How to Choose Binoculars?

Every hunter should have their own binoculars; this is a mandatory rule. Naturally, all binoculars are different, so you need to get used to your binoculars. For this reason, we recommend having your own binoculars, in which you will learn to find various objects at significant distances, up to 500 meters.

We recommend using binoculars with variable magnification of 8-25x for hunting in Kyrgyzstan. The entrance eyepiece should be at least 50 mm. The next two qualities of binoculars are waterproofing (often in a rubber housing) and weight. These qualities are often interrelated. Since you will be hunting on horseback and carrying the binoculars around your neck, its weight can become very noticeable throughout the day. Therefore, you should try to choose binoculars with lightweight aluminum bodies weighing up to 700 grams.

A rubberized body will prevent your hand from slipping after long treks (the binoculars cool down from gusts of wind when hanging around your neck) or when snow falls on them. Additionally, a rubber body is less susceptible to drops and impacts. Most importantly, in cold windy conditions, your hands won't freeze while observing the mountains.

A magnification of 9x will be used for spotting animals at all distances, while switching to 20x or more will allow you to significantly enlarge the image of the animal without removing the binoculars, making it easier to determine trophy parameters. Considering that at magnifications above 15x, the image begins to shake, you will need to stabilize the binoculars for viewing mountains and inhabitants, and the narrowed field of view will complicate locating the animal, as it often blends in with the landscape.

Often, guides in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan do not use binoculars for the initial search for animals on the slopes. This is because their trained eyesight can excellently recognize moving animals at distances of up to 900-1000 meters. However, for detailed observation, binoculars are necessary. Often, these are models produced in Russia or foreign brands left by other hunters.

For transportation during flights, you can use standard rubber protective caps as well as the factory packaging. However, during hunting, the speed at which you can retrieve the binoculars from storage is very important. A backpack is not suitable in this case. We recommend using large pockets on tactical vests with quiet fasteners. You should also consider that you will need to leave the rubber protective caps in the car (they will only distract you when preparing the binoculars for observing animals).



Text: Administration of the Extreme Travel Company