How many binoculars do you own/use?

[Trr15]

How many sets of binoculars do you own? If you own multiple sets, how do you incorporate them into your hunts? What’s your strategy for 8x vs 10x vs 12x etc. Ranging vs non-ranging? Do you carry multiple sets in the field? Lots of debate on here about the virtues of one type/magnification over another, but curious to see how guys with a variety choose to use them.

 

[Hoodie]

Right now I've got 3: 8x32, 8x42, and 12x50. I also have compact spotter.

If I'm hunting somewhere more open sometimes I'll bring the 8x42 and the spotter, sometimes just the 12x. Very strongly considering getting rid of the 12x and the spotter and switching to 8x42 and 15x56 (which I've done before).

I've tried basically every combo of optics at one point or another. I love the idea of 12x50 as a do-it-all but I always end up regretting having it as my only option when I need to handhold for any amount of time.

I think the best do-it-all 2 optic combos for the west are 10x42 w/ 65mm spotter or 8x42 w/ 15x56.

 

[buffsmoker]

8.5x42 and 15x56. Also have a 77mm spotter and a 50mm. Mix and match depending on the hunt. Backpack/bivy vs truck basecamp, terrain differences, species, etc. All just different tools in the toolbox.

 

[justinspicher]

Two sets, Stiener 12x30’s that sit in my truck and never get used and a set of Leica DuoVids 8/12x42. These are always with me when I am in the woods.

 

[Fatcamp]

I have others but the only ones I would hunt with are Meostar 10x and 12x.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

10x42 and 15x56, wouldn’t mind trying an 8x/12x combo but those 15x are golden for coues

 

[RSather528]

Just some 8.5x42’s for now. Might add some 10’s but not sure it’s worth it.

 

[mthayr]

Kowa BDII XD 6.5x32 for truck/thick brush in archery season. Swarovski SLC 8x42WB for open terrain/rifle hunts. I'd like a pair of Swarovski SLC 15x56 to add to the party to bridge the gap between the binos I currently have, and my ATX spotter (25-60x65)... that would put be in the 3 pair club.

 

[Brian Fahs]

It's almost embarrassing how many optics I own. Alpha 10x42s are hard to beat for all around use for a chest rig. Alpha 15x56 on a good tripod system are hard to beat. I find myself reaching for my swaro 8x32 els for most of my timber hunting for whitetails and turkey.
A big spotter is awesome for long range work, my kowa 884 is awesome. But somehow my 35 year old leupold goldring 25x50 spotter still finds its way onto the tripod more often than not.
To quote Larry Potterfield from midway USA, "how many optics does one man need?" Lol.

 

[Zappaman]

Two sets... on 10x42 for hunting, the bigger ones for scouting (or recreational viewing when on trips out to non-hunting outdoor areas).

 

[nobody]

• 10x42 Maven C.1's for my backup binos
• 10x50 Razor UHD's for my primary chest binos
• 15x56 Diamondback HD for tripod mounted use. As an aside, these have surprised me. I got a good deal on them and I was curious about the high mag tripod bino game. They've really been phenomenal, especially considering the $350 street price. They're not alpha, by any means. But they bring in a surprising amount of light, decent edge to edge, and they keep cash in your pocket relative to other options on the market. I've been impressed!

 

[coobie]

Pentax,nikon and bushnell..

 

[CApighunter]

2, feel like I’m pretty squared away on optics with 8x42 SFs, 15x56 meoptas, and a kowa 883. Tempted to add a smaller spotter to my line up but I think I may not be satisfied after being spoiled with the 883.

 

[JakeSCH]

NL Pure 12x42 (primary)
SLC 15x56 (specific hunts)
B2 9x45 (backups)

I've run two sets of binos (either a 8x or 9x with a 15x or 18x) as my go to for years. But the NL 12x seems to do a solid job of covering both tools. I still have a hard time parting with the 15x...though i left them out of my pack quite a lot since running the 12x.

I also have two spotters that I bring more since I've been leaving the 15x (883 and 553). 883 is more for day hunts where 553 I use for backpacking in.

 

[jimh406]

I have 12.5x50 and 10x50 Tract Torics and 10x40 and 10x32 Nikon Monarch 7s. the Tract Torics are quite a bit better. I usually carry the 10x50s since they are quite a bit shorter/lighter.

I do quite of bit of wildlife watching and the 12.5x50s are a bit better for that purpose when I don’t pull out a spotting scope.

 

[Fatcamp]

NL Pure 12x42 (primary)
SLC 15x56 (specific hunts)
B2 9x45 (backups)

I've run two sets of binos (either a 8x or 9x with a 15x or 18x) as my go to for years. But the NL 12x seems to do a solid job of covering both tools. I still have a hard time parting with the 15x...though i left them out of my pack quite a lot since running the 12x.

I also have two spotters that I bring more since I've been leaving the 15x (883 and 553). 883 is more for day hunts where 553 I use for backpacking in.

My hope is that my 12x and a small spotter make for a good set this Fall.

 

[elkguide]

2 Swarovskis
Kahles
Burris
Maven
and?????????????

 

[alaska_bou]

Swaro 10x42 EL Range TA plus the Swaro 15x56 for most applications, Canon 12x36 image stabilized III when out on the boat or when in the car with kids, Maven 8x30 b.3 when in Africa.

 

[jfs82]

Own 3, rangefinding 10x, pair of 15x and a backup pair for when a buddy tags along and I want to put him to work.

 

[Poindexter]

The first of twelve steps is to admit I’m a binoholic. My addiction is justified by different uses for different hobbies… that’s what I tell myself.

Hunting, boating, photography, hiking, looking at the view from the house.

And I’m always looking for an excuse to get more!