Bug out bag binoculars make it easier to find food, water, shelter, and to better defend yourself by knowing what is ahead. The ability to see further, while not absolutely a necessity, definitely increases your chances of survival.
Do You Even Need Binoculars in Your Bug Out Bag?
You need did water and shelter to survive. Binoculars aren’t on my necessities list, but I definitely include them in my bug out bag. Adding binoculars to your bug out bag will mean more weight for you to carry, so you’ll need to determine if it’s worth it to have a pair into your pack. Binoculars are great for hunting, reconnaissance, and awareness of what’s around you. The ability to see further and scout ahead is incredibly useful.
Binoculars are a staple gear item for me that I use all the time. They’re always in my hiking bag, in my vehicles, and yes, I have binoculars in my bug out bag. Below is my list of binoculars for a bug out bag on order from cheapest to nicest. I chose them based on glass quality, compact size, and on other features, such as durability.
Occer Binoculars (Amazon’s Choice)
This set of binoculars is listed as the Amazon choice for binoculars, and has about 13,000 reviews at the time I’m writing this. They’re listed as waterproof, but have no mention of being fog proof. I personally wouldn’t want to trust my life to what Amazon thinks is best in a bug out situation, but if you’re wanting to get into using binoculars, these are not very expensive, and had a 20% off coupon while I was writing this.
Bushnell Powerview Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular
These little Bushnell’s are a cheap but workable bug out bag binoculars. These aren’t great binoculars, but my brother’s and I all got some of these as kids and I’ve still got mine. They don’t have amazing glass, but as kids we put these things through the ringer and they’re still functional, likely a credit to their no frills build. They’re good to 200 yards, and I would take these with me when I was archery hunting for deer in the Midwestern forest. There was never any opening where I could see 200 yards, and rarely more than 100 yards in the forest. There were however fields that stretched for miles. I just want hunting in those, so these Bushnell binoculars served me fine.
Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular
These are extremely similar to the cheaper set of binoculars, but have a fancier rubber coating, and are advertised as being waterproof and fog proof. It’s about half as much as the nicer Leupold and Vortex models that I’ve ranked higher than this, but its got some decent features for the price. Personally, if you really want to ensure its fog proof and waterproof, I’d go with one of the nicer options, but if your budget is less than Vortex or Leupold, or you’d rather spend your bug out bag budget on firearms, food, or other equipment, take a closer look at these for your bug out bag.
Vortex Optics Vanquish Binoculars
These are also both waterproof and fog proof, but I trust their claim on that more than the Bushnell binoculars. These are vortex quality and made of aluminum. Light weight and durable, these binoculars have a 10x magnification and a 26mm objective lens. This is one of Vortex Optics’ smallest, lightest, and most compact set of binoculars.
This set of binoculars also comes with the Vortex VIP warranty, where they’ll fix or replace almost any damage, and they have incredible customer service, as I know from personal experience. This set and the two that follow are all excellent binoculars, and are the starting point for binoculars I would actually buy for my bug out bag.
Leupold BX-1 Rogue Binocular
Yes, this looks really similar to the Vortex model above. I rank this one slightly higher just based on Leupold quality. I think they produce a better product. Many people prefer Vortex based on their incredible warranty, but in a SHTF or bug out situation, you can’t be relying on a warranty. That’s not to say Vortex is poor quality, but Leupold makes some fantastic glass, and also has a fairly good warranty program. This model has a 10x magnification and a 25mm objective lens.
These have an inverted Porro prism design, and that makes the BX-1 Rogue Compact Series, which is a different type of technology. The inverted prism means that instead of flaring out, like the model below, they flare in. These limit the amount of expansion these binoculars can do, so if you’ve got an especially big head, these may not fit you. Luckily if you buy on Amazon, you get free returns if they won’t work for you.
Vortex Optics Raptor Porro Prism Binoculars
I think these prism style binoculars are just a better style, and they’re still small enough to throw in your bag. These Raptor Porro Prism Binoculars are rugged, tough, and effective. I’ve looked through some good glass, and some cheap glass. This is just nice to look through. They are a 10x magnification, and a 32mm objective lenses that lets in a good amount of light (largest objective lenses of those listed here).
These binoculars aren’t that much more expensive than the Leopold and other Vortex model above, and like those are fog proof and waterproof. The main benefit is of course the better glass, but these are a bit bigger and heavier than the other models. The Raptor is a great fit for everyone in the family.
What’s the Status of Your Bug Out Bag?
Binoculars are an important part of your bug out bag, but you need all the right gear in a SHTF scenario, and there is little margin for error. When your life depends on it, you want to make sure you’ve got everything you’ll need to survive. For that reason we put together an extensive bug out bag checklist to help you determine if you’re prepared, should you ever need to get out of dodge.
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