Bino & Spotter Options with MRAD Reticle

[RancherJohn]

I'm looking to add a set of 15x (or greater) binos and/or spotter back into the hunting & shooting rotation, but am curious about what mid/top-tier options are out there that include mil reticles that I might be missing.

On the bino side of the house, I know of the Zeiss 15x42 that form reviewed here, the Apex Summit Pro2, the Zerotech Trace ED, and the Bushnell Match Pro. Are there other options out there I am missing? I don't like most of the reticle placements or designs, as it will be used as much for glassing as it will be for shooting.

For spotters, it seems the Leupold Mk4 12-40x60 is the standard. I'm aware of the Zerotech Trace Advanced 20-60x80, but haven't found anyone with firsthand experience. Eye relief matters a lot here, and Form's Mk4 was the most forgiving spotter in that regard that I have been behind. Are there other good spotter choices out there I'm not aware of?

If these are the best choices out there now, how much interest would other folks have in pushing for a high-quality set of 15s with a L-shaped mil reticle out of the main FOV?

@Formidilosus @ZeroTech Optics @gr8fuldoug @EuroOptic

Feel free to tag anyone relevant I may have missed.

 

[anonymous22]

The vector x rangefinder bino come with a reticle option and a doublers that can be purchased separately.

The razor hd spotters have a reticle eye piece option as well.

 

[EuroOptic]

I'm looking to add a set of 15x (or greater) binos and/or spotter back into the hunting & shooting rotation, but am curious about what mid/top-tier options are out there that include mil reticles that I might be missing.

On the bino side of the house, I know of the Zeiss 15x42 that form reviewed here, the Apex Summit Pro2, the Zerotech Trace ED, and the Bushnell Match Pro. Are there other options out there I am missing? I don't like most of the reticle placements or designs, as it will be used as much for glassing as it will be for shooting.

For spotters, it seems the Leupold Mk4 12-40x60 is the standard. I'm aware of the Zerotech Trace Advanced 20-60x80, but haven't found anyone with firsthand experience. Eye relief matters a lot here, and Form's Mk4 was the most forgiving spotter in that regard that I have been behind. Are there other good spotter choices out there I'm not aware of?

If these are the best choices out there now, how much interest would other folks have in pushing for a high-quality set of 15s with a L-shaped mil reticle out of the main FOV?

@Formidilosus @ZeroTech Optics @gr8fuldoug @EuroOptic

Feel free to tag anyone relevant I may have missed.

Swarovski BTX Eyepiece w/Tremor 4 Reticle 49904
Swarovski Modular Objective 95 mm Arca Swiss Green 48895
Well, this will be fun.. Here's some links ^
The BTX is the king of viewing comfort.
Little known piece of kit here.. far as I know we are the only ones that hold them commercially.
I first heard about the BTX w/ a tremor 4 in it from a friend of mine that's a part of a certain organization who carry long rifles professionally. From there, I contacted Swaro & they agreed to produce a small batch for us for the commercial market.
I don't think many people know they exist.
My friend had great things to say about this setup, and I have had similar experiences.
In my opinion if you don't need an illuminated reticle, This setup with the 95mm is the king.

As far as Binos go, you should take a look at our Vectronix Vector X's with the DMR reticle and range enhancers.
Here are some links
VECTRONIX SHOOTING SOLUTIONS VECTOR X 42 12x42 Rangefinding Binocular w/MSR-DMR Reticle 917238
VECTRONIX SHOOTING SOLUTIONS VECTOR X 42 Range Enhancers 2pk 917239

Lemme know if you have any questions! - Jake​

 

[JGRaider]

Tract has a superb spotter with the milrad reticle at a fraction of the cost of the so called "alpha" stuff.

 

[Tanner]

The Loopy GR HD’s are bad ass little spotters, I used one for a few years on a lot of hunts and was really happy with it, I think I’d check that one out with the reticle.

My eyeglasses have so many scratches in them anymore that at least a few of the scratches are close to half mil subtensions, so no need for one for me…

 

[RancherJohn]

The vector x rangefinder bino come with a reticle option and a doublers that can be purchased separately.

The razor hd spotters have a reticle eye piece option as well.

I currently have Revic 10x gen 2 binos, so a 12x doesn't do much for me. I did not realize Vortex had a spotter with reticle, thanks.

Swarovski BTX Eyepiece w/Tremor 4 Reticle 49904
Swarovski Modular Objective 95 mm Arca Swiss Green 48895
Well, this will be fun.. Here's some links ^
The BTX is the king of viewing comfort.
Little known piece of kit here.. far as I know we are the only ones that hold them commercially.
I first heard about the BTX w/ a tremor 4 in it from a friend of mine that's a part of a certain organization who carry long rifles professionally. From there, I contacted Swaro & they agreed to produce a small batch for us for the commercial market.
I don't think many people know they exist.
My friend had great things to say about this setup, and I have had similar experiences.
In my opinion if you don't need an illuminated reticle, This setup with the 95mm is the king.

As far as Binos go, you should take a look at our Vectronix Vector X's with the DMR reticle and range enhancers.
Here are some links
VECTRONIX SHOOTING SOLUTIONS VECTOR X 42 12x42 Rangefinding Binocular w/MSR-DMR Reticle 917238
VECTRONIX SHOOTING SOLUTIONS VECTOR X 42 Range Enhancers 2pk 917239

Lemme know if you have any questions! - Jake​

If I buy a full BTX setup can you throw in a few stainless Tikkas with it? That looks like a great setup other than reticle placement in the FOV, I definitely did not realize Swaro had that as an option. Good on y'all for bringing it to the commercial market.

Tract has a superb spotter with the milrad reticle at a fraction of the cost of the so called "alpha" stuff.

The specs are intriguing, the reticle is nicely out of the FOV but IMO misses the mark in terms of usability (hashes aren't distinct enough). Downside is fixed 25x or 30x with the reticle eyepiece and having to buy a full spotter + reticle eyepiece. Time to do some more searching on here for reviews of that setup.

I would not say it's a fraction of the cost though, as adding the reticle eyepiece puts it at/over $2k. Price isn't a holdup, but at that price point I would be more inclined to go with a mk4. I would rather have binos over a spotter as well.

Maybe I'm just being too picky in what I want out of a year-round 15-18x bino.

 

[anonymous22]

I currently have Revic 10x gen 2 binos, so a 12x doesn't do much for me. I did not realize Vortex had a spotter with reticle, thanks.

I think you missed my point, sir. To clarify:

I said they had doublers sold separately. They call them range enhancers. When attached, it would make them 17x with a scaled reticle, which was what you were asking about.

It’s an expensive setup, so, I’d get not wanting another ranging bino if you already have a pair you like.

Here a link

I personally more partial to AB compatible gear. So there’s my bias upfront.

 

[Formidilosus]

I'm looking to add a set of 15x (or greater) binos and/or spotter back into the hunting & shooting rotation, but am curious about what mid/top-tier options are out there that include mil reticles that I might be missing.

On the bino side of the house, I know of the Zeiss 15x42 that form reviewed here, the Apex Summit Pro2, the Zerotech Trace ED, and the Bushnell Match Pro. Are there other options out there I am missing? I don't like most of the reticle placements or designs, as it will be used as much for glassing as it will be for shooting.

The ZT’s don’t have a reticle… yet. The Zeiss nor the Bushnell would be in consideration at all. I have not used the Apex’s- but it looks like they do have the best reticle of the bunch so far.

Right now for 15x binos- the Leica Geovid R 15x56mm is the way. Measure the aiming box on the pair you get and you’ll have a “reticle” available for spotting and correcting shots.

For spotters, it seems the Leupold Mk4 12-40x60 is the standard. I'm aware of the Zerotech Trace Advanced 20-60x80, but haven't found anyone with firsthand experience. Eye relief matters a lot here, and Form's Mk4 was the most forgiving spotter in that regard that I have been behind. Are there other good spotter choices out there I'm not aware of?

Not really. I haven’t used the ZT to say, but have heard from several that it is pretty solid, so I have one coming to see. The Mark 4 is, at the this point- still the current one to beat.

If these are the best choices out there now, how much interest would other folks have in pushing for a high-quality set of 15s with a L-shaped mil reticle out of the main FOV?

@Formidilosus @ZeroTech Optics @gr8fuldoug @EuroOptic

Feel free to tag anyone relevant I may have missed.

Oh there’s been a push for good 15’s with a correct reticle for a long time. My crystal ball says in the not too distant future there will be an options(s).

 

[EuroOptic]

If I buy a full BTX setup can you throw in a few stainless Tikkas with it? That looks like a great setup other than reticle placement in the FOV, I definitely did not realize Swaro had that as an option. Good on y'all for bringing it to the commercial market.

Sure, a 6cm, 6arc, and a 22arc

 

[JGRaider]

I currently have Revic 10x gen 2 binos, so a 12x doesn't do much for me. I did not realize Vortex had a spotter with reticle, thanks.



If I buy a full BTX setup can you throw in a few stainless Tikkas with it? That looks like a great setup other than reticle placement in the FOV, I definitely did not realize Swaro had that as an option. Good on y'all for bringing it to the commercial market.



The specs are intriguing, the reticle is nicely out of the FOV but IMO misses the mark in terms of usability (hashes aren't distinct enough). Downside is fixed 25x or 30x with the reticle eyepiece and having to buy a full spotter + reticle eyepiece. Time to do some more searching on here for reviews of that setup.

I would not say it's a fraction of the cost though, as adding the reticle eyepiece puts it at/over $2k. Price isn't a holdup, but at that price point I would be more inclined to go with a mk4. I would rather have binos over a spotter as well.

Maybe I'm just being too picky in what I want out of a year-round 15-18x bino.

Reach out to Hondo here or 24HCF. He's a very experienced shooter, and very experienced with the Tract setup.

 

[RancherJohn]

The ZT’s don’t have a reticle… yet. The Zeiss nor the Bushnell would be in consideration at all. I have not used the Apex’s- but it looks like they do have the best reticle of the bunch so far.

Right now for 15x binos- the Leica Geovid R 15x56mm is the way. Measure the aiming box on the pair you get and you’ll have a “reticle” available for spotting and correcting shots.

Ah, I am just dumb and thought they already had the reticle after we talked in Feb. Good to know about the Leicas, having the RF instead of a full reticle may actually be better for spotting and getting on a moving animal quickly.

Before yesterday I hadn't heard of Apex, maybe I'll try to get my hands on a set to test.

Oh there’s been a push for good 15’s with a correct reticle for a long time. My crystal ball says in the not too distant future there will be an options(s).

Does that crystal ball tell you how far away that time might be (as in before this fall)? Otherwise I will probably grab some Geovids or try the Apex setup.

 

[Formidilosus]

Does that crystal ball tell you how far away that time might be (as in before this fall)? Otherwise I will probably grab some Geovids or try the Apex setup.

I doubt before this fall.

 

[LongWayAround]

Fwiw, Maven makes binos and spotters with mil reticles but they are not L-shaped and are centered in the FOV.

I have only looked through them briefly and did not find it to be overly obstructive.