15x binos or spotter?

[Lucasraymond]

I'd sure like to know if the eyecups on those 15s (B5's???) don't extend far enough to get proper eye placement without glasses which is a serious problem I have with my Maven B5 18x56s I even have to unscrew the removable eye cups all the way literally teeter totter on the last half threads on both sides and still not quite enough extension for me.

It's a huge shameful and unacceptable design flaw IMHO on Maven's part. Hopefully the 15s have WAY SHORTER eye relief compared to my 18s.

The SIG ZULU 10 10x56 which is a cousin of the Mavens and Razor UHDs have it even worst because their eyecups don't seem to be totally unscrewable like the B5s.

The B5 has a 17.8mm eye relief but most fall in the 15-18mm range. The bushnell forge has a 21mm which would be perfect for glasses.

 

[justinspicher]

I much prefer a set of binos over a spotter. I went with a pair of binos that did double duty having an 8-12x range. On a tripod or a monopod they are pretty awesome. They are Leica DuoVids, they also come in a 10-15x option, but they are hard to find.

 

[308Baer]

I run the conquest 15Xs and athlon Ares 15-45X60 spotter. I love and prefer glassing with 15Xs. Can spend all day in them picking apart a hillside. The spotter is nice for judging antler size. I find myself leaving the 15x's at home if I'm packing in a couple miles. I can still glass with the spotter, although not as efficient as the 15s. Having the spotter to judge game and help decide whether or not to close the distance is the deciding factor for me.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Either the 15x56 B5 or SLC would be solid choices and I personally wouldn’t buy anything of lower quality. With high magnification binoculars everything is magnified, including aberrations. Minor optical imperfections are very noticeable. I spent a bit of time with both the 15 and 18x Maven and feel the 18x is just a bridge too far for that optical design. To me the 15x is sharper and more satisfying.

 

[Lucasraymond]

Ive learned buy once cry once with my PRS rig and optics…so im testing the B5 out and borrowing a friends SLC to go head to head.

 

[rred85]

I was told the slc’s were lighter than most of the other 15x options but I have no practical experience with them.
Hoping to test some out in the coming months.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Have tested this objectively (as I can) a few times.

15x will have a better experience but will
Never do what a spotter will beyond 1500yds or so. A spotter at 20x + will count times and what not. 15x won’t.

Really just depends if you want to scan at smaller ranges (15x) or pick out small details after you find an animal at further (spotter).

I do think the newer mini spotters are a good compromise. They still can pick up the detail at range.

BL: zoom is king.

 

[Buglebrush]

I sold my spotter because it really never left the house anymore. I can glass comfortably all day thru my Razor UHD 18x56, and find way more animals than I did with 10x and a spotter. The Sig Zulu 9 or Zulu 10 15x56 are a great bang for your buck too.

 

[Buglebrush]

Have tested this objectively (as I can) a few times.

15x will have a better experience but will
Never do what a spotter will beyond 1500yds or so. A spotter at 20x + will count times and what not. 15x won’t.

Really just depends if you want to scan at smaller ranges (15x) or pick out small details after you find an animal at further (spotter).

I do think the newer mini spotters are a good compromise. They still can pick up the detail at range.

BL: zoom is king.

This is true, but incomplete. It's also true that a spotter will never do what 18x56 Binos will do, even way beyond 1500 yards. Being able to glass with two eyes will lead to finding way more animals. Only area a spotter is truly superior is counting tines, but you'll find less tines to count without big binos. At least that's been my experience, and both my spotter and big binos were Vortex Razor.

 

[TheGDog]

Brother? Sincerly I'd initially recommand get you some Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42's. Then, that STC Swarovski 56mm Spotter. Betchu money that combo would likely make you happiest overall. per dollar spent.

Currently I'm either using the 10x42's w/ the Maven 12x27 56mm, or the 65mm ZEISS Dailyt, The steeper things start getting, the more the Dailyt starts feeling a lil heavy and I start to lean more towards that Maven, So that's why I'm betting that Swaro STC 56mm and the ZEISS Conquest HD 10x42's and you'd be a damn happiest camper!

And only if I'm going to be gridding in very wide open country Desert Hills do I typically bother to consider taking the 56mm's anymore. But only because in that specific instance the 15's just work real well as a primary tool on a tripod, since you tend to be glassing across longer that normal distances out there in that kinda habitat. When glassing an equally looooong opposing ridge, being illuminated by the morning sun coming up from behind you. Or the setting sun from behind you. You can reach out a shocking amount with good 15's under the right conditions. Plus it makes use of your stereoscopic vision's natural "data processing" you might say. You're a lot more likely to more rapidly detect and Id that game animal when utilizing the benefits of your stereoscopic vision "data processing" that your brain is already wired to do.

But for most stuff? Bet you the vast majority of people would be tinkled pink to run a higher-tier 10x42 with a high end 56mm UL spotter! Those two make a darn good combo! Bout the only thing that might be the holy grail in that regard, in terms of going even smaller, would be perhaps... perhaps... a 12x higher tier bino like NL Pures. As your only optic outside of riflescope. But I think that'd depend on how well the individual person could learn to handhold the 12x Pures with the forehead-rest attachment, perhaps. For when they'd need quick hand-checks on stuff with their binos.

 

[JDarchery]

OP the Maven c.4 are on sale on Amazon prime day for 350 right now!

 

[Beendare]

it depends. You say no sheep hunt- but hey, the guide will have a spotter.

Spotter is good as a window mount from very long range…or counting inches. Does it matter if that buck is only 186” and not making 190? Not to me.
Plus, on foot, finding game 3 miles away an hour before dark with a spotter usually doesn’t help me much.

Thus I find more game with big binos on a tripod. Sold my Meopta 15x ( excellent) for the Vortex 18x UHD- they are just better

 

[Hydra6]

I use the Bushnell Forge 15x56 for PRS and they have been great - other competitors look through them regularly at competitions and comment favorably. I much prefer them to a spotting scope.

 

[TheGDog]

it depends. You say no sheep hunt- but hey, the guide will have a spotter.

Spotter is good as a window mount from very long range…or counting inches. Does it matter if that buck is only 186” and not making 190? Not to me.
Plus, on foot, finding game 3 miles away an hour before dark with a spotter usually doesn’t help me much.

Thus I find more game with big binos on a tripod. Sold my Meopta 15x ( excellent) for the Vortex 18x UHD- they are just better

So question... when you go out on a hunt where you now bring those Vortex 18's.

Is that the ONLY Optic you bring with you? Or do you also bring along another smaller optic for hand-held quick-checks on stuff? Like when you're on the move.