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Riflescope vs Binoculars |
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Lennyo3034
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/01/2010 Status: Offline Points: 59 |
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Posted: October/19/2017 at 22:38 |
I'm sure most of you already know this, but I discovered recently that a riflescope, no matter the quality, does not come close to the optical capability of a good pair of binos.
I was out hunting with my Leica ER 2.5-10x42 and trying to use it to spot. I am not new to high end glass and own several higher end tactical scopes (gen2 razor, steiners, march, etc.). The Leica is right up there with the best of them. However when I switched from Riflescope to Binos, I was blown away by how much more detail I was seeing with them. Obviously FOV was wider, but I expected that. However colors and details just popped so much more. Instead of seeing the shape of a deer, I could just SEE the deer. The kicker is this: The Binos I was using were a pair of Sightron SIIIs (10x42) that I got on closeout from SWFA for about $150 a few years ago. They thoroughly trounced a $1000+ dollar scope.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Using two eyes and controlling stray light makes a huge difference.
ILya |
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Can't speak concerning March scopes (haven't had hands on) but the
Zeiss 6-24x56 Victory Diavari FL 30mm Rifle Scope DEMO-B5217749973, Matte, Rapid Z 1000, Shooting ASV Stock# SPL5217749973B (Sample List) Will match just about any bino's you care to try. The only exception is probably the Zeiss 10x42 Victory FL Binocular DEMO-B524542, Black Rubber Armored Stock# SPL24659 (Sample List) And that is because they have the same glass and coatings but add the advantage that Koshkin mentioned. I have set for hours and glassed cutovers and swamp bottoms picking out bedded deer with those bino's and put that scope on them and get a great picture of them with more magnification. If you try glassing for more than 10 minutes with most bino's you will end up with a exploding eyestrain headache. Good glass is worth the money if you can afford it. My latest trophy buck I owe to that scope. Knew he was there from three yrs of trail cam pics but was only showing up after dark. Kept trying him on occasion anyway just incase he decided to make an early appearance. Finally he did. Late December on a cool clear afternoon. The doe and some younger bucks had been in the field for a half hour or more. I was debating on whether to take one of the doe or wait. Figured "just as well wait" I can take a doe another day. Checked the time and had about 15 minutes of legal time left (with these scopes you half to watch your time). I had a small corn pile on the west end of the field and the other deer were in the pile on the northeast end. Thinking that maybe the ole boy don't want to socialize. Checked the time again 5min to go "come on dude, make this the day". Watching the other deer I glanced at the West pile and noticed a shadow move back from the West pile a bit. Got the bino's up and could tell it was a deer but no detail. Watched it for a bit and noticed it moved like a buck but still not details. Checked my time 3mins to go. "Come on man step out so I can see what you are". Finally he stepped to the corn and I could tell it was a big bodied deer but too dark to make out a rack. Checked the time 1min to go. Got the rifle up and had to wait for a broad side shot. "Come on man turn"!! Checked the time 40 seconds. He turned and I decide to take a chance it was him. Fired and saw him drop right there. Watched him for a few minutes and then headed over. After about 150yds and I started to see a nice sheen glow of antlers and the dark shadow of a large buck laying there. Yes!! it was the ole boy I was lookin for. All that to say, I have Leupold, Swift, Nightforce, and some others but none would have allowed me to have taken that deer in those low light condition. I have compared Ziess to S&B, IOR, Kahles and Nightforce. And none of those have shown me the quality and clarity that the Ziess have. Yes I am biased but from experience. Are there other bino's and scopes that will perform as well? Maybe...... But You can do you research and let us know what you find. My big spending days are not as abundant as they were. So now I watch what you guys learn. Good Luck and good hunting! |
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