How many optics is the right amount?

[Alpine4x4]

How do you like having the 16x stablized as your big binos? I feel like this would be a great combo but don't see a ton of people running it compared to smaller stablized on the chest and spotter or tripod binos in the pack.

I love it. I came from 15x diamondbacks so the image quality improvement was massive. Its nice to be able to tripod the 10s and handhold the 16s. I honestly use the 16s more often then my SLC 10s and keep them in the truck when they're not in the pack. My only complaint is the narrow FOV. I went with the smaller objective stabilized to save weight so its a tradeoff. A family member has the bigger objective 16s and the FOV difference is massive, almost enough to make me jump on them and sell the 16s. I just got them in February so I want to put a season on them before making the decision though. May just buy the big ones and have both

 

[Clarson757]

Went out today and glassed this group from about 1.15 mile away. I also hit the range and just felt like I could’ve used a little more power. This was with my Kowa 554 at 45x. How much more power would yall use for that kind distance to confirm if it’s worth getting a better look at a buck?

 

[Maverick1]

The correct answer is always:
Whatever you currently own +1.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Went out today and glassed this group from about 1.15 mile away. I also hit the range and just felt like I could’ve used a little more power. This was with my Kowa 554 at 45x. How much more power would yall use for that kind distance to confirm if it’s worth getting a better look at a buck?

Not just power you have to consider. It is weight and pack volume. A STX 65 is double the weight of the 554 but the 554 give your 90% of the STX 65. Hell, more than once my STX 95 has been "insufficient" under 800 yards due to an animal being tucked up tight in brush.

Short answer is use what you have and if you need "more", knock off some distance. If you can't knock of distance, then it it likely too far for you to make a play on (at least outside of the RS realm).

 

[Clarson757]

Not just power you have to consider. It is weight and pack volume. A STX 65 is double the weight of the 554 but the 554 give your 90% of the STX 65. Hell, more than once my STX 95 has been "insufficient" under 800 yards due to an animal being tucked up tight in brush.

Short answer is use what you have and if you need "more", knock off some distance. If you can't knock of distance, then it it likely too far for you to make a play on (at least outside of the RS realm).

Makes sense about the weight to power ratio. Fortunately for me, I’m not really hiking more than 5-6 miles for my local unit. If I’m going further than that I’ll have wheels under me.

I guess my issue is being able to cover lots and lots of terrain from one central glassing point. A lot of what I do is get up high and have huge swaths of dessert floor to cover. High points aren’t the issue for me. It’s maximizing the time in one position to glass everything I can see before moving on.

Do you think I’d be better off with higher power binos (I have 12x NLs now that are my primary set) for that vs a big spotter like a Btx for example?

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Us

Makes sense about the weight to power ratio. Fortunately for me, I’m not really hiking more than 5-6 miles for my local unit. If I’m going further than that I’ll have wheels under me.

I guess my issue is being able to cover lots and lots of terrain from one central glassing point. A lot of what I do is get up high and have huge swaths of dessert floor to cover. High points aren’t the issue for me. It’s maximizing the time in one position to glass everything I can see before moving on.

Do you think I’d be better off with higher power binos (I have 12x NLs now that are my primary set) for that vs a big spotter like a Btx for example?

Use the NLs (tripod) to find the game and then use a spotter to see if it is worth going after or at least knock off distance to take a closer look.

Since I got a 554, my STX 65 does not get nearly as much field time. My STX 95 comes either if I’m helping on a hunt or if I’m close to the vehicle.

All optics will leave you disappointed at some point.

 

[416bull]

We always use bins when we first jump out then if we see something interesting we set up the tripod and spotter, never hurts to have better glass along when the need arises

 

[Clarson757]

Us

Use the NLs (tripod) to find the game and then use a spotter to see if it is worth going after or at least knock off distance to take a closer look.

Since I got a 554, my STX 65 does not get nearly as much field time. My STX 95 comes either if I’m helping on a hunt or if I’m close to the vehicle.

All optics will leave you disappointed at some point.

Right on. I usually just glass from my tripod and if it’s a buck I’ll close the distance. The area I’ve been hunting and plan to continue hunting is pretty expansive. Lots of micro terrain to pick apart. Small creek beds, washes and drainages.

This season I was thinking of renting a Btx or try out some higher power binos to see if it makes a difference

 

[shootnrun]

I think it depends on location and application. 10x42s get me through 99% of elk and blacktail. WA has a 3pt requirement for mule deer so I pack a spotter to ensure bucks I see are legal before moving that way. And digiscoping

 

[Steve300xcw]

I wont leave glass in the truck. How much do you want to carry?

 

[Elkslut]

Hunting mule deer I use my 12x. Bring a Lowa 554 if I feel like getting any pics etc. usually use 6x in whitetail woods and turkey. Sold those with the idea of getting an 8x option. Eventually would like to get a large format spotter.

I’m easily persuaded to have more gear options but at times I feel like that mentality makes it easier to bring too much shit on a trip or hunt.

I'm also always eager to get new gear. There are times my buddy and I use all the space in my crew cab on any given outing. Having options or backups is not a bad thing.

 

[Birderbob]

Yeah grabbing some extra bins for different light conditions or regions can make a big difference. Sometimes the brush is too thick for super high magnification.