12x or 15x binos

[djnodak]

Trying to find a glassing specific pair of binos to sit between my current chest binos and my spotting scope. My chest pair is an 8x and my spotter is 15-45x. 50/50 hunt wide open country of western ND and deep woods of SW MN. Debating between 12x or 15x for glassing binos. Would like to leave the spotter at home more often, and the single eye deal gives me headaches. Im not getting rid of the 8x so i dont care that 12x can be a “do it all”, the intention is to use the glassing binos exclusively with a tripod. Already know brand and model so dont need recommendations there. What power do you use while glassing, and what would you recommend given my current set up? 12x or 15x?

 

[dtrkyman]

15 no doubt.

 

[MaraviaDave]

Already know brand and model so dont need recommendations there.

What have you decided on?

 

[FLATHEAD]

I have 10x and 15x.
Wish I just had one 12x.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Swarovski 12x NL Pures or 15x56 SLCs. I have 10NLs and the 15xSLCs. I like the combo for western hunting if money is of a concern the 15xSLCs are less expensive especially if you can pick em up lightly used.

 

[D S 319]

I got 12s but I definitely feel that 15s would be beneficial in that open stuff.

 

[MonsterMuley31]

I have 12 NL, 12 EL and 15 SLCs. 15 SLCs are the way to go in my opinion.


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[arwhntr]

If you're not giving up the 8x to keep on the chest then definitely go with the 15x for the pack.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Here is your solution.
And i own 8x 10x and 15x swaros.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Ditto on those that suggest keep the 8x and go with 15X. Fwiw, I am an admitted 12X'er.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

15x and your spotter will barley leave the truck.

 

[Beendare]

Ha, I have been asking myself the same question for over 40 years…and still haven’t solved it- grin.

My guide buddy James Fleming ( insta) hunts a lot of big Northern Az country. His favorite combo is the 12x50 swaros and the BTX/95mm. He can handhold the 12s pretty steady. I have a few buddies that agree thinking those 12x are the bomb…but most use 10x.

Personally, I’m 65 and I get more shake with 12’s handholding…so I use 8x and 10x around my neck depending on the hunt...then I was using the killer 15x Meopros on a tripod.…along with a spotter.

I dunno that there is a perfect One Size fits all solution.…if you find it let me know.

 

[MallardSX2]

I couldn't imagine life without my 15 slc's. They have saved me a LOT of walking.

 

[92xj]

I have 12 NL, 12 EL and 15 SLCs. 15 SLCs are the way to go in my opinion.


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If you had to only have one 12, are you keeping you NLs or ELs? And why not the other?

 

[taskswap]

I have 8x42, 10x42, 12x50, 15x56, and a 20-60 spotter. YMMV but I find myself most often bringing the 10x42 for day hunts and "broad FOV glassing" and the 15x56 for closeups. I'm trying the Magview this year on the 15x's to try to get some better photos. So far not loving it but it's better than holding it by hand. Either way I haven't touched my spotter in a few years and that looks like a trend now.

 

[syoungs]

I have compact 8's on my chest, and 12's in the pack. wish I had bought the 15's though for sure. would keep the spotter in the truck more often then not.
I cant see a situation where the 12's benefit over the 15's if your not trying to do it all with a single set

 

[rideold]

I've moved to just a pair of 12x50's for everything. Haven't felt under-magnified and I can still hand hold them.

 

[pirogue]

Would like to leave the spotter at home more often, and the single eye deal gives me headaches.

What brand spotter you using? That may be the reason for headaches, and not single eye use.

 

[Vaultman]

Given you are keeping the 8x, I would defiantly go the 15x route. (I am a 8x or 12x guy, but never both).

 

[Stache Attack]

I have 12 NL, 12 EL and 15 SLCs. 15 SLCs are the way to go in my opinion.


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Want to ditch your 12NL’s then?