High power binos over spotting scope
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From: DonVathome
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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Anyone ever use high power binos over a spotting scope? Also what about the new variable binos? pro's/con's? Do they give a clear crisp picture vs. same glass in fixed power?
I hate looking through spotting scopes to the point I have firmly decided to get high magnification binos instead.
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From: Randy
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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get 12 power with a tripod mount on bottom and put them on a tripod
As always pros and cons. Right now I have Swar EL's 10x42 with a doubler. The pros for the doubler is it barely wieghs anything...the cons with a small objective does a poor job gathering light. The higher the power the harder it is to hold steady. My first step up from $50 binos 10 years ago was a pair of Steiner 7x50's...really still sort of miss them. with the big objective they would freak me out as at barely dawn of or after dark if there was a little light it was like I could see in the dark. Also they were focused from like 10 feet to infinity....yeah I sort of miss those...but I don't miss how big they were...anyway sort of getting off subject...but a few cents worth.
Ted
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From: Matt
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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Two different animals for 2 different jobs, and they do not do one another's job very well. IMO the Swarovski doubler is pretty poor, as the decreased ligh gathering/loss of resolution all but offsets the added magnification.
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From: recurve
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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I use the Pentax 20X on a tripod. I like them alot. For me they work much better for extended viewing vs a spotting scope. The Pentax bino's are one of the highest rated brands in their price range.
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From: WapitiBob
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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I use 12X50 Leica's.
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From: DonVathome
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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Someone expand on a doubler I know nothing about that but it interests me.
I would want over 12x, likely at least 15x, preferably 20X or more. Strictly for close up looks at stuff, not general use. Variables, again, interest me - heck my spotting scope is variable, so I figure good enough for my spotting scope good enough for my binos.........
This is a picture of my binos with the doubler I just took. As you can see it is small and basically turns one of you barrels into a 20x42 spotting scope. Again gives and takes. I got tired of carrying my spotting scope anchor all day along with all my other stuff...but it does not collect much light....so use minimal at dusk and dawn.....and you lose clarity....but it depends why you glass. usually you can see pretty clearly what the animal is and what kind of head gear it has....but not the crystal clear image of just the binos...
Ted
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From: DonVathome
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....... Date: 21-Oct-08 |
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I do like the idea of the doubler, but what companies make them for their bino's? I have nikon monarchs.
Anyone make something that can double the size of my bull - after I get him out? Photoshop...........
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From: COLO 3-D
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....... Date: 24-Oct-08 |
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There are lots of companies that make doublers, Swarovski and Vortex to name a few. They will fit on a number of different makes and models. Most of the get very poor reviews. I am still considering getting one. Lugging an 80mm scope around the hills is not fun. I have 8x30 Swarovskis on a bino strap, with Brunton 11x45 Eternas in my pack for glassing, these go on a lightweight tripod with a bino mount. The scope comes out for final judging or looking miles away.
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From: Heat
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....... Date: 24-Oct-08 |
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For searching for game nothing works better than binos, but for deciding whether something is worth a pursuit, a spotting scope earns it's keep. Which one will be more useful?
Nick
On a buffalo hunt in the AZ Kaibab, I used swaro 10x50 binos and a massive swaro spotting scope, nothing but the best tripod and bogen head. To be honest, lugging all that crap around got old real fast. I chucked the spotting scope almost immediately. My friend had 12x doctors, I used the 10x swaros and a light wt tripod. Its all you really need for long range glassing. But I suppose once you find that monster at 2 miles off, the scope could zero in and let you decide if its worth pursuing. But try lugging it 5 miles into the wilderness. What are you going after? My next binos will be either a 7x35 or 8x42. I'll have it all covered.
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From: Raghorn
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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Last year for a mule deer hunt I wanted some “big eye” binos. I couldn’t come up with the cash for Swaro 15Xs, so I looked at everything else and picked up a pair of Minox 15X58 ED binos, and a Bogen tri-pod. The Minox are excellent optics, probably 98% as good as the Swaros for less than ½ price.
CONS, they are heavy and bulky. You need a big ( heavy and bulky) tri-pod to support the weight and power. 15X binos will not do what a quality 30X or 45X spotter will do when it comes to guessing the score of a buck or bull at 2 miles.
PROS When it comes to glassing a large piece of terrain, seeing all the little details like an antler tip sticking up out of the grass or a ear twitch in the brush, NOTHING COMPARES to a pair of quality, high power, tri-pod mounted binoculars. Even compared to quality hand held binoculars and a spotter, it’s like a whole different ball game. You WILL SEE MORE GAME, believe me, and have more fun doing it.
I’m talking about fairly open country, in heavy timber you might as well put ten pounds of led in your pack.
There is an excellent article posted at 24 hour campfire. They tested several pairs and talk about their use. Those guys are optics nazis, but they know their glass. http://www.24hourcampfire.com/big_eyes.html
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From: jims
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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As mentioned above there are pros and cons for each. The biggest factors would be which species are you hunting and what terrain? If you are hunting antelope, mtn goat, bighorn sheep where inches of mass, tine length etc make a huge difference it would be nearly impossible to trophy judge at long range with high power binocs.
Obviously for spotting game high power binocs have the advantage of wide field of view, ease on the eyes, etc. The higher power than standard binocs would allow you to spot game easier at long range. I would be the first to admit that high power binos would be great for spotting game in terrain where you are glassing long distance...however, what about field judging?
For the type of game and country I hunt my preference is 10x binocs for spotting game and 20-60x scope for trophy judging. I don't use my scope as much as binos for spotting game at long range...although I have found game at long range in brush or that blend in that would be nearly impossible to find with high power binocs. There definitely is an advantage to using 10x binos (rather than 7 or 8x) of the very best quality glass on the market!
I have also found that having a quality spotting scope has saved me miles of hiking instead of having to get closer in order to trophy judge with binocs. Even the best 20x binos would be impossible to field judge critters at long range....if you want to use high power binocs and don't mind hiking closer to get a better look...good for you! My preference is to save my legs and lungs!
The other option is to use high power binos plus spotting scope. It is nearly impossible to hand-hold large, bulky binos and you would be at a handicap when making your final stalk approach or hunting in thick brush and trees. I really wouldn't like to pack that much bulk and weight around!
If you are hunting close to a truck where bulk/weight really doesn't matter there would definitely be an advantage to having 10x binos, high power binos, and spotting scope! Each has it's advantages but for me I'll stick with 10x binos plus spotting scope when spotting and stalking game.
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From: jims
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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I usually hunt alone but if you are hunting with someone else there would be the option of one of you lugging the spotting scope and other guy packing the high power binos (along with your usual 8 or 10x binos).
Unless I am spotting at close range I have found that it is nearly impossible to glass with my 10x binos standing up (especially in wind or when I'm huffing and puffing my way up a mtn!). I almost always sit or lay down when glassing long range!
Another thing I didn't mention above is how much light do the binocs gather in low light conditions? Obviously there will be dramatic differences when comparing different powers, types of binos (porros vs roof prism), and quality glass!
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From: longshot
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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Are the high dollar spotting scopes a lot better at higher power? I have used Leupold spotting scope and it seems like at the higher magnifications I couldnt see very good detail because of the heat waves and things so I could only use 15 or 20 power at most on that And if that is the case I was thinking of just getting a 15 power bino instead. What are your thoughts?
Nikon has a new spotting scope that weights 16 or 17 oz
Lighter than most Binocks
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From: LC
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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Binos and Spotting scopes are used for totaly diferent things. Or at least should be....
Binoes are used for glasing and scopes are used for sizing up trophys in detail for trophy hunting.
If you need to do both then you need to carry both. If you carry only one then it would be binos.
Don't try to glass with a spotting scope!
Some times while Coues Deer hunting here in the SouthWest I have been known to carry a pair of 10's and a pair of 15's and a spotting scope. Each for its own perfect job. And a tripod of course!
Did I mention Don't try to glass with a spotting scope!
Haul a pair of binos no matter what! And if you are trophy hunting then also haul a spotting scope. And Tripod! One does not replace the other, it just performs a different job.
Lance
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From: recurve
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....... Date: 25-Oct-08 |
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"Are the high dollar spotting scopes a lot better at higher power?
No. After 20X or so mirage can get pretty bothersome negating the additional magnification or clarity.
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From: Matt
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....... Date: 26-Oct-08 |
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Expensive spotters get bothered by mirage the same as cheap, but better coatings and glass do make them brighter and more clear at higher magnification than cheaper scopes.
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From: Warren
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....... Date: 27-Oct-08 |
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Don,
I've used the Leica that was variable from 10-15x. If I could afford them, I would buy them. I would like to hear a report on the Leupold 10-17x.
Years ago I had a set of 20x60 binoculars. There was no way I could hold them steady unless I braced them against a tree or rock. Also, the eye releif was terrible. You had to get right into them. On cold days, this caused the lense to fog just because of the heat from my eyes. This made them useless in the winter.
You might check with Elknut. He has a compact model spotting scope in the Vortex line that is supposed to be pretty good.
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From: DonVathome
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....... Date: 27-Oct-08 |
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Good info guys, bottom line is I simply hate trying to look with one eye. This is why I am considering a high power bino, I am going to try some stuff first. As for what hunts this is for - all hunting. I have lots of future hunts, mnt goat, mulies, elk, moose etc. Out of truck I will obviously have everything at my disposal. I think I would still like high power binos even for truck. As for packing in, always tough to pack that spotting scope. I did this year and HATED using it.
At high power it was so hard to keep steady, lean over, get eye perfect distance from lens, focus and look. Made me NUTS. Not great glass - I had a Leupod wind river spotting scope and cabelas tripod ($70 or so). I doubt quality was the issue - the issue was I simply could not get anywhere near comfy, and it seemed nearly impossible to comfortably look through spotting scope - period.
Don, I am one of the converts. I now have a pair of the Swarovski 15X56 SLCs. You can spend all day behind them and eye fatigue is not a problem. You do have to spend some money on a quality tri-pod and Bogen head. I hunt open country mule deer frequently and this set up is perfect.
The down side is the weight. This set up is heavy,but I believe I don't miss seeing near as many deer as I did before.
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From: radams
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....... Date: 27-Oct-08 |
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I've found my spotting scope induced eye strain lessened considerably by using an eye patch. This allows me to keep both eyes open.
I'm with you on the weight of carrying around a spotting scope. 3 lbs of scope in a backpack is no small matter. I've considered selling my 65 mm scope and buying Nikon's 50 mm ED scope. It weighs around 20 ounces.
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From: WapitiBob
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....... Date: 27-Oct-08 |
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that 24 hour campfire article summed up the merits pretty well.
I went hi pwr binocs route Vortex Viper 15x50 after staring at a bino test poster for about 15 min waiting for wife to arrive no eye strain and I could hold them solid This was also a chance so test them against Swrovski 15x I could not see $1200 difference
Weasel
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