New Binoculars, spotting scope, or both...

[iflyskyhigh]

Been in the process of upgrading glass for awhile now on my rifles, and starting to look at my other optics.

Committed to buying only quality optics going forward.

I have a Vortex Viper 65MM 15-40 angled spotter and a pair of Nikon Monarch 10X42's that I purchased in 2012 for my first elk hunt. They have served me well, but it's time to upgrade.

I haven't been hunting the past few years as much as I did back then, but this season of life too shall pass and plan to hunt again more in the coming years. All of my hunting is western states. I live in AZ, but will go to CO, and NM.

I'm currently doing a lot of long rang tactical shooting and would like to try a PRS, NRL match here in 2025.

Done the obligatory YouTube deep dive, but most people on there are trying to sell me something. Which is fine, but I'd like to hear from people who are using these items that they paid for with their own money and are using regularly.

So, recap. I"ll be using for long range PRS style rifle shooting, a little hunting now, and probably more hunting int he near future.

Do I still need binoculars and a spotting scope? Can I just get away with binoculars? What size? I know 10X42's are the standard for western hunting, but is there a better option with the increase in technology over the past decade and a half?

If you do both what size binoculars and what size spotting scope?

I understand a lot of it is personal preference, just wondering why you prefer what you prefer?

I'm looking at Swarovski and Kowa.

Appreciate the input

 

[hereinaz]

Start with a pair of 15x55 SLC or 12x50 EL. Almost every one I know that glasses here in AZ runs them on their tripods, or now the NL Pure 12 or 14. Alternatives I have seen personally are Leica, Vortex Razor UHD. They are very serviceable.

Both these pics are from archery deer with used 15x56 SLC picked up last fall before season.

You can find lots of used glass on a local forum, coueswhitetail.com and look through them before you buy. It’s better to buy a used Swaro than new Vortex for $1500. Prices are good cause people are upgrading.

Also, if you have limited budget, buying used Vortex is the best way into good glass. Either the Razor 12 or 18 UHD will work great. You can also sell later and break even.

Spotters get used to identify size of game, but I hardly use one. They are nice for filming. The Kowa Prominar Flourite lenses are Swaro level and tend to be lighter.

If you don’t spend the money on spotters, they become unusable in the mirage. A cheap spotter is a paperweight. They are serviceable, and I picked up a used Vortex HD spotter tonight for $450 bucks, but I wouldn’t spend more than that. I just wanted something useful at the range out to 1000 yards.

Glassing for game or watching for prolonged periods of time sucks with one eye, unless you are a pirate. Two eyes are better for spotting movement and depth of field, which is important for finding parts of deer.

If you had to spend $3000 on glass, I personally would buy the 14 NL Pure before I bought even a nice bino and spotter.

PM, we can meet up and play with binos, shoot guns, and talk hunting.

I would suggest you try the local one day PRS matches. They are cheaper and quicker to come to speed. I can talk more about that too.

Glassing 20 minutes before sunrise until 2:00 is normal. Get a quick nap and start up at 3:30 until dark. That’s why two eyes with binos is the way to go. On Friday, my buddy glassed for javelina for hours until I finally killed one at 1:30.

 

[Scoutfan]

I don't think anything will compare to a set of 10,12,or 14 power nl pures for glassing. I recently got a pair of revics. I would say glass quality is about half way between my old Nikon monarchs and the nl pure. I get some eye strain if glassing for to long. My budget just couldn't justify paying about double for the Leica ab+ or Zeiss. My choice for hunting was to pair them with a Swaroski atc.
My biggest reason for the compact spotter was to see more detail on individual animals at distance, otherwise I would have gone with 10x revics and 14x nl pures. Hopefully I can add the pures next year.
I would take hereinaz up on his offer and glass through everything I could. He spends way more time behind glass than I do.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

Start with a pair of 15x55 SLC or 12x50 EL. Almost every one I know that glasses here in AZ runs them on their tripods, or now the NL Pure 12 or 14. Alternatives I have seen personally are Leica, Vortex Razor UHD. They are very serviceable.

Both these pics are from archery deer with used 15x56 SLC picked up last fall before season.

You can find lots of used glass on a local forum, coueswhitetail.com and look through them before you buy. It’s better to buy a used Swaro than new Vortex for $1500. Prices are good cause people are upgrading.

Also, if you have limited budget, buying used Vortex is the best way into good glass. Either the Razor 12 or 18 UHD will work great. You can also sell later and break even.

Spotters get used to identify size of game, but I hardly use one. They are nice for filming. The Kowa Prominar Flourite lenses are Swaro level and tend to be lighter.

If you don’t spend the money on spotters, they become unusable in the mirage. A cheap spotter is a paperweight. They are serviceable, and I picked up a used Vortex HD spotter tonight for $450 bucks, but I wouldn’t spend more than that. I just wanted something useful at the range out to 1000 yards.

Glassing for game or watching for prolonged periods of time sucks with one eye, unless you are a pirate. Two eyes are better for spotting movement and depth of field, which is important for finding parts of deer.

If you had to spend $3000 on glass, I personally would buy the 14 NL Pure before I bought even a nice bino and spotter.

PM, we can meet up and play with binos, shoot guns, and talk hunting.

I would suggest you try the local one day PRS matches. They are cheaper and quicker to come to speed. I can talk more about that too.

Glassing 20 minutes before sunrise until 2:00 is normal. Get a quick nap and start up at 3:30 until dark. That’s why two eyes with binos is the way to go. On Friday, my buddy glassed for javelina for hours until I finally killed one at 1:30.

Great info! Thank you.

Gonna try and take it one piece at a time and ask some follow up.

I can start by saying there will be no more Vortex in my life. At least not in this arena. I appreciate it for what it is still and still own many vortex products, but for rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotters I'm at a point in my life where I can afford better quality glass. I intend to buy once cry once going forward.

It's funny. When I started accumulating all my "stuff" back in the early 2000's, I bought the most "expensive" cheap stuff I could afford. News flash. I was broke and couldn't afford the cheap stuff any more than I could have afford the expensive stuff. Since I was too broke to be buying anything, If I'd just splurged and bought the nice stuff back then that I couldn't afford, 20+ years on everything would have worked out fine, and I'd be so much further ahead now. Anyway.

The Swaro 12X50's along with the 10X42's were one of the pair I was looking at. Hadn't looked at the 15X55's but I will.

Think I have a pretty good hold on when to use which optic and why. Completely get the 1 eye vs 2 debate now. Wish I would have thought of that back in the day. Spent way to much time looking through a crappy spotting scope.

I'm also inline with the school of thought on straight vs angled spotter. If I do get another spotter it will be straight.The not changing position argument just makes more sense to me.

I think what you're telling me is that you can get away with just bino's? If you're just going to get one thing get a good set of binoculars?

The 12X50's or 15X55's will get the job done whether it's glassing up animals or spotting hits and misses on steel out ot 1100ish yards?

Binoculars with that magnification are too big to handhold I'd assume? Are there hunting situations where that's gonna be a hinderance?

I'd love to meet up and look at a bunch of stuff before I buy something.

I don't have access to PM's yet. Been on here for years, but never had the occasion to post anything. I may just pay for the access to PM's and classifieds. I've been perusing the snipers hide, and I'll check out cousewhitetail. I'm on there as well, but haven't been on much in the past couple years.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

I don't think anything will compare to a set of 10,12,or 14 power nl pures for glassing. I recently got a pair of revics. I would say glass quality is about half way between my old Nikon monarchs and the nl pure. I get some eye strain if glassing for to long. My budget just couldn't justify paying about double for the Leica ab+ or Zeiss. My choice for hunting was to pair them with a Swaroski atc.
My biggest reason for the compact spotter was to see more detail on individual animals at distance, otherwise I would have gone with 10x revics and 14x nl pures. Hopefully I can add the pures next year.
I would take hereinaz up on his offer and glass through everything I could. He spends way more time behind glass than I do.

Sorry, little confused by what you're telling me. So you went with the Revic binoculars because the other's were cost prohibitive?

You wanted 2 pair of binoculars, but for now just bought the Revic's? Or you bought the Revic's now and plan on purchasing the NL Pures down the road?

You mention "pairing with a Swarovski" and a compact spotting scope, but I didn't see where you mention which one. So you purchased the Revic's and a Swarovski compact spotter?

Or it was you wanted a pair of the NL Pures, and a compact spotter, but for now you just went with the Revic's?

I've seen the Revic name but not familiar. They sell scopes with range finding? Right? Gunwerks sells or is associated with them?

I'm pretty set on Swarovski's for bino's. And if I do end up with a spotter it seems Kowa might be the choice. I really like the dual focus knobs on my Vortex and I know know the Kowa's have that as well.

Thanks for the time. Appreciate it.

 

[hereinaz]

Great info! Thank you.

Gonna try and take it one piece at a time and ask some follow up.

I can start by saying there will be no more Vortex in my life. At least not in this arena. I appreciate it for what it is still and still own many vortex products, but for rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotters I'm at a point in my life where I can afford better quality glass. I intend to buy once cry once going forward.

It's funny. When I started accumulating all my "stuff" back in the early 2000's, I bought the most "expensive" cheap stuff I could afford. News flash. I was broke and couldn't afford the cheap stuff any more than I could have afford the expensive stuff. Since I was too broke to be buying anything, If I'd just splurged and bought the nice stuff back then that I couldn't afford, 20+ years on everything would have worked out fine, and I'd be so much further ahead now. Anyway.

The Swaro 12X50's along with the 10X42's were one of the pair I was looking at. Hadn't looked at the 15X55's but I will.

Think I have a pretty good hold on when to use which optic and why. Completely get the 1 eye vs 2 debate now. Wish I would have thought of that back in the day. Spent way to much time looking through a crappy spotting scope.

I'm also inline with the school of thought on straight vs angled spotter. If I do get another spotter it will be straight.The not changing position argument just makes more sense to me.

I think what you're telling me is that you can get away with just bino's? If you're just going to get one thing get a good set of binoculars?

The 12X50's or 15X55's will get the job done whether it's glassing up animals or spotting hits and misses on steel out ot 1100ish yards?

Binoculars with that magnification are too big to handhold I'd assume? Are there hunting situations where that's gonna be a hinderance?

I'd love to meet up and look at a bunch of stuff before I buy something.

I don't have access to PM's yet. Been on here for years, but never had the occasion to post anything. I may just pay for the access to PM's and classifieds. I've been perusing the snipers hide, and I'll check out cousewhitetail. I'm on there as well, but haven't been on much in the past couple years.

Just make the posts and get access…

Anyhow, other guys and I wear some 10x on our chest for quick scanning with the field of view. For me an 10x32 sig rangefinder bino works.

Otherwise I glass off a tripod with my 15s. Tripod is key for anyone I hunt with.

It is quick to set up an a million times more effective off a tripod. It takes seconds to take off my pack and be glassing. I often leave glass on my tripod and strap it to my pack. Deploy the legs and pull the cover and I am in business.

We made an awesome case to make it quick and protect the glass the way we glass and move. https://www.lswild.com/store/p115/15_x_56_Optic_Armor.html

Many glass snob guys wear 10x42 EL or similar on the chest for quick glassing and a separate small rangefinder.

The Swaro 10x EL Range works for some, but their rangefinder is not as good as it should be. Swaro released the 12x EL Range which would be a one bino solution for me, but the rangefinder…

Some choose clarity over magnification with 12 EL over the 15 SLC. The weight savings works to then carry a baby spotter.

Many times we will pack into a glassing knob for the day, so weight isn’t a big deal. If I had to pick a combo, it would be the 14s and the new Kowa 66a as my ideal set.

We can glass deer very, very far away and tell they are bucks, but don’t know the size. Someone I am with usually has a spotter. That’s when it gets pulled out. But, mirage can make it impossible at times on Coues bucks. I am not a point counter, I just like to hunt and get a good buck/bull.

An extreme alternative is to build a set of big eyes with dual baby spotters or get the Swaro with BTX if you are a hardcore Coues hunter. The BTX eyepiece makes the spotters something to glass behind for a long time.

The 14 NL Pures with the clarity, magnification, and field of view are near perfect for the glassing we do in AZ and SW Colorado hunts. I may just sell even more personal stuff to have one perfect set up with the 14s. Already liquidated lots of rifles and shotguns to upgrade other pieces of kit.

If you have the money, you should be looking at the 14 NL Pures, and Kowa’s Prominar or Swaro Spotter in 65/66. You can bump up the spotter if you want mag and don’t mind the extra weight. If weight is an issue, I really like Kowa’s 554.

Figure out what you want to carry on your chest for a rangefinder and 10x.

 

[jimh406]

If money is no object, update both to the most expensive alpha brands. But, I think the biggest bang for hunting is binoculars, and biggest for long range shooting is probably spotting scope. Occasionally, the best glass out there is demo or used which reduces the price a bit. Of course, it would be several thousand dollars to update both.

I went from Nikon Monarch 7 10x42s to Tract Toric 10x42s with Schott glass. The difference is significant, but they are about 1/3-1/5 the cost of alpha glass still.

Tract also makes spotting scopes with good glass. They sell direct which radically reduces their price, and that's a big difference in price. But if money is no object or you want to make sure you buy the "best", you'll have to spend several times as much.

If you are interested in an intermediate step, I'd consider Toric brand. I have 10x42, 12x50, and 15x56. They are quite a lot different. I find the 12x50s the most universal. I got the 15x56 on ebay at a reduced price. The 10x42s are obviously a lot lighter/smaller. My 12x50s or 15x56s can't replace my spotting scopes.

 

[hereinaz]

Forgot to mention that 12s to 15s were common for spotting at matches when I went. Almost never saw spotting scopes.

NRL hunter, it’s 10x binos with rangefinder and ballistics.

 

[Thinkingman]

High powered binos aren't too big to hold, their extreme magnification makes them impossible to hold steady.
You will need a tripod.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

Just make the posts and get access…

Anyhow, other guys and I wear some 10x on our chest for quick scanning with the field of view. For me an 10x32 sig rangefinder bino works.

Otherwise I glass off a tripod with my 15s. Tripod is key for anyone I hunt with.

It is quick to set up an a million times more effective off a tripod. It takes seconds to take off my pack and be glassing. I often leave glass on my tripod and strap it to my pack. Deploy the legs and pull the cover and I am in business.

We made an awesome case to make it quick and protect the glass the way we glass and move. https://www.lswild.com/store/p115/15_x_56_Optic_Armor.html

Many glass snob guys wear 10x42 EL or similar on the chest for quick glassing and a separate small rangefinder.

The Swaro 10x EL Range works for some, but their rangefinder is not as good as it should be. Swaro released the 12x EL Range which would be a one bino solution for me, but the rangefinder…

Some choose clarity over magnification with 12 EL over the 15 SLC. The weight savings works to then carry a baby spotter.

Many times we will pack into a glassing knob for the day, so weight isn’t a big deal. If I had to pick a combo, it would be the 14s and the new Kowa 66a as my ideal set.

We can glass deer very, very far away and tell they are bucks, but don’t know the size. Someone I am with usually has a spotter. That’s when it gets pulled out. But, mirage can make it impossible at times on Coues bucks. I am not a point counter, I just like to hunt and get a good buck/bull.

An extreme alternative is to build a set of big eyes with dual baby spotters or get the Swaro with BTX if you are a hardcore Coues hunter. The BTX eyepiece makes the spotters something to glass behind for a long time.

The 14 NL Pures with the clarity, magnification, and field of view are near perfect for the glassing we do in AZ and SW Colorado hunts. I may just sell even more personal stuff to have one perfect set up with the 14s. Already liquidated lots of rifles and shotguns to upgrade other pieces of kit.

If you have the money, you should be looking at the 14 NL Pures, and Kowa’s Prominar or Swaro Spotter in 65/66. You can bump up the spotter if you want mag and don’t mind the extra weight. If weight is an issue, I really like Kowa’s 554.

Figure out what you want to carry on your chest for a rangefinder and 10x.

So maybe 2 pairs of bino's is the better compromise?

"Figure out what you want to carry on your chest for a rangefinder and 10x". So it's your opinion you should really be carrying some type of 10X binoculars regardless of what else you're going to carry?

I figured the larger bino's would be used exclusively offer a tripod. I have several nice tripods, but they are older and I'm in the process of converting everything to ARCA. Recently pickup up one of the Fatboy Tripods and am really happy with it. It's great for shooting off of and shot spotting at the range, but might be a little bulky to pack into the field?

I looked at the EL Range's but discounted them pretty quick. I have a Leupold RX-2800 and I'm happy with it. Was not impressed with the Swaro rangefinder for the added premium.

Sounds like I need to look deeper into the 12X and 14x NL's? At least for the first step in this process. Start with the most versatile pair of binoculars, see what needs they meet and which they don't, and go from there.

Watched a video from S&S Archery yesterday going over the spotting scopes. I could have sworn they were taking about one in the 70ish range. 77MM mabye? Can't remember exactly. Have to go back and look. I don't see that option anywhere? Did they quit making that one? I know it was an older video.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

Forgot to mention that 12s to 15s were common for spotting at matches when I went. Almost never saw spotting scopes.

NRL hunter, it’s 10x binos with rangefinder and ballistics.

You mean common for PRS matches right? Which would imply the 12X to 15X is plenty to call shots at distance?

 

[Scoutfan]

Sorry, little confused by what you're telling me. So you went with the Revic binoculars because the other's were cost prohibitive?

You wanted 2 pair of binoculars, but for now just bought the Revic's? Or you bought the Revic's now and plan on purchasing the NL Pures down the road?

You mention "pairing with a Swarovski" and a compact spotting scope, but I didn't see where you mention which one. So you purchased the Revic's and a Swarovski compact spotter?

Or it was you wanted a pair of the NL Pures, and a compact spotter, but for now you just went with the Revic's?

I've seen the Revic name but not familiar. They sell scopes with range finding? Right? Gunwerks sells or is associated with them?

I'm pretty set on Swarovski's for bino's. And if I do end up with a spotter it seems Kowa might be the choice. I really like the dual focus knobs on my Vortex and I know know the Kowa's have that as well.

Thanks for the time. Appreciate it.

Sorry for the confusion. Yes revic is associated with gunwerks. I bought the revics 10x42 binoculars because I wanted binos with built in rangefinder and applied ballistics all in one unit. If I didn't want the rangefinder and ab then I would have gladly spent the extra cash on nl pures.The only other options with the same features and a little better glass that I am aware of are Leicas and Zeiss.
Those two options were about 2 thousand dollars more,so I kept the revics, so that I could afford to get the compact Swaroski 17-40 spotting scope and use both together. Yes I still want a pair of nl pures. You mentioned long range competition shooting and hunting. A lot of people will give up a little optical quality for the speed and convenience of having an all in one unit.
If you simply want the best glass available,to me that is swaroski nl pures. You just have to decide 10,12, or 14x.
Most of my Western hunting is solo backpacking, so weight is a big factor for me.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

If money is no object, update both to the most expensive alpha brands. But, I think the biggest bang for hunting is binoculars, and biggest for long range shooting is probably spotting scope. Occasionally, the best glass out there is demo or used which reduces the price a bit. Of course, it would be several thousand dollars to update both.

I went from Nikon Monarch 7 10x42s to Tract Toric 10x42s with Schott glass. The difference is significant, but they are about 1/3-1/5 the cost of alpha glass still.

Tract also makes spotting scopes with good glass. They sell direct which radically reduces their price, and that's a big difference in price. But if money is no object or you want to make sure you buy the "best", you'll have to spend several times as much.

If you are interested in an intermediate step, I'd consider Toric brand. I have 10x42, 12x50, and 15x56. They are quite a lot different. I find the 12x50s the most universal. I got the 15x56 on ebay at a reduced price. The 10x42s are obviously a lot lighter/smaller. My 12x50s or 15x56s can't replace my spotting scopes.

I wouldn't say money is no object.

1-it's not true, and b of all it just sounds douchey. Even if it was true I'd never say it. Which it isn't.

I think we (myself included) do a lot of "this brand or that brand is just as good". But it's not. The laws of economics and physics will prevent that from ever being true.

I am at a point in my life where I can buy alpha glass. I see the appreciable difference in alpha glass. And will sacrifice somewhere else in order to get the alpha glass that could theoretically be with me for a couple decades or more. Again wish I'd just started with the alpha glass in the first place. Would have saved a lot of money and time in the long run.

I appreciate your time and recommendations. I would be interested in hearing more about your idea that hunters value binoculars more and PRS style shooters value spotters more. Or why one is better in each situation vs the other.

Thanks again

 

[hereinaz]

You mean common for PRS matches right? Which would imply the 12X to 15X is plenty to call shots at distance?

Yes, binos are good for spotting shots inside 1000.

 

[iflyskyhigh]

Sorry for the confusion. Yes revic is associated with gunwerks. I bought the revics 10x42 binoculars because I wanted binos with built in rangefinder and applied ballistics all in one unit. If I didn't want the rangefinder and ab then I would have gladly spent the extra cash on nl pures.The only other options with the same features and a little better glass that I am aware of are Leicas and Zeiss.
Those two options were about 2 thousand dollars more,so I kept the revics, so that I could afford to get the compact Swaroski 17-40 spotting scope and use both together. Yes I still want a pair of nl pures. You mentioned long range competition shooting and hunting. A lot of people will give up a little optical quality for the speed and convenience of having an all in one unit.
If you simply want the best glass available,to me that is swaroski nl pures. You just have to decide 10,12, or 14x.
Most of my Western hunting is solo backpacking, so weight is a big factor for me.

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

I understand the convince aspect of having all in one, but like I said I already have a really nice rangefinder I'm happy with as well as a Kestrel 5700 Elite with AB.

I still don't think feel like anyone has found a way to mash all that together into one acceptable (for me) unit. So I'll keep em separated for the time being.

I'm think I'm at least sold on the idea of the NL's, but as you said I just need to decide about which magnification works best for me and my situations.

I'm gonna take Stephen up on his offer to look at some of the glass he has. I didn't realize that Outdoorsman's was only about 15 minutes form in Fountain Hills. I guess I could go over there and check out some of the options, but I'm sure it would be much better to get out in the field and see them in actual conditions.

Why did you choose the Swaro spotter over the Kowa options?

 

[iflyskyhigh]

Several people have mentioned it, and appreciate all the intel on checking out the classifieds on the various websites. I will for sure look into that option once I narrow in what exactly I'm looking for. I've already perused them a little, but high quality stuff like Swarovski and Nightforce seem to come and go quick. Would be nice to save a couple bucks and tax if possible.

Do Swarovski and Kowa honor warranty for items purchased second hand?

I take everything with a grain of salt on the internet, but I read a YouTube comment that mentioned Swarovski only has a 1 year warranty. Could that possibly be true? Seems like such a notable long term brand would have a lifetime warranty? They were talking about several of the Swaro binoculars to include the EL Range. Mabye they were just referencing the electronics in the EL Range? But the glass must have a lifetime warranty right?

 

[hereinaz]

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

I understand the convince aspect of having all in one, but like I said I already have a really nice rangefinder I'm happy with as well as a Kestrel 5700 Elite with AB.

I still don't think feel like anyone has found a way to mash all that together into one acceptable (for me) unit. So I'll keep em separated for the time being.

I'm think I'm at least sold on the idea of the NL's, but as you said I just need to decide about which magnification works best for me and my situations.

I'm gonna take Stephen up on his offer to look at some of the glass he has. I didn't realize that Outdoorsman's was only about 15 minutes form in Fountain Hills. I guess I could go over there and check out some of the options, but I'm sure it would be much better to get out in the field and see them in actual conditions.

Why did you choose the Swaro spotter over the Kowa options?

I can gather a few basic pieces and help walk you through the differences when actually in the glass if it’s you and me.

If we plan a Rokslide shoot, we can really get some stuff to test with others I know are here.

No one I know first hand has the NL Pures, but was out with a guide who had the 12s. Looking through the 12s was enough to convince me I would if I had the money.

I always wish I had larger field of view with the 15s, especially inside 500 yards. That’s what gets me most. It’s also why some prefer the 12 EL. To have the same magnification with bigger field of view is a big part of why the NL Pures are worth the step up. It’s more than just better glass.

You only catch deer and such when they are in the visible parts of the hill, so field of view and more peripheral vision to catch movement is a big improvement.

 

[hereinaz]

Several people have mentioned it, and appreciate all the intel on checking out the classifieds on the various websites. I will for sure look into that option once I narrow in what exactly I'm looking for. I've already perused them a little, but high quality stuff like Swarovski and Nightforce seem to come and go quick. Would be nice to save a couple bucks and tax if possible.

Do Swarovski and Kowa honor warranty for items purchased second hand?

I take everything with a grain of salt on the internet, but I read a YouTube comment that mentioned Swarovski only has a 1 year warranty. Could that possibly be true? Seems like such a notable long term brand would have a lifetime warranty? They were talking about several of the Swaro binoculars to include the EL Range. Mabye they were just referencing the electronics in the EL Range? But the glass must have a lifetime warranty right?

Kowa and Swaro will honor them, at least have for me and friends.

There is a pair of NL Pure listed now for $2800, and some other NL Pures. Just gotta watch. The SLCs are going faster as people upgrade and it’s a buyers market.

 

[hereinaz]

So maybe 2 pairs of bino's is the better compromise?

"Figure out what you want to carry on your chest for a rangefinder and 10x". So it's your opinion you should really be carrying some type of 10X binoculars regardless of what else you're going to carry?

I figured the larger bino's would be used exclusively offer a tripod. I have several nice tripods, but they are older and I'm in the process of converting everything to ARCA. Recently pickup up one of the Fatboy Tripods and am really happy with it. It's great for shooting off of and shot spotting at the range, but might be a little bulky to pack into the field?

I looked at the EL Range's but discounted them pretty quick. I have a Leupold RX-2800 and I'm happy with it. Was not impressed with the Swaro rangefinder for the added premium.

Sounds like I need to look deeper into the 12X and 14x NL's? At least for the first step in this process. Start with the most versatile pair of binoculars, see what needs they meet and which they don't, and go from there.

Watched a video from S&S Archery yesterday going over the spotting scopes. I could have sworn they were taking about one in the 70ish range. 77MM mabye? Can't remember exactly. Have to go back and look. I don't see that option anywhere? Did they quit making that one? I know it was an older video.

I see guys run 12 ELs on their chest and tripod as the only bino. Makes easier to carry a spotter. But, 12 is hard to hand hold for long, and smaller field of view makes it harder to do the quick scan. The weight increases the hand shake, so the extra 2x over the 10 is kinda a wash.

Stability affects view significantly! Guys will also get out their 10x on binos for the quick scan.

Most I know run a 10x42 on the chest and then 15s on tripod. Whether the 10s are rangefinder is personal preference.

The 10s get used out of my truck, SxS, and walking. I will also leave my tripod and walk a dozen yards around me to do a quick scan of the areas I am not looking at with 15s. We catch stuff moving out in the open regularly.

 

[hereinaz]

S&S loved the Kowa 77, but they recently released that Prominar in the 66 and they has gotten traction. It’s a very good balance for weight and view.