Finally! Over the gear hurdle

[strand]

I'm assuming a rifle elk hunt, since you mention optics being such an important part of your gear list? I think you're doing it right with those 8's. My experience has been that quality 8x binos will blow cheaper, higher power binos out of the water even at longer distance. That's only up to a certain point of course, 15's are hard to compare to 8's, no matter the quality of the 15's. I love the wider FOV you get from 8x glass vs 10x, and with those swaro's the edge clarity will be great, so you'll be looking at a bigger piece of ground when you set up behind the glass. I know you're planning on an elk hunt, but I can't tell you how many mule deer I've spotted in the outer edge of my FOV when set up behind the binos on a tripod. The slightest movement jumps out at you with clear glass.

 

[Owenst7]

Also not to burst your bubble 8x bino's are the last choice I would make for true Western glassing, about the lowest I would go is 10x and I really like my 12x bino's. If you are doing true Colorado type glassing 8x bino's just don't have the power needed and you will find you are always having to pull out your spotter to get a better look.

Personal preference. I've got 10x42s and 8x42s. Even on sheep hunts here in NV, I prefer my 8x42s most of the time because I don't need to put them on a tripod to keep them from shaking. Some people find they can hold 10xs steady without the tripod, but I prefer the 8s even when supporting them off the bill of my hat. I even have a pair of 8x32s that are the same model as my 8x42s and the 32s have a larger FOV and I use them when I'm trying to keep weight down for long backpacks. They're about 7 ounces lighter and even easier to keep steady when I'm freehanding them.

I carry a spotter everywhere, and that's a big factor for me with using 8s. I'm not sure I'd be content with 10s with no spotter though. In that situation I'd probably want a pair of 12s...maybe 15s if they had a huge FOV.

Funny thing is my 10s are my highest quality binoculars by a good margin.

I spotted these elk at 1.18 miles with my 8x42s. Couldn't identify much other than confirming the bulls had some sort of antlers when I tried my buddy's 10x42s.
45x

 

[robby denning]

you're doing it right! Tag soup tastes even worse when you're in debt over gear that's just gonna sit in the closet many months a year.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Gear list version 1. It always evolves, you just get more dialed in on what you specifically want to change in your setup. The good news is good gear resells.

Also not to burst your bubble 8x bino's are the last choice I would make for true Western glassing, about the lowest I would go is 10x and I really like my 12x bino's. If you are doing true Colorado type glassing 8x bino's just don't have the power needed and you will find you are always having to pull out your spotter to get a better look.

I run 8s happily and have never wanted for 10x. They are brighter and larger field of view all else equal, the minor increase in magnification would be hard to credibly say makes a big difference in what detail you can see something. I have 15s also but I still have the 8s on the tripod a times due to the larger field of view, good 8x will still glass a lot of country on a tripod. The 15s can dig into some areas a bit better but that's a decent jump in magnification from 8x or even 10x.

Edit: I should add I try to hunt high country and do glass extended distances and still prefer having an 8x sized bino (esp. if a spotter or larger eyes are along).

 

[Xxtavixx]

thanks everyone. Those are all additional reasons I opted for 8. larger FOV is important to me. When I compared them, I noted how shakey the 10 felt. I imagine it would feel a lot worse when I'm gasping for breath or once I see a nice buck. You will see a lot more detail with them being less shakey, I plan to use a tripod.

 

[Northernpiker]

Enjoy your gear and enjoy your hunt and the anticipation of your hunt. You can probably update your gear a couple times before your hunt.

 

[Xxtavixx]

Enjoy your gear and enjoy your hunt and the anticipation of your hunt. You can probably update your gear a couple times before your hunt.

You have no idea how much that scares me lol!

Of all the gear, the spotter is the one I fluctuate on the most. I'm still in my window to return it and Im completely unsure if it will come out of the pack or not. I get the feeling it's going to be one of those items that if I take it, it will never come out of the pack. If I don't take, every twelve minutes I'll start off with "If only I had a damn spotting scope..."

 

[backcountry_hunter]

^^^ If you can afford to, keep it... you have yourself a good spotter.

I don't hunt with a spotter often, but when I do... I need it. They're big, bulky and heavy... and take up precious room in a pack if going on an extended hunt. When you need one though they're invaluable. If this is a one-and-done deal I could see returning it but hunting different states and areas every year it's always nice to have knowing you could take it if you anticipate needing it, especially if you anticipate hunting out west often. Pronghorn or foothill muleys, I'd take a spotter over binos usuallly (but admittedly don't often have to chose one or the other on these types of hunts). Archery elk @ 11K in a wilderness, then normally I leave it at home.

The razor spotter (hopefully) didn't break the bank like a zeiss or swaro might have.... but it's still plenty good to take when needed.

 

[Gobbler36]

wouldnt be buying a spotter for elk on a diy as your likely going to shoot the first legal bull, my take is do what you want with youre money but my bet is after you get back you will be selling quite a bit of stuff that you thought you needed.

 

[Xxtavixx]

wouldnt be buying a spotter for elk on a diy as your likely going to shoot the first legal bull, my take is do what you want with youre money but my bet is after you get back you will be selling quite a bit of stuff that you thought you needed.

You are probably correct. I'm *trying* to read and really keep the pack list down, but as a first timer that is certainly not easy. The "what if" is a terrible mistress.

 

[NMO]

Good glass is a sound investment, I have compared binos in the 500-1000 $ range in the field with Swaro's EL & Leica/zeiss top end. Night and day, especially if you end up hunting sheep or goats in the future. I use my 10x42's extensively while still hunting blacktail at home in the thick stuff (80yds and under). Can't kill what you can't see.
While relatively green in the guiding industry, I have found that most clients are not nearly patient enough behind glass. Can't speak to elk hunting but moose,caribou,goat & stone sheep, glass glass glass glass glass, and then do it again.
Gear doesn't make or break a hunt, but it can make you more effective and more comfortable no doubt.
Focus as much as you can on training, find the biggest building near you, strap a pack on and climb stairs every week, weighted pack + bleachers etc.
Happy Hunting