Optic advice

[rackcity24]

I'm currently running Maven B2s 9X45 and Kowa 554 for my optics. I was pretty deadset on on getting a 88mm Kowa or 80 mm swaro for a bigger spotter a week ago, but then started debating on getting some better/bigger binos. SLC 15s have crossed my mind, same with NL 12s. I'm open to other options or suggestions as well. At this point I'm not sure what i would benefit more from.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It's our pleasure, as a long standing supporting vendor here, to discuss the different available options and special opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have the time. Thanks

 

[HornPorn]

I'm currently running Maven B2s 9X45 and Kowa 554 for my optics. I was pretty deadset on on getting a 88mm Kowa or 80 mm swaro for a bigger spotter a week ago, but then started debating on getting some better/bigger binos. SLC 15s have crossed my mind, same with NL 12s. I'm open to other options or suggestions as well. At this point I'm not sure what i would benefit more from.

Your current setup seems perfect for a backpacker, especially a sheep hunter. Where do you feel you have gaps? What is your typical application?

 

[dwhicker]

I'm currently running Maven B2s 9X45 and Kowa 554 for my optics. I was pretty deadset on on getting a 88mm Kowa or 80 mm swaro for a bigger spotter a week ago, but then started debating on getting some better/bigger binos. SLC 15s have crossed my mind, same with NL 12s. I'm open to other options or suggestions as well. At this point I'm not sure what i would benefit more from.

I think if you look though a Kowa 88 you will have an easy decision. That thing is incredible. Mine should be here any day. I went with that and NL Pure 12X. Should fit my needs very well.


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[WI in the west]

I was in your boat last year sorta, had the 11x45’s and a vortex razor spotter. I bought 12x nl’s first and have no regrets on that but i dod end up buying the kowa 774. Also no regrets on the spotter. Id probably give a slight edge to the spotter upgrade being more noticable. But again i have no regrets woth either buy and absolutely love my nl’s more then anything but the performance gap was t as big from the mavens as it was from the vortex to kowa. Hope that helps. You cant make a wrong choice if you dont mind carrying the big kowa. If it would spend more time in the truck cause of size then maybe the nl’s are a better investment first.

 

[rackcity24]

Your current setup seems perfect for a backpacker, especially a sheep hunter. Where do you feel you have gaps? What is your typical application?

I mostly day hunt but spend a good amount of time behind the glass. I do backpack style hunt often, which is why I bought the small kowa. For its purpose i really like it. I wasn't sure if stepping up to an 88 I would be gaining much at extended ranges. As far the mavens, there good binos, but I thought Swarovski binos would help eye strain. My left eye has kerataconus, so my right eye does all the work. Unfortunately i dont know if Swarovski binos would help with eye strain, but I figured it would be more pleasant glass to look through.

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[HornPorn]

I mostly day hunt but spend a good amount of time behind the glass. I do backpack style hunt often, which is why I bought the small kowa. For its purpose i really like it. I wasn't sure if stepping up to an 88 I would be gaining much at extended ranges. As far the mavens, there good binos, but I thought Swarovski binos would help eye strain. My left eye has kerataconus, so my right eye does all the work. Unfortunately i dont know if Swarovski binos would help with eye strain, but I figured it would be more pleasant glass to look through.

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I have heard that eye strain is common with the Mavens

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Keep it simple.

First, kudos for wanting to build a proper optics arsenal.

Second, are you one of the lucky few that can effectively glass with a spotter? If so, go with the larger spotter (ex: Kowa 88x). If you're a mortal like most of us, then look at some top-shelf 15x (ex: SLC) for your glassing needs. Then at a later point grab the Kowa 88x.

 

[rackcity24]

Keep it simple.

First, kudos for wanting to build a proper optics arsenal.

Second, are you one of the lucky few that can effectively glass with a spotter? If so, go with the larger spotter (ex: Kowa 88x). If you're a mortal like most of us, then look at some top-shelf 15x (ex: SLC) for your glassing needs. Then at a later point grab the Kowa 88x.

It seems like I'm overthinking it, how far can you spot elk and deer with slc's effectively?

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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

It seems like I'm overthinking it, how far can you spot elk and deer with slc's effectively?

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The answer is it depends. And if someone tells you otherwise, smoke what they are smoking.

Some folks will claim they can field judge an animal to X number of miles (plural) with hand-held 8x binoculars 100% of the time. That has not been my experience despite having alpha glass and extensive time in the field every year glassing.

I've seen Coues deer miles away with my SLC 15s. But then there's times I've lost Coues at 300 yards with my SLC 15s (deer bedded). So are my 15s on Coues good for "miles" or "300 yards"? I've glassed up mature mule deer bucks 2-3 miles away with my 15s. But I have also had issues determine gender on a desert mule deer buck under 800 yards (bedded tight under a bush) with the same 15s. So are my 15s on desert mule deer good for "miles" or "800 yards"? That same 800 yard mule deer provided the same results with a STX 95 (couldn't tell until it turned its head -- buck). Does that mean the STX 95 is only good for under 800 yards?

Do be aware that the further you want to glass, you need: 1) better glass clarity, 2) less vegetation, 3) more compliant animals (broadside in the the open and not moving), 4) better light, 5) larger animals, and 6) more magnification. The opposite is true; the crappier the glass, the thicker the vegetation, throw in a quartering away and/or obscured animal, the smaller the animal, and the less magnification means you cannot glass as far.

This is what I use in general:
* Desert: SLC 15s and my STX (65 or 95 depending on my goal). This applies to Coues whitetail, desert mule deer, javelina, etc.
* Mountains: SLC 10s and a spotter (Kowa 554 or STX 65 depending on my goal). This applies to Coues whitetail, mule deer, black bear, elk, mountain goat, sheep, etc.
* Misc: Mix and match from my optics arsenal for what makes the most sense. There are times I'll have SLC 15s and Kowa 554 to hunt bears in transition zones.

 

[rackcity24]

The answer is it depends. And if someone tells you otherwise, smoke what they are smoking.

Some folks will claim they can field judge an animal to X number of miles (plural) with hand-held 8x binoculars 100% of the time. That has not been my experience despite having alpha glass and extensive time in the field every year glassing.

I've seen Coues deer miles away with my SLC 15s. But then there's times I've lost Coues at 300 yards with my SLC 15s (deer bedded). So are my 15s on Coues good for "miles" or "300 yards"? I've glassed up mature mule deer bucks 2-3 miles away with my 15s. But I have also had issues determine gender on a desert mule deer buck under 800 yards (bedded tight under a bush) with the same 15s. So are my 15s on desert mule deer good for "miles" or "800 yards"? That same 800 yard mule deer provided the same results with a STX 95 (couldn't tell until it turned its head -- buck). Does that mean the STX 95 is only good for under 800 yards?

Do be aware that the further you want to glass, you need: 1) better glass clarity, 2) less vegetation, 3) more compliant animals (broadside in the the open and not moving), 4) better light, 5) larger animals, and 6) more magnification. The opposite is true; the crappier the glass, the thicker the vegetation, throw in a quartering away and/or obscured animal, the smaller the animal, and the less magnification means you cannot glass as far.

This is what I use in general:
* Desert: SLC 15s and my STX (65 or 95 depending on my goal). This applies to Coues whitetail, desert mule deer, javelina, etc.
* Mountains: SLC 10s and a spotter (Kowa 554 or STX 65 depending on my goal). This applies to Coues whitetail, mule deer, black bear, elk, mountain goat, sheep, etc.
* Misc: Mix and match from my optics arsenal for what makes the most sense. There are times I'll have SLC 15s and Kowa 554 to hunt bears in transition zones.

Makes sense, alot of different variable and situations. Thank you

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[MCS]

I mostly day hunt but spend a good amount of time behind the glass. I do backpack style hunt often, which is why I bought the small kowa. For its purpose i really like it. I wasn't sure if stepping up to an 88 I would be gaining much at extended ranges. As far the mavens, there good binos, but I thought Swarovski binos would help eye strain. My left eye has kerataconus, so my right eye does all the work. Unfortunately i dont know if Swarovski binos would help with eye strain, but I figured it would be more pleasant glass to look through.

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I have the kowa 663 and the 88. The low light gathering ability of the 88 is a lot better and you get a clearer picture at higher magnification. I use the 88 on some hunts and the 66 on others. If your backpacking the 88 takes up a ton of space in your pack.

 

[kevin11mee]

It seems like I'm overthinking it, how far can you spot elk and deer with slc's effectively?

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Of course it depends but I can usually spot deer at about 1.5 miles with 15 SLC's but generally can't tell buck from doe during morning and late afternoon light conditions. Elk are a bit easier to spot of course but not sure you could judge the quality of a bull elk much past a 1-1.5 miles with 15's. Also depends if they are bedded by brush or in the open. 15's are awesome for finding game and looking over big country, but a spotter is still needed in my opinion.

 

[6.5x284]

Somewhere I have a pic through my 15 SLC at elk at just over 6 miles. Could see them feeding plain as day. Had good light (sun on them) and could tell bulls from cows, but not size. Could just tell something was on their head. I’ve since sold my SLCs for NL 12x and feel the clarity of the NL is better for glassing to about 2-3 miles. Then I wish I had 15s again. I run 8x NL, 12x NL, and recently went from a 85 STX to the Kowa 88S. I’ll be adding the little STC to my arsenal soon.

Edit: found a stud mountain buck at about 1.2 miles with my NL12 one day whey I was actually swapping back and forth with 15x. That was what sealed it for me. Was just so much more clear with the 12NL after I threw the 15s on him to compare. Could tell he was nice, spotter confirmed he had extras and trash.


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[rackcity24]

Well thanks guys, im definitely getting some binos. To the guys with NLs are you guys running the outdoorsman stud with the forehead rest?

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