MidGAHunter
WKR
Hello! Been a long time lurker, recent new member. I enjoy the information on this site. I'm looking for some optics help. Over the past few years I have been fortunate to be able to put a fair amount of money away into my hunting fund and have been able to buy several pairs of nice binoculars. I am wanting to further enhance/improve my Optics "package" and was seeking some input. I currently have a pair of Swarovski EL 8x 32 SV that I use for treestand whitetail hunting and love these for that application. I also have a pair of Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 SV that I have taken out West with me last year to Colorado for elk hunting (I also use these when deer hunting from a box blind). I love these because it takes out "the shake factor" that I experienced with the 10 x 42 with prolonged glassing. The one time I've hunted Colorado I never really felt as though I was missing out by not having a spotter but i do feel as though having the ability to use higher magnification would be helpful. I have committed myself to at least one trip out West each year and for at least the next 2 years will be going back to the same place as last year (public land). This year i will be taking a tripod with me out West for longer glassing sessions with binos. So I guess I'm wanting input on an ideal optics "setup," so to speak. Should i carry the 8x32 (or 8.5x42) on my chest and pick up a 12x50 for tripod use? Or pick up 10x42 and leave the 8.5 at home and save for a spotter down the road? Or is there a totally different setup I'm not thinking about that would work? I do know that right now i will get more use out of higher magnification binoculars than a spotting scope based on where i will be hunting the next few years. Again, I'm set for the whitetail woods so this is strictly for out West. Thanks in advance!