Thread: New Hunter

Sounds like you're on the right track - in general my thought is go slow with purchases, try as much gear in person and ask about what others are using before buying. It's easy to decide on something based on specs, reviews, and word of mouth, but handling an item usually tells you a ton when it comes down to a decision.

A lot more people replace unsuitable/sub-par backpacks and binos long before those items wear out, so get what you can afford but don't cheap out on them.

Having had a few backpacks break at really inopportune times, I'd suggest going for something simple, tough, and big internal volume. You don't have to fill a bag right up to capacity when starting a trip, but having that spare room for longer trips or when you get an animal is great... way better than strapping stuff to the outside on a flimsier pack and having it lurch around on you and blow apart halfway home. If you settle on a bag and find one used for a real deal then go for it, but you might be just as well off buying new on sale and avoiding the risk of torn seams etc. Macpac do a good line of tough bags, but looks like they've dialed back their options during covid. If you want everyone to know you're cool (and like bombproof gear) then Twin Needle is solid.

For binos, you'll spend a lot of time looking through them, and glass quality does make a difference. It's a law of diminishing returns on the high end stuff, but you're well worth going into the mid-range for binos at least so that you can glass for hours in comfort and really pick up the fine details. You don't really notice it with glass quality until you try a nicer pair and realize how unpleasant it was with the worse quality glass. You'll really need to try them out in person and look a good distance to get a feel for them - looking across a store doesn't tell you much. Try your local small shops rather than Hunting and Fishing - H&F mark up prices ridiculously and threw gun owners under the bus with the law changes, and small businesses will often cut you a deal. I have heard some people try gear out at H&F then order online from their preferred supplier... seeing as H&F tried to kill internet sales of firearms I see this as rather poetic
There are deals to be had with second hand optics, but you're going to have to be prepared to wait and watch like a hawk for them, so your choice there. It does help to know what you like in advance so you can decide whether to pull the trigger on a sharp deal without ending up with something you don't like.