Tripod binos: Vortex Diamondback 12x50 vs Vortex Vulture HD 15x56

[gmajor]

Looking for a set of tripod binoculars (on my budget...). I had assumed I would go with the Vulture HD 15s, but now I'm thinking about the diamondback 12s.

The 15s give you 3x more magnification, which is certainly not trivial. However, the 12s save a lot of weight. As a meat hunter for the forseeable future (I'm not trying to count points or rings), I don't use a spotting scope. I just want to be able to find game in the high country (CO, CA, ID). So far I've just been carrying the diamondback 8x42s, but I've seen first hand the advantage of a higher-power tripod bino, and I think it might be time to add one to the mix.

My concerns over the 15s are primarily weight, but then I worry getting the 12s won't give me as much of a bump in power as I would hope for over the 8s (were they to be on a tripod). Also, if you had a pair of 8 and 12s, would you carry them both or just the 12s?

Back and forth, back and forth...anybody care to chime in?

 

[gmajor]

Perhaps I should make this more general:

If you're going to use them on a tripod, do you choose 12s for weight and field of view, or 15s for power and distance?

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Where are you located? I saw on a previous thread that we hunt some of the same areas.

I have 12x50s and my brother has 15x50s. We haven't had a chance to use them a whole lot yet. If I were inclined to carry 2 pair I would go with 8s and 15s with the 15s being the highest quality my budget could afford.

 

[gmajor]

Where are you located? I saw on a previous thread that we hunt some of the same areas.

I have 12x50s and my brother has 15x50s. We haven't had a chance to use them a whole lot yet. If I were inclined to carry 2 pair I would go with 8s and 15s with the 15s being the highest quality my budget could afford.

Hey man, that's funny, I think I read some of your thoughts on your 12s vs 15s. I'm located down in the bay (peninsula), but hunt the trinities, generally. My budget may end up making this decision for me unfortunately...

 

[69ChrisCraft]

My experience is fairly limited compared to most so take it with a grain of salt...I have recently used the 12x and 15x in Arizona and shed hunting here in Central CA. Having hunted B zone last year with 10xs and a spotter I would think that 12s would be ideal (I'll know for sure here in a few months). I'm sure you're aware that the 15x movement more or less started with the AZ guys...having just been there the expanse of the desert is overwhelming. I can't imagine routinely glassing areas in B zone that are on the same scale as the desert.

I don't know if I've helped at all. I'm hoping someone else chimes in as I've become a bit of an optics phene lately.

I'll have to send you a PM tonight...I'd like to share some info on an area you inquired about a few months back.

 

[gmajor]

My experience is fairly limited compared to most so take it with a grain of salt...I have recently used the 12x and 15x in Arizona and shed hunting here in Central CA. Having hunted B zone last year with 10xs and a spotter I would think that 12s would be ideal (I'll know for sure here in a few months). I'm sure you're aware that the 15x movement more or less started with the AZ guys...having just been there the expanse of the desert is overwhelming. I can't imagine routinely glassing areas in B zone that are on the same scale as the desert.

I don't know if I've helped at all. I'm hoping someone else chimes in as I've become a bit of an optics phene lately.

I'll have to send you a PM tonight...I'd like to share some info on an area you inquired about a few months back.

Thanks man, much appreciated. This does inform my decision. It sounds like the 12s might be ideal for our area (and where I hunt in CO), given the open (but steep) terrain. IE, not quite Arizona...

Looking forward to chatting.

 

[bcimport]

12x Razors...got a pair set up on the tripod and its sweet. plus I can still get away holding them by hand for a bit too. There is a big weight penalty between the 12 and 15

 

[gmajor]

12x Razors...got a pair set up on the tripod and its sweet. plus I can still get away holding them by hand for a bit too. There is a big weight penalty between the 12 and 15

Are you bringing your 8s (or 7s, etc) with you around your neck, or the 12s for do it all?

 

[dotman]

I use 8's and 15's, this will be my first year with 15's as I sold my 65mm spotter. I have found that two eye viewing is better then one for me. Also I ended up not using the spotter much and want to use these expensive items as much as I can. I would go with the Vultures, from everyone I talked to they are very good in the center and get soft or less detailed on the edges. The vultures should also be a step up from the diamond back in overall optical quality.

I carry my 8's on my chest and the 15's will be in the pack like the spotter was. I hunt southern CO and think this will be a great overall setup.

 

[Fowl intentions]

Long story short, I just bought a pair of Viper HD 12X50 and a tripod. I have been using a pair of Leica 8x25 for years. I really wanted to spend more time glassing for "shooters" (not size). I looked at some 12x50 and 15x50. The higher power is good, yes, but you loose a little light, the 15x tended to be a darker view so I went with the 12x50.
I wore them around my neck this weekend for bears and it wasn't to bad. The problem I had was holding them up, the 8x25s were nothing to hold and do a quick glass. I will bring both pairs this season, the Leica's around my neck and the 12x50's mounted on a tripod for glassing sits. I feel the value of the Viper's is real tough to beat.
Good luck and I hope this helps a little.

cheers

 

[Fowl intentions]

Wow, sorry I just saw the one's you are looking at are the 15x56's.
Ha, maybe I should use my new binos to read posts

 

[damer]

I had Vortex send me the 15s in the Vultures and 15s in the Vipers. I used them side by side from the middle of September to around Christmas time. I ended up buying the Vipers. The vultures had good glass, but the focus is very very sloppy. The weight was an issue as well. I've been very pleased with my vipers. Have a set of 10x50s as well.

For the money the 12x50 diamond backs are a great glass.

 

[gmajor]

Ended up with neither, ha. Just traded with a buddy - my 8x42 diamondbacks for his 10x42 diamondbacks. Couldn't justify the weight of 2 binos + a tripod, and I think the 10s are probably the best all around power for where I hunt. Still going to tripod mount them!