Would you rather...

[Bearwhisky]

Have a pair of lower end binoculars and a decent spotting scope, or a pair of higher end binoculars and no spotting scope?

Details... I currently have a pair of Leupold BX-1 10x42 as my only optic. I’m a flat lander doing a couple of DIY western hunts this fall, and have budgeted about $1,000 for optics this year. Need help deciding which route would be more useful for the terrain out west (I’m used to 300 yard max visibility here). Im considering either replacing my Leupolds with Maven C series or Leica Trinivoids 10x42 OR getting a decent spotting scope to use with my low end Leupold binoculars (Maven, Kowa, others?). If it matters, I’ll be going to Colorado for 3rd rifle elk, and Montana Elk B with a rifle. Also, general game spotting is more important to me than identifying trophy quality. Thanks for any input.


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[CApighunter]

I’d get the best pair of binos you can afford and get a solid tripod to mount them on.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I’d get the best pair of binos you can afford and get a solid tripod to mount them on.

This is my position. I had cheap binoculars, tripod and a Swarovski spotter. Sold it all and now have Swarovski 15's on a great tripod. Works great for 99% of the hunts that I'm a part of.

 

[ZackP]

Are you going to your bino’s most of the time or your spotting scope? I’m behind bino’s 90% of the time.

Something to consider.
call Doug at Camera Land and get the Kowa Genesis on sale for $999.

 

[OrangeMan73]

My vote is for bushnell legend binocs and a Leica televid spotter. When you get out there you really want to get out there, but quick looksees don't require the definition. Probably weighs more but life's too short not to be able to see miles away...

 

[OldGrayJB]

I'd take good binos and no spotter. IMO spotters are for judging trophy class. You could notice a huge difference by just upgrading to BX-4's.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Binos here too.

 

[rclouse79]

Binos all the way. Spotting scopes are big, heavy, expensive and no fun to look through for extended time.

 

[Bearwhisky]

Thanks for all the responses. Binos seem to be the ticket! 8 or 10x seem the best for me here in the east, so I’m leaning towards a 10x for dual purpose. However, if 12 or 15x would put my lightyears ahead in the big mountains, I would consider those instead (seeing as the short distances I glass here don’t require as high quality glass). If anyone has strong opinions towards the higher power, I’m all ears. It seems to me that too much magnification on binos will make acquiring target harder, decrease FOV and be very unsteady when not on a tripod.


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[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Always binoculars as you’ll use it where as the spotter may get used a few minutes per day.

Get a good tripod and head. But you don’t have to break the bank on it.

 

[Rifles And More]

If you are just trying to find animals - I'd do the binos and a tripod. Try and get the very best you can, maybe even a 12x. Stretch that budget a bit.

If you are looking for a certain class of animal - a spotter is the way to go. I'm afraid though, a 1K budget won't get you what you need to really judge size.

 

[sndmn11]

Trinivids and a digiscope adapter hooked to a phone with digital zoom.

 

[BBob]

For your situation (CO elk) I'd lean to the best 8 or 10x you can afford first. Trinovid's were once one of the best binoculars to be had and certainly have found tons of game. Once you do a hunt or two and you think you need more magnification buy the best 15x and or a spotting scope you can afford down the road. You can do really well with quality 10x on your neck and tripod. For most elk hunts you won't need any more than the 8 or 10x and on lots of elk hunts you won't need a tripod or you can do without. A lot depends on what type of hunt you are doing and where it is exactly. A buddy has hunted CO elk way more than me and he doesn't take anything but 10x on his neck into the back country. No tripod ever and he kills pretty much every year for many years. He's an AZ Coues hunter and has high end 15's and spotter but has no need for them on those hunts.

As to how much I've used a good spotting scope on an elk hunt? I've been behind a scope for hours glassing for elk especially in big cedar country. It's a great tool to have when wanted/needed but certainly not required for most hunts. But I've found some whopper bulls way out there with my spotter so....

 

[CApighunter]

Thanks for all the responses. Binos seem to be the ticket! 8 or 10x seem the best for me here in the east, so I’m leaning towards a 10x for dual purpose. However, if 12 or 15x would put my lightyears ahead in the big mountains, I would consider those instead (seeing as the short distances I glass here don’t require as high quality glass). If anyone has strong opinions towards the higher power, I’m all ears. It seems to me that too much magnification on binos will make acquiring target harder, decrease FOV and be very unsteady when not on a tripod.


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If I was only going to have one, 10x. If you plan on adding 15s down the road then I’d go 8x. 12s are just too much for me to hand hold personally.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I've been blessed with great vision and I'm color blind like a mofo, critters are very easy for me to spot with or without glass. I use 15's and it's like bringing a sword to a fist fight.

 

[6.5x284]

Concur with most, best bino’s you can afford first followed by a tripod second. You will be amazed how far you can find animals with even 8x binos on a tripod! I’ve shown a lot of people animals they missed that I found on a tripod. Every one has bought a tripod as soon as they got home from our trip!


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[arizona wanderings]

Best binos you can afford on a tripod get my vote.

 

[bigbulls]

Best 10X you can afford and a tripod, you will have something you can use back home also

 

[ElkArcher918]

I would focus my $ on the best 10x42 binos you can afford within your $1,000 budget. Maybe a set of Vortex Razors HD (a good used pair would be fine). For the type of hunting you will be doing it doesn't sound like a spotter would be that useful.

 

[S.Clancy]

I have Meopta 10x42 on a good tripod. I can reliably glass out to 1.5 - 2 miles with that setup, depending on deer vs elk. I can also generally tell if a buck or bull is worth a closer look at that range. 10x42 are best, in my opinion, from about 1/2 mile to 1 mile of a tripod. Not much need for a spotter unless super far distance or big time trophy hunting.