considering a last minute optics change

[mtwarden]

Dall sheep hunt in a couple of weeks- was set on bringing a Swaro 65 spotter and 10 x 42's; yesterday my buddy said I could borrow his 15X Swaro's and would then take some smaller 8 x32 binos. Weight savings isn't a ton- about 12 oz total, only ~ 6 oz savings on the spotter vs the 15's.

My main question is would the 15's serve anymore more of an important role vs two folks (guide and myself) w/ spotters?

Thanks

 

[DRUSS]

Seeing how you will be checking age, I think I would bring the spotter and the 8x32. I really like my 8x42 SF and think that if I had your options that's what I would choose. If you feel more comfy with full size then bring your 10s

 

[ColeyG]

In my opinion no. They would be less useful and/or ideal than the 10x42s and the spotter and wouldn't fill any sort of a needed niche. Binos find the white dots, spotters find the rings and curls.

The 15s wouldn't be any more useful than your 10s for finding white dots, and they would not come close to replacing the spotter for the detail work.

So in my mind the dilemma would be one spotter or two and I'd be taking my 10x42s either way. Personally I'd roll with one spotter for the whole crew in the interest of saving weight and space. But then again I carry my sheep pack for 100+ miles on most trips so I put a pretty high premium not shaving weight wherever I can.

 

[mtwarden]

^ that's kind of what I was thinking. 15's might be a little better at finding white dots far away, but I've had pretty good luck picking up stuff w/ my 10's on a tripod.

I've considered leaving the spotter behind to shave 3 lbs, but at the same time I think I might regret not having it on long glassing sessions?????????

 

[Grassymike]

If it was me... I would want my own spotter. I have never been on a guided hunt so have trouble thinking of letting someone else do all the work.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Personally, I’d pack your spotter vs the binos and choose the extra 3lbs for your own spotter. Certainly, it’s a guided hunt, but there is zero question in my mind that you want to be an active participant. Pack what the guide packs and go have a great hunt.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Take the 10s, spotter, and tripod/head of your choice.

The only time I've felt it necessary to have 15s on a sheep hunt was for a friend's desert bighorn in AZ.

 

[Scottf270]

I'd check with your outfitter and do exactly what he recommends. If weight and bulk is of no concern, take the spotter. I have been on hunts where every ounce made a difference. I suspect 80% of your time will be with binos anyway.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Sitting there on your once in a lifetime hunt waiting your turn to look through a spotter is a situation I promised myself I would never repeat. Take the spotter. Good luck on your hunt!!

If you are wanting to cut weight, check out the Kowa 554/553

 

[jofes]

Sitting there on your once in a lifetime hunt waiting your turn to look through a spotter is a situation I promised myself I would never repeat. Take the spotter. Good luck on your hunt!!

If you are wanting to cut weight, check out the Kowa 554/553

I have to disagree with this, went with the same outfitter he's going with and we glassed rams and ewes at around 3 miles from the airstrip. On my kowa 553 I couldn't tell the diff at that distance but we could with a larger swaro spotter.

 

[Steve O]

Dall sheep hunt in a couple of weeks- was set on bringing a Swaro 65 spotter and 10 x 42's; yesterday my buddy said I could borrow his 15X Swaro's and would then take some smaller 8 x32 binos. Weight savings isn't a ton- about 12 oz total, only ~ 6 oz savings on the spotter vs the 15's.

My main question is would the 15's serve anymore more of an important role vs two folks (guide and myself) w/ spotters?

Thanks

15s are not necessary on a Dall sheep hunt. 10 x 42 and a spotter are the perfect combo. And I don’t care what the outfitter says, I’m bringing my own spotter.

 

[jofes]

The pic with white dots all over the place is the ewes and the other pic has 2 legal rams and 2 banana rams in it. Can't tell with my kowa.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Don’t do it. You know the system you have very well and it is ideal for your hunt.

 

[Snyd]

Take the binos and spotter. Which ever binos have the highest/best resolution. High resolution high quality glass beats high power every time. Lots to look at in the sheep mountains also besides sheep. Weights not the issue. You can drop a pound or two takin a crap in the morning! Also, there may be times when 15x binos would be useless. High wind, think wiggle, smoke, moisture in the air or heat waves. 8x or 10x binos are a lot easier on the eyes. If I had it to do again I'd ditch my 10x42 binos and go 8x42.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Dall sheep hunt in a couple of weeks- was set on bringing a Swaro 65 spotter and 10 x 42's ......

No, take the 10x42's. You're up in the Brooks, right?

 

[Blockcaver]

10x42 binos and your spotter with a phone scope. Phone scope being extremely useful in aging and verifying Stone sheep legality in BC. Not sure about Alaska regs.

 

[MTWop]

Full disclosure is that I’ve never been on a dall hunt myself, but have shared bighorn sheep and goat hunts with friends. I absolutely love my Meopta 15’s for elk here in MT, but would never take them over a spotter on a sheep hunt. Agree with 10x42 and spotter for this hunt. Wishing you the best and enjoy every second of your trip, ram or not

 

[adventure907]

15 power binoculars are anti conducive on a sheep hunt, in my humble opinion. Weight penalty for no realistic optical advantage. Frankly, I believe 10x42's are overkill as well. I guide with 10x25 pocket binos and a spotter. I am downsizing my spotter this year from an 80 to a 65.

 

[jherald]

10x42 bino and a 65mm spotter is gold standard for Alaska. Though shalt not deviate.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

10x42 bino and a 65mm spotter is gold standard for Alaska. Though shalt not deviate.

Precisely.