Are upgrades worth it?

[rileybassman]

I have Nikon monarch 5 10x42... I'll have about 500 to put towards either a nice pack or binos. I am using a eberlestock team elk for a pack.

My question is, for 500 or less, is there any binos that are a significant upgrade to the nikons? Or should I stick to getting a pack?

Thanks!

 

[muleman]

That's a hard question to answer for someone else.

Do you feel that either of your items are holding you back?

When loaded heavy does the pack's load lifters take the load off the top of your shoulder?

Would the $500 be better spent on a OTC tag or two? Giving you more hunting opportunities.

 

[dotman]

Get a new pack, and then keep saving for binos later.

 

[Slim Jim]

Get a new pack, and then keep saving for binos later.

Without a doubt if you backpack hunt

 

[_Nick_]

Without a doubt if you backpack hunt

X3. $500 won't quite get you into top tier binos, but it will get you into a top tier pack. Buy the best pack for you at that price (can probably find a good setup used for $500). Better binos later. I've learned the 'buy once cry once' lesson the hard way.

 

[rileybassman]

Thanks all sounds like I will keep on down the pack trail. I was pretty happy with the eberlestock, and still like it, but it can't carry weight, and is HEAVY empty (almost 7 lbs) for what it is.
Am pretty interested in the exo mountain 3500 as it seems to be a good fit for what I do - hunt from a base camp for the day but still be able to haul meat.
That a good route to consider? Kifaru seems pretty cool, but seems more like a freighter that can compress as where I am looking more for a daypack that can haul if that makes sense...
I daypack much more often then I pack meat.

When you get to the upper range binocs, what separates my 350 binos from 600 binos and 1200 to 2000 dollar binos? Sorry new guy to the bino world.

 

[dotman]

Thanks all sounds like I will keep on down the pack trail. I was pretty happy with the eberlestock, and still like it, but it can't carry weight, and is HEAVY empty (almost 7 lbs) for what it is.
Am pretty interested in the exo mountain 3500 as it seems to be a good fit for what I do - hunt from a base camp for the day but still be able to haul meat.
That a good route to consider? Kifaru seems pretty cool, but seems more like a freighter that can compress as where I am looking more for a daypack that can haul if that makes sense...
I daypack much more often then I pack meat.

When you get to the upper range binocs, what separates my 350 binos from 600 binos and 1200 to 2000 dollar binos? Sorry new guy to the bino world.

The Kifaru Bikini is a great all day frame and fits what your looking for. Checkout Stone Glacier as well.

 

[Travis1984]

I see a lot of Exo live on RS. I was dramatically unimpressed with it when compared to a kifaru.

 

[Rizzy]

I have the $300 Monarchs and $800 Ziess Conquest HD. The jump in quality/clarity does not match the jump in price. At least from what I can notice in the field. I carry the monarchs most of the time because they are lighter. If I felt the need to get new Binos, I would go with Vortex. The price point and quality is great and the warranty is even better. A lot can happen on a hunt, a good warranty can quickly become significant.

I would for sure upgrade to a better load hauling pack. With each passing season I appreciate a rigid load hauling frame more and more. Once you make a decision on what pack you want to try next, watch the classifieds on this site.

 

[rileybassman]

I have the $300 Monarchs and $800 Ziess Conquest HD. The jump in quality/clarity does not match the jump in price. At least from what I can notice in the field. I carry the monarchs most of the time because they are lighter. If I felt the need to get new Binos, I would go with Vortex. The price point and quality is great and the warranty is even better. A lot can happen on a hunt, a good warranty can quickly become significant.

I would for sure upgrade to a better load hauling pack. With each passing season I appreciate a rigid load hauling frame more and more. Once you make a decision on what pack you want to try next, watch the classifieds on this site.

Thank you for the honesty
Yea now the trick is picking what pack to try