HELP ! Thinking of 15 x50 bins in place of 10 x 42 and scope

[matt1glenn]

So I already have some 10 x 42 monarchs and a vortex 20-60 x 80 spotting scope. My last few hunts I end up leaving my spotting scope half through hunt at camp because of weight. Im tossing around idea of getting the vortex viper hd 15 x 50 which are only like 4 oz heavier then the 10 x42 's only bins I can find with being that light . Any other ideas out there? also thought about a moonscope but lean to the binos. Was thinking also could add a doubler giving me 30 x .

 

[Chad E]

I understand your concept but I really don't think a high power binocular would serve you well as your only piece of glass. I personally can't see hunting without a 8x or 10x around my neck. I haven't spent much time at all behind 15x binos but my experience is they are for glassing (with a tripod preferably) and glassing only. I currently carry 10x42 vortex vipers and use them for identifying things as close as 20 yards and also for picking apart the country. Once I've found something I break out the spotter. I think you would loose way to much on the close end with big binos and your gain on the top end will allow you to glass with both eyes open but not allow the top end precision that a spotter would. My suggestion is too look for a lighter compact spotting scope so that your willing to carry it all the time. Multiple good options out there in light compact spotters

 

[Chad E]

I reread your post again and wanted to add this. I'm not familiar at all with a 15x50 bino as I've never looked through one but that's a very small objective for that power which would make it even worse for either close up or general glassing. I have no idea how you typically hunt but I can't see this working out for you.

 

[colonel00]

Send a PM to dotman in case he doesn't see this thread. I think he is going with the plan to use 10x42's and 15x50's and no spotter next year. He can explain it better but it seems to fit his hunts better as he never uses a spotter and is sick of carrying one.

 

[ckleeves]

I have used 15's for years and there is no way I would try to use them as my only glass. 8's or 10's for all purpose and 15's for glassing off a tripod. 15's are awesome in the right situation but you can certainly get by without them. I probably only carry them 30% of time.

 

[matt1glenn]

ok i hear what you guys are saying what about a mono scope and my 10 x42 or have any good ideas for light weight spotters.

 

[matt1glenn]

what about the Vortex Razer hd 11-33 / 50 with only 24 oz .

 

[robby denning]

I have used 15's for years and there is no way I would try to use them as my only glass. 8's or 10's for all purpose and 15's for glassing off a tripod. 15's are awesome in the right situation but you can certainly get by without them. I probably only carry them 30% of time.

I agree. I covered this subject on the blog earlier this year if you're interested

 

[ckleeves]

I think it really depends on what your hunting and the terrain. Spotters are a necessity if your hunting certain species, terrain, etc but I think a lot of guys get caught up in thinking they have to carry a spotter and many times they don't need one at all. I rarely carry a spotter elk hunting for example but timberline deer hunting I would feel naked without one.

 

[5MilesBack]

I like 8x32's, and 10x42's, and 15x56's, and large spotters, but not all at the same time. There isn't any single optic that will cover every need and situation IMO. 15's are nice when you want them, but carrying those around on every hunt would get old. They'd also be overkill for a lot of stuff, and underpowered for some stuff. If I could absolutely only have one pair of binos, they'd probably be 12x50's.

 

[RMLamp]

Adding a doubler probably won't help you and you'll end up with a real dark image from the binoculars. Dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification will give you the aperture of the exit image, once that value goes below 5 you'll start to notice loss of image brightness. So, with a 30x binocular and a 50 mm objective the exit image will only be about 1.7 mm, that may be marginal in daylight but unacceptable in cloudy weather or transitional lighting periods.

 

[dotman]

I agree with all the above, I don't hunt above timberline deer so my needs for a spotter just aren't there. No way would I only run 15's, I use 8x42's and really could get away with only using these. I'm new to 15's but for where I hunt I feel they'll become a great tool. My biggest issue with a spotter is using just one eye, hard to do all day vs using two.

If you haven't put your binos on a tripod that is my first recommendation, makes a huge diff even with the 8's.

Also the quality of the optic makes a huge diff, if you sold everything you currently have and jumped up to the next level bino in an 8 or 10 with a tripod I think you would be pretty happy and then down the road you could add diff options to fill the gaps, jmo.

Also I don't feel 15's are useful unless on a tripod, too heavy.

 

[matt1glenn]

ok so what about 1ox 42 zeiss conquest hd and viper razor hd 11-33 / 50 spotter for weight ?

 

[_Nick_]

ok so what about 1ox 42 zeiss conquest hd and viper razor hd 11-33 / 50 spotter for weight ?

Personally, I'd go with the 8x32 option as I find 10x a bit hard to handhold on the move, especially if you're going to have a spotter as well. My girlfriend runs that Vortex spotter and loves it. That said, I run 15x56 conquest HDs and absolutely love them (I had Kaibab's and 12x50 Razors previously). I'd go with 56mm as the minimum objective for 15x, though. 50mm is too dark in my opinion.

I have a small 8x pair of binoculars that I combine with the 15x zeiss. I hunt open country and most of my time is spent behind the 15x. It's the best setup I've found for the desert (I don't care too much to pick apart the details of a set of antlers... if I find a deer at all in the area we hunt, I'm doing well).

 

[dotman]

Cameralandny has great prices on demo conquest HD's
. I agree go with 8x32 and the little spotter or in place of spotter get 15's. I had a minox 50mm spotter that was ok I would consider it again and get good binos. An option that would be good is 8x32 conquest HD's, 15x56 vortex vultures and a minox 50md spotter. Cost would be about the same as going with the vortex 50mm and would give you a chance to test out what works for where you hunt.

 

[matt1glenn]

Now really finding some great reviews on the zen ray prime hd 10 x 42 and minos md 50 16-30 / 50 small spotter . great good values , Cant drop more then 800 on each. these seem like great options. Any exp with these guys

 

[mullmann]

Just got back from my deer hunt. I used my zeiss 10x42's in my bino bivy and I used the zeiss 20-75 spotter. I am considering getting some 15's to pack because getting the spotter in and out gets to be a pain after a while. Sometimes the 20x was too much and the 10x was not enough.

 

[luke moffat]

Just got back from my deer hunt. I used my zeiss 10x42's in my bino bivy and I used the zeiss 20-75 spotter. I am considering getting some 15's to pack because getting the spotter in and out gets to be a pain after a while. Sometimes the 20x was too much and the 10x was not enough.

And often times I find 20X not enough. In reality it comes down to what and where you are hunting and what you are looking for. Sometimes being able to count browtines on a moose for instances not only saves you from stalking several miles to get into "bino range" to judge if the moose is not just a trophy but legal (has enough browtines on one side). Other times if you are just looking for a bull caribou, elk or buck then yeah just a set of binos will work just fine. But only you can know what balance in optics you need. I am never mad I hauled the spotter along when I want to look over an animal over more carefully. If a 4.5 pound spotter has you bummin,please don't shoot anything

 

[69ChrisCraft]

ok so what about 1ox 42 zeiss conquest hd and viper razor hd 11-33 / 50 spotter for weight ?

This is exactly what I run. Once I put the conquest HDs on a tripod I rarely pulled out the spotter. I'll likely get a pair of 15x and then make the decision to keep the spotter or not...I can't glass for any length of time through it. I can barely wink let alone keep an eye closed.

 

[WRO]

I run 8x32's and 15x56's.. The 8's are perfect for hand held, the 15's rock on the tripod.

I carry a spotter as well.