Binocular/spotter failure.. Disgusted with my equipment

[rodney482]

Ok so who has been in the back country (or anywhere really) and was using optics and they just did not perform.

Im talking really let you down and ruined your hunt?

Do you think a better brand of same power would have been a game changer (hunt saver)?

 

[a3dhunter]

I started out using cheap optics, and I can say it never ruined a hunt.
There were times I had minor headaches from using poor spotters, or wished I had better clarity looking at an animal that was 2 miles away, but it never ruined a hunt.
That can't be said for other cheap equipment, like tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks.

 

[5MilesBack]

When I first started big game hunting at 15 in 1980 I bought a Remington 700 BDL 30-06 and after buying the rifle, all I could afford was a cheap Burris scope. The first year was easy, shot a cow opening day and then a nice buck during a pretty warm deer season. The second year I had a bull tag and there was lots of snow and cold. Opening morning I came across a nice 6 point bull and pulled the rifle to my shoulder. All I could see in the scope was FOG, moisture was inside the scope housing. I just about wrapped it and the gun around a tree as all I could do was stand there and watch that bull disappear into the timber. I went back to camp, took the scope off, and sighted the rifle with iron sights. Ended up shooting a spike later that season, but that was only a small consolation for what should have been. The following year I had a Leupold on top of the rifle, and never had another issue with a scope.

 

[rodney482]

I see several have viewed but only 2 have responded.

The difference in Optics might just be a little overhyped?

 

[Travis1984]

I think your asking for an extreme. With poor optics how many animals did you miss? Ignorance is bliss

 

[WyoElk]

I also think a lot of guys (myself included) cannot or have not been able to afford high quality optics. I know there is better stuff than what I use but my family comes first and I really don't know what I'm missing.

 

[dotman]

I think your asking for an extreme. With poor optics how many animals did you miss? Ignorance is bliss

And patience is a virtue, many guys miss seeing animals because they are in a rush not because of the optics. You can have the best glass but if you will not take the time to glass effectively you might as well just save your money.

 

[cleatus]

My hunt turned out great but a buddy had top tier optics. He spotted a 180" mule deer about 3/4 of a mile as the crow flies. He was bedded in the shade of a tree. With my 200$ binos I could not see said deer. After picking up his binos I could see the deer with no problems. After a 3 hour stalk my hunting buddy made a great shot with his bow. With out him having quality binos I believe that deer would have never been seen. FYI I own the same binos he has now. I saw the difference. Game changer.

 

[rodney482]

My hunt turned out great but a buddy had top tier optics. He spotted a 180" mule deer about 3/4 of a mile as the crow flies. He was bedded in the shade of a tree. With my 200$ binos I could not see said deer. After picking up his binos I could see the deer with no problems. After a 3 hour stalk my hunting buddy made a great shot with his bow. With out him having quality binos I believe that deer would have never been seen. FYI I own the same binos he has now. I saw the difference. Game changer.

what power were these optics?

 

[Nick Muche]

I have never had a hunt fail due to my optics. That said, I have owned exactly two pairs of bino's in my life and two spotters. I acquired my first set of binos when I was 16 or so (Nikons) and the second pair were the Swaro's I bought when I started hunting out west. Spotter, currently own two and both were saved up for and I bought the best I could, Swaro/Vortex. Regardless, I know this doesn't answer your question, but maybe it does with regards to never allowing it to happen by purchasing the best I could afford knowing they would last a lifetime.

I do know that I am able to find animals much quicker and more often than some of the folks I hunt with, which would be the opposite of having a hunt ruined

I also know that having good optics has allowed me to spot more shed antlers, which saved me from having to replace my boots due to the soles wearing out early

 

[cleatus]

Rodney sent you a pm

 

[goatboy]

Do it!!! Good optics cant be explained they can only be experienced!!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Never had optics ruin a hunt, but I have been disappointed with their performance in certain conditions. Quite frankly still looking for a set of binos that I will be satisfied with.

 

[realunlucky]

Rodney I had an experience with Zen Ray originals. I finally drew my Utah le elk permit after 18 years waiting. The night before the opener I drove down an very dusty road in an open top land cruiser. Opening morning my focus wheel was filled with grits and audible noise when turned. Found the bull that I had scouted luckily couple buddies where there with quality optics. Anyway bull was out of range so had to move quick to get in range. I pushed ahead and wind shifted and elk started getting nervous and my damn binoculars wouldn't focus. Elk started heading out threw rifle up and got quick scan of bull and made a great shot. Shot wrong bull! He is a good bull but not the one I'd waited half life time to hunt. Would binoculars made a difference defiantly would it changed the outcome probably. Yep have different ones now. Zen ray warranty them but at that point who cares.

 

[daddie63]

Cleatis,

What binos did you end up with?

 

[cleatus]

I ended up with swaro el 10x32

 

[Yellowknife]

I had the eyepiece on a Minox spotter fog up completely on day four of a fly out dall sheep hunt in the Alaska Range. At the time, they were available as "demos" for really cheap. Pretty well shut that hunt down.

Had a set of Steiners fail, but it was on a day hunt for moose, so less critical.

Had Nikon eyecups break (x2) but the binoculars were still useable in an awkward way.

So yeah, I'm a bit leery of cheaper optics at this point.

Yk

 

[PA 5-0]

My hunt turned out great but a buddy had top tier optics. He spotted a 180" mule deer about 3/4 of a mile as the crow flies. He was bedded in the shade of a tree. With my 200$ binos I could not see said deer. After picking up his binos I could see the deer with no problems. After a 3 hour stalk my hunting buddy made a great shot with his bow. With out him having quality binos I believe that deer would have never been seen. FYI I own the same binos he has now. I saw the difference. Game changer.

And that is the difference more times than not. My 15yr progression thru binos was $300 Bushnells, $550 Leupy's and now Ziess Victory 10x42s. I still have and use the first two. All have been weather tested and never failed. Bushnells are now my truck pair and the Leupy's are my whitetail hunting glasses. Zeiss Victory's are my travel hunt glasses. On a CO muley hunt this past OCT, I got to compare the Leupys and the Zeiss side by side as my son was sporting the Leupolds. Cannot tell you how many deer and elk we spotted with the Victory's, but could not see with the lesser glass. Especially, as stated above, when the animals where in dark, shady spots. To qualify that, it was at the greater distances. To the points made above, u dont know what you're missing.

 

[boom]

I see several have viewed but only 2 have responded.

The difference in Optics might just be a little overhyped?

me!! had a Winny M70 in 30/06...topped with an ancient Weaver scope. major fogging on a deer trip. i had just enough visuals to take a deer at 100 yards. by the end of the day, they were gone. i sent them back. Weaver was out of business at the time, but they had a repair shop in El Paso. i dropped them off. i got them back and it looked like they took on of those cloths that come with your sunglassses and wiped them down. they were clear, but i could just feel that they were not sealed..i didnt take a chance..i put them away and got new rings and bases, and a new VXIII. it was like the heavens opened up thru that one eye. so CLEAR!!

my binos a the time were old Bushnells..same deal fog city. i dumped them for some Pentax.

now i am running around with those Pentax. paid $350 for them. california blacktail hunt. me and buddy climb a huge mountain. get to the top..sun was starting to go down. i am glassing and glassing. i hear my friend.."i see one!"..he tells me where. nothing. he points, nothing..he hands me his swavorski..AHA!! oh there!! i pull up my pentax and lose the deer again. i finally pin it down with my glass..

got me thinking..how many hills have i hiked and NOT seen deer?
i went home and started saving for my current binos. i got Leica Ultravid HD..in 10x50. i am done.

 

[ScottP]

Cheapie bushnell scope on my 30-30. This was ~15yrs ago, back in WI. Had a really nice buck at about 80yds right after first shooting light (~5min). I could see him with my naked eye, but nowhere to be found in that dark tube I was looking through. He got away. It still seems so fresh in my mind, first big buck I had ever seen in my life.