Binos or Spotter First

[elkstabber]

Jimbob we can use my spotter if you'll bring me along on a sheep hunt.

 

[Jimbob]

Well I am already making friends. LOL Thanks guys

 

[JustinSmith1754]

I am with the everybody on the binoculars. On my last trip west, I was able to borrow some really nice binoculars / range finder combo. I was amazed at the difference in quality from my "cheap" binoculars to the good pair. Furthermore, when i set them on my shooting sticks to steady them, even that much better.

Also, with the range finder combo, it eliminates having to carry a range finder. The bull I killed was in a pretty tight opening. I spotted him, shot the range, then shot the rifle. The combo binoculars eliminated the step of having to pick up a different device to range the bull.

I am facing the same choice, and I am going binoculars / range finder combo for sure.

 

[Jon Boy]

Depends where your at as a hunter and what your hunting IMO. My razors bins took a shit mid way through archery season and I have reverted back to my old talons. I mostly hunt elk but would probably give different advice if I was a mule deer hunter (elk are easy to spot) Any how my style of rifle hunting is to glass bulls from several miles away and get a rough idea on how big they are before going after them. I run a razor 85mm and would never consider running a lesser scope for this as it barely cuts it as is. As far as my binos, I haven't even noticed a difference while hunting between them and my razors and have never once felt handicapped because of it. My hunting partner runs a pair of diamondback bins and a swaro spotter. He kills a lot of very nice elk using the method described above.
I'm sure I'll get grilled for that as most believe in binos first and I do to in certain situations, but for field judging sheep (and other animals) I think you'd want a good spotter. Learning how to use optics efficiently and effectively is far more useful than the quality of them.

 

[wasatchcomm]

i bought a spotter and sold it and picked up some 15's
love the 15's
and like others have said, just getting any binocular on a tripod is awesome

 

[WRM]

Just posted this on a similar thread

Get the Meopta 15x56s. Get the Meopta doubler. You have both bases covered then. It's what I have and I've tried to spread the gospel. See my recent "heated" exchange on another thread for more detail. Get the binos on eBay from one of the German retailers--I paid around $1,350.00. Got the doubler from optics planet with a coupon. All in around $1,650.00. Slap them in an Alaska Guide chest rig and you'll forget about 'em till you need to see something way off (or close up for that matter). I was easily seeing rack bucks at 2+ miles without even using the doubler. You just aren't going to regret going to quality high powered binos to spot. I didn't even bother to pack my spotter this year. Unless you are a guide, true B&C hunter, or doing something really specialized, there is very little need for a spotter today with quality binos available--IMO.

 

[Bwana]

I'd invest into a quality 10x42 bino, then start saving for the spotter/tripod.

 

[WRM]

The Cabelas in Acworth (Atlanta) has a Euro 15x56 in bargain cave for what looked like $1,100.00. No one in there to ask. Don't know if they will ship bargain cave items.

The Euro is made for Cabelas by Meopta FYI.

Regardless of this debate, the Euro version of the Meopta S2 spotter was awesome!

 

[Jason Snyder]

Definitely binoculars. Unless you are assessing trophy quality you will used the binos 1000:1.

This, so many times over.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

I will be moving out west in the future (BC) and plan on hunting everything (Sheep, goats, moose, elk, deer, maybe even grizzly). Right now I have cheap Nikon Monarchs 8x42 binos.

Which Monarchs do you have and what is it about them that you do not like?

 

[GKPrice]

If you go with used there is a pair of vortex vipers in the classifieds that have been here for a couple weeks. Just have to checkout multiple classifieds for a deal, I just happened to look for spotting scopes on the local Craigslist a few weeks ago and scored a brand new looking vortex vipe HD 65mm spotter for 300.

IF you are looking at pre-owned binos you should look at a pair of Zeiss 10 x 40 Classics - Awesome binocular and I see them in the $600-$800 range on ebay all the time

 

[Bwana]

IF you are looking at pre-owned binos you should look at a pair of Zeiss 10 x 40 Classics - Awesome binocular and I see them in the $600-$800 range on ebay all the time

I have an excellent condition pair I'll sell him for less than that, great glass for open country.

It's only sensible to buy a medium size bino for versatility, the huge bino's in timber or without a tripod will be ineffective and lead to eye strain....free handing any hi-magnification optic for long periods is bound to lead to headaches, no matter the brand or quality. A pair of quality 10x's cover all bases, and allow time to save for a good spotter.

 

[WRM]

The ergonomics of some of the big ones has alleviated a lot of this concern. I can pretty easily use mine for extended periods without a tripod and I prefer this myself. Never had a headache due to excellent eye relief and resolution. Certainly would never claim that 15s were well suited for use in heavy timber. The OPs Monarch 8x42s should get by for timber spotting, unless he just truly hates them.

 

[tioga]

Binos for sure, i bought my 10 x 42 el's that were used once in Africa for half of what they cost new.
as others have already stated buy the best you can afford, get them steadied up and you'll never regret it. there's a reason high end optics cost what they do.

 

[WRM]

Yeah you can't argue when you get them for half price!!!

Other than I've not been able to determine whether Swaro will honor the lifetime wty in that event. There is a disclaimer you have to buy from an authorized dealer. Anyone with wty experience on a used pair?