15x or 18x Binos

[sparelink]

Most of my use will be in the 800yd to 1500yd range. I carry 10x on my chest and do not have a spotting scope and no plans to add one.

Hunting Elk, Mule deer and black bear. Using to scope in heavy blowdown on hillsides or open grass lands.

Leaning towards 15x but not sure if I should bump up to 18x.

 

[taskswap]

Handheld or tripod? 15's are about the biggest I can comfortably glass with by hand - anything higher and I need a tripod. Quality matters a lot here because a wider FOV makes shaky hands a bit less of an issue, too...

 

[chicoredneck]

For 800-1500 yards I would go 15x. The wider field of view will be beneficial. I think much over that distance though, the 18x may be beneficial for deer.

For me, I like 15x. I figure if I need more magnification than that I need to break out the spotter.

 

[sparelink]

Handheld or tripod? 15's are about the biggest I can comfortably glass with by hand - anything higher and I need a tripod. Quality matters a lot here because a wider FOV makes shaky hands a bit less of an issue, too...

Will be using with a tripod 90% of the time.