NEED GLASS ADVICE!!!

[jwhit]

Hi All!

I am an az hunter, mainly rifle but occasional archery. I hunt elk for meat and coues for the love of the game! I am torn! I am not a rich guy but I do value optic quality. I have a good deal on some leica geovid pro 8x32s. So my question is do I go those and a set of maven 15s. Or do I go NL 12s and a nicer hand held such as the Maven RF1. Both cost similarly mostly just a matter of best bang for my buck! I want this to be a one time buy!

Thanks all!

 

[anonymous22]

Depends on a few other things. If you want a good ballistic engine on board, I’d opt for the Sig kilo 10k gen 2. Kind of a compromise on the glass but useable with really good ballistics.

If you feel strongly about the Leica, I would at least get a 42mm for light gathering. They are a bit weird with ergonomics and feel imo.

Otherwise, if you want to stick with your original plans, I’d probably go NLs for superior glass and get another rangefinder.

I have an archery set up, and different hunting set ups for different environments. In more open country rifle hunts, especially for speedgoats and elk, I usually use a rangefinder binos. Archery and thick foliage stuff like north Idaho I use a handheld mono, with shorter magnification and wider FOV.

 

[glock233]

Revic or Swaro with built in ballistic solution. Talon is a dark horse.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I like my Leica Geovid R 10x42 RF binoculars. I think they are a sweet spot for all-day carry and functionality.

I no longer carry my standalone rangefinder or a pair of smaller binoculars.

For stationary spotting, I eventually plan to get a pair of good 15x binoculars and a good tripod.

If I was you, I’d get the Leicas and the 15x.

 

[ghostrider272]

Can't speak to the rangefinder binos, but I'd go for the best glass you can afford. Years ago I bought into Swaro glass and don't regret it at all. The few pair of binos that I spend money on that didn't have good glass made me kick myself for not buying the Swaros earlier.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

You might be a good candidate for the 15x Leica geovid Rs given where you live and how you likely hunt

 

[HuntHarder]

There is no equal to the NL swaro's. I use my 12nl's the most, with a handheld. I also have 10x42 PRO Ab's that are really nice, but still not on NL level for extended glassing sessions in the desert. Either way you go, you are gonna be set up hetter than most.

 

[bigunit]

Those geovids with an aziak arca mount and a light tripod would cover 90 percent of anyone's glassing needs. I prefer 10×42 but if the 8's were a smoking deal I wouldn't pass them up.

 

[NDHUNTER24]

I bought NL12s and I have no regrets. It was spendy no doubt, but worth it IMO.

 

[nphunter]

I personally have no use for a range finding bino or even a ballistic program in a bino. I have zero issues shooting stuff out to 800 yards just using a phone app and handheld range finder. I like the handhelds for archery, IMO binos are too bulky and I want to be able to easily use them with one hand and easily stow them.

I would have zero hesitation with 8x32's, they let in plenty of light and are a great size. I personally run an 8x32NL and a 14x52NL along with a spotter and they are excellent. Midday in the hot sun my 8x32 NL's outperform my 14's by a long shot because they can cut through the mirage. I don't have experience with Maven binos but the Meopta 15's are phenomenal glass for the money.

Personally, I wouldn't own NL12's, IMO they are only effective on a tripod and if you are using a tripod just buy the 14's. I would also take an 8x all day long over a 10 due to the handholdability and the better FOV. Good 8's on a tripod are incredible.