose a perfect one for your requirement. To help you out from the challenge, we are going to review the best hunting binoculars under $500 and $600 in the following article.
If you have a tight budget and are willing to choose cheaper ones, feel free to try the $300 hunting binoculars. Actually, we have a series of articles on hunting binoculars that come under different price ranges.
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Reviews of Best Hunting Binoculars Under $500 and $600
Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars
Canon 12X36 Image Stabilization Binoculars are great to bring what excites you closer and experience the difference. Canon IS II features the unique Canon Image Stabilization technology to provide smooth, extended viewing without using a tripod. Additionally, Canon optics and corrective technology are there to assure sharp, colorful, and bright, virtually distortion-free viewing. All these amazing features will ease your hunting greatly. The optics are designed to provide ultimate comfort for both eyeglass wearer and non-wearer.
The binoculars have an improved low reflective exterior coating that helps to minimize glare from the sun and they are less conspicuous while viewing wildlife or anywhere else where distracting reflection may occur. The binoculars are energy efficient and come with a battery level indicator. So you can take precautions for backup power. In all means, Canon IS II binoculars are perfect to be brought along everywhere.
In these binoculars both the front lens and the eyepiece use convex-shaped glass. The featured doublet field-flattener lenses correct the curvature of field and present sharp, even view corner to corner. The lead-free glass enhances the overall performance greatly. All these features are really great but one thing to keep in mind that, the water-resistance performance is not so promising. But they are really great for day time use and can beat the rough weather to some extent.
Specification:
- 12X magnification
- 36mm objective lens
- Porro II Prisms
- 14.5mm eye relief
- 4.2m close focus
- 344ft/1000yds field of view
- 21.16 ozs of weight
Pros:
- Superb Image Stabilization module
- Doublet field-flattener
- Low reflective exterior
- Lead-free glass
- Larger field of view
- Battery level indicator
- Power-saving technology
Cons:
- Not water and fog proof
- Lens cover should be improved
Vortex Optics Vulture HD Binoculars
Vortex Vulture HD binoculars are great due to their absolutely incredible light transmission and superior low light performance. They will help you out in dawn and dusk when the game can be most active. The phase-corrected roof prisms and fully multicoated optics deliver a super bright image that is sharp from edge to edge. And Viper’s proprietary XR coatings enhance the overall performance greatly. The premium extra-low dispersion glass delivers ultimate resolution and color fidelity, resulting in high-definition images.
The larger objective lens maximizes low light performance. The adjustable eyecups assure optimum comfort for glass wearing hunters. You have to simply twist the eyecups to enjoy the full field of view. The rubber-armored finish provides a secure, non-slip grip and durable external protection. Thus you will have great use of the binoculars even in wet conditions.
To prevent from scratch, oil and dirt the binoculars have ultra-hard ArmorTek coating. Their O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating the binoculars. The argon gas purging keeps the binoculars safe from water and fog completely. So you can take in any weather. The package comes with eyepiece cover, lens cover, neck strap, carry case, and tripod adapter.
Specification:
- 15X magnification
- 56mm objective lens
- 15mm eye relief
- 226ft/1000yds field of view
- 15ft close focus
- 59-74mm interpupillary distance
- 43.6 ozs of weight
Pros:
- Greater magnification
- Larger objective lens
- High-density lenses
- Extra low dispersion glass
- Dielectric coating
- Phase coating
- Additional accessories
- Fully multicoated lenses
Cons:
- Quite weighty than others
- Shorter field of view
- Needs tripod for extended use
Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 8×42 Binocular (Black)
Nikon 7548 MONARCH 7 binoculars come with dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coatings to provide high contrast images and accurate color reproduction. The extra-low dispersion glass enhances the brightness and color fidelity. These binoculars are from Nikon’s All-Terrain Binocular (ATB) series that delivers impressive image quality and ergonomics at an affordable cost. These binoculars are eligible to be one of your best hunting gears.
They come with a decent field of view to ease finding out your target. The prism coating assures high-quality contrast images and accurate color reproduction. The large eye relief will enable glass wearer hunters to use the binoculars quite comfortably.
The binoculars have a durable rubber-armored coating to ensure a longer life span. Besides, you will have a comfortable non-slip firm grip even in wet conditions. The weatherproof housing makes them waterproof and fog proof and rugged enough to stand up to any rough conditions.
Specification:
- 8X magnification
- 42mm objective lens
- 420ft/1000yds field of view
- 17.1mm eye relief
- 5.3mm exit pupil
- 22.9 ozs of weight
Pros:
- Extra low dispersion glass
- Phase coating
- Works in low light
- Dielectric coating
- Waterproof and fog proof
Cons:
- Lens protectors can be improved
Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars
Vortex Viper HD binoculars are designed to provide premium quality performance and feature everything that you need for hunting. They come with high-density extra-low dispersion glass to produce impressive resolution and color fidelity. These Viper binoculars will change your hunting and the results forever.
Vortex Viper HD has dielectric, multilayer prism coatings to give you bright, clear, color-accurate images. The coating of roof prism models enhances image contrast and resolution. They come with multi-position eyecups to maximize your comfort. You can adjust them accordingly whether wearing glasses or not. The locking right eye diopter adjusts for focal differences between both eyes.
These binoculars have a compact rubber-armored chassis and armorTek coating. Therefore they are always ready to accompany your hunt. The binoculars are argon purged and O-ring sealed so that the Viper HD can be completely waterproof and fog proof. The package comes with rain-guard eyepiece cover, tethered objective lens covers, comfort neck strap, and deluxe padded carry case.
Specification:
- 10X magnification
- 42mm objective lens
- 17mm eye relief
- 4.2mm exit pupil
- 341ft/1000yds field of view
- 56-75mm interpupillary distance
- 24.9 ozs of weight
Pros:
- High-density roof prisms
- Phase correction
- Dielectric multilayer coating
- Multi-position eyecups
- Rubber-armored chassis
- ArmorTek coating
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Additional accessories
- Tripod adaptable
Cons:
- Carrying case should be improved
Steiner 210 MM1050 Military-Marine 10×50 Tactical Binocular
Steiner 210 MM1050 is the civilian version of proven military binoculars and designed for all-around use. The binoculars assure sharp, clear, and contrast viewing. Since military and security forces rely on Steiner any hunter can do. Steiner’s binoculars are designed with greater magnification and larger objective lenses that are ideal for open terrain and hilly country, and for the low-light condition. Their sports-auto-focus keeps everything in focus and you will not need constant focusing anymore. The binoculars come with Steiner’s proprietary lens coating to enhance the light, perceive more contrast and brighter detail even in low light.
Steiner 210 MM 1050 binoculars are built with Makrolon housing, the light, and durable polycarbonate chassis that can withstand 11 G’s of impact. The binoculars are rainproof and fog-resistant. Therefore you can take out in the toughest weather. The durable, shock-absorbing rubber armoring provides a non-slip grip even in wet conditions without being tacky or spongy. The package comes with a carrying case, neckstrap, lens protection cap, and objective lens covers.
Specification:
- 10X magnification
- 50mm objective lens
- 17mm eye relief
- 302ft/1000yds field of view
- 36 ozs of weight
Pros:
- Larger objective lens
- Longer eye relief
- Military standard optics
- NBR rubber armoring
- Works in low light
- Water and fog-resistant
- Steiner’s proprietary lens coating
- Additional accessories
Cons:
- Heavy
Things to Consider Before Buying Hunting Binoculars
Before buying any optics, you must know your requirements very well. Otherwise, you will end up wasting your valuable money or investing in a bad optic. Before jumping into a decision, it is always better to know the basics of buying hunting binoculars. You must know which binocular magnification is good for your line of works.
The budget is a prime factor for everything. We want you to invest in a quality optic. If you want some high-end binoculars you should check these $1000 hunting binoculars. For a really tight budget, you can choose one from these $100 hunting binocs or $200 hunting binocs. All of them have quality but with a higher price, the features and overall performance get better.
Final Words
Now you are familiar with the best hunting binoculars under 500 and 600. If you choose one from them you will not regret it in the long run. Again, you are not limited to these hunting binoculars only. You can explore and make your own choice. Also, don’t forget to buy some accessories like a quality hunting binocular harness to keep and carry your valuable binoculars safely. Whatever be the case, good luck with your next hunting!

Kalman is a hunting expert who has a vast experience with wild game hunting. Though night time hunting is his favorite, he masters the art of daytime hunting and shooting. Being a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, he wants to pass the knowledge acquired over time to the next generation.