New Broadheads for 2012

March 08, 2012 By Staff Report

Here's a look at some of the top new broadheads for 2012 that you'll want to take to the woods with you this fall.

Alpen Optics

A few years ago I spent the summer scouting whitetails with a pair of Alpen Optics Rainier binoculars and I fell in love with them, which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on the Apex XP Series. The Apex XP 695 ($484) and Mossy Oak-adorned 695M ($517) are both 10x42s that are built upon a rubber-armored, waterproof shell. Each Apex XP offers high-resolution images through the use of BAK-4 glass and PXA phase coating. Beyond durability and crisp, clear viewing in lowlight conditions, Apex XP binoculars feature other goodies like twist-lock eyecups, a deluxe travel case, and a lifetime warranty.

Brunton

Brunton's Epoch ([imo-slideshow gallery=12],650) full-size binoculars aren't cheap, but they are worth it. If the price is cost-prohibitive, consider that a pair of tripod-compatible Epochs offer 10.5X magnification and 43mm objective lenses, which means you can leave the spotting scope in the truck. The lightweight (25 oz.) Epochs are built on a magnesium-alloy frame for durability, and feature notables like SF prism glass, prism and lens coating, and locking multistep eye relief. Epochs are waterproof, fogproof, and shock resistant.

Bushnell

For the minimalist at heart, Bushnell offers the new Legend Ultra HD 10x25mm Folding Compact Binoculars ($199.99). Covered in a nonslip housing and built upon a magnesium frame, the Legend Ultra HDs are waterproof and fogproof. Fully multicoated lenses and BAK-4 roof prisms offer superior light transmission. The Legend Ultra HDs fold up small enough to fit into a jacket pocket, eliminating the need for a chest harness.

Cabela's

Cabela's partnered with a European glass company to produce the new Euro 10x42 HD ($999.99) binoculars. To achieve an amazing 99.9% light transmission, they are built with a fully multicoated MeoBrite 550 system and phase-corrected prisms. Each pair is sealed, nitrogen-purged, and contained by a lightweight (31 oz.) magnesium-alloy body that is rubber-armor coated. Each Euro HD is guaranteed to provide a lifetime of worry-free use.

Carson Optical

Carson Optical's VP-842 ($245) binoculars are a great choice if you're light on cash but heavy on hunting opportunities. These 8x42s feature BAK-4 prisms, fully multicoated lenses, and a field of view of 393' at 1,000 yards. The 24.2-oz. VP-842s feel like compact binoculars, but offer everything a full-sized pair should.

Kowa Optimed

Kowa produces some of my favorite binoculars, and their SV42-8 ($235) belongs firmly on that list. The SV42-8s are waterproof, nitrogen-filled, lightweight, and designed to greatly reduce loss of light and produce a high level of clarity and sharpness. These 8x42 binos weigh 23.5 oz. and sport 15.5mm of eye relief.

Leica

Leica's original Trinovid binoculars are responsible for plenty of game being spotted. Built to last, the new Trinovid binoculars feature a magnesium housing, stainless-steel center hinge, and no plastic parts. Two models — 8x42 ([imo-slideshow gallery=12],449) and 10x42 ([imo-slideshow gallery=12],499) — are available, each featuring HDC multilayer coated lenses.

Leupold

Seated firmly near the top of the optics mountain, Leupold offers their new BX-3 Mojave Series ($499.99, black; $524.99, camo). Four models ranging from 8x42 to 12x50 are available, with the 10x42 hitting the sweet spot between whitetail woods and mountain basins. These waterproof, armor-coated binoculars have multicoated lenses to provide ultra-clear imaging, even in lowlight situations. They also feature an extremely wide field of view, which is key for following animal movement throughout varying landscapes. If you take them out West, the twist-up eyecups provide plenty of eye relief, meaning you can leave the spotting scope at camp and not worry about your optics sucking your eyeballs out of your head.

Nikon

I've carried earlier versions of Nikon's Monarch binoculars through quite a few states and a couple of countries in pursuit of varying game species and have yet to be disappointed in them. Nikon's latest incarnation of the series, the Monarch 3 ($230, 8x42; $250, 10x42), looks to easily continue along that track record. Monarch 3 8x42s are the perfect option if you're looking for a steal price-wise, while still maintaining quality. They are outfitted with fully multicoated Eco-Glass lenses that deliver bright images and high resolution. For durability and ease in handling, the fogproof and waterproof Monarch 3s are rubber-armor coated.

Opti-Logic

Known more for their industry-leading rangefinders, Opti-Logic stepped into the bino market in 2012 with an entire line ranging from 7x36 to 10x50 ($399.95 — $499.95). Each lightweight Opti-Logic model is fitted with ED Glass and BAK-4 phase-coated prisms, which provide maximum light transmission and crisp viewing, even in the early-morning or late-evening gloaming.

Steiner

Drawing its moniker from the sharp-eyed avian predators, the Merlin Pro line of binoculars from Steiner has been upgraded for 2012. Models range from 8x42 ($499) to 10x50 ($699), to cover the gamut of hunter preferences. Each compact Merlin Pro is built with high-contrast optical coatings, contoured and highly adjustable eyecups, and the perfect amount of eye relief so even those who wear eyeglasses will be able to pick out the distant glint of an antler in the brush.

Swarovski

Two options — 8x42 ($3,077) and 10x42 ($3,188) — comprise the EL Range line from Swarovski Optik. The waterproof, dustproof, and airtight EL Range binos offer 91% light transmission and four-position eyecups for 100% field of view. A streamlined magnesium housing, weighing only 32 oz., is sure to be appreciated on grueling hunts. Top that off with built-in ranging capability that functions off of a CR2 battery, and the EL Range is a winner in anyone's book.

Zeiss

The name 'Zeiss ' is synonymous with quality optics. Their new Conquest HD 8x42 ([imo-slideshow gallery=12],056) and 10x42 ([imo-slideshow gallery=12],111) binoculars are sure to keep that reputation intact. To ensure ultra-clear, bright imaging, each Conquest HD has dielectric mirror coatings, LotuTec protective coating, and extra-low chromatic dispersion. If that sounds confusing, trust me — the technical jargon results in better viewing. The Conquest HD 10x42s feature a field of view of 345' at 1,000 yards.

Browning Pro Scout Max with AI Technology

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Browning Pro Scout Max with AI Technology

Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV stops by the Browning Trail Cameras booth to discuss the new AI technology on the popular Pro Scout Max with Chief Design Officer John Traywick. What this essentially means is that users can now control which pictures they'll see and which pictures they won't by telling each cameras what images it should transmit. Gone are the days of having to sort through every picture that features a squirrel, raccoon, crow or any other critter that you don't wish to view. They also take a look at some new accessories — a solar panel with a built-in lithium cell, as well as a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack.

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QAD Archery: Integrate Mounting System Updates

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QAD Archery: Integrate Mounting System Updates

Bowhunter TV's Curt Wells stops by the QAD booth at the 2025 Archery Trade Show for his annual visit with Kevin Fry. By now, most bowhunters know all about the integrate mounting systems that nearly every bow manufacturer has incorporated into their flagship rigs. QAD has a pair of rests to fit those molds — the Ultrarest Integrate MX2 with micro-adjudt capabilities, as well as the Ultrarest Integrate R2. For archers that still wish to shoot an Ultrarest on an older bow that doesn't feature the integrate mounting system, fear not — QAD still offers a full lineup of Berger Button mounted models, including the Ultrarest HDX among others.

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Bowtech's 2025 Bow Lineup

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Bowtech's 2025 Bow Lineup

North American Whitetail's Blake Garlock stops for a chat with Bowtech's Bryan Hodakievic at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The brand launched the Virtue on the first day of the show, which features the AeroMag magnesium riser — resulting in a mass wright of just 3.7 ounces. DeadLock Technology also returns, allowing for cam adjustments without the need for a bow press. This bow will hit the market with a price tag of $1,999. Additionally, the pair also discuss the other new Bowtech models for 2025 — the Proven 34 and the Solution LS.

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The Technology Behind BLOCK & GlenDel Targets

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The Technology Behind BLOCK & GlenDel Targets

Curt Wells of Bowhunter TV visits with Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors at the 2025 Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis, where they discuss the innovative technologies behind two of the most well-known target brands on the market — BLOCK and GlenDel. BLOCK, of course, features layered foam technology, essentially stopping arrows with friction instead of force. Not only is that easier on your arrows, but also results in easier arrow removal. What's not as known by archers is that the same layered technology is also used in the GlenDel 3-D targets under an added overmold.

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Ripcord Arrow Rest Options for 2025

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Ripcord Arrow Rest Options for 2025

Ripcord's Jeff Baker talks through their latest arrow rest lineup for 2025 with North American Whitetail's Black Garlock at the 2025 Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis. There are three options to choose from this year, inlcuding the RAK — a cable-driven rest with standard adjustment — as well as the Ratchet line, which comes in either a cable-driven or limb-driven design. This line comes available in standard or micro-adjustable options, and the limb-driven Ratchet also feature the whale tail launcher.

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New Easton FMJ Max & 5.0 Arrows

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New Easton FMJ Max & 5.0 Arrows

Gary Cornum, Marketing Director for Easton Archery, shows Bowhunter TV's Curt Wells some exciting new offerings for the new year at the annual Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. It all starts with the latest version of the popular Full Metal Jacket arrow — the FMJ Max. Built on a lighter-weight platform than regular FMJ's, you can now get the heavy-hitting benefits of the FMJ while going a bit lighter in the form of the FMJ Max. Additionally, the new Easton 5.0 is an all-carbon arrow built on the lightest-weight platform the company has every produced.

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Prime Form Hunting Bow

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Prime Form Hunting Bow

One of the most innovative products at the 2025 ATA Show came from the G5 Outdoors booth. In this video, Bowhunter Editor Chirsitan Berg gets the lowdown on the 2025 Prime Archery Form from Brand Manager Brian Anderson. The Form is the world's first hybrid carbon/aluminum bow, essentially aiming to place the right materials in the right places. In other words, Prime created a lighter, stiffer rig by placing both carbon rods and aluminum exactly where it needs to be. This method increased overall stiffness by 47.5 percent, while decreasing weight to just 4.1 ounces — the lightest bow Prime has ever taken to market.

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Saddle Hunting Era Set to Begin at Hunter Safety System

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Saddle Hunting Era Set to Begin at Hunter Safety System

Hunter Safety System, long known for their top-notch safety harnesses and lifelines for traditional treestand hunters, has made a big leap into the saddle hunting world for 2025. Here, Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg talks to Michael Wydner of HSS about that transition at the Archery Trade Show in Indianapolis. He also gives us and in-depth demonstration of the new individual products, such as the Defender Saddle, Legend Platform, and the SlapStrap system.

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Kenetrek Elevated Extreme Saddle Hunting Boots

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Kenetrek Elevated Extreme Saddle Hunting Boots

Bowhunter Editor Christian Berg visits with Joe Jacks of Kenetrek Boots at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. For the new year, Kenetrek has launched the new Elevated Extreme boots, specifically with the saddle hunter in mind. With a 7mm full-length midsole, these boots are built to neutralize platform soreness so that you can stay comfortable all day long. Additionally, Kenetrek's Grapon outsoles give you exactly what you need for the hike out, without the worry of getting your feet caught up on your platform when in the saddle.

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Rage Hypo 2 Broadhead

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Rage Hypo 2 Broadhead

Chris James of FeraDyne Outdoors gives Bowhunter TV host Curt Wells an introduction to the new Hypo 2 broadhead at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. The Hypo 2 follows a long, successful tenure from the original Hypodermic. Rage fanatics will immediately notice a couple of things. First, the Hypo 2's will come in a 4-pack instead of the standard three, as well as a re-designed Shock Collar system that now allows for each collar to be shot three different times. It didn't take long to garner some attention on the show floor either, as the Hypo 2 took the hardware as the "2025 ATA Best New Broadhead."

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New Traditional Bow Additions from Bear Archery

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New Traditional Bow Additions from Bear Archery

Nobody takes as much pride in their traditional offerings as Bear Archery, and that's as true this year as its ever been. Here, Bear's Neil Byce visits with OSG's Lynn Burkhead at the 2025 ATA Show to discuss the what's new in their traditional world. It starts with the new Hammer Grip on the Fred Bear Take Down — the most popular traditional bow in the world. The new grip option provides a low-profile alternative for a more relaxed, comfortable hold, and is available in both A- and B-length risers. The other addition discussed is a new 64-inch option on the beloved Super Kodiak bow, which will greatly benefit taller bowhunters.

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Trophy Ridge New-for-2025 Accessories

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Trophy Ridge New-for-2025 Accessories

OSG's Lynn Burkhead checks out the latest and greatest from Trophy Ridge at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis. Design Engineer Andrew Hughes shows off a number of impressive bow sights, including the Digital React — available in both single-pin and three-pin models — and the SWFT Duo, a pair of models that will surely solidify Trophy Ridge's place in the industry for yet another year.