Upgrade binos or get a spotter?

[Jakelap]

I’m a pretty new hunter that lives and primarily hunts the dakotas. I’ve been running diamondback 10x42 and have been pretty pleased with them. Been able to spot some sheds and game. I’ve got an Idaho mule deer hunt coming up and I got some extra money for gear. My question is: should I upgrade my binos or should I go with a mid tier spotter? Don’t have a ton experience with spotters so I don’t know what I’m missing out on. Any wisdom would be appreciated! For reference I would probably upgrade my binos to vortex vipers or Athlon Cronus. Spotter recommendations in the 6-700 would be good.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I don’t run with my bino’s but I can tell you that I use binoculars 10x what I use a spotting scope. I would absolutely upgrade them before I thought about a spotting scope. A really nice pair of 10x will serve you way better. imo of course

 

[Axlrod]

Binos 100%. Spotter in that price range will work fine in bright sunlight, but be useless when you need it, in low light.

I would look for a pair of used Swaro SLC's. Even 20 years old, they are way better than most binos.

 

[betelgeuse]

I vote for better binos.

For a spotter that works great and you can pick up cheap, look for and older Nikon ED field scope ( green). They are cheap and really good.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Used Swaro EL/SLC or Leica Ultravid binos will prly be same as new vipers and is what I would suggest.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I don’t run with my bino’s but I can tell you that I use binoculars 10x what I use a spotting scope. I would absolutely upgrade them before I thought about a spotting scope. A really nice pair of 10x will serve you way better. imo of course

I agree with this, probably just largely due to having them in a bino harness on my chest 100% of the time very easily accessible without taking off pack and setting up a tripod etc.

 

[Hnthrdr]

If you wants recommendations, vortex: UHD’s used if you can find them, swaro used, kowa, Zeiss used or Lecia. But really a lot of bino’s will be a pretty big step up from where you are at.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I agree with this, probably just largely due to having them in a bino harness on my chest 100% of the time very easily accessible without taking off pack and setting up a tripod etc.

Even off a tripod I’m using my binoculars 95% of the time, my spotter comes out to confirm something or sometimes if I need to see into shadows midday. I do use NL 12’s and the ATC so it’s a baby spotter but does everything I want it to

 

[handwerk]

Excellent binos are a joy to use, I’d buy the best you can and worry about a spotter later. You’ll be amazed what you can see with quality 10x binos.

 

[peterk123]

I use binos almost all the time. I have a kowa 88, which I love, but for most of my hunting my binos do the job. But I'm also not counting tines two miles away.

700 bucks is not going to get you into a scope that will blow away your binos. Someone above made a great point about cheap scopes being fine in bright light but not when it matters.

Even better binos are going to require you to spend over a grand, likely closer to 1,500 bucks for it to be significantly better than what you have. Used may open up some options though.

Your binos will work. Mounting it on a tripod is a game changer. That's what I'd spend some cash on first. Spend some time behind your existing glass mounted on a tripod and see what you think.

 

[hereinaz]

Upgrade binos, and stretch your budget with used glass.

 

[fmyth]

I started out with Diamondback 10x42's and then upgraded to Athlon Cronus G2 10x42's. The Athlons are better in all conditions. I have had much better results finding deer and elk since I began using them on a tripod. Last year my bino adapter stud came loose and fell out into the bottom of my bino harness and ground some deep scratches into one lense. I shipped them off to Athlon and received a new pair within 10 days.

 

[justinspicher]

Binos for me. I don’t even own a spotter because I know I just won’t use it. I started with a set of vortex 8x32, then 10x42 HD. Upgraded to a pair of Leica DuoVids 8+12x42s and love them. They are heavier than a standard bino, but lighter than a spotter and way easier to carry.

 

[JDMBEND]

Sold my spotter to upgrade my binos.