Glassing fatigue.

[Rodmor80]

Hello all,
I have a question about eye fatigue from glassing. I had an eye drift fixed about a year ago, and ever since if I glass for any length of time out of any of my optics I am darn near asleep due to the fatigue. Sometimes it's in as little as an hour sometimes longer but it always happens. The optics I am carrying are usually a combination of 8x42 athlon cronus, 15x56 vortex vulture hd, and a 15-30x50or 56 leupold gold ring straight spotter. I have a tricer peg on both binos to run on my tripod like my spotter. I usually use and eye patch with the spotter. Any insight or tips and tricks to help alleviate the fatigue and stay awake. I am hunting in the mountains of southern california.
Thank you all

 

[CoMulies]

Phone scope set up may help alleviate as you won’t be squinting through the glass

 

[Hnthrdr]

Honestly, better glass may help maybe look at upgrading binos and then the spotter

 

[180ls1]

Better glass... sorry to say but that should buy you more time.

I would also just incorporate more still hunting into your technique.

I am a big fan of naps as well. Maybe that'll help. An eye-shade really helps.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

The better the glass the less fatigue

 

[elsb0048]

I find side shields helpful on binos

 

[shootnrun]

Since upgrading to NLs I find I can keep in the glass almost all day without issue. Ive considered getting winged eye cups as the only thing that messes with me is sun from the sides while trying to focus in the glass.
As for the spotter, an upgrade may help, but I do get fatigue if picking things apart for long periods of time. The Ollin system has helped significantly. I dont usually spend too much time in the spotted, but when I do I usually slap the phone on.

 

[bvanderh]

Good comments from others on the shields. I've always found that the more comfortable I can make my body, the longer I can glass. I know that doesn't directly address your question, but I think it's big part of glassing for long periods of time. And of course good binos on a good tripod! I highly recommend Aziak's tripod and adapter.

 

[Rodmor80]

I have a nice carbon tripod and upgraded my fluid head this year.
Aside from swaro's, how do I know I'm getting better glass? I can't currently spend 1200-2500 on a single piece of glass. I thought about bumping from the vortex vulture hd to a pair of vortex kaibab hd's. Would that be much of a change? I think a pair of viper 10x50 or razor (pre hd)

 

[bvanderh]

If you can’t afford swaros, don’t buy them! Start with middle-high vortex and work your way up over time. Lots of fun hunting to be had without dropping $2,500 on swaros.


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[Pafarm]

I don’t have them but a buddy of mine does, swaro btx eyepiece. Those are the eyes of god and make it so much easier. Other than that a shield on a single eye piece is about your best option. Take lots of breaks that also will help. Personally I don’t have high end glass I’m middle of the road. I will say the high end glass makes a lot of difference like the btx eyepiece for swaros.

 

[TaperPin]

I have a relative with eye fatigue issues and it’s rough. There’s no way around giving your eyes a break whenever possible. Maybe glassing less, taking breaks, eye patch with the spotter, etc. With the spotter are you having as much fatigue as with binos? If not, maybe using the spotter more. I wouldn’t bet on more expensive binos helping - gold rings are aligned pretty well, more expensive glass would simply show more details. I’d bet you’re best time to glass is early in the day, maybe still hunt ridges in the afternoon. You’ll figure out something.

 

[Rodmor80]

I have a relative with eye fatigue issues and it’s rough. There’s no way around giving your eyes a break whenever possible. Maybe glassing less, taking breaks, eye patch with the spotter, etc. With the spotter are you having as much fatigue as with binos? If not, maybe using the spotter more. I wouldn’t bet on more expensive binos helping - gold rings are aligned pretty well, more expensive glass would simply show more details. I’d bet you’re best time to glass is early in the day, maybe still hunt ridges in the afternoon. You’ll figure out something.

That is a good selection. I actually feel more fatigue looking through the spotter. The btx is my some day glass. I think I will put some shields on my vultures and maybe spend a bit more and get some razor 10x or 12x for that closer up stuff that I'm doing most often.

 

[Rodmor80]

Are there any other brands or models that should be considered besides the razors in 10-12x.

 

[Pafarm]

Are there any other brands or models that should be considered besides the razors in 10-12x.

I’d keep an eye out in the classified and used deals in general. You can find some high end glass for much less. I would say I have used mavens and they are very quality binos for the price as well check them out!

 

[Hnthrdr]

That is a good selection. I actually feel more fatigue looking through the spotter. The btx is my some day glass. I think I will put some shields on my vultures and maybe spend a bit more and get some razor 10x or 12x for that closer up stuff that I'm doing most often.

The razors are good, the UHD’s are even better, as close to high end euro glass that vortex gets, you can find them used for 800-1000 often

 

[Hnthrdr]

Are there any other brands or models that should be considered besides the razors in 10-12x.

Check out the kowas, they are really good!

 

[WRO]

I’d be buying used swaros, meopta meostars, high end Zeiss or Leica before any Asian glass.


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[Weldor]

What WRO said, There are some goods deals out there on Zeiss 15x56. Last one I seen $975 not bad. Check out the classifieds.

 

[Ultracarry]

I used to look at the expensive glass and justify not being able to drop that much money but after my first pair of Swarovski binos - my wife used both, she said it was worth the money. she understood that I wouldn’t always be upgrading consistently and the pair I was upgrading from was losing 75% of it’s value when I upgraded.
I would rather wait three years and spend what it takes than to buy immediately this year if you can afford $750 a year that’s two years waiting on a used pair of 15s… if it takes you 5 years it’s still worth it .
Buy once cry once and vortex does 2 things right… marketing and warranty -

I switch between swaro 15x56, and BTX on designated tripods, 12 ELs for the vehicle and BTX with 1.7x instead of a spotter … 8x el RF binoculars (gift from wife) … just took a little time saving and not getting a new vehicle … not going out to eat..