New Glassing Setup

[SLM]

I’d look at the Kahles Helia S if you’re looking budget friendly. They are supposed to be the rebadged SLC, but I have compared them SXS and the Kahles is slightly better to mine, and others eyes. I kept the Kahles and got rid of the SLC and EL 10’s.

Don’t know why Leica doesn’t get much love here, but I’d take most Leica over others at a comparable price point.

IMO, you will do just as good with a Slik 734 and Sirui VA-5 and have a bunch of money left to put on optics.

 

[philcox]

I’m looking to upgrade my glass this year. Looking for opinions. I currently have a pretty subpar system. Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42’s sittting on my knees.

I’m all for “buy once cry once” buy also, this is a hobby and I do not have unlimited funds.

Couple of questions. I mostly hunt southeast Idaho muley, elk, and bear.

1) Would I be okay for Maven B series or Vortex Razor HD series Binos vs. alpha glass (I can buy Swaro EL for $200 more than Razor UHDs right now) plus a compact gen 1 razor spotter?

2) is the outdoorsman standard tripod and a wiser pan head worth it? They’re made in USA with lifetime warranty. Or will a simpler/cheaper SLIK or SIRUI or Field Optics Research setup do just fine and last 10+ years?

3) Would Swaro EL 10x42’s be worth it (as opposed to the maven and razor setup?)

Any input appreciated. Throw your two cents out there.

You didn't specify Rifle? Archery? Both? If rifle, what is your max distance you would shoot? My answers would be different based on those?

 

[SLM]

You didn't specify Rifle? Archery? Both? If rifle, what is your max distance you would shoot? My answers would be different based on those?

Curios to hear how the method of take would dictate glassing optics.

 

[philcox]

Curios to hear how the method of take would dictate glassing optics.

As a mediocre hunter, so it is literally just an opinion…here you go:

Rifle and gonna take longer range shots: 10x42 Revic RF binos or EL Range. Gonna want RF in the bino IMO.

Archery: 8x NL’s, pick a crickets butt moving in dark timber

Spotter/distance: NL 14’s, SLC 15’s, or a 65mm Swaro

And then based on my specific hunting, I’d adjust from both those, what I consider, edge cases


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[Kyden]

I had the vortex razor hd 10x42, and switched to the maven b2 11x45. I do miss the size of the smaller razors but the difference in low light between the two was significant. The mavens were way better. If I had the money for swaro’s I think it’d be worth it to gain the clarity/low light performance in a smaller bundle. The Maven b2s are really good though.

 

[flyfisher117]

If you can get eyes behind any binos that would be best. Time spent would help you determine what you want or need. What ever you choose buy it used, let the original purchaser take that 40% hit.

 

[TedorAlive]

I'm in same boat as OP. These insights are invaluable when tooling up for a hunt.

 

[SwampMan19]

Thanks everyone for the input!

I ended up primarily agreeing with @TaperPin. I get out about 4-5 weekends a year for spring bear and elk/muley hunts. Dropping the dough on top tier stuff just didn’t seem right with that in mind. Plus, I looked through some ELs and some Maven B.2, and my eyes are not near as refined as y’all’s because I can’t tell a difference.

I ended up going with some used Maven B.2 9x45’s and found a Razor 56mm spotter new for ~$750. Also bought the aziak front country tripod and backcountry head. Using a wiser precision sparrow for bino mount on the tripod.

All in all, this setup is a huge step up from what I had, I don’t feel like I’m missing much, and down the road if I want to upgrade, I think those NL Pures are gonna be the only thing I think is worth the splurge. Gonna have to fill the freezer a couple of times though to also convince my wife the upgrade is worth it at this point! Lol

Thanks everyone for the input! Hope this forum may be helpful to someone else in the same boat.