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.

 

[Steve300xcw]

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.

I was happy being ignorant and just running 10x42's. Then came a tripod and I said "ooooooh" So then 15's happed.

Now the 10's are all dusty.

I could see some 6 or 8's and a big set of 12 or 15's being a badass combo

 

[Steve300xcw]

Some maven b5 12x for like $1100 in the classifieds

 

[flyfisher117]

I was happy being ignorant and just running 10x42's. Then came a tripod and I said "ooooooh" So then 15's happed.

Now the 10's are all dusty.

I could see some 6 or 8's and a big set of 12 or 15's being a badass combo

My first tripod was eye opening.
Getting 15s was a huge advancement for me. . Made spotting ears and antler tips twitching in the bushes that much easier and faster.
Sold my Razor G2 spotter within 3 weeks of getting 15s.

I almost don’t even go for my 10s anymore. Only when in the closer range stuff or scanning while hiking.

 

[bwp]

My first tripod was eye opening.
Getting 15s was a huge advancement for me. . Made spotting ears and antler tips twitching in the bushes that much easier and faster.
Sold my Razor G2 spotter within 3 weeks of getting 15s.

I almost don’t even go for my 10s anymore. Only when in the closer range stuff or scanning while hiking.

What 15x did you go with?

 

[flyfisher117]

What 15x did you go with?

Maven B5 I found a deal on them.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I have been using the NL Pure 8x32 and Maven 15's usually with the Nikon compact spotter the last few years and it works perfect for me

 

[CMF]

I already have my 8.5x Kowa so I struggle to justify a 10x. Can I get by with my current binos to identify/find deer and then get a small spotter to confirm? Or is the 8.5 too short to identify most game?

Are you looking for a specific size animal or just plan on looking for a "good" buck or bull?
Elk hunting, I have 8x42 on my chest. Usually when scouting and occasionally while hunting, I'll have 15x56's w/tripod.
For sheep in August I had my 8x42 on chest and 15x50's w/tripod in pack and they are my new favorite 15 to carry, much lighter than 56s. I also carried a Kowa 55s. I used the 15s much more than the spotter, and some days the spotter never came out. I think I'll probably try a bigger spotter in the future, but I felt like I could go without it and not miss it, but that would change if I were only hunting a giant.
never tried an 18x.

Which spotter would you look at for $2k or so

You could find a fairly new/used kowa 55 for 2k.
I've tried a few scopes over the years that were less quality than the Kowa. The Kowa 55 is the smallest I would look at and don't bother with cheaper quality ones.