Optics in the back pack

[unclericco]

So I’m having a difficult time trying to decide if I need to add a set of Swarovski 15x56’s to my setup for western big game. I hunt big canyon country all over the west and was previously using Leica 10x42’s along with my BTX and 95 mm lens. I recently traded the Ultravids for the 10x42 Geovid HDB-3000. So now I will be using those along with my BTX. I’ve been itching to add the 15’s for a while but I keep going back and forth on the idea. I just wanted to get some opinions on what you guys would do? The BTX is a lot of weight and I’m not sure really I want to pack all 3 or not? Is it worth the weight in my situation?

 

[pbcarch]

I have been toying with idea of adding that btx as well.
While do you feel you need a 15x if you have the btx? Is the btx limiting you , other than weight and size?

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[Racethesunset]

setup for western big game

What type of western big game will you emphasize? If you are leaning white tail, I’d bring the 15’s for active morning and evening glassing. Then later in the day pick apart the bedding spots and distant hills with the BTX as things calm down a bit.

 

[unclericco]

I love the BTX and can't see ever leaving it while I'm hunting. I'm probably splitting hairs as I was thinking I might want to leave the spotter back and just take the 15's sometimes?

You can really glass up the game with the BTX though, I love mine!

 

[unclericco]

What type of western big game will you emphasize? If you are leaning white tail, I’d bring the 15’s for active morning and evening glassing. Then later in the day pick apart the bedding spots and distant hills with the BTX as things calm down a bit.

I don't hunt whitetails, just mule deer, elk and antelope. I was thinking adding the 15's would give me a little more versatility sometimes? Plus I kind of just really want them

 

[pbcarch]

15x are kind of big for hand use for lengths of time. My 10x are always on my chest for that.

So will you use the 15x on tripod mostly ? Seems the btx can handle all a 15x can do and then some.

Sorry running the same idea threw my head...backpack hunt, have atx +10x42...desiding on btx vs 15x

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[unclericco]

Yeah I would definitely be using the 15’s off my tripod and the Leicas on the chest. I would probably want to get the 15’s in your case since you already have an ATX? Or maybe sell the ATX and get a BTX and you will have my same problem haha

 

[tdot]

After playing this game during last hunting season, I ended up with 12x EL and BTX.

If I'm leaving the BTX at home, the 12x are easy to pack and could be handheld if necessary, and can be run in a chest pack. Plus I feel they compliment the BTX a little better. The 12x EL with the field flattener lens has a drastically wider FOV then the numbers suggest vs the 15x, IMO.

For a smaller set, an 8x or 6x is alot lighter then any of the bigger options and more importantly for me, more compact.

I feel like the 10x Swarovski's were more comparable to the 8x then the 12x in real life use.

 

[Racethesunset]

I don't hunt whitetails, just mule deer, elk and antelope. I was thinking adding the 15's would give me a little more versatility sometimes? Plus I kind of just really want them

It’s a great optic for mule deer and antelope too. I probably wouldn’t bring it elk hunting but that’s just my eyes.

A set of 10/15/30 makes more sense than 10/30 if you got the funds.

Ultimate would be 8/10/12/15/30 to mix and match ha

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Ultimate would be 8/10/12/15/30 to mix and match ha

Did we just become best friends?

 

[Racethesunset]

Did we just become best friends?

Optics bros. Haha

 

[pbcarch]

So....which first 12 els or btx eyepiece

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[unclericco]

It’s a great optic for mule deer and antelope too. I probably wouldn’t bring it elk hunting but that’s just my eyes.

A set of 10/15/30 makes more sense than 10/30 if you got the funds.

Ultimate would be 8/10/12/15/30 to mix and match ha

So are you saying I should add the 15's? HAHA

 

[Hatchet Jack]

So....which first 12 els or btx eyepiece

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I cringe at the term “game changer”, but a set of 30x big eyes is a powerful tool especially for scouting. I would lean toward this first if you have good 10s. I can find deer in the tops of canyons from my porch with my twin Kowas in a unit I can hunt every year. For a guy with young kids and limited time that’s huge to me.

 

[pbcarch]

So I have with my atx the 65 and 85 lenses. Hot the 65 for the back pack and 85 for shooting at the range
I only archery hunt out west right now so watch the weight. A btx with the 65 , is it really worth it? Or is it best used with the 85 or 95?
I have 10 slcs but wanted to get a bit more power. I wanted to go 12s but cant swing it right now. I got a stop gap with zulu 9 11x45, got awesome deal on factory demo

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[unclericco]

So I have with my atx the 65 and 85 lenses. Hot the 65 for the back pack and 85 for shooting at the range
I only archery hunt out west right now so watch the weight. A btx with the 65 , is it really worth it? Or is it best used with the 85 or 95?
I have 10 slcs but wanted to get a bit more power. I wanted to go 12s but cant swing it right now. I got a stop gap with zulu 9 11x45, got awesome deal on factory demo

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I love my BTX. You already have the lenses you need too. If I had those 2 I wouldn't bother worrying about the 95 I don't think. If it was me, I'd add the BTX and use it with the 85mm, and add the 15's

 

[tdot]

BTX/65 is a much better combo then I was expecting. I havent tested the 85, but the difference between the 95 and 65 is smaller then I thought it would be. From the testing/playing that I have done so far, I would take the BTX/65 over the STX/95 if I was looking for animals, and i was considering weight. STX/95 if I want to look close at something I've already found.

 

[longbarrel]

I hunt the west exclusively, and have settled on 10x42 ultravid and Kowa 554. Heavy optics get old when backpacked all day.