Building my optics arsenal

[tdhanses]

If you are only behind optics a few days a year and don't study things in too great of detail, don't waste your money on Swaro. If you make a living behind them, or inches matter most, buy the Swaro.

Good advice. I looked through the Meoptas and the Swaro's and there was a difference, but not huge. I'm going to get the Swaro's, mostly because I'm an idiot.

I don’t agree, now if you won’t take time each year to adequately use your optic then I agree.

 

[rodney482]

Dont overlook Meopta

 

[NoWiser]

Don’t discount 8X if you are also going to have some 15 or 18x.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Always our pleasure to assist the members here. Give a call and let's chat. You don't have to buy anything to ask advise on optics. That's the whole point of us being a supporting vendor here, to give support

 

[tdot]

Glassing warriors,
I’m Trying to get it right the first time, money is the the last factor in my decision but should obviously still be considered. I’m Planning on a set of 10x’s 18x’s And 85mm.

10x binos- I’m curious if the 10x50 razor will compare to SLC 10x42’s? I would pick the slc’s Over the new 10x42 razor UHD’s because I’m really not a huge fan of vortex. However if I can get the 10x50’s for half the price of the Slc’s it may be worth it.... ultimately I want the best performance

18x binos- I’m choosing 18’s over 15’s because I want them to compensate for a 65mm scope. I do not glass well with scopes so I’m choosing binos for better glassing over performance. So, for this category I’m most likely going to give the new 18x56 UHd’s a chance after speaking with Cody from Gohunt unless there are some other suggestions.

85mm scope will most likely be Swarovski however I’m strongly considering Zeiss as well.

I am not knowledgeable of Leica but would definitely consider them in either category.

Please,
Lend me your thoughts!

Are you intending on backpacking with these 3 pieces of glass?

If you are, my guess is that you will start looking for excuses to leave atleast one of them at home.

Where and what are you hunting?

What glass do you currently have or use?

I personally always buy fewer items that are top tier, to fit within my budget. As opposed to buying more crappy or underperforming items.

 

[Brendan]

My Opinion:

10x42 for general use in a bino harness, anything bigger and it starts to get unwieldy on your chest, and not great for anything in close timber. Unless of course you want to add in a set of 8x32 as well. I went with a used, excellent condition set of prior model Swaro 10x42 EL's from a member here.

Spotter, I like the Swaro because you can do ATX/STX/BTX and 65/85/95. Again, I did used on an ATX and 95 from a member here. Might consider picking up a 65mm if the price is right.

Remember you need to invest in a tripod, good pan head, bino mount, and stud. I have a Slik tripod, but went Outdoorsman's Pan Head, Bino Stud, Bino Mount, and Window mount. For most of Elk season, spotter doesn't get carried, but the binos with tripod, pan head and mount do.

 

[timberbuck]

My opinion.

The Vortex 10x50 will be too heavy and large. The SLC is a sweet glass and what a modern 10x42 should be in size and weight. 10x50 just are not practical for a mountain hunter that will also be carrying a spotter,tripod and range finder in their kit.

Ditch the 18x idea and get both a 65mm and 80-95mm scope. Both are optimum for the respective uses. I like a straight 65mm for the backpack and on a window mount and an angled larger spotter for everything else.

Add a quality 15x56 when funds allow.

 

[gfreidy]

They are pretty much on sale everywhere right now, including Cabela’s. Combine that sale price with some gift cards discounted 14%, and 12% cash back from Active Junky, a guy can get some SLC’s for a hell of a price in the end.

Would you mind expanding on how these discounts work? Intriguing...

 

[rodney482]

Would you mind expanding on how these discounts work? Intriguing...

Use this link and create an active junky account

http://www.activejunky.com/invite/1824998

Then log into cabelas and order swaros (on sale $200 off )

Use a Cabelas credit card and get points back too.

AJ has 12% cash back

 

[LaHunter]

My opinion and worth what you paid for it.

1st: Don't get cheap or value minded on the 10x. You will use these well over 90% of your glassing time. I repeat don't cut any corners on these.

2nd: Don't cut corners on the 10x, These will be your go to glass 90% of the time.

3rd: You will use the 10x 90% of the time, don't cut corners!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I agree. Second only to my boots, my 10X42 SLCs get used more than any other piece of my gear when hunting mule deer or elk out west.
I also pack a 65mm Swaro STS HD spotter. This comb has worked well for me for the past several years.

 

[elkguide]

Disclaimer!!!!! Swaro fanboy here.

I did spend 10 years as an elk hunting guide and Swarovski 10X42's helped me guide a lot of clients to elk. To my eyes, the extra money for Swaro glass is worth it. When it comes to spotters, I do like the Swarovskis but Kowa is definitely worth looking at too.
I use my 10X42's at least 95% of my glassing time and my spotter just the remaining time. Get out there and look through the different brands. The other area where the Alpha glass beats the lower tier glass is over time. A headache caused by eye strain after 8 hours of looking through glass that isn't quality glass can really take the fun out of a hunt.

A call to gr8tfuldoug is worth the time.

 

[cmahoney]

I use my 15’s more than anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LaHunter]

Money is the least factor? Sounds like you've already made your decision.

If you are only behind optics a few days a year and don't study things in too great of detail, don't waste your money on Swaro. If you make a living behind them, or inches matter most, buy the Swaro.

Remember, the most satisfaction you'll ever get from whatever optics you buy is the first time you use them. After that, utility goes down from there and the greater the cost, the higher the depreciation rate.

I view it a different way. I only get a couple weeks / year to hunt in the mountains, so I place a very high value on this time. My optics (binos specifically) are a critical piece of gear for me and the way that I hunt. I want to have the best gear that I can afford, to maximize my effectiveness and enjoyment while out west. If the OP can afford the Swaros, then I say get them, or whatever brand/model his eyes tell him are the best. If new Swaros are out of his budget, used Swaros are the next best option in my opinion. I have had my SLCs for a little more than 10 years and have never wanted another set of binos.

 

[BrentH]

Would you mind expanding on how these discounts work? Intriguing...

Raise.com to purchase the discounted gift cards. I have bought a few hundred gift cards (because the $25 ones typically have the greatest discount), and have only ever had an issue with two of them. Contacted Raise since they have a money back guarantee. They were able to update the PINs for me and all good to go.

Then, register on ActiveJunky, and make your purchase through them. They send cash back to your paypal account quarterly (I’ve been using AJ for almost a couple years now).

Cabela’s doesn’t have a limit on the number of gift cards you can use on a single transaction. However, I did learn the other day that the website does. The website cannot handle more than 100 gift cards on a single transaction, and in order to get the cash back from AJ, it must be an online order.

You can also combine this all with when Cabela’s does their 10% off for Club Card members. In order to utilize that discount, you only have to put some of the purchase (even $1) on your Club Card.

 

[Big Ern]

10x binos - Leica

Kowa 883 spotter. Amazing spotter ata great price. Swaro atx is great, but i Like the kowa better. Check out both and see what works best for your eyes.

 

[Kenn]

I'm new to Rokslide and Doug at Cameraland has so many fans here that I had to give him a shot before buying my new Swaros from Cabelas. Talked to him a couple of times and got good advice and a good price. Strongly recommend you talk to him before buying.

 

[acmckeage03]

Thanks all for your opinions. I hunt all western states and animals Alaska-New Mexico so I truly need every optics combination. We’ll see what happens, it’s a lot of money I’m looking to spend but I have the weapons, packs, camo and camp categories all checked just missing top of the line glass.

 

[kiddogy]

Glassing warriors,
I’m Trying to get it right the first time, money is the the last factor in my decision but should obviously still be considered. I’m Planning on a set of 10x’s 18x’s And 85mm.

10x binos- I’m curious if the 10x50 razor will compare to SLC 10x42’s? I would pick the slc’s Over the new 10x42 razor UHD’s because I’m really not a huge fan of vortex. However if I can get the 10x50’s for half the price of the Slc’s it may be worth it.... ultimately I want the best performance

18x binos- I’m choosing 18’s over 15’s because I want them to compensate for a 65mm scope. I do not glass well with scopes so I’m choosing binos for better glassing over performance. So, for this category I’m most likely going to give the new 18x56 UHd’s a chance after speaking with Cody from Gohunt unless there are some other suggestions.

85mm scope will most likely be Swarovski however I’m strongly considering Zeiss as well.

I am not knowledgeable of Leica but would definitely consider them in either category.

Please,
Lend me your thoughts!

I don't know how the razors will last compared to the swarovs. but my brother has a new pair of 8x2s razor vortex that seem pretty comparable to my 25 year old swarov 10x50 SLCs.

compare new to new, I doubt the razors will hold a candle to the swarovs

 

[kiddogy]

Thanks all for your opinions. I hunt all western states and animals Alaska-New Mexico so I truly need every optics combination. We’ll see what happens, it’s a lot of money I’m looking to spend but I have the weapons, packs, camo and camp categories all checked just missing top of the line glass.

IMO your thinking is spot on. get the best you can afford .

it is MHO,that good glass is the single most gear item in a western hunters arsenal. more important even, then the weapon you choose.
good glass will save a lot of useless walking. that is very important to a worn ou.t fat ol bastard such as myself.

 

[tdot]

Thanks all for your opinions. I hunt all western states and animals Alaska-New Mexico so I truly need every optics combination. We’ll see what happens, it’s a lot of money I’m looking to spend but I have the weapons, packs, camo and camp categories all checked just missing top of the line glass.

One thing I have noticed lately, is that when guys mention the optic magnification they prefer and they also happen to list their vision, there appears to be a strong correlation between guys with better vision preferring lower magnification and more clarity and guys with poorer vision preferring higher magnification.... now only a small percentage of people list their vision, so take that for what it's worth.

I have 20/10 vision, it used to be better, and I prefer an 8x on my chest and then a 12x in the pack on a tripod, but they can be handheld. If I'm going light I take 66 Kowa.... well I always take the 663 Kowa cuz it's what I have but I'll be upgrading to an 88 Kowa or 95 Swaro when I can afford it. At that time I'll probably sell the 663 and add a 554 Kowa into the mix.

15x has a place in some areas, but I dont feel they are as versatile 12x, same with 18x, I think even more versatility is lost.

The advice I got from an old timer was buy 1 pair of binoculars when you first start glassing seriously. Make it an excellent pair of used 10x. Then decide if that is the right pair of binos for you mainstay glass. If you love them, add a 15x and a spotter. If you dont like the shake in a 10x or want more field of view, then sell the 10x (for close to what you paid for them) and then buy yourself an 8x. Love them? Go buy a 12x and a spotter.