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.

 

[ElPollo]

Agree with Chico. The wider FOV of the 15x will find more game. A spotter is really for getting a better look at something you find with the binos to determine if it’s worth trying to get close. The 18x will be a little worse at finding game due to the narrower FOV and won’t be much of an improvement for doing what a spotter does. I’d stick with the 15x.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We just got in an open box, same as new GPO Passion HD 15x50 Binoculars for only $999.99. This is an amazing binocular worth checking out

 

[Beendare]

The 15x Meopta and Swaros are excellent BUT

I traded off my Meoptas after comparing them side by side in the desert to the Vortex UHD 18x. That 3 extra power is a game changer.

 

[sparelink]

The 15x Meopta and Swaros are excellent BUT

I traded off my Meoptas after comparing them side by side in the desert to the Vortex UHD 18x. That 3 extra power is a game changer.

What makes the 3x more valuable to you. What distances are you using them at?

 

[JO.]

I own 15's and have tried one pair of 18's. I didn't notice enough of a difference to leave me wanting. My own experience is the more the magnification the more different eyes find what they like or don't. See if you can try out whatever you are looking for in person on a tripod, preferably side by side. If your eyes prefer the 15 over a particular 18 then that should be an easy call. The easier it is to glass the more time you'll spend behind them.