What objective lens should I go for my first nice pair of binos?

[AgentP]

So I have some diamondback hd 10x42s I used last year for elk hunting and will be using this year for elk and mule deer. I’m thinking of getting a pair of Meopta meostars because I found a crazy good sale. The question is do I get 10x, 12x or 15x? I already have a pair of 10x but I know better quality will make them more usable. I worry about getting the 12’s since they are so close to the 10s and might not be usable in thick timber. And then the 15s can only be used on a tripod. Any thoughts? I found the meostars for half of retail, are those worth it? Or should I get a used set of Swarovski EL’s?

 

[mulveymo]

10x42 is undoubtedly the most versatile.

 

[hereinaz]

I would get 15x off a tripod and if you have used Swaro money do that.

I use my OK Sig 10x32 for close stuff and your Diamondback will do. Don’t skimp on the Eye of Sauron glass to look over middle earth. I come from the perspective of looking for tiny deer in the desert. Elk is a different thing of course.

So, a good 12x UHD can do most of what the 15x does if you want to save weight and have more versatility. You can hand hold them, but they don’t work great for that.

 

[taskswap]

I also prefer to have a pair of 10's and a pair of 15's. There's not a lot that 12's do that I wouldn't go one notch up or down so my 10's are my lighter-weight regular-carry item and my 15's are my serious-scouting option.

One downside to 15's is you have to pick and choose bino harnesses. Many won't fit glass that big, or have a very tight squeeze.

 

[Rock63]

1st question is, are you satisfied with your 10x42’s?

I would take them to a store where I could compare them to other 10X42’s or better yet borrow from some friends and compare them in real outdoor dawn/dusk conditions for how you hunt.

Go from there

 

[Trr15]

I’ve had 10s, 12s and 15s and finally settled on 12s as my do-it-all bino. More reach than 10s and really not much more difficult to keep stable while holding in hand. 15s have their place in big open country, but not much I cant do with the 12s.

 

[AgentP]

1st question is, are you satisfied with your 10x42’s?

I would take them to a store where I could compare them to other 10X42’s or better yet borrow from some friends and compare them in real outdoor dawn/dusk conditions for how you hunt.

Go from there

What 10x42 do you use? Honestly I’ve only had mine for a season but I could definitely see that they won’t be the best for glassing.

 

[AgentP]

I’ve had 10s, 12s and 15s and finally settled on 12s as my do-it-all bino. More reach than 10s and really not much more difficult to keep stable while holding in hand. 15s have their place in big open country, but not much I cant do with the 12s.

Well as far as 15’s go would it be worth it to instead get a slotting scope? Since the 12s can make do the scope would serve for really judging the animals

 

[Trr15]

Well as far as 15’s go would it be worth it to instead get a slotting scope? Since the 12s can make do the scope would serve for really judging the animals

That’s what I settled on. 12x on my chest and a spotter.

 

[flyfisher117]

What’s your budget and where do you hunt? My hunting buddy carries 10s in his chest, 12s and an 85mm spotter in his pack. He spends most of his time behind the 12s. Only uses the spotter to judge game. Uses the 10s for hand holding and rapid scanning.

Personally I couldn’t stand 12x binos. Too much for me to handhold. Once on the tripod I was left wanting more. Once in timber/still hunting I wanted my 10s back. I have since gotten a pair of 15s and absolutely love them in the open. I’m seeing more animals than ever. I still have my 10s on my chest but I am tempted to drop them down to 8x.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Most of us start out looking for the perfect set of binoculars just to find out they really don’t exist. Every binocular is a compromise of features and functions at different price points.

That being said, it’s pretty hard to beat the versatility of a quality 10x42 as a general hunting glass. What brand/model depends on budget and preferences. If one can afford it I’d recommend targeting ~$1K or above as there are many quality options. A good place to start would be looking at several models like the Zeiss Conquest HDX, Maven B Series, and several others to get an idea of what you like and fits you best.

 

[Rock63]

What 10x42 do you use? Honestly I’ve only had mine for a season but I could definitely see that they won’t be the best for glassing.

I use 10x42 ELs that were upgraded in 2020 for the West and 10x50 SLCs for whitetail stand hunting.. I am tempted to look at Pures to see if my eyes can get any benefit. The Swaro version ELs were none to little benefit.

 

[hereinaz]

Well as far as 15’s go would it be worth it to instead get a slotting scope? Since the 12s can make do the scope would serve for really judging the animals

Describe your hunting situation and location. Most everyone I know uses 15s to glass in AZ. Some use 12x plus spotter.

Until you have good money to buy a spotter, I think used 15x you can resell are the best way to go. If you don’t like em, sell and then get the 12x.

 

[AgentP]

Describe your hunting situation and location. Most everyone I know uses 15s to glass in AZ. Some use 12x plus spotter.

Until you have good money to buy a spotter, I think used 15x you can resell are the best way to go. If you don’t like em, sell and then get the 12x.

I’m hunting in western Colorado. Can be thick timber but for mule deer it’ll be more open country. High range glassing on a tripod

 

[hereinaz]

I’m hunting in western Colorado. Can be thick timber but for mule deer it’ll be more open country. High range glassing on a tripod

IMO, 15x for tripod glassing big country. Gotta find the deer first. The 15x in your budget does it. The 12x NL pure are so good they can replace 15x because of clarity and field of view.

Your 10x will be adequate for close work.

 

[AgentP]

IMO, 15x for tripod glassing big country. Gotta find the deer first. The 15x in your budget does it. The 12x NL pure are so good they can replace 15x because of clarity and field of view.

Your 10x will be adequate for close work.

What about Meopta meostar 12x50? That way I only have to cart one set of binos when mule deer hunting