Which optic to invest in

[KY_coop]

I'm in the process of planning a hunt out west for next year, trying to use it as an excuse to upgrade or buy some more cool stuff. I generally hunt for whitetail in ky so the stuff I got is plenty good for what I do here. I have 8x42 diamondback hd binos now and I like them for how I use them. I don't have a spotter yet because it would only get used around here for target shooting/sighting in. Hopefully in the future I will be able to go on more mountain style hunts but just wanting some advice on if I should upgrade my bino's or invest in a spotting scope even though it may rarely get used. I don't want to spend a ton of money on either, just want something that will be quality and last me a long time. Binos I am looking at are the athlon cronus g2 10x42's and the spotter I'm looking at is an athlon ares g2 15-45x65. If it's best for me to get a spotter, what would a good tripod/ head be for me to get started with it. I know next to nothing about where to start looking for a tripod and head. Thanks.

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[MuleyFever]

You dont need a spotting scope for elk unless you are trophy hunting. Take your total budget and get the best binos you can afford. The 10x vs 8x debate is all preference.

 

[KY_coop]

I would buy 10x bino's since I've already got some 8x. I like my 8x at home because of the heavy, thick woods we have here.

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[dirtytough]

I would get the best binos you can afford. I would probably sell what you have and add that to the piggy bank to upgrade.

A clear pair of 8x will show more detail than a less clear 10x.

Then you would have an even nicer pair to use on your hunts back home.

 

[atmat]

Binos are always the most important. I’d buy used alpha quality binos.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

If you're going to buy any glass, go all the way to the top. Otherwise make do with what you've got while some you save up more. I've run meopta meostar hd (very similar to swaro slc) beside zeiss victory SF, and even at that level there was a noticeable performance difference in favor of the zeiss. In that scenario, Elk 3 miles away were visible with 10x zeiss but not with 12x meopta.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I went to 15x binos on a tripod and never use my spotter anymore. That would be my recommendation for western hunting. The Santiam HDs don’t get much love for some reason, but I have compared them to swaros and would take the Santiams any day over the swaros.

 

[LookinforDirt]

It pays to go hunt first and learn what you need and what you like to use. I agree with the others, I would not get the spotting scope before binos. Spotters are for looking at something really, really far away and seeing if it is worth your time and effort to walk that far and try to shoot it. And for trophy hunting or sheep hunts.

Personally, I’d go for 10 or 12 by bino’s. I had some 8’s and elected to go with 12’s for glassing out west. 10‘s didn’t differentiate enough vs 8’s and I can still hand hold the 12’s. I put them on a tripod and felt I could pick the mountains apart pretty well looking as far as 700 yards out (the longest distance I was subject to). I don’t agree with buy the best or don’t buy. Depends on who you are and how you hunt. Bino’s in the $1000-$1500 range (maybe more now with inflation), IMO, are incredible. Something would have to do some really special things to get me to pay 2, 3, 4x more.

Cant give much opinion on tripods. Go light if you hike distance and get a quality head. Hours glassing can wear on you. Lots of tripod info on the forum.

You already have enough to go hunting. Adding a good set of 10, 12, 15s will certainly be useful. Then go hunt your butt off. That, in the end, is what will matter.

 

[mooretitan]

Like others would not worry about the spotting scope. Get by with what you have until you can afford the best you are comfortable spending. I have a pair of ELs and yes they cost a lot but I have had them over 20 years. In the long run it works out being pretty affordable

 

[RussGS]

I totally agree- put everything you are comfortable spending into the best binos you can get. Used glass can be a good option. Used Meopta meostars go for $450 in 8x32 configuration.

If your back will let you glass constantly from the ground you can get away with a lesser quality tripod. If you have to stand occasionally to stretch out (speaking from experience) I recommend a minimum of $150-$300 tripod. Of course, the used market opens up some decent options that can be a good deal.

 

[4th_point]

I would echo the sentiment from some of the other posts. Simply use what you got until you figure out what suits your needs.

I'm an East Coast transplant to the PNWet and love gear, but I think it becomes a rabbit hole. I have done the incremental upgrade in optics game, and in hindsight I would follow the advice above to wait a bit.

 

[KY_coop]

Thanks everyone for the answers. I'll keep an eye out in the classifieds for some nice bino's but my girlfriend would probably enjoy me holding off. Lol

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[Boarmaster]

If I didn't have a set of versatile Alfa glass bino‘s I would start there. You will use those just about everyday you hunt for decades. I love my Swaro ELs but tastes and eyes differ. These days I might forget my bullets before I forget my binos.

 

[Boarmaster]

Like others would not worry about the spotting scope. Get by with what you have until you can afford the best you are comfortable spending. I have a pair of ELs and yes they cost a lot but I have had them over 20 years. In the long run it works out being pretty affordable

Thats my story as well.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

You have already received excellent advice. Buy the best binos you can afford. My situation is similar to yours. I do a lot of whitetail hunting on the East Coast. Sometimes that involves open fields and long shots. I have killed a number of animals out past 300 yards in Virginia, and good binos and good rifle scope glass pay off.

I have a Vortex Razor spotter from 2017. It is overwhelmingly used for the rifle range. It works great for that. I have never carried it on a hunt. My Leica 8x42 Trinovids have been to Africa and on last year's elk hunt. I just upgraded to a set of 10x42 EL's. The EL's are worth it. I just got back from a sightseeing trip to Yellowstone, and they were great. They'll be going on my elk hunt this year.

 

[roosiebull]

Thanks everyone for the answers. I'll keep an eye out in the classifieds for some nice bino's but my girlfriend would probably enjoy me holding off. Lol

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Well, she’s not your wife, good binos last a long time and don’t complain about you spending your money , always a good investment, I have had girlfriends that weren’t.

 

[bronco_buster]

Most good binos last longer than girlfriends...just saying.

 

[Mnash]

Meopta binos are some of the best quality out there second only to swaro imo and their price is incredible. They also offer a doubler that screws directly into the eye cup so that negates your need for a spotter. Check them out

 

[Slowtrollr]

100$ off for Labor Day.. don’t know much about them.

TORIC UHD SCHOTT HT 10X42 Binoculars

The award-winning TORIC 10x42 hunting binoculars provide a wide field of view, superior light transmission, and a level of durability you won’t find in another bino in its price class.

tractoptics.com