Mulie Muzzleloader Glassing Setup

[MuskyMountainBuck]

Afternoon gents,

I've being doing a lot of research on a good glassing setup for mulies but it's honestly a bit overwelming. It seems to be a personal preference and with so many different options I'm looking for advice for the best setup for me in my situation.

I hunt PA Whitetail hard but will be hunting out west every year or two for the extended future. I plan to pull a CO Deer Muzzleloader tag this year for a DIY hunt using spot and stalk in high alpine terrain around 9k elevation. This hunt I would be packing in four nights at a clip thinking around 3 to 5 miles max. A buddy and I also have a guided elk hunt in thicker timber country in 2027. After 2027 I plan to be fully DIY for elk/mulie in multiple western states.

I currently have two sets of Diamondback Binos 8x32 and 10x42 along with two range finders (both will suit my needs). I really do not have a use for a spotter back here in PA. Higher magnification binos up to 12x or 14x I would use during rifle.

All this being said what do I really need to go out west and capitalize on a decent mule deer? I'm not looking to shoot a spike or a fork but anything a bit larger for my first mule deer buck I would definitely be happy with. Do I need spotter? Do I need better binos? I plan to get a tripod to use for glassing and shooting. Was eyeing up Aziak with their panhead. I'm not looking to spend over $2k at this point as I will be upgrading some other items for this hunt specifically (sleeping bag and pack for sure).

So whats everyone's thoughts? I was looking at the Zulu6 for IS but it sounds like people are not happy with the low light capabilities. Is running a stronger pair of binos over a spotter an option? I'm worried that I would be able to zoom in on an animal if father away with higher power binoes.

Thank you!

 

[Wapiti151]

I think you should get the best pair of binos you can afford and a good tripod (definitely upgrade your diamondbacks). Spotter is a bonus but if you aren’t being really picky, you don’t need it. IMO I’d get a pair of good 12s or something similar. Plan to glass a ton off of a tripod and you can do some damage. 10s work excellent too, but if I just had one bino and no other glass with me, id have my 12s for decent hand holding, and really good on the tripod. You could throw in a pair of used 16x sig Zulus or something similar as a spotter sub as well, but I definitely wouldn’t use the Zulus as my only glass on a hunt. You can also use you rifle scope as a make shift spotter if you have the magnification and want to get in a little closer for judging.

Idk what kind of quality you are looking for, but some great deals can be had this time of year in the classifieds on great optics. Maven, Swaro, Zeiss, etc.

My .02

 

[RockAndSage]

If you could only put money into one thing, it's 100% a reasonably good tripod/head first, and just mount your current binos on top of that. Glassing is much more about being methodical than anything else - better glass, in general, allows more endurance and better ability to see in the more extreme ends of conditions. But it's the slow, steady use of tripod scanning that turns things up that are bedded down.

From there, I'd add a cheap spotter - not so much to spend a lot of time in, but to double-check on stuff you think you might be seeing in your chest binos, and for planning out your next moves.

Only after I got those two items, would I consider either upgrading the chest binos, or adding something like Maven 15s or 18s as tripod binos. But if you can swing it, you'd have a great set of tools. Elite glass would be Swaro NLs in either 10x or 12x, but that's far from necessary to get a good buck.

And remember - all of this is useless, if you have the wind at your back. Keep the wind in your face at all times, and hunt the shade.

 

[MuskyMountainBuck]

From your info and from my research this is what I'm thinking. Upgrade binoculars to Razor 12x50's (ll get additional use with them here at home during rifle and 3D shooting). High quality lighweight tripod with ball\pan head for glassing/shooting. Viper spotting scope mini or 65mm since I wont be on it as much as the binos.

 

[RockAndSage]

I think that's a solid combo, especially if you get additional use back home with it.

 

[westslopelaker]

The zulu 6 IS bino will be all you need unless you need to judge trophy quality. Otherwise, I'd recommend upgrading binos quality and getting them on a tripod.

I live in CO and hunt high country bucks ever year. I run swaro SLC 10x42 on a tripod. My buddy uses zulu 6 12x.

I don't think a cheap spotter or even expensive is a good idea in the high country. Unless your buddy is a beast and carries it.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Muzzie hunts scream slip hunting in timber/glassing basins up high. If you want one and done, well in budget, with max usage at home I’d strongly consider some 10x image stabilized sig binos and be done.

Fwiw, I love taking a big spotter on high country hunts. But you can absolutely get by without one.

 

[Wapiti151]

From your info and from my research this is what I'm thinking. Upgrade binoculars to Razor 12x50's (ll get additional use with them here at home during rifle and 3D shooting). High quality lighweight tripod with ball\pan head for glassing/shooting. Viper spotting scope mini or 65mm since I wont be on it as much as the binos.

Good call. The 12x50s will do you well I think, if you do get a spotter 10s would work great too. Personally, I don’t think you’d need the spotter. You aren’t looking for a b&c buck and 12s on a tripod will let you see antlers from a long ways off. I think the viper quality scope would only cause you frustration (been there done that way back when with my first spotter). You don’t get full use of the magnification, light transmission is rough, eye relief isn’t great, etc. You’d probably end up selling it as soon as you got home.
Save up and buy a used Kowa (couple great kowas up right now), Swaro, etc when you decide you need it. Take the money for the viper and go even better on a buy once cry once tripod and/or binos.

After you chase western critters, you’ll be back…and you’ll only want to upgrade more stuff.

 

[Firehawk]

Hard to beat a nice bino on a tripod. I live out here and appreciate good glass, although I am not really a "snob" about it. Mostly due to having budget constraints and wanting to spread the "goods" to other interests and hobbies as well.

With that said, I am a big believer in having a nice bino that you can use for everything. Use a tripod as appropriate, which out West would make a lot of sense. I always have at least my light tripod with me.

Here is what has worked for me: A good 8-10x bino. My current bino is a Swarovski EL 8.5x42 that is stunning to look through. I have also used Maven B2 9x45 with a lot of success as well. Due to being sensitive to "shaking" I find an 8x "ish" bino makes a big difference for me. I really struggled with a 10x for a lot of years before I finally tried the 8x bino range and found them to be much easier for me to hand hold. And...a good 8x bino is still outstanding on a tripod.

If you aren't sensitive to your own shakiness that gets amplified by higher magnification, most would suggest a qaulity 10x bino as your all around choice. Some find the 12x as a great all around choice for the West. I notice way to much shake in that realm, so it is a tripod only type scenario for me and a 12x or higher.

For lots of years, I had a mid level spotting scope 15-45x65 that I would pack with my bino. A few years back, while helping my brother with a limited entry mule deer tag in the Book Cliffs of Utah, I discovered how nice it is to have a quality high power bino. A friend loaned me a set of Swarovski SLC 15x56 binos. Paired with my Maven B2 9x45, I found myself leaving the spotter in camp and packing the bino instead. I would use my standard bino for general glassing and picking apart country, and then switch to the higher magnification bino for deeper study and to really see into the shadows and pockets. Ever since then, I have owned a high powered bino (Meopta Meostar B1 15x56HD) that is used far more than a spotter.

I have used a quality Kowa 774 that was great, but heavy enough that I would just take the 15x binos instead. Eventually sold the Kowa. I have since replaced that higher mag, big objective spotter with a Maven S1.2, but it is mostly a truck/range type of instrument. The binos or a smaller spotter (I have the Maven S2) will go with if I plan to hike very far or have a bunch of elevation gain. Currently, I am considering a smaller 15x50 bino as my sit behind on the hillside bino to save some weight and space.

If it were me, I would get a good quality used bino in the 8-10x range. Without having special requirements for antler points or size, you will likely not use a spotter much, especially if the glass isn't good enough. On a tripod, those good binos will shock you and how much more you see and notice vs when you are just holding them while walking etc. Big binos have their place, but aren't necessary.

Think Maven B2 9x45 or 11x45, Maven B1.2 10x40, Maven B6 10x50 or 12x50, Used Swarovski EL or SLC in a 10x42 or an 8.5x42 (SLC aren't made any longer, but they were 8x42), Zeiss SFL, Vortex Razor HD, GPO Passion HD in an 8x40 or 10x40 or even their 12.5x50 if you aren't sensitive to the shake. And the Tract Touric binos continue to get good marks as well. All of these will be in the $800-$1300 range depending on age and use condition.

For a tripod, think a good carbon tripod in the 24-36oz range with a good lightweight head. I have used a Surui for many years as my smaller lightweight tripod and it is great with the Tricer LP head. For a heavier scope, a little bigger tripod makes sense. Mine is a SLIK 733 I got from Doug at Cameraland NY several years ago. I just bought the new version Tricer BC tripod and the Wiser Precision Ridge Warden Head. I will be selling the Surui tripod, but likely keeping my Tricer LP head as it is light and works great. I will sell the Promaster fluid head that I also bought from Cameraland NY several years ago. Really good basic head, especially for the cost.

Anyway, I hope that I have helped you a little bit. Enjoy the search and especially enjoy the hunt for muleys.