Open Country Glassing Setup?

ksp71 · Jan 6, 2019

For all you guys who hunt deer down south, what would be your go to setup for glassing? I have a decent pair of 10X42's but I was wanting more and cant decide if I should try out some 12 power or just get a spotting scope to carry separate. The only time I've used a spotting scope it was useless due to the heat waves so I am hesitant to make that purchase.

TX_Diver · Jan 6, 2019

I like my spotter and 10x binos. Never used 12s or 15s but I'm sure they'd be nice.

Any buddies have a spotter you can borrow to see if you like it?

EVILNR · Jan 7, 2019

I have 10x42's and would prefer 15x for my Western Hunts.
I cant imagine lugging around a spotter and binos.

BigDaddyL · Jan 7, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-19 AT 07:28AM (MST)[p]I have found each has its own requirements. Barbary Sheep and Ibex are the only animals I have found a necessity for a spotting scope. Also maybe Bighorn sheep, especially if you draw the gorge tag. However, I have not hunted any wide open areas for deer as of yet. I am sure it would come in handy for that as well to save some rubber off the bottom of the boots. In my opinion, a good pair of 10x or 12x binos should work just fine for the rest of what NM has to offer. You get much more powerful than that and you will be carrying sticks or a tripod to steady the binos. Quality glass vs. quantity glass helps tremendously as I am sure you know. Good luck and this is just my opinion. I have hunted with some guys who are back packing fools and go nowhere without their spotting scope. I prefer to go as light as possible.

Muleman · Jan 7, 2019

Swaro 15x with a tripod I bet I've double the game I see since I got those.

It depends what and how you hunt if 15 will be right for you. If you just hunt elk they aren't nessecary, elk are easy enough to find with 10?s. For deer they become more useful if you have the patience to use them right.

As you go up in power quality glass is more apparent. Buy the best quality you can.

Spotting scopes are really good for zooming in on what you found with binos. They are best for field judging. Decide how important that is to you to help decide which you should invest in.

bobby · Jan 7, 2019

10x are a great option and for me the open land hunts a tripod is the go to option keeps you steady and adds to the range you can see acuratly i wouldnt leave home with out a great tripod to hang my binos on

ksp71 · Jan 7, 2019

Thanks for all of the replies and helpful insight.
TX_Driver: I have use one of the middle price ranged vortex spotting scopes multiple times and it has always left me disappointed. Other than that I have not had much experience with spotters.

I learned to use a tripod for binos a few years back and it is a always in my pack now, I see much more and glass for longer periods of time without straining my eyes.

I hunt mostly in the south and southeast part of the state and found myself walking a whole lot more than I should have been to check out big bodied deer spotted far off. What would be a reasonable distance for judging deer with a high end pair of 12X50's? ziess, swaro ect?

overkill · Jan 7, 2019

I use a pair of Leica BRF 10x42 binoculars paired with an outdoorsman's bino adapter that fits on my tripod. In my opinion, 12x binos do not offer you enough field of view.
90% of the time I use this setup to locate game and once spotted, if I need to scrutinize further, I use a Zeiss 15-45x62mm spotting scope.

Using your binos on a tripod first gives you several advantages, larger field of view, more light gathering glass to cover more area quickly...

Evilflee · Jan 7, 2019

I use my Swaro 15x56s to glass mule deer in the wide open country. In addition, I use them for glassing at greater distances. Having good glass is key to picking out bedded deer or deer out grazing at 2+ miles away. I have even spotted a deers ear in a bush or horns that I could not see with my 10x42s. I mainly use a MeOpta spotting scope to help determine if it is a buck or doe at great distances and save walking those extra miles. However, when on a stock I have my Vortex 10x42s with me to see if they get up and move around as I am approaching on a spot and stock. These binos take the abuse that I would not want my Swaros or spotting scope to take while on a stock.

Having a really good tripod is also key. In the open country, I do most of my glassing from or near the truck. Having a heavy tripod allows the optics to be more stable on the windy days in the open country. In addition, I use a quick disconnect system so I change out optics (binos to spotting scope) quickly. Using a tripod in general, for all optics will improve the image resolution and eliminate vibrations and arm fatigue.

BluffGruff · Jan 7, 2019

10x on a tripod with a spotter in the 20-60x range is a great set up to find and then scrutinize deer size game out to 1.5 miles. You will see many times more deer with binos on a tripod than off a tripod.

Reuben_Soady · Jan 7, 2019

I carry a 10x25 compact Nikon Trailblazer bino so I can travel light. The small 25-mm objective lens is fine most of the day for walking, stalking, and scanning but worthless in low light dawn/dusk.

I plan on getting a 10x42 RF-bino to substitute for the 10x25 and a separate laser rangefinder.

It is possible to get glass that is "too good." My 30-60x80-mm Divorsky spotter (and tripod!) stays near the truck, not b/c its a princess (it is), but b/c it's so heavy and takes up too much space in the pack. I'm considering swapping it for a 60-mm spotter which won't be as bright but might actually get used more often.

Today's "mediocre" glass is so much better than top shelf stuff from 15 years ago.

+1 to using a tripod. They are key to making higher magnification (>10x) glass useful.

ksp71 · Jan 7, 2019

>
>Today's "mediocre" glass is so much
>better than top shelf stuff
>from 15 years ago.
>

is this true for spotting scopes as well? because the only mediocre one I have used was pretty much worthless, but it may have been user error or a cheap tripod that caused my problems.

maxxbob1 · Jan 7, 2019

Here's what you need if you are serious:

Docter Optic 40x80mm ED Super Wide Angle Binocular with backpack (You can find them on Ebay. With a good carbon fiber tripod, they will run you about $5,000, twice the cost of a "good" Swaro spotter.)

I have used them and --- They are truly amazing!

cabinfever · Jan 8, 2019

Trust me, Swarovski 15?s on a tripod is a game changer. Also a spotting scope is a must.

TX_Diver · Jan 8, 2019

I think so. I was frustrated using a buddies redfield spotter on an antelope hunt. I ended up buying a Swaro and now I don't know how I'd hunt the desert without it!

>>
>>Today's "mediocre" glass is so much
>>better than top shelf stuff
>>from 15 years ago.
>>
>
>is this true for spotting scopes
>as well? because the only
>mediocre one I have used
>was pretty much worthless, but
>it may have been user
>error or a cheap tripod
>that caused my problems.

NMBOWHNTR27 · Jan 9, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-09-19 AT 11:01AM (MST)[p]I have swaro 12x50 El. I bought 12?s because I couldn't afford the swaro10?s and 15?s and got the best of both worlds and got the 12?s. I'm now saving for a swaro 80hd straight spotter to add. Buy the best glass you can afford, a put them on a tripod!

Live4MtnHunts · Jan 9, 2019

I believe in the Big 3 for optics. When I want to glass I use 10x binos to do a quick scan, then I switch to binos on a tripod (love the Outdoorsman's bino stud BTW). If I'm glassing at longer distances, more dense cover, need to investigate something I'm not sure of, etc.....I then switch to a spotting scope. I never scout or hunt without my spotting scope. For me, I always regretted leaving it behind so now I don't.

OCHO · Jan 9, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-19 AT 06:44AM (MST)[p]Most people don't enjoy a spotting scope, specifically when your going to spend hours on it. If your just checking stuff for a little bit of time, its not bad.

Ultimate is to have 10's & 15's but pretty damn pricey, specifically in the big 3 name brands. I prefer Swaro's.

I think the Swaro 12x50 EL are the best all around multi functional binos you can buy. The older 15x56 SLC don't compare to the EL due to the Swarovision in the EL not the SLC.

However, it is my understanding the new SLC HD are the best? Not put them up against my 12x50 on a tri pod but would like to.

15's are not usable as bino's to carry and hunt with and free hand where as the 12's are. Big win for me, didn't want $1800 15's that I don't use all the time -- some people are good with that.

I can free hand use the 12's and they are insane on tri pod with the Outdoorsmen Stud!

You really have to have some friends with them and try them to see what you like best. This has been my finding and most practical price wise.

The Vortex Razor 12x50 very affordable, packable and light weight. Wouldn't over look these if $2200 Swaro's are off limits.

ksp71 · Jan 10, 2019

Thanks for everyone's input it has been very helpful. I think I have decided its time to stop buying the medium price ranged glass and trying to replace it every few years with something better. just need to scrape some money up and make a decision on what I want. Need to find some 12s and 15s to look through, I do agree that not being able to use 15s normally is a bit of a drawback but dang I bet they are incredible on a tripod.