15x or 18x for glassing mule deer

[swavescatter]

I love my Maven 15's. Right there with SLC's in performance but with an amazing warranty. I'd imagine Vortex UHD 15's are close so go with whichever you can get for the best price.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I love my Maven 15's. Right there with SLC's in performance but with an amazing warranty. I'd imagine Vortex UHD 15's are close so go with whichever you can get for the best price.

See the mavens used for anywhere from $900-$1200. Pretty hard to beat that IMO

 

[nphunter]

15’s and a big spotter have a different purpose and use. For me 15’s are for picking apart country after scanning with smaller binos. A spotter is important to verify size if you’re after a trophy or certain size animal.

My current setup is NL 8x32, NL14’s and a Meopta S2 spotter. I also have some sig IS 20’s but they stay in the vehicle most of the time due to poor FOV and glass quality.

In the past few years I’ve also had a couple 10x binos, Meopta 15’s and a ATC spotter.

If I were in your shoes I would keep the 8.5’s, buy some Meopta 15’s and the Meopta S2 that is currently in the classifieds. You will be in both the Meopta optics less than one pair of 14’s. The S2 is about the perfect spotter IMO, it’s better glass than most anything else under $3K. Same with the Meostar 15’s, they are awesome binos.

I will never use a 10 bino again after going to 8’s and using them, steadiness and FOV is much better with the 8’s.