Choose wisely.. Any insight appreciated

[rcb2000]

Evening Roksliders:
To put it short and to the point, I need your advice and opinion.
I drew an archery mule deer tag in the North Slope unit in Utah, and have a limited budget.
I have some Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42 with a tripod, but want to add one more item.
Per my budget and a discount, I could either get:
•Vortex Vulture 15x56
•Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60
•Kowa TSN 501 20-40x60

My goal is to have a great time, and enjoy maybe my last hunt like this with my Dad.
Far from looking for a trophy, just want to have a cool experience and maybe bring some meat home.

Let me know what you would do, thanks for any insight!

 

[Totoro]

If you dont have a spotter then Kowa is a great option.

 

[outdoor_matt]

What is your budget? I might be tempted to sell the Diamondbacks and upgrade your 10s.

 

[BRTreedogs]

What is the budget?
I'd look into to 11-12 power binos from Maven, if not pretty sure Vortex makes a 12.
If your not concerned with trophy quality I wouldn't pack the weight of a spotter even if you had unlimited money. They are not fun to just try glass up deer with. There for judging tine length imo.
And a set of good binos you'll find the majority of deer if you have good technique.
And any decent buck will stand out in binos.
You just may not be able to tell 6" vs 7.5" forks.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Athlon makes a pretty cool pair of 15x56, those on a tripod could be pretty cool.

 

[Mosby]

You can probably get by without a spotting scope IMO and just carry your binoculars but of the above listed options I would get the Kowa spotting scope. Very good quality for judging animals/scouting and something that you can use for the next 20 years. Not a bad investment. I would also be tempted to simply buy better 10x42's.

 

[rcb2000]

What is your budget? I might be tempted to sell the Diamondbacks and upgrade your 10s.

Well if I kept the 10x42’s the budget would be about 360-400.
Didn’t think about selling those, but I figure the most I could get out of them would be 175.
Didn’t think about that route though, thanks for the idea

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Kowa would be a great option and we can put you into one for $299.99. please give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss it

 

[lundellhunting7]

I have one of those kowas for sale. Let me know if your looking to go the used route if that's what you end up with.. Its been used a handful of times

 

[muddydogs]

Unless you just want a spotter there's no real need for one on the North Slope unless your planning on hiking in 10 to 15 miles to get above tree line and even then a spotter isn't needed. Its hard to find to many places on the North Slope where you can do a lot of glassing. For the last 7 years I have left my spotter in the pickup and just run my 12x50 Vortex bino's, only reason I even bring the spotter on the hunt is because I already have one. Best option is to keep it light and mobile so its easy to still hunt from one small opening to the next.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I'm a glass snob. But if I were you I'd probably save the money for the trip. Good glass is an investment and you'll just want to keep loosing money and upgrading.
Or mostly likely I'd do a combination of selling what you have and looking around for 2nd jobs over the summer. Anything you can get and try to get a $1000 budget total.
Because yes 1k glass is twice as good as $500

 

[rcb2000]

I'm a glass snob. But if I were you I'd probably save the money for the trip. Good glass is an investment and you'll just want to keep loosing money and upgrading.
Or mostly likely I'd do a combination of selling what you have and looking around for 2nd jobs over the summer. Anything you can get and try to get a $1000 budget total.
Because yes 1k glass is twice as good as $500

Thank you so much, I think that’s probably the advice I need.

I

 

[rcb2000]

Unless you just want a spotter there's no real need for one on the North Slope unless your planning on hiking in 10 to 15 miles to get above tree line and even then a spotter isn't needed. Its hard to find to many places on the North Slope where you can do a lot of glassing. For the last 7 years I have left my spotter in the pickup and just run my 12x50 Vortex bino's, only reason I even bring the spotter on the hunt is because I already have one. Best option is to keep it light and mobile so its easy to still hunt from one small opening to the next.

Good info, thanks for the reply.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Even $50 week mowing lawns is $500 in 10 weeks. You can do that before season.
And I'm just as guilty but see if thriftway shopping for you lunch,coffee energy drink can save you $3 day???
$3 day 2 months is $600
Do both and sell your glass and you'll have $1275 before season.
For that you may be able to pick up some used Swarovski from here or Texas bino man.

 

[Blue72]

You said fun experience

Nothing like the relaxing view of two eyed viewing through binoculars, especially if your not looking for trophy’s

Less eye strain and enjoy the large beautiful field of view (compared to scope) with your dad. Just something else to add to your memories

But I gotta admit that’s a killer deal from Doug on that Kowa

 

[gr8fuldoug]

But I gotta admit that’s a killer deal from Doug on that Kowa

With Father's Day coming we stocked up to bring you all some great deals on glass. Give a call and let's us make you happy

 

[kupper]

I agree to either saving the money or selling yor 10's to upgrade the 10's or 12's. if you're not looking for a trophy then a spotter really isnt going to be as important as a set of 10's or 12's used to find game. I would look for a nice used pair of meopta meostar HD, mid range from ziess, or even the vortex razors.

 

[OXN939]

What is the budget?
I'd look into to 11-12 power binos from Maven, if not pretty sure Vortex makes a 12.
If your not concerned with trophy quality I wouldn't pack the weight of a spotter even if you had unlimited money. They are not fun to just try glass up deer with. There for judging tine length imo.
And a set of good binos you'll find the majority of deer if you have good technique.
And any decent buck will stand out in binos.
You just may not be able to tell 6" vs 7.5" forks.

This. Spotters do certainly have their place, but the hunt you describe doesn't sound like it. I'm not taking one on either of my hunts this fall because I'm also not going for a B&C trophy, and will welcome the extra room in and weight saved from my pack.

 

[Catahoula]

Sell, bump up to Viper 10x42 and perhaps get a stable, lightweight pod to rest the binos on.

 

[Matt G.]

Like other says, sell the current binos and move preferable to the 1K tier... If not a mid tier option may be the Meopta Meopro HD and a good tripod. Spotting scope is a nice to have but not required. If you still set on a spotting scope, i would also look into the athlon ares...