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Hunters--Backpacking Mulie Binos
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m_freeman View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: August/07/2009
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Posts: 19 		  Quote m_freeman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hunters--Backpacking Mulie Binos
    Posted: October/27/2009 at 13:01
the application will be mulie hunting in open country, backpack hunting with *only one scouting optic* will have 3.5x9 zeiss conquest rifle scope --considerations in order are 1.weight, size for backpack hunting
2. low light, distance resolution good contrast
4. this is a mulie hunter not a birder so don't want to pay for what I dont need--cost
 
right now I am thinking a very high quality 8x 30 or 35  or maybe a high quality 7x  compact
and use my rifle scope for distance details I am limited to 7mm-08 range anyway. Need a little help with this, thanks for any advice
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Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
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Posts: 89 		  Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 13:08
What kind of $ are you looking to spend?
-Matt
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3725 		  Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 13:08
I would take a look at these.  Zen Rays are getting crazy good reviews from virtually everyone that uses them.  Glass quality is suppose to be approaching alpha league and so far durability reports have been very good.
http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-7x36-Zen-ED2-Binocular-P41886.aspx
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"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
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biggreen747 View Drop Down
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Posts: 39 		  Quote biggreen747 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 13:14
look at the Zen Ray ED's. I don't personally have them but there have ben a-lot of good reviews here. I think they will be the ones I buy to replace my current binocs next year. For good glass the price is pretty hard to beat too. For a Mulie hunt I would go with the 10x glass though rather that using the rifle scope Sad. I backpack hunt a-lot in CO and find a 10x42 Binoc on a harness is hardly noticeable.
We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Posts: 259 		  Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 13:18
Take a good hard look at the Swift 7x36 Eaglet.  This is a nice compact binocular and gives you a full 5mm exit pupil, and it works very well in twilight.  It has a very bright, crisp image and I have no problem using it as my only optic on a hunt.  I typically hunt Mule Deer in High Desert Juniper/Sage environments.  It has a very fast focus and not much tension is needed to move the wheel, which is its only downside as a pure hunting binocular.  It is easy enough to get used to.
 
Another good binocular for a one optics lightweight is the Leupold Gold Ring 7/12x32 Switch Power.  The 7x image is a little better than the Swift.  The 12x is decent, but 12x really needs more glass than is available in a 32mm format.  But still the 12x is surprisingly easy to hold steady and the extra 5x magnification can be really useful.  Just be sure to use it as a 7x with a 12x option.  I use mine on 7x 75% or so of the time, with occasional closer examinations at 12x.  The extra glass available in a larger 42mm format of the Leica Duovid would likely be a lot better at 12x and at distance, but it is not either lightweight nor is it inexpensive.  However the Duovid or Switch power gives you the two in one combination.
 
I am also a fan of the Zen Ray 7x36.  But these are bigger than either of the Swift or Switch power.  You gain a much wider fov with them and the optics are outstanding.
 
FWIW, I have and use all three 7x glasses in this post.


Edited by Klamath - October/27/2009 at 13:20
Steve
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JGRaider View Drop Down
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Posts: 206 		  Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 14:11
There are some good recs here.  If you don't want to break the bank and get fantastic glass, the Zen ED2 is a no brainer as it bests my trinovids and my neighbors SLC.  I hunt open country myself, and I wholeheartedly recommend 10x binocs under those circumstances.  Those 10x Zen's will give you more resolution and detail than a 7x or 8x will all day long.  Field of view isn't an issue in open country like that either.  Use a bino harness like crooked horn and you won't even know they are there.  Good Luck
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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Posts: 5701 		  Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 17:14
Just returned from chasing mulies in the mountains of Colorado, I took a Leica 10+15x50 Duovid and had no regrets.
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Posts: 679 		  Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 18:37
Yeah, hard to beat the Duovids--if you can afford 'em! I'm glad I got my own 8+12's when they were half the price they are now.
 
Luckily for those on a budget there are a bunch of good glasses in the 10x40 range out there now that are more affordable, including Hawke, Meopta, Minox, Swift and Zen Ray. I would happy to hunt mule deer with any of them.
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motts View Drop Down
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Posts: 18 		  Quote motts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 18:46
I'm still trying to decide between the Zen Ray 10x43 ED2 and the Meopta Meostar 10x42. I've been looking at various binos over the last few months and have come down to these two. I'm wondering if the meopta is worth twice as much as the Zens. If they cost the same...would you still get even get the Meoptas? Zen has superior technology with the ED glass and dielectric prism coatings. However, I've heard nothing but good stuff about the Meoptas and they are super rugged and great handling.

I think you'd be fine with a 10x such as the Meopta Meostar, Vortex Razor, Zen Ray ED(2) or Pentax PCF ED.
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trigger29 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1955 		  Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 20:31
I carry my Geovid 10x42's for the open country. I like having the 10x in the open country, and the added rangefinding ability is nice too. Having a 10LB brick hanging from your neck is less than ideal though.

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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Posts: 5701 		  Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/27/2009 at 20:35

Although I personally can't stand them, you could always use a Bino-Bra contraption.
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Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
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Posts: 89 		  Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/28/2009 at 10:08
Originally posted by motts

I'm still trying to decide between the Zen Ray 10x43 ED2 and the Meopta Meostar 10x42. I've been looking at various binos over the last few months and have come down to these two. I'm wondering if the meopta is worth twice as much as the Zens. If they cost the same...would you still get even get the Meoptas? Zen has superior technology with the ED glass and dielectric prism coatings. However, I've heard nothing but good stuff about the Meoptas and they are super rugged and great handling.
 
I have them both.  I love them both.  If they cost the same, I would get the Meoptas.  However, they don't cost the same.  There is no beating the ZEN EDs at their price point.  Especially the original ZEN ED at the price SWFA is selling them for now!
 
Shocked
-Matt
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