Help me decide on a new bino

[bwp]

I currently own the Kowa Genesis in 8.5x44 for my archery hunting. I am looking to pick something up for rifle and scouting fields from distance. My back porch overlooks a big ag field. Im thinking a 12x bino, but am open to suggestions. Budget is $1500

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Take a look at the GPO Passion HD 12.5x50 Binocular Great optical quality, build, handling and lifetime no fault warranty

 

[Bridgerland]

Eurooptic is having a sale on the meostar 15x b1 plus. Compares favorably to Swaro SLC 15’s and is a fraction of the price with this deal. Excellent choice for tripod work to complement your 8.5’s:

https://www.eurooptic.com/meopta-meostar-b1-plus-15x56-hd-binoculars-573262?srsltid=AfmBOoqf21kvvmsX5j04yxGckd_zAJeheCN_Bs1vIUq5h-x02YTT1TLzihI

 

[UpSideDown]

What would be the better choice between the Meostar B1 Plus 15x vs the GPO Passion 15x?

 

[Doc Holliday]

What would be the better choice between the Meostar B1 Plus 15x vs the GPO Passion 15x?

There are some GPO 15x listed in the classifieds for around $1,000

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Meostar is an excellent optic, however, keep in mind that Meopta, at this time, does not have a center here in the US so if you need service you need to send it to the Czech Republic on your dime

 

[UpSideDown]

The Meostar is an excellent optic, however, keep in mind that Meopta, at this time, does not have a center here in the US so if you need service you need to send it to the Czech Republic on your dime

In addition to the warranty difference, which one is a better optic? It looks like there's a big weight benefit to the GPO, how is the glass quality?

 

[Firehawk]

Absolutely love my Meopta Meostar 15x56 B1. Mine are the original HD version, not the newer ones. Awesome bino on a tripod. Heard good things about GPO.

 

[RockAndSage]

I currently own the Kowa Genesis in 8.5x44 for my archery hunting. I am looking to pick something up for rifle and scouting fields from distance. My back porch overlooks a big ag field. Im thinking a 12x bino, but am open to suggestions. Budget is $1500

OP, I see that you're in Missouri, but what you described with looking out across fields makes me think there might be some overlap between what you want to do and what we do out west with Elk, Antelope, and Mule Deer. With muleys especially, a lot of us have found great success with tripod-mounted high-power binos in the 15x to 18x range, and if you're doing rifle hunting and porch glassing, that might be an option to consider.

A typical setup out here would be 8s or 10s on the chest, and a spotting scope, with increasing numbers of guys packing 15s/18s. Using the 8s/10s when moving into a spot, esp for initial glassing or moving in on a stalk, but glassing for hours at a time from tripod with the 15s and/or the spotter, and shooting from tripod. Can't speak to what it would be like for you in your geography, but when I've tried 12s, they've been too high-powered for hand-held glassing, but not quite enough power for tripod glassing. They might be fine for you though, depending on distances you have available. People have mentioned Meoptas for your price range, and I'd also give Mavens a look.

 

[bwp]

OP, I see that you're in Missouri, but what you described with looking out across fields makes me think there might be some overlap between what you want to do and what we do out west with Elk, Antelope, and Mule Deer. With muleys especially, a lot of us have found great success with tripod-mounted high-power binos in the 15x to 18x range, and if you're doing rifle hunting and porch glassing, that might be an option to consider.

A typical setup out here would be 8s or 10s on the chest, and a spotting scope, with increasing numbers of guys packing 15s/18s. Using the 8s/10s when moving into a spot, esp for initial glassing or moving in on a stalk, but glassing for hours at a time from tripod with the 15s and/or the spotter, and shooting from tripod. Can't speak to what it would be like for you in your geography, but when I've tried 12s, they've been too high-powered for hand-held glassing, but not quite enough power for tripod glassing. They might be fine for you though, depending on distances you have available. People have mentioned Meoptas for your price range, and I'd also give Mavens a look.

Any recommendations for 15/18x binos? I can always go to Swarovski, but if I can get close for half the money I’d probably go that route.

 

[TxLite]

Any recommendations for 15/18x binos? I can always go to Swarovski, but if I can get close for half the money I’d probably go that route.

I really like my maven b5’s. They can be had for $1000 or less used if you look around. A set of 18’s sold today on here for 875

 

[bigunit]

What about sig zulu 6 in 16x? I've been very happy with mine so far.

 

[bwp]

What about sig zulu 6 in 16x? I've been very happy with mine so far.

I worry about being disappointed in the glass on these compared to a similarly priced Bino without the image stabilization

 

[RockAndSage]

Any recommendations for 15/18x binos? I can always go to Swarovski, but if I can get close for half the money I’d probably go that route.

Best recommendation probably depends on how much time you expect to spend behind these binos, and what kind of conditions. If you're only going to be glassing off the back porch for a half hour at a time, or just generally scanning fields, the cheaper options would definitely be sufficient. If you'll be spending more than a couple of hours at a time in them though, especially in low-light conditions or needing to see deep into the shadows of a woodline, then the Swaros NLs are pretty spectacular. You can get used Swarovski 15x56 SLCs on here in the $1500 range, as guys are upgrading to NLs and selling off their older gear, and that's the absolute best bang for your buck you're going to get, as long as there's no damage to the glass. It's excellent glass. A couple of guys have also mentioned the Maven B.5s - those are right at your price-point, and are great binos at that price. I don't have any experience with Meoptas or Tracts, and have seen guys speak well of them.

Best rec on the cheap would be the SLCs, absolute best in class would be NL 14s, and best new glass at $1500 would be the Mavens.