12X or 15X in place of Spotter?

[nighthawkf-117]

Hi everyone. Thinking of not bringing my spotter for an upcoming bear hunt. I hunt bear in mountainous Idaho and Montana and I'm not a trophy hunter. Really just need to be able to pick up a bear and close distance. Currently have some crappy Vortex 10x42s and a Vortex Viper 15-45x65. On previous hunts I really didn't use the spotter at all. And I cant stand scanning with the spotter.
Any reason not to replace both with a 12X or 15X binos? Looking heavy into the Maven B5.

 

[180ls1]

Replacing both with one 12/15x is a mistake unless its the 12x NL Pure. I would find a way to add the 15x to your setup, even if it means selling the spotter.

 

[hereinaz]

15 or 18x is great for glassing off a tripod with a 10x rangefinding bino. If a single bino it is 12x for me. I ran a 12x Leica until the 10x rangefinder binos came out.

 

[Lowedown]

I agree with Hereinaz that if you only have one pair of Binos go with good glass 12x. Off a tripod you will find most of what you are after, and they are still plenty manageable by hand For hunts where size doesn't really matter you can leave the spotter at home, but if you are say on a deer or antelope hunt where you want to really size up an animal at distance nothing replaces a spotter. I have found very few reasons to really complain about my Razor 12x and definitely recommend them for the money. If you really need 5 minutes more of glassing light and a slightly larger "sweet spot" then Leicas or Swaros are sweet if you can swing it.

 

[nm.otter]

I find 8X light and so easily handheld that I regularly reach for them.

14/15/18X on a tripod are easy to sit behind for longer periods.

 

[TaperPin]

There are a lot of places where if I can barely see a bear with 10x across a canyon it’s way too far to walk to the same day. lol

Other times, just seeing parts of bears requires good glass and decent magnification. Only you can know what the common distances and conditions are where you hunt. One place I’d be fine with 7x compacts, and another I bring a decent tripod that’s good in the wind and a spotting scope.

It would be a mistake to only have something like 15x that couldn’t be easily hand held. I’d pair them with 8x compacts because it’s fun to look around easily with them.

 

[snopro176]

I ran 9x b2's along side 18x b5's for a long time and loved it. Glassing with both eyes open rather than a spotter is so much nicer and 18x is practically the same as 20x on a spotter but a lot more user friendly. That said, I'm building 30x big eyes right now cuz why not

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[nphunter]

I would do better quality 10's or even 8's if you truly don't care about the size of the animal. Even in huge country, a decent pair of 8's or 10's on a tripod will pick out any bears out moving around. Vortex Razors are only $4-500 used and are impossible to beat for that price.

If you want big bino's in the future, I would do 8's for the improved FOV over the 10's and ease of hand holding. Another option if you're worried about weight is to pack something like the sig zulu 6 image stabilizing bino to replace the spotter. But for longer glassing sessions, sitting behind a tripod with any bino is going to be the most productive.

 

[BigNate]

I have reached the point where I rarely bring a spotter. I found myself carrying the weight but not utilizing it. My current choice is simply very nice 10x binoculars. I shake to much to enjoy 12x anymore. Nice 8x was my previous choice.
I hunt the Idaho panhandle.

 

[Buglebrush]

High quality 10x42 is where you should start. 8x42 if you're also adding a really good 15x or 18x Bino

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Grab quality 8-10x and make arrangements to put them on a tripod.

Bear typically do not require a spotting scope in order to field judge them.

 

[nighthawkf-117]

Thanks everyone, good points to think about. I I’ve decided that 12x are what I want. I went to Cabelas yesterday and looked through some Swaro and Vortex 12x and 15x. I felt I would be able to freehand the 12x without too much problem. Although I still plan to run them off a tripod most of the time, only free handing when I need a quick look. I have considered just upgrading my 10x as well but I feel like I want the extra magnification.
I appreciate that the Swaro glass is the best, but my wallet can’t justify it right now. Right now I’m looking at the Maven B5 12x56 and the Maven B6 12x50. I like the idea of the B5 as it looks like the glass is better and they are a bit bigger, but not sure if they are too big to lug along in my chest harness. I did contact Maven and they confirmed the B5 will fit in my bind harness. Anyone have any input? Do I need the extra light gathering and better glass of the B5?

 

[Steve300xcw]

I love my B5 15's. They are a bit much for glassing closer in though. I am starting to wonder about the 12x


Those things are huge. No way I would want them on my chest.

I'd also wait and save $500 by snagging a used set when they come up for sale.

 

[manitou1]

Check out the sig zulu 6 image stabilizing binos.

 

[Bobcat 33]

Check out the sig zulu 6 image stabilizing binos.

I just bought a pair in 18X. They are awesone and ight as my swaro 10x42. Needed extra power for a midwest deer hunt to be able to score a 140". Kicked a spotter and these was the answer, high power, clear, and ight weight no tripod to lug around.

 

[HuntHardColorado]

Thanks everyone, good points to think about. I I’ve decided that 12x are what I want. I went to Cabelas yesterday and looked through some Swaro and Vortex 12x and 15x. I felt I would be able to freehand the 12x without too much problem. Although I still plan to run them off a tripod most of the time, only free handing when I need a quick look. I have considered just upgrading my 10x as well but I feel like I want the extra magnification.
I appreciate that the Swaro glass is the best, but my wallet can’t justify it right now. Right now I’m looking at the Maven B5 12x56 and the Maven B6 12x50. I like the idea of the B5 as it looks like the glass is better and they are a bit bigger, but not sure if they are too big to lug along in my chest harness. I did contact Maven and they confirmed the B5 will fit in my bind harness. Anyone have any input? Do I need the extra light gathering and better glass of the B5?

I have the B5 12x and I'm very happy with them. Ya at times I wish they were smaller and lighter, but I actually find the added weight/ergos let me handhold them real steady for what that's worth. You definitely notice them on your chest, but they're not terrible IMO. Never have handled the B6 though. Night and day difference between the B5 and my Cronus 10x in low light. I sold the Cronus and only have the 12x now.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I've been playing this game with a 10x, 45x spotter, 60x spotter, and now the sig 16x IS. The Sigs are excellent and easily replace the light spotter for hunts I dont need to judge. They dont beat the 10x swaros on a tripod though.