Optimal Mule Deer Optics Setup

[MontanaMuley]

Hey Rokslide,

I’m looking for some advice on a long-term mule deer optics setup. Here’s what I’m currently running:

• Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10x42
• Spotter: Vortex Razor 17–38x56
• Rangefinder: Vortex Razor 4000

I really like how lightweight this setup is, but I’m ready to make the jump to “alpha” glass and build something I can stick with for years, rather than chasing constant upgrades.

What would you recommend for a well-rounded mule deer setup?

Appreciate your wisdom and experience.


Thank you,
MontanaMuley

 

[realunlucky]

@robby denning and @Matt Cashell just had this very discussion on the Rokcast podcast give it a listen here- https://www.rokslide.com/hunting-vampire-bucks-building-an-optics-kit/

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[Hnthrdr]

For me and for muleys it is 12x42 nl pures & ATC, could see swapping to 10x42 NL’s but I like the little extra magnification when it comes to muleys

 

[MontanaMuley]

For me and for muleys it is 12x42 nl pures & ATC, could see swapping to 10x42 NL’s but I like the little extra magnification when it comes to muleys

This is what I was leaning toward. NLs + STC...

 

[Hnthrdr]

This is what I was leaning toward. NLs + STC...

Really good combo, I could see wanting more magnification in the sage, i primarily hunt more mountainous pine/ aspen so most of my glassing is 2 miles and in. Usually 1 ridge to the next maybe 2 ridges, so I don’t feel under gunned, in the sage I would want an 80mm 20-60 or 20-70x type scope

 

[HookUp]

you should consider looking at the SIG Image stabilization binos. Ive ran Alpha glass and and to me it never showed anyting that wasnt there. Going 12x or more you will need a tripod. Tripods add weight and are slow to set up. I switched to IS binos years ago and would never go back to being tethered to a tripod and the non stop shaky view. Sure you dont get as good first and last light capability but your not married to a tripod and you become a lot more efficient glasser.

 

[WRO]

you should consider looking at the SIG Image stabilization binos. Ive ran Alpha glass and and to me it never showed anyting that wasnt there. Going 12x or more you will need a tripod. Tripods add weight and are slow to set up. I switched to IS binos years ago and would never go back to being tethered to a tripod and the non stop shaky view. Sure you dont get as good first and last light capability but your not married to a tripod and you become a lot more efficient glasser.

I’d completely disagree having ran both, putting a set of 14s or 15s on a tripod and spending a few hours at a time is very effective. The image stabilized have their pluses, but for serious glassing sessions they wouldn’t be my first or second choice.


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[JGRaider]

Hey Rokslide,

I’m looking for some advice on a long-term mule deer optics setup. Here’s what I’m currently running:

• Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10x42
• Spotter: Vortex Razor 17–38x56
• Rangefinder: Vortex Razor 4000

I really like how lightweight this setup is, but I’m ready to make the jump to “alpha” glass and build something I can stick with for years, rather than chasing constant upgrades.

What would you recommend for a well-rounded mule deer setup?

Appreciate your wisdom and experience.


Thank you,
MontanaMuley

You may find better glass at a higher price point, but alpha glass won't help you find any more game than that trio you already have. Many think expensive glass makes them better hunters and that's completely false. Perfect your glassing techniques off of a tripod and slow down, way down before you move to glass another area.

 

[grizz19]

Man I’m far from a pro but Swaro is obviously Swaro. Don’t know that there’s better binos on the planet than the NL pures. If money’s an object I really like the maven glass. Arguably some of the best bang for your buck glass out there. I’m hard on my gear so they are probably the only bino I’ll run. Currently have the 10’s would like to probably get the 12’s in the future. Spotters I like a little more than the mini spotter. I’ve had one of the razors in the past and always wanted more. Always. Ended up with a used Swaro stm 80 and love it. Spotters I say get the good stuff and baby it. I hunt the desert a lot so it’s big vast country.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I will say the baby razor is a great mini spotter at its price point, it obviously doesn’t have the edge to edge or the FOV of the swaro but I was really impressed with it, awesome at 850 or 800 or so. Have an ATC and love it but don’t feel like I have a bigger edge with the “alpha” glass. Really your set up will do you very well, but if you want swaro and have saved up, do it

 

[LCguy]

I go the way of the Coues hunters. 10x42 and 18x56 binos. My current 10s are mid-range Nikons (until my Monarch HGs arrive this week), and my 18s are Mavens. Both companies are, I think, at the point of diminishing returns in terms of image quality. Sure, you can make the step up to $2k glass but the difference between $1k glass and $2k glass is not as great as you might think. Is an extra $1k worth a 2-5% increase in preformance? Only you can decide that.

 

[lundellhunting7]

Binos Sig Zulu 6 12x42
Spotter Swaro ATS 65 hd
RF Sig 3K

Binos I have loved since I picked them up and even sold my swaros since I quit using them. My Spotter I feel is the best overall spotter. Its not heavy, easy to pack and great optics. The eyepiece being 20-60 is great. VERY rarely do I ever go to 60 power. But it is nice to have if needed. I have had compact spotters and large spotters. I always go back to an ATS 65 hd.

 

[WeiserBucks]

NL 14's, Kowa 66 and Revic BR4 work great for me.

 

[blksno]

Hey Rokslide,

I’m looking for some advice on a long-term mule deer optics setup. Here’s what I’m currently running:

• Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10x42
• Spotter: Vortex Razor 17–38x56
• Rangefinder: Vortex Razor 4000

I really like how lightweight this setup is, but I’m ready to make the jump to “alpha” glass and build something I can stick with for years, rather than chasing constant upgrades.

What would you recommend for a well-rounded mule deer setup?

Appreciate your wisdom and experience.


Thank you,
MontanaMuley

I hate carrying redundant glass.
I carry Sig Kilo 10K Gen 2s (built in LRF)
and my rifle (was) carrying a March 5-42x HighMaster.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I hate carrying redundant glass.
I carry Sig Kilo 10K Gen 2s (built in LRF)
and my rifle (was) carrying a March 5-42x HighMaster.

You imply you glass with your rifle scope? Interesting

 

[TaperPin]

Hey Rokslide,

I’m looking for some advice on a long-term mule deer optics setup. Here’s what I’m currently running:

• Binos: Vortex Razor HD 10x42
• Spotter: Vortex Razor 17–38x56
• Rangefinder: Vortex Razor 4000

I really like how lightweight this setup is, but I’m ready to make the jump to “alpha” glass and build something I can stick with for years, rather than chasing constant upgrades.

What would you recommend for a well-rounded mule deer setup?

Appreciate your wisdom and experience.


Thank you,
MontanaMuley

Any decisions about glass has to include a good tripod, especially in a windy state. 50% of the guys I run across in the backcountry have cheap wobbly tripods strapped to their packs. When I’m with friends with sworos they pick up slightly more animals than I do, but with the slightest wind an extra pound (or two) of tripod on my setup can erase some or all of their advantage.

 

[Blackbird]

Picked up the zeiss SFL12’s this year and they have been awesome. Also running a razor in the 65 but would like to go smaller and lighter on the spotter.

 

[nphunter]

First thing I would upgrade is your spotter. I would personally go with a Meopta S1 or one of the night force or cabelas versions of it. It will blow an STC/ATC out of the water, it’s defiantly at a weight cost but size wise the Meopta is a great package and phenomenal glass.

Those Razors are decent binos, I ran them for years. Once you upgrade that spotter if you really want great binos find a pair of NL’s. Personally I like the 8x32’s for starting glassing about anywhere. The huge FOV on NL 8’s will find more animals than 10’s or 12’s. Big binos are also great, you could always pick up some 15’s in place of the spotter or to swap depending on the hunt for the spotter if you’re worried about weight.

My current setup is:

NL 8x32 - MUTNT stud
NL 14x52 - MUTNT stud
Meostar S2
Sirui 24 with outdoorsman adapter

If I had to only chose one to keep it would be the 8x32’s followed by the 14’s.

Meopta makes a great 15 power bino as well, I used them for years with the Razor 10’s and they paired well together. I also had an ATC for the last couple of seasons and it had me wanting my S2 everytime I used it. I sold it and bought the 14’s with the money and it was a great choice, I don’t miss the little spotter at all.

 

[dreamingWest]

I was surprised to hear Robby and Matt use RF binos for archery mule deer. Muscle memory has me stuck on CRFs for archery. I just tried bowhunting with Leica Geovid Pro 10x42s in Greenland and couldn't stand it. I switched back to CRF Pro mid-hunt. I have two hunting buddies who are 100% archery and they are all in on Swaro EL Range TA 10x42s, so I'm the odd man out at the moment. I just picked up some Geovid Pro 8x32s to try again.

For early season muley's I love my 15 SLCs. Much more comfortable tracking deer and putting them to bed with the 15s than with a spotter. I do like 10s and spotter for mule deer in general.

For me:
Swaro SLC 10x42s
Swaro ATX 65 mm spotter
Swaro SLC 15x56s, unless weight conscious long (3+ night) backpack hunt.
Leica CRF Pro

Money is no object upgrade (archery):
Swaro NL 10x42
Swaro ATX 65 mm
Swaro NL 14x52
Leica CRF Pro

Money is no object upgrade (rifle):
Leica Geovid Pro 10x42
Swaro ATX 65 mm
Swaro NL 14x52

 

[Andrew12gauge]

You imply you glass with your rifle scope? Interesting

Assuming that one has identified a deer and wants a closer look I see no issue with looking through a riflescope. Wouldn’t be using it for spotting in the first place though personally


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