backpacking optic

[flatlander51]

What are you running for optics while backpacking? Right now I have some older Swarovski 10x42s and a vortex viper 15x45x65. Considering upgrading for a upcoming mule deer hunt in some big country.

 

[IdahoHntr21]

I can’t speak for Binos at the moment because I’m in the market for a new pair myself. I’m running an Athlon Ares 15-45x60, cant beat the price and it’s small size for backpacking. It’s a great scope for what you pay for it

 

[Napperm4]

Depends how much hiking is involved and how concerned I am about legality or trophy quality.

If I’m going light weight non trophy I take my 10x30 swaros with stud. I had a leupold gold ring 15-30x50 spotter that was great, compact and light. I ran them on top of a vortex ss tripod with Outdoorsmans panner.

I upgraded to the Swaro TX system so now my spotter is the same either way.

If I’m counting inches or rings, I’m packing 10x42 EL’s on my chest, swaro 65mm and a/stx eyepiece depending on terrain. Slik 634CF tripod with outdoorsmans pan head. Some times I’ll even pack in the 95 depending on the area.

I have 15’s that make it in and out of the mix also for really big country.

How are you glassing? Tripod? Binos for finding / spotter for evaluating or scanning?

Depending on the age / power of your current swaro’s might not be worth upgrading. If you haven’t used them on a high quality tripod and head - do it before upgrading.

If the binos are good enough, I would definitely upgrade the spotter to an 80+ and suck up the weight. It’s really worth that extra light transmission and clarity in high and big country.

Can’t stress enough to use a good, solid tripod and head regardless. A crap tripod can turn a $2000+ optic into a $200 optic real quick

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I went with 12x50 binos. I use them on a KDC tripod.
i am working out and getting in better shape to carry more. I want to get a proper tripod and incorporate a shooting rest.

 

[flatlander51]

How are you glassing? Tripod? Binos for finding / spotter for evaluating or scanning?

I’ll start off by saying I’m from the east coast where we can’t glass more then 300-500 yards so I’m pretty inexperienced in glassing other then my every other year western hunting trip. My current strategy is run my Binos on a harness and glass close country and keep my spotter on my tripod for scanning far ridges or for field judging. I definitely need to upgrade my tripod and I’m interested in running my binos off my tripod. I’m sending my binos back to Swarovski to get the focused fixed because it’s a little loose. I am possibly considering getting some larger binos for scanning farther because I prefer using both eyes over one.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Pick up a pair of SLC 15s and put them on a tripod.