The ultimate all-in-one hunting binoculars 

By Steve Marchant 

Leupold optics – a brief history  

In 1907, brothers-in-law Fred Leupold and Adam Volpel went into business together making surveying instruments by hand. J.C. Stevens became a partner in Leupold and Volpel in 1914, after bringing his water level recording invention to the company. That same year, Fred Leupold’s son, Marcus, joined the firm, and J.C. Stevens son, Robert, took a job with the company in 1939. In 1942 the company became Leupold and Stevens and remains so-named today. 

Marcus Leupold was an avid outdoorsman, and after missing a buck one day because his scope fogged up, he swore he could make a better optic. After years of research, including lessons learned from World War II, Leupold introduced its first riflescope, the Plainsman, in 1947. With its interior evacuated of air and filled with pure nitrogen, which doesn’t react to sudden changes in temperature, the Plainsman was the first American-built, truly fog-free riflescope. 

Over the next 78 years, Leupold and Stevens continued to innovate and grow, adding new product lines to its inventory. Today Leupold is one of the most respected and trusted names in the optics industry, delivering high-quality products tailored to the needs of target shooters, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. 

Benefits of range-finding binoculars  

The latest in a long and comprehensive line of optical products released by Leupold is the BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 12×50 binoculars. Designed for hunters, these binoculars incorporate a laser range finder into a mid-magnification binocular. Apart from eliminating a second optic, range finding binoculars enable operators to precisely measure the intended target’s range and inclination without taking their eyes off it. This is a key attribute for hunters, because the ability to go straight from the binos to shouldering the rifle saves precious seconds. And when your target hog, buck or bull is swiftly slipping into cover, those few seconds may make all the difference. Furthermore, 12x is a greater magnification than standard rangefinders, and the BX-4 Range HD can be tripod mounted via an adapter port at the forward end of the hinge, thus enabling precise ranging at extreme distances. The BX-4 Range HD in 12×50 is therefore superb for open-country hunting or long-range observation. 

12×50 BX-4 Range HD Gen 2: external features 

Leupold BX-4 Range HDs come with a comprehensive set of accessories, including a padded carrying case and harness, lens covers, three sets of interchangeable eyecups, lens cloth, and a battery cover removal tool. Also included is an all-inclusive Operator’s Manual and a Quick Reference Card, which are both pocket-sized and thus convenient to carry and access in the field. 

For those who have not experienced range finding binoculars before, the first thing you’ll notice is the weight. However, a set of binoculars plus a separate rangefinder weigh at least as much, or more than a set of range finding binoculars but take up more space. 

Speaking of space, the next thing you’ll notice about these binos is their size and feel. Considering the magnification, the optical quality and the technological features built into them, the 12×50 BX-4 Range HDs are comparatively compact. This, combined with their ergonomic design, alleviates any perceived weightiness during use. Moreover, the carrying case and harness enable users to carry the binoculars comfortably and securely, while allowing easy and speedy access to them. The carrying case has external storage on each side and on the front, which could be used to house the lens covers, spare eyecups, the Quick Reference Card and/or other small accessories. 

Like other BX-4 binoculars, the 12×50 Range HDs have an open bridge design. This allows users to find the right interpupillary distance quickly and easily, and the centre focus dial is placed so your index fingers rest on it naturally. There is also an adjustable dioptre wheel for each eye. 

As mentioned, three sets of eyecups are provided. The winged eyecups are recommended for blocking out stray light; the medium eyecups for all round comfort, and the low eyecups are for use with glasses. The eyecups are easily interchanged, and I found the medium ones to be most suited to my requirements. 

The binoculars’ electronics are powered by a standard CR2 battery, which is loaded into the rear end of the centre focus wheel and is rated for 4,000-plus actuations. Only two buttons, one on top of each barrel, are required to operate the electronics. These buttons are the only textured items on the otherwise smooth bridge, so they are easy to find without taking your eyes off the target. They are also easily re-programmed to accommodate right or left-handed operators. 

To see what others thought of the 12x50s’ ergonomics, I gave them to some friends to try out. My impromptu testers ranged from having no experience with binoculars at all, to past and current binocular users. Everyone who tried the binos found the controls easy to manipulate and they were all marvelling at the clarity of distant objects at 12x magnification in a matter of seconds. 

12×50 BX-4 Range HD: internal features

BX-4 Range HD binos feature Leupold’s advanced internal gases and sealing methods, which provide waterproof/fog proof integrity in all environments. And Leupold’s Elite Optical System incorporates lens coatings that deliver excellent dawn-to-dusk light transmission, elite-level glare reduction in harsh light, and smudge-resistance to prevent dust and debris from interfering with image quality.  

Moving to the electronics, the BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 has state-of-the-art programming designed to accommodate the needs of rifle shooters, archers and outdoor enthusiasts. Covering each of these features in depth would take several pages, so the following is a brief overview of the main features. 

The BX-4 Range HD 12×50 features Leupold’s proprietary DNA range finding engine and True Ballistic Range/Wind (TBR/W) ballistic programming. The Gen 2 12x50s enable users to range reflective objects out to 4,000 yards, trees out to 2,200 yards and deer out to 1,400 yards. Accuracy is +/- 0.5-yards/meters under 125 yards/meters and +/- 2-yards/meters at longer ranges. 

The rifle-specific TBR/W technology calculates bullet weight and velocity to output aiming solutions for a variety of loads and conditions. The TBR/W programming incorporates 25 different ballistic groups, which accommodate 200- and 300-yard zeros and facilitate 10mph wind holds out to 800 yards, thus enabling users to calibrate their binos to their specific load. 

For archery enthusiasts, the BX-4 Range HD binoculars furnish BOW mode; archery-specific software that considers arrow weight, arrow velocity and peep height to calculate accurate archery parabolas. 

12×50 BX-4 Range HD: performance 

I used the new binoculars in observation and ranging mode in a variety of locations in low to bright light conditions and found the glass quality to be outstanding, delivering sharp, clear, edge-to-edge images even in near-dark conditions. 

The rangefinder is fast and precise. To range a target, you simply press the right button on the binos and the red OLED display appears. The display has a circular reticle in the centre and two readouts below it. Hold the reticle on the target, press the right button again and the range will appear on the top readout. The lower readout gives the required elevation and windage adjustment in MIL, inches/ centimetres or MOA, enabling rapid scope adjustments. 

The furthest object I ranged was 760 yards away and required 23 MOA of elevation and 7.3 MOA of windage if I wished to shoot it. This reading was easily obtained by placing my elbows on my car roof to hold the binos steady. Extreme precision ranging from a tripod is thus eminently possible. 

The minimum ranging distance is listed as 12 yards, but I managed to get down to eight yards consistently, including one reading on my TV set from the kitchen. Precise readings are, however, of little use, if they are difficult to see in poor light or contrasting backgrounds. The high-contrast red OLED display delivered easy-to-see readouts in all light conditions and against a variety of backgrounds, including tree-covered hills, housing development sites, suburban streets and parks, and a coastal wetland. 

12×50 BX-4 Range HD: who should consider this bino? 

The Gen 2 12×50 BX-4 Range HD binoculars are ideal for hunters, shooters, and wildlife enthusiasts who value quick target acquisition and accurate ballistic information without the need to carry multiple devices. These binos would be particularly beneficial for those who hunt somewhere that requires serious glassing capability, like mountain goat or sheep hunting. The speed at which you can simultaneously glass and range is very helpful on solo hunts, but also when spotting for another hunter, because you can glass and call the range without taking your eyes off the target. Professional hunters and guides would find the BX-4 Range HD 12×50 binocular indispensable, as it provides a range of target solutions to accommodate most hunters’ cartridge choices, at the touch of a button. 

Conclusion 

In 1907 Fred Leupold made a promise that guides Leupold’s philosophy to this day: “The customer is entitled to a square deal.” The BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 12×50 binoculars sell for around $4,000, give or take. This is good value, considering their exceptional optical performance, advanced range finding capabilities and rugged reliability alone. But when you add in Leupold’s lifetime warranty on the optics and two-year electronics guarantee, their BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 12x50s really are the ultimate all-in-one hunting binoculars.