Optics Combo - East & West Hunting

[pbcarch]

Curious to what everyone is using in optics setup for east and west hunting.
My hunting here on the east is all tree stand with bow and I find my 10x42 work quite well along with my range finder for a quick view. My SLC 10x42 work awesome when its first light or dusk.

Out west and for the rifle range I go into a spotter. Eventually ended up with the ATX system and have the 65 now for the back pack and 85 for range shooting. I found the 85 just a little too much to lug around. Considering different binos for out west to combine with my spotter.

So what combo works for you guys and why?



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[svillalobos]

I run 10x42s in a Conquest HD and a pair of 2003 Swaro ELs, with a Razor 65mm spotter. Only hunt in Arizona so tripod glassing and spotter for judging, The 65mm lets me Judge but it has its limits. If I was counting rings or needing to know 5 inches of difference on a coues buck then I’d step up to an alpha spotter, the razor does the job for now. Toying with the idea of selling the swaros and getting a pair of 15xs or 18xs.

 

[Brendan]

No spotter for archery elk. 10x42 El with stud, Outdoorsman adapter and pan head, Slik 634 Tripod. Honestly, in a lot of areas the tripod and pan head don't get carried either.

If that combo isn't enough, or I'm running a more glass intensive hunt, I'll just carry my ATX 95. Let's face it, the 65 only saves you 1.25 pounds...

 

[willfrye027]

East: maven b3 8x30s. Previously used 10x42 conquests but these were really rough to use still hunting. 8x is a major improvement.

West: Leica duovid 10-15x50, kowa 602 spotter. Overall a pretty lightweight setup for having all the bases covered. In the future I will upgrade the spotter, but unless someone else comes out with a better switch power bino, the duovid are perfect for me.

 

[Racethesunset]

For Arizona coues and elk, I get the most production pairing the EL SV 8x32 on the chest and the EL SV 12x50 on the tripod.

I also like the Canon 10x42 IS WP L. Alpha or otherwise, this is the best glass I could find for leaving the tripod at home. Puts points on bucks that you have no business counting.

 

[Lionhound1975]

Eastern forests - Meostar 7x42 and 8x56, Viper HD 6x32. I don't use a spotter very much for hunting here in the East.

West - Euro HD 8x32, Meostar HD 10x42 and15x56 HD. Spotter Meostar S2 82 HD.

 

[longbarrel]

After trying different setups, I have settled on Leica Ultravid 10x42 and Kowa 554. Bot are light enough while having great capabilities.