15x56/18x56 Bino Comparison questions

[Alpine4x4]

After deciding to get Swaros for my standard 10x42 EDC Binos I know my 15x56 Diamondback HD's will need to be upgraded. I dont use them a ton, but they are nice to have when glassing a longer distance as opposed to always looking through a spotting scope. I have a 15-45 and 20-60 scope for taking a closer look, but like the versatility of having 15's with me. That said I've started looking at upgrade options, but not wanting to spend $2000 as they just arent used as much as my 10x42's.

I've been looking at the Maven B5 15x56, 18x56, Razor UHD 18x56, and potentially the Zeiss Conquest 15x56. I plan to buy used or refurb and keep the cost around $1000 which I have seen these models at.

My question is, what are the pros and cons of each? I know the eye cups on the Mavens seem to be a constant complaint and I will be trying them out at a show in early February to see for myself. I know the Razors are huge and heavy. People seem to say the Zeiss has a blue tint to it vs the razors grey tint.

What are people using and what are your opinons? Is there an option I am missing other than a used set of SLC's which are outside the budget? Thanks!

 

[hereinaz]

I am happy borrowing my friends Razor HD 18x56 or Swaro 15 x 56 SLC. The difference between them is largely the edge to edge clarity. I don't feel inadequate with the Razor HD.

If that's what you have money for, try to find a used pair to get the most for your money.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I am happy borrowing my friends Razor HD 18x56 or Swaro 15 x 56 SLC. The difference between them is largely the edge to edge clarity. I don't feel inadequate with the Razor HD.

If that's what you have money for, try to find a used pair to get the most for your money.

I can find them refurbed for right at $1000 which is appealing vs the used pricing of the SLC's at $17-1900.

 

[Hoodie]

I've used both the 15x56 and 18x56 B5 pretty extensively. Currently have the 18x56. It's got shallower depth of field, but I don't carry a spotter so I like the extra 3x. If you're going to carry a spotter I think it's tough to beat 8x42, 15x56, and a 65 or 80mm spotter as a total package.

 

[Hoodie]

As far as other options, they don't have enough eye relief for me but I've seen a lot of positive comments on the Tract Toric 15x56. A little more affordable too.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Is there an option I am missing other than a used set of SLC's which are outside the budget? Thanks!

Meopta Meostar are well regarded also.

I have the SLC, had the zeiss but they didn't work for my eyes well. I ordered the Maven and also they didn't work as well for my eyes and I found the depth of focus shallow requiring lots of fiddling when scanning near/far compared to the SLC.

 

[hereinaz]

I can find them refurbed for right at $1000 which is appealing vs the used pricing of the SLC's at $17-1900.

I see used SLC for $1500ish on Coueswhitetail forum.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I see used SLC for $1500ish on Coueswhitetail forum.

Non HD model if its the set I saw the other day. I couldnt find them in a quick search though.

 

[hereinaz]

Non HD model if its the set I saw the other day. I couldnt find them in a quick search though.

Yeah, all sorts get listed. Keep watching. My buddy picked up a non HD for $1300 and an HD for $1500.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Yeah, all sorts get listed. Keep watching. My buddy picked up a non HD for $1300 and an HD for $1500.

That would be the most preferred. I just bought a pair of SLC 10x42 HD's so I'll be able to get a feel on whether Swaro glass is for my eye or not. As it sits my load out will be

10x42 SLC HD
15x56 in whatever flavor
15-45x 65mm Athlon Ares
20-60x 86mm Athlon Cronus

Been very impressed with the Cronus so far other than the FOV. The Ares isn't bad for the price, a stepping stone for now. I use the noks more than a scope so it was hard to invest big money when $500 got me solid optics.

 

[PVHunter]

Another vote for Meoptas. This season I switched from my 10x Swaros to 8x Zeiss on my chest and 15x Meoptas in the pack for use on the tripod. I was really happy with this combination.

 

[Beendare]

I have compared 15x swaros and 15x Meoptas side by side on the late desert hunts in daylight and dusk....and I saw no difference....so I bought the Meoptas. The lower end Vortex Kaibabs or Diamondbacks just don't have the resolution and frankly- not good at all.

I compared my 15x Meopta to the 18x Vortex UHD [Japan] and liked them so much I sold off my Meoptas for the 18x UHD's. My NL's are still the best resolution I've ever seen in a bino...but those UHD's are darn good and when you see an 18x image next to a 15x- it's significant. I simply see more stuff like antler tines at long range with the UHD's.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Meostar 15x56 hd in the classifieds is my vote. Can be had for around 1k.

If you can wait and save the extra coin swaro 15x56 hds come up in classifieds at historic low prices.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I had the kaibab 20x and 15x, didn’t love the resolution and ended up with the maven 18x and really enjoyed them. Only sold to try the btxs

 

[Hydra6]

The Bushnell Forge 15x56 punch way above their cost. Certainly not saying the best or such but they serve me well at PRS and other competitors are always positively surprised by them.

 

[Truck24hr]

@gr8fuldoug could help. FWIW, i was looking for 15x bino's, and noticed the GPO Passion HD's had a slightly larger FOV than the Swaro's and near 10 oz lighter IIRC.

I've never looked through the Swaro's, but doug said the GPO's were on par with 15x SLC's.

They are lighter than my 8x42's. Very nice

 

[ThatsBishop]

I have compared 15x swaros and 15x Meoptas side by side....and I saw no difference....so I bought the Meoptas. The lower end Vortex Kaibabs or Diamondbacks just don't have the resolution.

I compared my 15x Meopta to the 18x Vortex UHD [Japan] and liked them so much I sold off my Meoptas for the 18x UHD's. My NL's are still the best resolution I've ever seen in a bino...but those UHD's are darn good and when you see an 18x image next to a 15x- it's significant.

What NL’s do you have?

 

[Keribea]

I see used SLC for $1500ish on Coueswhitetail forum.

I can't seem to create an account or contact the people at coueswhitetail in order to make an account. They have an issue with their "are you a human" deal, which bums me out because they have some good deals on binos.

 

[Beendare]

What NL’s do you have?

I have the 10x NL's which are about the limit for me to hand hold- from Cameraland.

I do a desert Coues deer hunt every year with buddies that have a variety of top glass that I get a chance to compare side by side on the mountain in real world hunt conditions.

I edited my last comment from January 17 above for clarity.

My opinion is the same and I would rank the Hunting glass like this;

BEST is the Swaro BTX95- those take the cake BUT they are; 1) in a different universe price wise and 2) heavy, bulky and a PITA to pack around 3) overkill for most hunting situations

I think the Vortex UHD 18's are the best all around bino from a tripod for hunting I have used- and traded off my Meoptas because of these

That 3x of the Vortex UHD's matters BUT the cheaper Vortex are poor- don't waste money on those as you will soon be upgrading.

The Swaro NL's and 12X50 is the crispest/ clearest binos I've seen [I wasn't going to buy them until I tried them-amazing] just not enough power for long range spotting. The clarity makes up for some of the loss of magnification but not enough

Best 15x bino is the Meopta and Swaro 15x very close. I have compared the Zeiss 10x but not the 15x or the Maven 15x. I used to own the Leica 10x and their spotters are very good but haven't compared their 15X in the field. Same with Maven, I tried them at a show but not in field conditions.

 

[Buglebrush]

I used to run Sig 15x56 and upgraded to the Razor UHD 18x56. In my opinion the extra 3x is a huge huge upgrade. The Razor UHD 18x56 are really great, and I am very happy with them. Compared to my buddies Maven and I definitely preferred the Razors.