Any of you guys use Bushnell PermaFocus binoculars? Any thoughts on their use for deer hunting? I have an old pair of Tasco auto-focus binoculars that I love, but it would appear Tasco no longer distributes them. No clue why....they are a great product.

I've got a pair of Steiners that I carry bowhunting that are like that. Very handy. No experience with the Bushnells.

vortex makes a good line of bino's

I use a pair of Canon binos that have image stabilization. No problems seeing with clarity when buck fever sets in!

Haven't used those but some of the Bushnell stuff is pretty decent, I use a pair of Minox's and really like them a lot.

I use a Bushnell Legend Ultra and so far it's quite okay. I haven't tried other brands yet, but will give a review here in case I do.

I have two pair that I bought for my kids so that they wouldn't have to focus them while hunting. I think they are fine, not as good as higher priced binoculars but they worked well for the price. The eyecups wore out on the pair that my daughter used most and would not stay extended. After my daughter started looking through my Nikons she decided she needed better glass too, so we do not use them anymore (she is nine).

Most folks will do a lot more looking through binocs than they will through their scope, so get a good pair of binocs that won't strain your eyes. Generally speaking, the auto-focus type aren't what you'd call "the good stuff", with their primary advantage being low cost. I use a high dollar (and old) set of Leitz/Leica, and I love them, but you can get very good binocs for far less money than Zeiss or Leica. I know for a fact that Nikon has very good glass, though I did drop a pair and damage them - so I'm not sure how tough they are. I hunt with the Leica, but our 3 or 4 pair of very good house binocs are Nikon except for the cheapo autofocus ones I keep in the barn workshoe for general use. Also worth mentioning is that the high dollar binocs are also usually fairly small and light, which is part of why they cost so much (high performance in a small light package). If you don't need small and light, you can get some really good binocs for not a lot of money.

I've got a pair of Nikon binocs that I love. Great glass and good solid feel. They are pricey, but Nikon binocs have a lifetime warranty.

One of my eyepieces was cracked while a friend was borrowing them. Nikon repaired them within a few weeks - no questions, no charge.

I agree. You can skimp on your other gear, but never on binos. Buy the best you can afford. If you're shackled to a tight, cruel budget, then go Chinese....Zen-Ray glass is worth it at twice the money. Also consider Promaster and Theron. Call Doug at Cameraland and see what they have in their demo units.

I personally have no experience about this. I wish to get it soon. as I am planning to be at hunting tour coming season.

I like my Vanguards... Was told you Can almost see in the dark. Probably going to sell them (NIB)one of these days. Want to buy some 3nd tier binos (Level below the Alphas)

I have a pair of Leupold, Yosemite that I really like. They are small and very clear.

The vortex's that are around 500 are not far off from Swaro's. You definetly cant see 1000 dollar difference and probably not 200 difference. I looked at them head to head one day

Pentax DCF ED's cannot be beat for the price. Outstanding warranty and excellent glass. There are several bird watching reviews on their glass. I have some and they compare very well to my Swaro SLC's.

+1 on the Steiners, very good glass in them for the money!

Be warned...better binocs will let you see till later in the evening, and even to the point that you can see the big buck in the binocs but CANNOT find him in your scope. That's when you'll be forced to drag out the plastic and get a better scope. It's a nasty cycle....and expensive. And it's been maybe 20 years since I shot the doe while thinking she was the big buck. It was the 5th deer left of the tree trunk. I know it was. Man, I'm still catching grief from the family and friends.

That's why you pony up for a really good scope first.

I've got a pair of the Pentax DCF's that I bought about 6 or 7 years ago that have served me well.

Ohhhhh, one of my favorite hunting addictions is optics.
About 15 years ago, I put down my fogged Simmons binos and bought an older pair of Swarovski SLC for $400. I was in mid twenties, and it seems like a lot of money. But boy how it has changed how I hunt. Being able to see minute details not only makes you more successful, but sooo much more enjoyable. I have a small forturne in nice glass, i carry them around my neck EVRY time I hunt. Duck, dove, turkey deer.... but I can recall countless times that I would not have killed turkeys without good binos. Last spring I messed up and compared my Mark I SLCs to some Leica Trinovids. WOW! Really great glass. So good I hoarded all of my lunch money and mad money and scored a demo set of Swarovski ELs to correct my deficiency. As far as scopes, I grew up with Leupold VX-IIIs, though I do have a great Meopta and have been really pleased reatwith the Minox Z3.
Spend as much as you can on binos, and put a good quality scope on an accurate rifle. Then enjoy your hunts!

I've been using a pair of Audubon Equinox HP 8x42's for 4 or 5 years now. No issues whatsoever and I treat mine pretty rough. Good quality for not an outrageous price.