Coues deer optics

JRS3

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 24, 2022
Messages
175
If you have unlimited money def get higher powered quality optics. If you are not made of money 10 will work just fine may just have to adapt your style a bit, you prob won’t pick off deer at a mile with 10s.
Have you considered renting optics for the trip?
 

aschuler

FNG
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
96
Location
Tucson, AZ
As was mentioned above 15-18x binos on a tripod are the most common setup here in the coues community. Many (including me) carry a smaller set in a chest pack. I use those for close in glassing, situational awareness, stalking etc. The spotter almost always stays in the truck.
You really want excellent resolution combined with good FOV and that medium magnification is really ideal. You want the ability to look at a hillside and slowly pick apart every single plant on that hill. Don't be afraid to continue to glass all day long. They might not be moving much during the middle of the day but with the right equipment and determination you can still find them in their beds.
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,009
Location
Corripe cervisiam
There is not a set of 18's out yet that can compete with the Swaro 15's, Meopta 15's, or the new NL Pure 14's.
I disagree.

I have been hunting Coues for decades...and had the chance to compare all of the big binos including the BTX side by side. I used the Meopta 15x for many years. I'm a Swaro fan [I have the 10x NL's] but when comparing the Meopta to the Swaro 15x, it was a toss up with the Meopta having a tiny bit better resolution. When I bought those Meopta decades ago at half the $$ of the Swaro, it was a no brainer.

Recently, I had the chance to compare them all again on our annual late Coues hunt [my buddies have a variety of binos inc the BTX95]

The Vortex lenses had been sub par until they came out with the UHD. I sold off my Meoptas and picked up the Vortex 18x UHD-excellent, the extra 3x makes a big difference....if you actually compared them side by side, you wouldn't have made that comment.
 

Lando

WKR
Joined
Jun 5, 2018
Messages
378
Location
Arizona
I disagree.

I have been hunting Coues for decades...and had the chance to compare all of the big binos including the BTX side by side. I used the Meopta 15x for many years. I'm a Swaro fan [I have the 10x NL's] but when comparing the Meopta to the Swaro 15x, it was a toss up with the Meopta having a tiny bit better resolution. When I bought those Meopta decades ago at half the $$ of the Swaro, it was a no brainer.

Recently, I had the chance to compare them all again on our annual late Coues hunt [my buddies have a variety of binos inc the BTX95]

The Vortex lenses had been sub par until they came out with the UHD. I sold off my Meoptas and picked up the Vortex 18x UHD-excellent, the extra 3x makes a big difference....if you actually compared them side by side, you wouldn't have made that comment.

I have the Maven 18s, pretty much identical optically to the Vortex UHDs, and I agree they compare very favorably to the Swaro and Meopta 15s. I use my Maven 18s the most of all my options during Coues season every year.
 

mxgsfmdpx

WKR
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Messages
5,910
Location
Outside
I disagree.

I have been hunting Coues for decades...and had the chance to compare all of the big binos including the BTX side by side. I used the Meopta 15x for many years. I'm a Swaro fan [I have the 10x NL's] but when comparing the Meopta to the Swaro 15x, it was a toss up with the Meopta having a tiny bit better resolution. When I bought those Meopta decades ago at half the $$ of the Swaro, it was a no brainer.

Recently, I had the chance to compare them all again on our annual late Coues hunt [my buddies have a variety of binos inc the BTX95]

The Vortex lenses had been sub par until they came out with the UHD. I sold off my Meoptas and picked up the Vortex 18x UHD-excellent, the extra 3x makes a big difference....if you actually compared them side by side, you wouldn't have made that comment.
I've compared multiple sets of the Vortex 18 UHD's side by side with Meopta and Swaro. Hunted and scouted with both units on tripods side by side on dozens of trips. My statement and opinion still stands.
 
Last edited:

WRO

WKR
Joined
Nov 6, 2013
Messages
3,387
Location
Idaho
There's a few threads about the swaro's 14 vs 15 not much difference. Check with the guys at Outdoormans they are knowledgeable about them.

I’ve ran the 12 nls and 15slcs side by side, the nls are noticeably better..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

aschuler

FNG
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
96
Location
Tucson, AZ
It also depends which "generation" SLC you looked through. I don't know that swaro officially made different gens but I've compared older (purchased early 2000s) pairs with newer and they aren't the same.

Eyes are different. I've looked through the vortex 18 UHDs, for some reason my eyes don't agree with them. I much prefer the Meoptas or the Swaros.
 

PONYBOY

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
182
Location
California
Swaro SLC ='s LETHAL in Coues country. Good luck in Jan. I head out in December with my trusty 15's.
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,009
Location
Corripe cervisiam
I've compared multiple sets of the Vortex 18 UHD's side by side with Meopta and Swaro. Hunted and scouted with both units on tripods side by side on dozens of trips. My statement and opinion still stands.
I get that....Everyone has their preferences. My guide buddy says the Swaro 12x50 bino is the best there is.

It's much like Tripod heads...my buddy swears by the Outdoorsman pistol grip where I like a ball head.
 

Mattman215

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
129
I prefer the slc and nl pure. My eyes hated the vortex's and I really disliked the mavens kept seeing double vision.
 
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