Another first western hunt optics/tripod question

[Midwestwaterfowl]

I’ll be hunting Colorado 2nd rifle for my first western hunt in October. I’m going to be upgrading my binoculars and keep going back and forth between 8x or 10x. I want to go with 8x as they would be better for the all the hunting I do in Illinois, but don’t want to handicap myself on the trip. Also, what’s everyone’s thought on tripods? Seems like it would be real helpful since we will likely be glassing a bunch. Thanks in advance.

 

[Newtosavage]

Tripods are extremely helpful, regardless of what magnification you choose. I wouldn't get too hung up on 8x vs 10's. Whatever you think you'll use the most, get it and don't worry about having the other.

I own several tripods that make the trip with me out west every year. A very large carbon fiber tripod I use for standing and glassing, and a small pack tripod that goes with me in my day pack. Both use the same QR attachment for my bins and my spotter. My pack tripod only stands about 36" tall, because I use it when I'm sitting down on a hillside.

Honestly, if I didn't have a tripod or at least a window mount for my glass, I would be very unhappy hunting out west. I consider it a must. I've spotted so many animals with binoculars on tripod that I would not have seen by just hand-holding the bins alone.

 

[backcountryshaffer]

1. Listen to Newtosavage
2. Um, that's it.
Get a tripod system, you don't know what you're missing until you have it, then you don't know how you ever lived without it. Muster all you can and get the best glass possible, if you get into the big 3 you won't know how you ever lived without it.

 

[Rich M]

8x will not hinder you. 10x is nice but not all that diff.

Have you got a rifle scope with 8 and 10x in the mix? Next time you shoot, look at the landscape with both powers and see if you prefer one or the other...

 

[AirborneEScouter]

Tripods are a must for long distance glassing. After using one, you won't go back. I am doing the same as you and will be bringing a 20x pair of Vortex kaibabs. That level of zoom might be overkill and those binos are useless for freehanding but it works perfect for 90% of my scenarios. Find some refurbs from A&A Optics

https://aaoptics.com/Binoculars_c_116.html

I also have a heavier vortex pro gt tripod that I can use for short distance trips (it's 4.5lbs) but in the mountains I will be using a Slik Sprint Mini - I replaced the pan head w/ a Benro S2 and it's a cheap and lightweight set up that flat works

 

[Cornhusker]

I think bino's on a tripod are great, if you have the right adapther. I got cheap at first with my el's and tried a cheap plate adapter didn't work well at all. My el's are getting the stud put in for the Outdoorsman adapter now I think that will be a lot better than the previous one that I struggled with.

 

[Jordan F]

Basically just echoing what everyone else is saying here, definitely go for the tripod. An example of how useful they are is last Oregon rifle season I popped into a drainage about a mile long and 1200 yards across. I did a 5 minute scan with my binos handheld and didn’t see a single deer (now granted I wasn’t being super thorough). However I put them on my tripod and methodically glassed in a pattern to cover the whole drainage and spotted no less than 25 deer. It’s crazy how much it helps. And as far as 8x vs. 10x I wouldn’t worry too much but I have 10’s and wouldn’t want to go any lower power.
Best of luck!
Jordan


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[accurat]

Then steadier your "rest," the more game you will see. It takes a steady hand to hold a 10x bino and see all there is to see. A good tripod will maximize your glassing efforts, especially with outstanding glass from the top tier manufacturers.

 

[longbarrel]

I like 10x binos a lot, and recently got a Kowa 554 15-45 spotter for when I want more power, light weight, high resolution. I have a heavy 85 mm spotter but it tends to stay in the truck. That doesn't help when you are hiking.

 

[rmees1]

I have a sitting/backpacking size tripod and a larger carbon fiber standing size. Went years trying to make one work for both but gave up and stuck with the two.

 

[Researcher]

Like others have said 8x or 10x doesnt really matter. I put it in the category of you have to try it for yourself to know and you may be like me and say it doesnt matter. I used to have 10x42 SLCs and growing up it was always 10x42 whatever brand I was given. Last season I came across some 8x42 SLC for a good price and picked them up and sold the 10x42 hoping to have an opportunity to finally answer for myself the 8x vs 10x question.

My answer was neither was better and that it really didnt matter to me. 8x was a little brighter and wider field of view but less magnification.

I will also leave you with a real world example. My dad and I hit one of our hunting areas to check out some new spots. We split up the area and started glassing. He was first to find deer, as usual, being the crafty old guy he is. I went over looked at the same deer and I could see them but I couldnt tell antlers he could at least see they had antlers. He has 10x42. These deer were a mile away. I probably could've put mine 8s on a tripod and seen them but I always pack a spotter so in 15 seconds the spotter was on them and all four deer had antlers and one was a nice 4pt.

 

[Catahoula]

All I ever have used in binocs is 8 power. It’s not a handicap.

 

[longbarrel]

Whatever power you select, get the highest quality you can possibly afford.

 

[Midwestwaterfowl]

Thanks everybody, ordering a tripod for sure now.

 

[fatrascal]

One of my favorite things to do is put my binos on a tripod and glass. I used to have a pair of swaro 15x56's and they were good on a tripod. But when I backpack hunt I'm only going to carry one bino on my chest and that bino is the 10x42. I use the 10x42's on a tripod and I found that there was not enough difference between the 15 power binoculars verse the 10 power binoculars to justify owning both. So I sold the 15's and never looked back. Point is that there is not much difference between the 8 power and 10 power binos. I think you will be happy with either choice. One more thing. I feel a spotting scope is very important to have with you as well. Fatrascal.