12x vs 15x Binoculars Western Hunting

[HuntHardColorado]

What are your thoughts on 12x vs 15x binoculars for backpacking? I only want one pair of binos and currently have the 12x Maven B5 which are fantastic. I am considering getting a compact spotting scope to pair with it. My thoughts are I can handhold the 12x as well as use them off a tripod. Then get out the spotting scope if I need more zoom. I know the 15x are the go-to for some if they are a one optic solution, my only concern is wouldn't be able to hand-hold them. Is it worth it to sell the 12x and only cary 15x without a spotter? All my hunting is in Wyoming or CO. I'll be bringing a tripod either way.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I had 15x but switched to 10.5x with the kowa 553. Best decision I have ever made.

 

[nm.otter]

15x are no fun at all to hand hold. I use them on a tripod instead of a spotter.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

No single optic works well in all terrain. You are going to have to accept some shortcomings so figure out what you want to achieve and go from there.

Rangefinder: Most overlooked optic by hunters. Use it more for the close stuff. Seriously.
8x/10x: Easy to handhold for longer looks. Well suited for close in work. Sucks at identifying game at distance even on a tripod.
12x: Epitome of a compromise. May be able to handhold for longer looks. Meh or sucks for close in work. Functional to lacking at identifying game at distance even on a tripod.
14x/15x/18s: Harder to handhold for longer looks. Suck at close in work. Well suited for identifying game at distance.

Spotting scopes - Potentially well suited for confirmation. Small percentage of hunters can effectively glass with them; the rest are fishermen at heart.d

Easy to stabilize larger binoculars with a trekking pole, hat brim for support, squat and use knees for support, etc. Different methods for different durations.

Practice getting optics setup for glassing. You can have your pack off, weapon put in a safe spot, glassing stool out and ready to sit on, tripod unpacked with legs extended, optic of choice pulled out and attached to tripod head, and eyes in the glass all under 60 seconds. Do it in reverse to get faster at going after game. Easy to practice at home.

 

[Mojave]

I hunt with a 8x42 and have a 15x56 on a tripod along with a spotter.

 

[cxtressler]

I would go with 12’s and a spotting scope. 15’s are great for glassing, but not for on your chest or in hands for anything but a quick glance. 12’s check a lot of boxes and are great.

If money wasn’t an issue, get 12’s, 15’s and a spotting scope.

 

[tshirt95]

I would go with 12’s and a spotting scope. 15’s are great for glassing, but not for on your chest or in hands for anything but a quick glance. 12’s check a lot of boxes and are great.

If money wasn’t an issue, get 12’s, 15’s and a spotting scope.

I've been debating getting either 10s or 12s for the chest. My 15s are fantastic but they're rough if I don't have time to set up the tri pod.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I think you have to find what works you personally. Everyone has their own opinion. Myself I run 10 NL’s, 15 SLC’s, 554 Kowa and a 82mm Meopta. I pick the combo by the situation. That’s the personal part

 

[tshirt95]

I think you have to find what works you personally. Everyone has their own opinion. Myself I run 10 NL’s, 15 SLC’s, 554 Kowa and a 82mm Meopta. I pick the combo by the situation. That’s the personal part

I'm leaning towards the 10s since the 12s seem too close to my 15 SLC's. How do you like the NL's compared to the SLC's?

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I really like the NL’s, best view out there for my eyes. Don’t think I would give up my 15 SLC’s, for the money they’re outstanding. I haven’t looked through the 14 NL’s and probably shouldn’t, it might cost me some money.

 

[tshirt95]

I really like the NL’s, best view out there for my eyes. Don’t think I would give up my 15 SLC’s, for the money they’re outstanding. I haven’t looked through the 14 NL’s and probably shouldn’t, it might cost me some money.

That's the exact reason I avoided looking at them at the sheep show! I'm curious if you'd think they're worth the upgrade. I have an opportunity to either get a pair of 10x42 SLC's or NL's both at a good price, obviously with the NL's being more.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

They are worth the upgrade to my eyes.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Use NL 12x and ATC can’t see of needing anything else

 

[Cowboy20x]

10x on chest and 15x or compact spotter in pack

 

[nphunter]

That's the exact reason I avoided looking at them at the sheep show! I'm curious if you'd think they're worth the upgrade. I have an opportunity to either get a pair of 10x42 SLC's or NL's both at a good price, obviously with the NL's being more.

I had Meostar 15's and now the 14NL's, IMO there is no comparison between them. I had my 15's up next to SLC 15's many times and IMO they are identical or near identical optically. The 14's are just on another level IMO, I actually loved them so much I bought a set of 8x32s to go with them.

 

[Fritz D]

Just purchased an NL 14x52 from European Optic today. Far and away the most I’ve ever spent on an optic? Can’t wait!!

 

[minas stiris]

I was using my 10x42 EL's yesterday and was watching trace on every shot, spotting impacts, misses, and even spotting hit location on targets. Furthest steel was just shy of 900 yards but it was no issue. I've got no doubts about their ability to spot impacts quite a bit further.

I'm a huge believer that glass quality does more for what you can see at distance than sheer magnification.

The advantage that I see to a little bit more magnification would be better reading of mirage. 10x seems to need a decently heavy mirage to read it well whereas 15x will pick up most mirage enough to read. 15x still isn't going to hurt you too bad in heavy mirage either.

If I was buying a pair of binos for matches only it would hands down be the 15x SLC's. They live up to every bit of the hype and then some.

 

[taskswap]

This comes up a lot and it's always an opinionated answer. I personally prefer my 15x56's because they're sort of a do-it-all for me such that I can often leave my spotter in camp. They're also really helpful at the range when you're pushing past 200-300yd - bullet holes are harder to pick out than antlers! But a lot of folks prefer a 10/12x + spotter combo.

I think a lot depends on what you do and your hunting style. I'm not a sniper and 250-300yd is my ethical max right now. Know your limits, right? But I'm also an elk hunter and my preferred terrain is mixed slopes and timber. I'm almost never in a position where I'm picking out an animal across an 800yd canyon and glassing him with a spotter for an hour before taking my shot. I'm more of a still-hunter, working over water and through timber pockets and modest sized clearings. Most of my shot opportunities average around 150-200yds. So a pair of 15's gives me "lots of glass" for my main use and "just enough" for the edge cases.

FWIW I hand-hold my 15's. Yes, they shake a bit more but I've gotten used to it, and I have a very tall trekking pole setup. I've found I can rest my elbow on the top of it to make an impromptu monopod if I'm glassing longer than a quick scan, and if you do a slow scan instead of trying to hold still on something it tends to minimize the effect of the shaking.

For times when I want to glass off a tripod, I have an Aziak ARCA mount. My tripod has an ARCA receiver as well, so I put the same baseplate on my spotter too. This means I can swap back and forth really easily. If I'm glassing for an extended period of time, I really like a good pair of binos over a spotter until I have something I really want to zoom in on. The wider FOV helps a lot with picking out things to pay attention to, and personally I find it less tiring. YMMV.

One downsize not often mentioned with bigger binos is that bino harnesses tend to mostly be sized for 10-12's. Make sure what you get fits your harness, or be prepared to upgrade.