FirstGenHunts
FNG
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2026
- Messages
- 2
I'm a new hunter and bought a vortex venom 3-15 scope & vortex diamondback 15x56 binos (yes the marketing got me, and I was unaware that nearly every optic company has the lifetime warranty). Now that I'm a little more learnt I'm looking to start upgrading my system. As of now I only have the money to upgrade one of these before the fall hunting system. If I upgrade the scope it will likely be a Maven 1.2 or Nightforce SHV F2. If I upgrade binos I'd probably go with one of the Sig Zulu's.
Argument for Binos: I spend most of my hunting days glassing from ridges trying to spot game. I have abnormally good eyes and have been able to spot game in what seem to be very difficult conditions, but there still might be game that I'm missing. That said my eyes do get tired after glassing for awhile. Since I spend majority of my time glassing I feel like I'd have a better experience and more shot opportunities by upgrading to the stabilized binos. Also, the scope works well enough that I can shoot a dinner plate group at 600 yards (this was with 15mph wind & PMC Bronze ammo). Also, shooting is such a microscopic portion of the time spent while hunting, whereas I spend hours and hours glassing.
Argument for the Scope: So far I've had pretty good success spotting game so it could be argued that I don't really need new binos. On the other hand I'm not confident that my scope would withstand a good side impact if I took a fall, based on the drop tests. I prefer to climb steep terrain to get away from the crowds, and run the risk of slipping and taking a pretty good fall. Not withstanding a good side impact, the scope works well enough that I'd be confident shooting game out to 400 yds (my current ethical range, conditions depending). I'd sure hate to have everything lined up then miss the shot because the scope failed.
What would you do?
Argument for Binos: I spend most of my hunting days glassing from ridges trying to spot game. I have abnormally good eyes and have been able to spot game in what seem to be very difficult conditions, but there still might be game that I'm missing. That said my eyes do get tired after glassing for awhile. Since I spend majority of my time glassing I feel like I'd have a better experience and more shot opportunities by upgrading to the stabilized binos. Also, the scope works well enough that I can shoot a dinner plate group at 600 yards (this was with 15mph wind & PMC Bronze ammo). Also, shooting is such a microscopic portion of the time spent while hunting, whereas I spend hours and hours glassing.
Argument for the Scope: So far I've had pretty good success spotting game so it could be argued that I don't really need new binos. On the other hand I'm not confident that my scope would withstand a good side impact if I took a fall, based on the drop tests. I prefer to climb steep terrain to get away from the crowds, and run the risk of slipping and taking a pretty good fall. Not withstanding a good side impact, the scope works well enough that I'd be confident shooting game out to 400 yds (my current ethical range, conditions depending). I'd sure hate to have everything lined up then miss the shot because the scope failed.
What would you do?
