15x56 binos or spotting scope for moose in alaska

[Saleen422]

What’s everyone’s opinions either one or the other or both

 

[jhm2023]

I prefer a set of 10x42 binos and a my ATS 65 spotter for all of my hunting in Alaska. I couldn't imagine trying to use 15x56 binos glassing thick brush at closer ranges or only having 15x when trying to pick things apart a mile off or more. At least that's what works for me.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[VernAK]

jhm20123 reflects my opinion also.

 

[Saleen422]

Thx guys keep the comments coming

 

[AKDoc]

I agree with others above...my primary glassing for moose is with my 10x42 binocs.

That said, if I'm in a GMU with antler and brow tine restrictions, then I also definitely have my spotting scope to get a good/closer look and count brow tines...it sure saves on the legs. If I'm in an "any bull" unit and hunting only moose, then my spotting scope most often stays at home.

 

[WMR]

I keep going back to my old Swarovski 8x30 SLC binocular for almost all hunting. I've owned several other good ones including some 10x but none has displaced these for me. I give up a little magnification but get an easily carried optic with clear images. Take a spotting scope too, if weight allows. Get an adapter to use it with your smartphone for distance viewing and video. Get all the images and video you can. It will help remind you of the great time you had.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

For your situation, you cannot go wrong with a high quality 8-10x binocular plus a high quality spotter. Use a tripod for both.

if weight is a concern, then look at the Kowa 553 or 554 for your spotter.

I love my SLC 15s but they can be too much in some situations which is why I also have SLC 10s. I love my STX 65/95 but I’m not going to glass with it unless I have a catastrophic failure of whichever pair of SLCs I brought along.

 

[crich]

I agree with others above...my primary glassing for moose is with my 10x42 binocs.

That said, if I'm in a GMU with antler and brow tine restrictions, then I also definitely have my spotting scope to get a good/closer look and count brow tines...it sure saves on the legs. If I'm in an "any bull" unit and hunting only moose, then my spotting scope most often stays at home.

What size scope are you packing?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

A spotting scope isn’t much use where I hunt moose, it would be useful in a few spots but not many along the rivers. I use a Zeiss conquest 8x42 binocular or a vortex viper HD 10x42 and that has worked well for me.

 

[North61]

I hunt from a freighter canoe and drop down to 6x32's for moose hunting as for me it's usually a close quarters thing. From a high vista 10's might be good but 8's would be as well. A spotter is a more specialized optic and often gets left behind.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I love my 15s but you can’t replace what a spotter does with em. A spotter saves you from hiking miles after something you shouldn’t of. The 15s will just tell you it’s there and may be worth a closer look, spotter gives you that yes or no. I’d go with your standard binos around your chest and a spotter. Good luck and hope it works out

 

[Saleen422]

Thx for the input guys

 

[AKDoc]

What size scope are you packing?

My strategy for glass has been to buy the best and hold...even if they were out of my budget at the time.

Accordingly, my spotting scope is a 20-60x Swarovski HD that I've had for fifteen or so years,...back when they were nearly a thousand dollars cheaper. I have the 80 objective, and if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably get the 65 just to save a bit of weight and packing size in the backpack.

My binocs are Leica's 10x42...and I've had those for at least twenty years.

I'm absolutely very happy with the above. The glass market has definitely changed in the past decade. Given my time-frame, I'm pretty sure I saved myself some money in the long run, as opposed to taking a path of progressively trading up as I looked through better glass over the years.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Zeiss 10x32 binocs and nothing else for decades of big game hunting. I once owned a Swaro HD spotter and it never made a trip with me. I sold it to a Rokslide member who used the heck out of it. Just the difference in hunters I guess. I'm 100% fine with the binocs.

 

[Buckshotaz]

This year will be my first trip to Alaska, but from whit I have seen in videos, not all Alaska is the same. In Arizona where I hunt, I use 10X40, 15X56 and 30X80 binoculars, along with a 20x45x65 spotter depending on where I am hunting. The same holds true for Alaska from what I have seen in the countless hours of video research that I have done.

One of the first thing I did was to get a recommendations for optics from my transporter and was provided with 10s for each guy and one spotter for the group.

 

[Sourdough]

What a spotting scope brings to "ANY" hunt..........is the possible avoidance of unnecessary walking/hiking. It is that simple. Yes, it does offer "other" useful applications then save walking/hiking. But it is generally those special applications that in the end, save the unnecessary hiking.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Given this discussion about optics is done in the context of moose hunting, and....

Given I have to backpack every pound of meat from a kill back to my camp and airstrip....

I don't want anything like a spotting scope tempting me into a 2 mile death march with loads of heavy meat and antlers! I'll call him in and kill him at 20 yards or less anyway. The longbow is my friend, lol.

 

[MallardSX2]

Love my 15X56's

 

[Buckshotaz]

Mr. Dill,

Your advice is like a message from the "Old Bull to the Young Bull" (everyone should know the old bull,, young bull story). You have had many successful hunts and have the confidence that comes with years of experience. However, those like me, that are on their first trip moose hunting in Alaska, are desperate for advantages that could help make their hunt a successful one.

So, as the young bull in this situation, I want to tell you up front that I should be listening to you, but I an bringing my spotting scope.

When I return, and if I do the stupid thing of shooting a bull too far from camp/strip, I expect you to say, "I told you so".

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I have been going back and forth on bringing one just for the sake of counting brow tines.