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Upgrade for game glossing: Bigger binos or spotter

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MZ5 View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/08/2017 at 16:19
Hi, all. I want to try something different for my big game hunting. I'm not old, but I'm old enough that planning to hike 10 miles a day through the 7000-ft-plus mountains is not a good choice. So, this fall-winter I'm going to put a lot more time and effort into trying to spot elk with binos or a spotting scope, and hike much less.

Presently I have some Bushnell Legend Ultra binos I got a couple or few years ago. They're super compared to the CHEAP and ancient binocs I'd had since my youth. I'm here to ask for input on whether to look for some larger, higher magnification binoculars for this task, or to look at a spotting scope. A spotter would be handy for some range work or maybe rifle matches (I don't normally shoot them now, but I'll still RO and spot), but that's a secondary potential use.

I am SUPER unlikely to put a spotter in a backpack and hike around with it during my hunt(s). I'm not interested in carrying much weight beyond my rifle and some basics, especially during elk season. The terrain here (AZ) is generally extremely rugged. For that matter, I'm very unlikely to carry _two_ pairs of binos during the hunt.

As you can probably tell, what I want to do represents a paradigm shift for me in terms of how I hunt. I expect that means I have a lot to learn about how to do what I want to start doing, so I'm looking for guidance or help where I can find it.

I have a hard limit of $1k for this item, if it is even warranted to replace or add to what I already have (I'm NOT a fan of having tons of equipment to haul around and store). I do have a unique ability to get a Vortex optic at a most considerable discount, so that makes that particular brand more affordable than it would otherwise be. I'm not necessarily looking for that brand, but if it fits and is more cost-effective, I would certainly use it.

Thanks for your input.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldfortyfive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2017 at 16:26
I'm going to try using a pair of 12x binos this year from our base camp area. The little I've played with them I think it'll work, but you need a tripod to really take advantage of them. It's much easier on the eyes over the course of the day watching. I'll still carry my 8x32's.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2017 at 17:16
If your budget is $1k, ultra high mag binos are probably not in the cards.
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MZ5 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MZ5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2017 at 17:52
No.  I was thinking of something around 15x(?) for binocs, or a variable spotting scope that would, obviously, have quite a bit more magnification available.  FWIW, any Vortex binocular or spotting scope is doable for me within my limit, though the 27 - 60x85 spotter sounds like way too much magnification to me.  Am I off base?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NDhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2017 at 20:25

You mention Vortex as your main choice.  First thing, that is a bad idea.

Lots of other choices out there. 

If you are not going to carry a small spotter and tripod, then I recommend a quality

10X binocular, I have tried several of the midrange models,

and the Zeiss Conquest rises to the top in several ways. 

It is very bright, nice contrast and sharpness, and has a quality fit, finish and smooth focuser.

You can get a small spotter for around $500. but a big binocular will be over $1,000.


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MZ5 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MZ5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2017 at 22:16
Actually, I explicitly did _not_ say Vortex was my main choice; only that it is an inexpensive option. I _am_ perfectly willing to have a tripod and spotter or binocs; that's what this thread is about. I'm just not going to hike all over the mountains with them while I'm carrying my rifle. My intent here is to choose setup points that aren't _too_ far from mechanized transport availability, and look and watch. After however many days or whatever that I find what I'm after, then I'll switch to the small binocs and the rifle to stalk in on them. Are you saying that's a bad idea? Or that the bigger binocs or spotter are not a helpful or useful plan?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 06:33
check out this thread:

Read the book… worth the price and the time.
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 08:19
Why is Vortex a bad choice?

They are pretty competitive in their market segments.

I am not aware of any sub-$1k 15x binocular worth buying. Vortex Kaibab would be the closest at around $1200 or so.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MZ5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 11:11
Is the Kaibab a good choice? It is under my limit (I received a prize certificate from them from a rifle match, if that helps people to not be too confused to engage the discussion).

Or, is a spotter just plain better for this kind of thing? I've only ever used a spotting scope at rifle matches (not counting backyard reflector telescopes in the past), so my total duration of use of one is not huge. I notice eye fatigue much faster from the scopes I've used vs binocs, though a Swarovski that a sponsor brought to a recent match was much better for that than some I've looked through.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 11:49
I tested the 15x56 when it first came out and liked it a lot. The article is a few years old, but it is still on my website somewhere.

The 20x Kaibab is not quite as nice (with 20x you really should stop up to larger objectives), but the 15x is a very viable option.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 11:52
Here is the link. I need to update the picture links.

http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=73http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=73
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 13:34
Originally posted by MZ5  I _am_ perfectly willing to have a tripod and spotter or 
binocs; that's what this thread is about. I'm just not going to hike all
 over the mountains with them while I'm carrying my rifle. My intent 
here is to choose setup points that aren't _too_ far from mechanized 
transport availability, and look and watch. After however many days or 
whatever that I find what I'm after, then I'll switch to the small 
binocs and the rifle to stalk in on them. Are you saying that's a bad 
idea? Or that the bigger binocs or spotter are not a helpful or useful 
plan?[/QUOTE MZ5  I _am_ perfectly willing to have a tripod and spotter or binocs; that's what this thread is about. I'm just not going to hike all over the mountains with them while I'm carrying my rifle. My intent here is to choose setup points that aren't _too_ far from mechanized transport availability, and look and watch. After however many days or whatever that I find what I'm after, then I'll switch to the small binocs and the rifle to stalk in on them. Are you saying that's a bad idea? Or that the bigger binocs or spotter are not a helpful or useful plan?[/QUOTE wrote:



I would consider something like a Vortex Razor 11-33x50 if you are going to initially just glass for your game. Has very good glass, lite weight, and a good FOV. I use a Nikon 13-30x50ED, but knowing what I know now I would go with the Vortex. BTW it also works well at the range for me. Depending on the distance. And buy a good tripod, don't skimp with a cheap tripod.

https://swfa.com/vortex-11-33x50-razor-hd-spotting-scope-1.html


Edited by Spark


I would consider something like a Vortex Razor 11-33x50 if you are going to initially just glass for your game. Has very good glass, lite weight, and a good FOV. I use a Nikon 13-30x50ED, but knowing what I know now I would go with the Vortex. BTW it also works well at the range for me. Depending on the distance. And buy a good tripod, don't skimp with a cheap tripod.

https://swfa.com/vortex-11-33x50-razor-hd-spotting-scope-1.html
Sparky - September/09/2017 at 13:41
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldfortyfive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2017 at 23:04
The Vortex Razor 11-33x50's are amazingly sharp. A great choice.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MZ5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2017 at 15:02
Thank you for the suggestion.
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