15x50 vs 15x56 Binos

[ianpadron]

Into the rabbit hole once again...

Looking to grab a pair of 15x binos this year to REPLACE my 10x42s and 15-45x65 Spotter on ultralight hunts. I like my spotter a lot... but as we all know, those things are HEAVY. I think running 1 pair of binos with my tripod will fit my style of hunting better, especially early in the year up high.

So...my main question is this, since I'm looking to save weight, would the 15x50 Vortex Vipers coming in at just 28 ounces be at that much of a disadvantage compared to the host of 15x56 options out there, that are all nearly twice as heavy?

I hear everyone go back and forth over the objective lens diameter and how much it actually matters and don't want to make a $600-1000 mistake on these.

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Hatchet Jack]

you won't regret stepping up to a good 15x56. I just think you'll lose too much detail once the sun goes down if you only have a 50mm.

I carry 15s and I still wished I had a spotter about 100 times last year, so I'm adding a spotter to my pack this year.

 

[WRO]

Get a set of good 12's so you can still hand hold when needed.

 

[Osprey]

I've been looking at getting a pair of 15x56s this year and have done a lot of research so far from what I've found the 56s will be brighter under low light conditions with power being equal. On my mule deer hunt this year I'm packing my 10s, spotter, and hopfully new 15s. I plan on using all of them at some point.

 

[1signguy]

Another vote for the 15x56's- But you are still gonna want that spotter.
You can carry a little more weight in glass or drop some glass weight and walk 10x's further.

 

[Speeddmn]

Into the rabbit hole once again...

Looking to grab a pair of 15x binos this year to REPLACE my 10x42s and 15-45x65 Spotter on ultralight hunts. I like my spotter a lot... but as we all know, those things are HEAVY. I think running 1 pair of binos with my tripod will fit my style of hunting better, especially early in the year up high.

So...my main question is this, since I'm looking to save weight, would the 15x50 Vortex Vipers coming in at just 28 ounces be at that much of a disadvantage compared to the host of 15x56 options out there, that are all nearly twice as heavy?

I hear everyone go back and forth over the objective lens diameter and how much it actually matters and don't want to make a $600-1000 mistake on these.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Why not keep the 10's or upgrade to 12x50 or 10x50's and add the 11-33x50 Razor that is 26oz... Then you have better binos and a spotter without sacrificing to much on either side.

 

[ianpadron]

Why not keep the 10's or upgrade to 12x50 or 10x50's and add the 11-33x50 Razor that is 26oz... Then you have better binos and a spotter without sacrificing to much on either side.

Good point.

I'm not going to get rid of my current binos or spotter, but would like to roll with 1 piece of glass for some of my scouting runs in the summer when weight is at a premium.

Don't get me wrong, I love having a spotter AND binos, but that's 6 pounds of gear right there with tripod included. Hauling that 9 miles in when it's 85 degrees BLOWS haha

I'm not interested in counting points or scoring deer with my glass. Staying comfy behind my spotter after more than 30min or so got really tough last year looking through 1 eye and my 10x binos just didn't get me there when I'd see a critter more than a mile out.

I just can't get over the 28 oz weight of those Viper 15x50s....



Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[blackovis]

I have owned the Viper 15x50's for the last 3 years and they are my main binos. I love that they are compact, just slightly larger than most 10x42's but I really enjoy not having bring a spotting scope on most of my hunts. I can easily tell exactly what a buck has out to 900-1000 yards. I can see if they have a good frame FAR beyond that and much better than a 10x50. The only drawback is glassing closer it can take some extra time to cover a grid since the FOV is drastically smaller than a 10x.

I think for the weight and price, and your use you would be more than happy with the 15x50 Viper HD. Yes you give up some low light performance to the 56mm objectives but the weight you save is HUGE by only having to carry one binocular. The other plus is that they fit in most bino harnesses including the AGC CUB, KISS, or Hybrid models.

 

[ianpadron]

I have owned the Viper 15x50's for the last 3 years and they are my main binos. I love that they are compact, just slightly larger than most 10x42's but I really enjoy not having bring a spotting scope on most of my hunts. I can easily tell exactly what a buck has out to 900-1000 yards. I can see if they have a good frame FAR beyond that and much better than a 10x50. The only drawback is glassing closer it can take some extra time to cover a grid since the FOV is drastically smaller than a 10x.

I think for the weight and price, and your use you would be more than happy with the 15x50 Viper HD. Yes you give up some low light performance to the 56mm objectives but the weight you save is HUGE by only having to carry one binocular. The other plus is that they fit in most bino harnesses including the AGC CUB, KISS, or Hybrid models.

Now that's some helpful on the ground info! Thanks a lot for chiming in.

Can't beat the price either at $600 bucks

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[Osprey]

I have owned the Viper 15x50's for the last 3 years and they are my main binos. I love that they are compact, just slightly larger than most 10x42's but I really enjoy not having bring a spotting scope on most of my hunts. I can easily tell exactly what a buck has out to 900-1000 yards. I can see if they have a good frame FAR beyond that and much better than a 10x50. The only drawback is glassing closer it can take some extra time to cover a grid since the FOV is drastically smaller than a 10x.

I think for the weight and price, and your use you would be more than happy with the 15x50 Viper HD. Yes you give up some low light performance to the 56mm objectives but the weight you save is HUGE by only having to carry one binocular. The other plus is that they fit in most bino harnesses including the AGC CUB, KISS, or Hybrid models.

Personally having no experience in field with the 15x50s and in the market for 15s how far can you reasonably stretch the 15x50 vipers into low light conditions. How far can you reasonably glass effectively in that last 30 min of light and beyond and at what distances are you still effective? Everything I've looked at research wise has sort of steered more towards the 56s but the weight savings is tough to ignore if you don't give up a lot in low light.

 

[mavmskyb8]

I have a totally different attitude about glass. I only carry my spotter when I'm hunting rack, which isn't very often. I carry my 15x56 all the time, they provide the quality I need to make a decision on how to, or not to, move ahead with a stalk.

 

[ianpadron]

Personally having no experience in field with the 15x50s and in the market for 15s how far can you reasonably stretch the 15x50 vipers into low light conditions. How far can you reasonably glass effectively in that last 30 min of light and beyond and at what distances are you still effective? Everything I've looked at research wise has sort of steered more towards the 56s but the weight savings is tough to ignore if you don't give up a lot in low light.

My thoughts exactly man. I'm between the Kaibabs and Vipers...the weight savings say Vipers for sure

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[ianpadron]

I have a totally different attitude about glass. I only carry my spotter when I'm hunting rack, which isn't very often. I carry my 15x56 all the time, they provide the quality I need to make a decision on how to, or not to, move ahead with a stalk.

Just the 15x56s? No smaller binos?

I think that's the most efficient if so.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[mavmskyb8]

Just the 15x56s? No smaller binos?

I think that's the most efficient if so.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

No, I carry 10x50 now. I'll be selling those and picking up the new Vortex 10x42 fury / range finder.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I can think of a number of other ways to cut down pack weight rather than skimping on optics. They are the bread and butter on my hunts. Can't think of a time I've wished my Euro 15s were a pound lighter, those things are worth every ounce. My bulky tripod is another story...

 

[AndyB]

I run set of top end 8x42's as my main glass which is around my neck, these are on my tripod most of the time whilst sitting glassing, if I need a closer look I'll pop on my 15x50 vipers, for the weight and money the vipers do the trick. You will need to get your eye relief and interpul distance spot on for the image to be good. They also fit in a Kuiu large bino pouch for reference if needed.

The weight of the vipers is hard to overlook but if the difference between them and a pair of slc 15x56 hd is as vast an improvement as it was on my 8x's ill would cut the weight difference somewhere else in my pack and upgrade, especially if I would be hunting more open country.

The vipers will get you out a mile or two.


.

 

[Jimss]

I have a total different attitude towards optics. I almost exclusively hunt open country and would never go without my spotter. It has saved me miles and miles of hiking. Not only spotting game but also sizing them up! If you are like me and everyone else that uses a spotter you generally have it zoomed all the way out to max. You may be somewhat disappointed only having 15x available? I'm pretty much a "trophy hunter" so do count pts, mass, tine or horn length etc. I also like having my lighter weight 8 or 10x binos around my neck or in my hands while scouting and stalking game while hunting. There is no way you can do that with 15x. Every time you want to use them you need to set them up on a tripod. I bet you anything I can find an elk ear at 1/2 mile away in a bush with my spotter and a 15x will only see a bush...or a bighorn ram horn in rocks at the same distance and with 15x only see rock! You would have to hike closer to see the same ear or horn with 15x.

If you are having weight issues with carrying a spotting scope you may want to consider updating both your spotter and tripod. There are some super light tripod options available. Sometimes if I'm super tired and I want to cover lots of country I may also leave my tripod behind and place my scope on my backpack or jacket without a tripod. There are quite a few high quality spotters that may be pretty close to weight of 15x binos. I'm not sure which spotter you have but I switched over from a Leica televid 77 to a smaller Leica model that is a fraction of the weight and bulk. I'm sure you could find a Leica or Swaro scope that is pretty close to the same weight as some of the 15x binos?

15x may be a great idea for coues hunters that spot tiny deer in super brushy country. If you've noticed most coues outfitters also carry a spotting scope to size up the little antlers! How many Alaska outfitters use 15x instead of a spotting scope. The extra power helps spot and size up critters miles away. It would be a joke trying to size up antelope or mtn goat where inches are important for trophy judging with 15x binos. With all that said, someone would have a super tough time convincing me that carrying 15x is better than a spotter and smaller binos for most Western US open country scouting and hunting scenerios. If you are a coues hunter in super brushy country go for 15x but if you hunt other open country game you may be disappointed investing a pile of $ in 15x?

 

[mtwarden]

I would think 15's would be pretty tough to use as "binoculars"- their weight, size and low FOV don't lend themselves to well for quick viewing; on a tripod I'm sure they would be fine, but I think most hunts there is a fair amount of more "typical" bino use they would be a handicap as your only glass

I know everyone hunts different areas, different species and with different methods, but I've never felt overly handicapped w/ quality 8 or 10x42's around my neck and a small (read light) quality spotting scope w/ a light tripod in my pack

 

[ianpadron]

I lean towards the 15x binos based on my experience during last season.

I noticed that I kept my spotter (Vortex Viper HD for reference) on the lowest power most of the time. I thought to myself, well shit why do I carry this beast in the high country if I hardly use it past 15x power...

There are certainly hunts that the spotter will always join me on, but as you all know, having a system that fits your hunting style is priceless. I like fast and light in September, thus the debate between 15x50 and 15x56 binos to swap out on scouting trips in the summer.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk