Seeking advice on Binocular upgrade

[elsb0048]

I use 8x's for everything western + spotter.
8x's are just my preference because I experience a fair bit of hand shake with 10x's. Only bring that up to say you don't necessarily NEED 10x's especially with as similar as they are to 8x's. When I'm glassing with my friends who have 10's by no means am I spotting fewer critters than they are. If you just want them and have disposable income then by all means get some toys.

I agree a spotter is not necessary but they are handy at the range and can be fun on a hunt. I originally bought mine because I hunt quite a few 3pt minimum units but I find myself bringing it on most whitetail and mule deer hunts just because I like looking closer.

I think I would add big eyes 12x-18x on a tripod for a full Western system before doing 8's and 10's.

 

[JackButler]

Like you I’m a minimalist. Plus I like to keep weight to a minimum and not have a bunch of “stuff”. For hunting in AZ, all I need are these and a rifle/bow. I use them on a tripod a lot, but they are perfectly useable without one. Best $2k I’ve ever spent. There’s really no wrong answer because different things work for different folks. Plus people just have their preferences. A good friend of mine is a guide in Alaska and he swears by his 7x binos and a spotting scope.

Leica Geovid R 15 x 56

Leica Geovid R 15x56 Rangefinder Binoculars, Yards

leicacamerausa.com

 

[BigCountry49]

I’ve owned a shit load of high end binos. Based on a performance to value ratio, the euro hd in the classified are going to be pretty hard to beat.

 

[Ross]

Grab a high end set of 10x42s and no need for the spotter. 99% of the time spotters are not needed to be successful.

 

[Jayhawk5]

Why do you feel you need an 8x for tree stand hunting? 6.5x32 are plenty of magnification for a stand, better light transmission, and better FOV to boot. I'd suggest you give the Kowa BD II a hard look for that purpose - it'll save you some ca$h too, that you can spend on a solid 8x or 10x42 (yes 8x are just fine for out west) pair. @Camera Land should be able to give you a good price on them, maybe a great price with Black Friday coming up.

I will check those out. It’s not so much they have to be 8x but more I’d like them compact so they don’t take up a lot of room in the pack and also lightweight. The ones you posted look like they check a lot of those boxes.

 

[Jayhawk5]

I use 8x's for everything western + spotter.
8x's are just my preference because I experience a fair bit of hand shake with 10x's. Only bring that up to say you don't necessarily NEED 10x's especially with as similar as they are to 8x's. When I'm glassing with my friends who have 10's by no means am I spotting fewer critters than they are. If you just want them and have disposable income then by all means get some toys.

I agree a spotter is not necessary but they are handy at the range and can be fun on a hunt. I originally bought mine because I hunt quite a few 3pt minimum units but I find myself bringing it on most whitetail and mule deer hunts just because I like looking closer.

I think I would add big eyes 12x-18x on a tripod for a full Western system before doing 8's and 10's.

Yeah that makes sense. I would probably get more use overall out of something like an 8x and a 12x.

 

[Jayhawk5]

Whats your budget? I'd consider combining it into one pair of the highest quality 8/10x

That maven would suit you just fine for elk all by itself though.

Honestly probably any of them. I’m just one of those guys that probably not going to pay twice as much for minimal performance increase.

 

[Jayhawk5]

If I were to go with the b3… would you go 8x30 or 10x30? The 8x30 seem to be kind of the sweet spot (fov, etc) looking at the spec sheet on mavens website.

 

[Browninglover1]

I carried 8x32 for everything for years and don't regret it, especially for elk. I personally would rather have 8x binos and a spotter instead of 8x and 10x binos. The Maven B3 are superb binos for the money. They push my First Gen 8x32 EL pretty hard in most categories and the Maven's are actually brighter on the two samples I've had next to my Swaros. The Swaros still have a better image, but you're truly splitting hairs, the Maven's are that good.

 

[Jayhawk5]

I carried 8x32 for everything for years and don't regret it, especially for elk. I personally would rather have 8x binos and a spotter instead of 8x and 10x binos. The Maven B3 are superb binos for the money. They push my First Gen 8x32 EL pretty hard in most categories and the Maven's are actually brighter on the two samples I've had next to my Swaros. The Swaros still have a better image, but you're truly splitting hairs, the Maven's are that good.

Thanks for the reply. I think this is the direction I’m going to go. 8x30 then eventually a spotter or larger binos (15x, 18x, etc) depending on weight and what would better suit the hunt.

 

[nm.otter]

If you're eventually going to own two pairs of binos, I'd suggest choosing a higher powered pair with roughly twice the magnification of the smaller ones. 8x + 15x works well here in the NM mountains.

 

[elsb0048]

If I were to go with the b3… would you go 8x30 or 10x30? The 8x30 seem to be kind of the sweet spot (fov, etc) looking at the spec sheet on mavens website.

My 2¢ is the 8x32 would best. For what you've described of whitetails 8x should be plenty of magnification and 8x32 has pretty similar exit pupil (low light capability) to 10x42 but gain some field of view

10x32 seems to be a little more popular for hunts where you're less concerned with first/last light but still weight conscious. Heard of alaska sheep/goat hunters being into these since up north you often have crazy long daylight hours in Aug/Sept but pretty weight conscious and wide open long distances where 10x is a little better than 8x

All that said you may really have to side by side in specific light conditions to rank the differences so pick your poison and hunt happy

 

[Ralphie]

Spotters are pretty useful if trophy quality is important to you. If not and you are just after a legal animal than I agree with some above and in most cases I wouldn’t carry one.