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Best hunting binoculars: 10 models in 10x42

The Nikon Monarch HG has the widest field here, 363 ft at 1,000 yd, while the Vortex Viper HD pairs a 341 ft field with 17 mm of eye relief.

Top picks

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Best hunting binoculars: 10 models in 10x42
ModelSizeField of viewEye reliefClose focusWeightExit pupilAmazon
Vortex Viper HD 10x42 10x42 341 ft 17 mm 6 ft 24.9 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 Lightest 10x42 330 ft 15 mm 5 ft 21.3 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42 10x42 325 ft 15 mm 6 ft 23 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 10x42 334 ft 17 mm 15.3 ft 22.9 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 Widest field of view 10x42 363 ft 17 mm 6.6 ft 24 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Bushnell H2O 10x42 10x42 305 ft 15.6 mm 12 ft 22.2 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Celestron Nature DX 10x42 10x42 304 ft 14 mm 6.5 ft 22.2 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Leica Noctivid 10x42 Longest eye relief 10x42 336 ft 19 mm 6.2 ft 30.4 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 10x42 330 ft 15 mm 6.6 ft 24.9 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon
Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42 10x42 341 ft 16.6 mm 5 ft 24.3 oz 4.2 mm Check price on Amazon

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How these binoculars were chosen

A pair makes this list when it is 10x42, waterproof and either a roof prism or named for hunting by its maker. That gives 10x magnification and a 42 mm objective in every entry, one size per series, most popular first. Every figure below comes from the makers' documents, except exit pupil and twilight factor, which are calculated from the size.

All ten share a calculated exit pupil of 4.2 mm and a twilight factor of 20.5, so brightness does not separate them. What does: field of view from 304 to 363 ft, eye relief, close focus, weight and whether the glass is ED.

Picks for every use and price are in the main best binoculars list.

The picks, most popular first

Vortex Viper HD 10x42

  • Field of view 341 ft
  • Eye relief 17 mm
  • Close focus 6 ft
  • Weight 24.9 oz
  • Maker list price $500 to $1,000

The Viper HD has a calculated 4.2 mm exit pupil, the same as every pair here, and the maker names it for hunting. Its 341 ft field sits above the 336 ft median of 87 models in this size. The 17 mm eye relief suits glasses, and at 24.9 oz it matches the size median. It sits in the $500 to $1,000 maker list price band.

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Lightest

Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42

  • Field of view 330 ft
  • Eye relief 15 mm
  • Close focus 5 ft
  • Weight 21.3 oz
  • Maker list price $200 to $500

Close focus of 5 ft is the shortest on this list, shared with the Leupold, and useful when a target sits near you in cover. At 21.3 oz it weighs less than the 24.9 oz size median, and the maker names it for hunting. It gives a 330 ft field and 15 mm of eye relief. Maker list price band is $200 to $500.

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Vortex Crossfire HD 10x42

  • Field of view 325 ft
  • Eye relief 15 mm
  • Close focus 6 ft
  • Weight 23 oz
  • Maker list price $200 to $500

The Crossfire HD gives a 325 ft field and a 6 ft close focus at 23 oz, and Vortex names it for hunting. Its 15 mm eye relief is under the 16 mm median for the size, so eyeglass wearers may see a cropped view. It uses nitrogen rather than argon fill. Expect a maker list price of $200 to $500.

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Vortex Triumph HD 10x42

  • Field of view 334 ft
  • Eye relief 17 mm
  • Close focus 15.3 ft
  • Weight 22.9 oz
  • Maker list price $100 to $200

The Triumph HD holds a 334 ft field and 17 mm of eye relief at 22.9 oz, and its maker names it for hunting. Its close focus of 15.3 ft is the longest here, so it suits distant glassing more than nearby targets. It carries the lowest maker list price band on the list: $100 to $200.

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Widest field of view

Nikon Monarch HG 10x42

  • Field of view 363 ft
  • Eye relief 17 mm
  • Close focus 6.6 ft
  • Weight 24 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The Monarch HG uses ED glass, shows a 363 ft field and gives 17 mm of eye relief with a 6.6 ft close focus. That field is the widest on the list and places it 11th of 87 models in this size. Nikon rates it waterproof to 5 m for 10 minutes. At 24 oz it is mid-weight. Find it in the $1,000 to $2,000 list band.

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Bushnell H2O 10x42

  • Field of view 305 ft
  • Eye relief 15.6 mm
  • Close focus 12 ft
  • Weight 22.2 oz

The H2O is rated IPX7 and filled with argon, and at 22.2 oz it weighs less than the 24.9 oz size median. Its 305 ft field places it 75th of 87 models in this size, and the 12 ft close focus is long. Eye relief is 15.6 mm, and the maker does not list it as tripod adaptable.

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Celestron Nature DX 10x42

  • Field of view 304 ft
  • Eye relief 14 mm
  • Close focus 6.5 ft
  • Weight 22.2 oz
  • Maker list price $100 to $200

The Nature DX has the narrowest view here, 304 ft, which places it 77th of 87 models in this size. Eye relief is 14 mm, the shortest on the list, and weight is 22.2 oz. Close focus of 6.5 ft is under the 6.6 ft median. Maker list sits at $100 to $200.

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Longest eye relief

Leica Noctivid 10x42

  • Field of view 336 ft
  • Eye relief 19 mm
  • Close focus 6.2 ft
  • Weight 30.4 oz

The Noctivid gives the longest eye relief on the list at 19 mm, with a 336 ft field equal to the size median and a 6.2 ft close focus. At 30.4 oz it is the heaviest pair here, so expect a heavier carry over a long day.

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Hawke Endurance ED 10x42

  • Field of view 330 ft
  • Eye relief 15 mm
  • Close focus 6.6 ft
  • Weight 24.9 oz
  • Maker list price $200 to $500

The Endurance ED uses ED glass and shows a 330 ft field, which places it 50th of 87 models in this size. Its 24.9 oz weight and 6.6 ft close focus both match the size median. Eye relief is 15 mm, so eyeglass wearers may see a cropped view. Maker list price band is $200 to $500.

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Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42

  • Field of view 341 ft
  • Eye relief 16.6 mm
  • Close focus 5 ft
  • Weight 24.3 oz
  • Maker list price $1,000 to $2,000

The BX-5 Santiam HD gives a 341 ft field, 16.6 mm of eye relief and a 5 ft close focus at 24.3 oz, and Leupold names it for hunting. Its field sits above the 336 ft median of 87 models in this size. The maker lists it in the $1,000 to $2,000 band.

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By the numbers

Binoculars compared
10
Median field of view
332 ft
Field of view range
304 to 363 ft
Median weight
23.5 oz
Median eye relief
16.1 mm
With 16 mm eye relief or more
5 of 10
With an Amazon listing
10 of 10

Field of view of each pick, widest first, from the makers' figures.

Why exit pupil matters at dawn

ZEISS says exit pupil should be as large as possible and at least 4 mm for dawn use, and that anything under 4 mm is unsuitable as light fades. Every pair here works out to 4.2 mm, so all clear that mark by a small margin.

ZEISS also notes that a lower power such as 7x42 gives a larger exit pupil and a brighter image at dawn than 10x42. If low light is your main concern, compare 8x42 against 10x42 and try the exit pupil calculator on other sizes.

Holding 10x steady

Audubon says binoculars that magnify an image eight times also magnify the small movements of your hand eight times. At 10x that effect grows, and ZEISS puts typical free-hand binoculars at 7 to 10x. Celestron says a tripod is not required from 8x to 12x.

Weight adds to the effort. These ten run from 21.3 oz to 30.4 oz, with a median of 23.5 oz. The guide to tripods and binoculars covers when a rest helps, and binocular harnesses take the load off your neck.

Waterproof and fogproof figures

Celestron defines waterproof as sealed and filled with dry inert gas, usually nitrogen. Nikon says its waterproof binoculars should not be used underwater. The Monarch HG is rated to 5 m for 10 minutes and the Leica Noctivid to 5 m.

The Vortex Viper HD, Diamondback HD and Bushnell H2O use argon fill. The Crossfire HD, Triumph HD, Monarch HG, Nature DX, Noctivid and Hawke Endurance ED use nitrogen. See waterproof and fogproof binoculars for what the ratings mean.

What to weigh between these picks

For a wide view, the Nikon Monarch HG at 363 ft leads, then the Viper HD and Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD at 341 ft. For glasses, 5 of 10 offer 16 mm of eye relief or more, with the Leica Noctivid highest at 19 mm.

Only the Monarch HG and Endurance ED use ED glass. Maker list price bands run from $100 to $200 up to $1,000 to $2,000, and the binoculars at $200 to $500 offer more options. For the full size, see 10x42 binoculars.

What this list leaves out

Only 10x42 is shown, one per series. Larger objectives such as 10x50 and 12x50 gather more light but weigh more, and 8x42 trades power for a brighter, steadier view. Browse best binoculars compared for other sizes and uses.

The short answer

For a wide field, the Nikon Monarch HG at 363 ft is the widest pair here. For eye relief, the Leica Noctivid gives 19 mm. For near targets, the Vortex Diamondback HD and Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD focus at 5 ft.

More binocular lists

Questions and answers

Is 10x42 a good size for hunting?

Yes, 10x42 is a common hunting size, and all ten pairs here share a calculated 4.2 mm exit pupil. ZEISS says at least 4 mm is needed at dawn, so the size clears that mark.

Which pair has the widest field of view?

The Nikon Monarch HG is widest at 363 ft at 1,000 yd. The Viper HD and Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD follow at 341 ft.

Which pair suits eyeglass wearers?

The Leica Noctivid has the longest eye relief at 19 mm. Five of the ten pairs offer 16 mm or more, including the Vortex Viper HD, Triumph HD and Monarch HG at 17 mm.

Do I need a tripod with 10x binoculars?

Celestron says a tripod is not required from 8x to 12x. The British Astronomical Association says anything above 10x is difficult to hold, so a rest helps at higher power.

Which pair is lightest?

The Vortex Diamondback HD weighs 21.3 oz, followed by the Bushnell H2O and Celestron Nature DX at 22.2 oz and the Vortex Triumph HD at 22.9 oz. The Leica Noctivid is heaviest at 30.4 oz.