Need a gameplan for optics

[husky390]

So this year my gear focus is to start improving my optics. I'm currently using Leupold Yosemite 8x bino's which are okay up close but that's about it. I hunt elk and deer in Colorado and plan to hunt Barbary sheep in New Mexico. Since the optic options seem endless I'm beginning to wonder where to start. My budget for optics this year is $1,000-1,500.00.

Here's what I'm thinking,

Buy Vortex Kaibab HD 15x binos and a tripod that will be kept in my pack until I get to an area to glass. I'll keep the 8x Yosemite's around my neck to use while on the move.

Then next year, buy a spotter.

Now my question is, does this plan make sense? Or should I be looking at 12x bino's as well. Please share with me what you guy's are using as I've only used a pair of Swaro's with a tripod once and I have to say it was very impressive which is why I'm thinking of getting the 15x bino's. I have no field experience with spotters except at the gun range. Thank you.

 

[Beastmode]

I think you would benefit more from upgrading to a mid range set of binos or finding a used set of high end binos. I spend 90% of my glassing behind my binos I prefer 10x42. I think the 15s are a little overkill and really narrow you FOV. A ton of guys like them but most guys are carrying a nice set of smaller glass too.

 

[Chad E]

This question literally has endless answers with a lot of variables in the mix so I will throw out what I would personally do. The way I look at optics systems is #1 main bino's (the ones around your neck) #2 Spotting scope #3 high power binos. Each hunt has different demands and could make one of the three more important than the next depending on the terrain and the style of the hunt. Personally I feel like the necessities for most of my hunts are "regular" binos(mine are vortex viper 10x42) and a spotting scope(also vortex) I use the binos to glass a large area and find animals and the spotter to classify/judge animals. For me here in the state of Washington my spotting scope use is way more geared at confirming it as a legal deer(3 pt min) as it is judging a b&c trophy. So if it were up to me I would spend my money on binos and the rest on the spotter and then add high power binos to the mix down the road.

 

[husky390]

Thanks, I forgot to add that I'm not a trophy hunter and am wanting to use a setup to glass heavily treed canyons for elk rather than walking through them and blowing the elk out of their beds.

 

[brettpsu]

I agree with what Chad and Beastmode have said. I would upgrade the binos first. With your budget you can get a very nice set of glass and tripod to mount them on. It's amazing what a good pair or 10x can do on a tripod. I would look at Meopta, Zen-Ray, Vortex lines or with some searching my personal favorite Swaro 10x42 SLC. If/when you buy a tripod keep in mind what spotter you would want. No sense buying a <2lb tripod and then buy a full size spotter down the road. I have a set of 15x56 SLC's and use them mostly at my house on a tripod. They defiantly have a niche but rarely make it into my backpack for a hunt. 15x's are great for a hunt you glass a lot from roads or only have a short hike to and from a vantage spot.

 

[Josh Wright]

If you are going to add a spotter, do not discount the 8x42s. You lose a little on magnification, but easier to deal with in dark timber situations.

 

[michaelc10]

For backpacking I would look at a used set of leica 8x32 ba great binoculars for price and great size approx 700 used, maybe ebay, or swarovski companion 8 x 30 and a vortex razor hd 50 spotter 599. Cameraland NY 1300 total price

 

[Ramshead]

My recommendation would be 8x32 binos (wide field of view) and a 65 mm spotter. This and the links within are worth a read. Birders are especially fanatical about their optics and this is one of the most professional unbiased reviews available. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2674

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2680

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I'm in the same boat as you in regards to trying to find a combination that works best for the varied terrain I hike/hunt.

Last year I ran a 10x42 Conquest HD and a Razor 50 mm spotter. I probably only used the spotter 1% of the time. I loved glassing behind the binos on a tripod yet felt at times the 10s weren't quite enough.

So...I recently went to a 12x 50 EL as my only glass (thinking I would simplify and lighten my pack). The 12x 50 are phenomenal behind the tripod at distances >500-800 yards. The field of view is pretty narrow for glassing up close and recently lost out to my buddy with 8x42 monarchs glassing pigs up close because he could "cover more ground". The 12x 50 are a bit much to hand hold for more than a quick peek.

As of right now I'm entertaining the idea of a 8x32 on the chest and the 12x 50 off a tripod only.....However, if I'm only using the 12x 50 off a tripod, then why not go with the 15x56s as a "true big eye" set up.

Initially I was going to sell my Monarchs, Conquest and Razor to fund the Swaros......I haven't put anything up for sale because they all have their place.

I'm contemplating buying an "optics goat" and taking all my glass with me wherever I go.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I'd say keep the Yo's and put all your money into a good spotter. I tried a pair of the 8x's this last season for a couple weeks and they find just as many deer as a set of SLC's and are super light. In no way am I saying they are comparable, but plenty good enough to identify that you are in fact looking at an animal then switch to your spotter to judge. Unless you are wanting a 50mm, a good spotter is going to soak up most of your budget. If a 50mm will do, the advice above is where I would go.

 

[husky390]

Thanks for all of you input guy's. I'll let you know what I decide to do.

 

[dotman]

For what you want no need for a spotter. Upgrade your main binos that you will use 90% of the time. Down the road consider the 15's. I wouldn't own 15's if I didn't already have good binos prior. Sold my razor 65 and picked up the big eyes. They all have their place but it was hard to justify a spotter when only used 1% of the time. Would be different if I was a trophy Hunter or had to count rings on a sheep.

Glassing is much more natural with two eyes, add the tripod and it is amazing what removing even a little shake has in improvement.

I have 8x42's but wish I had gotten 8x32's in the conquest hd's. If I get another spotter it will be another 50mm, probably the Minox md as it is a great value for its price.

I'm all for quality optics but if you don't use them much (this was a spotter for me) why not just use that money to hunt.

 

[DEHusker]

For backpacking I would look at a used set of leica 8x32 ba great binoculars for price and great size approx 700 used, maybe ebay, or swarovski companion 8 x 30 and a vortex razor hd 50 spotter 599. Cameraland NY 1300 total price

I've got a pair of the Leica 8x32 BA's. Actually very good glass. I would caution you, however. Make sure you get a pair (they're all used) that are in good shape. The leaded Wetzler glass they use in those things is amazing...

DEH

 

[cobrad]

I hunt in western CO and out on the high desert of eastern Utah. Glassing is frequently a long range proposition. This year I upgraded my ultralight 10x25 Zeiss binos to 10 X 42 Zeiss Victory FL's and mount them on an Outdoorsmans tripod. I've glassed mulies on the ridge above my house about a mile away, and could clearly make out a buck from the does he was with. Couldn't count points, but we're talking 10x binos. I have found that top of the line glass provides such a high degree of resolution and clarity that it more than makes up for higher magnification in lower quality glass. For the use you have described I would go with top end binos and you will probably not need a spotter. 10x I can use by hand as well. 12x or higher are going to be big and heavy and I'm not steady enough to freehand them. You might easily be stronger than me though.

 

[luke moffat]

Cobrad,

Vortex Razor HD 12X50s are actually lighter than my Swaro 10X42s I had.

 

[cobrad]

I had no idea. I stand corrected.