12's and/or a Spotter

[MuleyFever]

So someone posted in the new binos thread that instead if 10x's on a tripod go with 12x's. I see the reasoning there and did not want to derail that thread. I have been thinking of buying new glass but am still dragging my feet.

I have a Razor 11-33 50mm spotter. I am not a big spotting scope user and very rarely take it. I just don't feel I get a lot of benefit from it as I really don't care to count inches so I don't want to carry it. I can usually look at a frame and tell if it is a deer I want to go after. Now this preference I have formed may just be because of where I usually hunt here at home because I cannot see that far anyway. However, after years of applying I am on the verge of drawing deer tags in NV, AZ, CO, and WY in the next few years. CO and NV will almost certainly be high country hunts with CO either this year or next.

My question is could 12x's on a tripod replace my 50mm spotter? Is there enough of an advantage offered by the 50mm over the 12x's to justify carrying it? I only used the 50mm once and was not impressed. I have left it home ever since.

 

[WRO]

I did a big country mule deer hunt this year and the 12's were invaluable on a tripod. That being said we did crank up the fat girl to count inches.

 

[jtw]

If Im in a spot where I can see and hunt for miles I bring the spotter. Otherwise I carry my binos (although I mostly hunt western washington where you can rarely see far).

 

[Matt Cashell]

Magnification preference is pretty individual.

My general advice is to choose by how much time you spend on the tripod.

12x will do handheld for short glassing for most people, but many struggle with it. So if you don't spend most of your time on the tripod, look lower.

10x is great all around and one of my favorites, but absolutely shines on the tripod. So if you do a lot of glassing both ways, it is a good choice, IMO.

8x is also great all around, and most can handhold it easily. It still can benefit from a tripod as well. I grab the 8s when I won't be using the tripod much, or at all.

I always have a spotter, and make frequent use of the Razor 50. I can definitely make use of the extra magnification.

However, if you don't like it, and especially if you aren't taking it, then it isn't helping you.

 

[brettpsu]

What everyone else said but I will add that I took a 50mm spotter on a high country this year and it was not enough. I really wished I would've lugged the big spotter with me. 10x binos on a tripod work great. 75% of the time the binos are hooked up to the tripod, 24% freehand and 1% spotter.If you already own good quality 10x I would put the money toward a big spotter instead of 12x. Just not enough difference in the 10x and 12x to really own both especially if you don't have a big spotter.

 

[Josh Wright]

I currently have 2 spotters. I have the Razor 50, which I love, and the Vanguard Endeavor 82. I am floored at how well the Endeavor ED has performed.

I also have a set of 10x42 Viper HD's. Those will be sold as soon as I am done shed hunting. I like them, but I want to drop down and get the 8x42 Maven's.

My reasons for the drop in magnification on the binocs:
1. I want a wider field of view for timber and she'd hunts.
2. I have 2 spotters that I use in unique situations.
3. I will always take a spotter of some size.

I hunt and live in Colorado. I also hunt whitetail in Arkansas. I think dropping down to the 8x42s while paired with my spotters, I will have my own complete setup.

Evaluate your needs. If you are planning on a Colorado hunt, the spotter will be needed.

 

[MuleyFever]

Good feedback. I just hate carrying a spotter. Thanks.

 

[307]

I struggled with 10's handheld so I'd likely throw up from handheld 12's. Very happy with my 8x42's from Maven. Would go with a spotter if/when my hunting style demands it.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I use 10x and sometimes handheld gets old after 5 or 6 days straight of glassing. I think 12's would be tough to use much other than on a tripod.
As far as a spotter goes. the small ones are ok if u are hunting small areas but you need a bigger scope to really be able to check animals way off.

 

[rickjames80]

I struggled with 10's handheld so I'd likely throw up from handheld 12's.

LOL, I am in the same boat 307!

 

[MuleyFever]

So do most quality 10x binos have a tripod mount?

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

yes

 

[Dromsky]

I rented a spotter from this outfit www.optics4rent.com last season, they also have binos and tripods, good way to get what you need for a season and never worry about up-grading. Or field test what you are considering purchasing. Great service and Swaro optics!

 

[Matt Cashell]

So do most quality 10x binos have a tripod mount?

They should.

Unfortunately some of the very best from the biggest names don't, but aftermarket accessories are availabe for them as well. Outdoorsmans can make just about any model work and work well.

 

[Rob McConnell]

I'm in the same boat. I recently picked up a pair of 12x50 viper hd's. I find that glassing on a tripod is sweet goodness. I routinely find myself finding more with my binos then i do with my 50mm razor. HOWEVER, most of my bino use is on the run, or a quick peak to see what looks like an animal. I'm all over the place with one hand, and with two is almost usable. I have a feeling that i am missing a lot. Sadly it looks like i made a mistake. Now i just need to figure out how to trade my 12x50's for a pair of 10x50's and upgrade my spotter to a 65mm razor. In my case, it looks like thats the best setup.

 

[bcimport]

I just sold my 8x swaro's and got a set of 12x50's razors and the tripod mount. The 12's on the tripod are great and I can steady them for a quick look free hand if need be. I'm glad I went 12x

 

[luke moffat]

If you have 12X binos I don't see the need for a 33X spotter with the some objective size as one of your bino barrel objectives. With 12X binos I am either hauling along the big dog 85mm/75X spotter or not bringing a spotter at all and just using the 12X50s. I really like my 12X50 Vortex Razor HDs!! I let my dad use them for a couple days on a brown bear hunt last year and needless to say I will be buying him a pair to replace his 20 year old 8X30 SLC Swaros. The difference between the two is amazing. Hardly apples to apples comparison 8X30s that are 20 years old to 12X50s that are 2 years old, but it was very apparent how much better you can view things even free hand and get more detail with the 12s than the 8s.