Binoculars v. spotting scope for hunting? - Page 2

jrothWA · July 15, 2014, 10:51 AM

Eastern US or Western??

What terrain involved, scattered woodlots of Midwest? or long yardage fields?

I have use BOTH when dictated, spoting scope when first in a new area in Mid-Washinton , and binoculars for close up hilly wooded terrain ans in the Cascades.

In Ohio and Michigan for deer / bear used binoculars only.

Presently using a 7X35 Minolta for boating, hunting and birding, there are trade-offs for going higher /lower power.

Basically, the magnification power is divided into the objective diameter, if the result is 5 or greater, the exit diameter of the "view" will be greater than the eye pupil diameter [normally is 3mm] for low light situations.

Spend money wisely and reap results.

ezmiraldo · July 15, 2014, 11:15 AM

I will be hunting in southwest (west TX, all over NM, AZ).

ezmiraldo · July 15, 2014, 08:35 PM

Thanks guys! All of your thoughts and comments are very helpful and very much appreciated! I think, based on my preferences and terrain, I'll get me a 6 power rangefinder (Leupold RX-1000I tbr) plus a good spotting scope (probably Leupold SX-1 Ventana 15-45 x 60mm) - that should cover spotting at close, medium, and far distances pretty well during my hunts. In the future, I might get a set of binocs, if need be. Thanks again!

603Country · July 16, 2014, 04:21 AM

It's your money, but I really think that binocs should be first on your purchase list, and they should be 10 powers and high quality. For general glassing, a spotting scope isn't what you need.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · July 16, 2014, 08:37 AM

Let me put it this way. If you choose one. You won't be satisfied until you have the other. As I interpret your question. It's a tough call. As for myself I use a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40 Spotter. Wish at times I had a set of binoculars instead. But my pockets aren't deep enough for my wish of a swarovski el range 8x42 w b. Who know's maybe some day I'll win the lottery. First thing on my >Need to buy list. swarovski's ~~Yup!!_

Unlicensed Dremel · July 21, 2014, 12:07 PM

Here. Get this and a tripod and you're in high cotton. Use it both ways - standing and as if a spotter, on the tripod.

http://swfa.com/Zeiss-20x60-Classic-...ular-P875.aspx

Unlicensed Dremel · July 21, 2014, 12:09 PM

Now if you don't have $7K, but do have a little cash to spend, these are more reasonable:

http://swfa.com/Swarovski-15x56-SLC-...ar-P66699.aspx

that's what I'm talking about by "big bino".

ezmiraldo · July 21, 2014, 12:19 PM

Ha! 7 grand is a little over my budget...

Those binocs look awesome!

Unlicensed Dremel · July 22, 2014, 10:43 AM

Too rich for my blood, too. Not sure what I'm going to do once I actually move out there next year. I gave away my small spotting scopes, and in binos, all I have is little lightweight numbers for the woods (Leupold Yosemite 6x30, Kowa YF 8x30, Brunton Echo 8x30, Pentax Papillon 6.5x21, and Nikon Action 7x35). Love those little lightweight ones.

Maybe I can get my brother to give me back the Nikon 15-45x65mm spotter I gave him.

July 15, 2014, 10:51 AM	#26
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Where are you hunting? Eastern US or Western?? What terrain involved, scattered woodlots of Midwest? or long yardage fields? I have use BOTH when dictated, spoting scope when first in a new area in Mid-Washinton , and binoculars for close up hilly wooded terrain ans in the Cascades. In Ohio and Michigan for deer / bear used binoculars only. Presently using a 7X35 Minolta for boating, hunting and birding, there are trade-offs for going higher /lower power. Basically, the magnification power is divided into the objective diameter, if the result is 5 or greater, the exit diameter of the "view" will be greater than the eye pupil diameter [normally is 3mm] for low light situations. Spend money wisely and reap results.

July 15, 2014, 11:15 AM	#27
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	I will be hunting in southwest (west TX, all over NM, AZ). __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber??? Last edited by ezmiraldo; July 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM.

July 15, 2014, 08:35 PM	#28
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	Thanks guys! All of your thoughts and comments are very helpful and very much appreciated! I think, based on my preferences and terrain, I'll get me a 6 power rangefinder (Leupold RX-1000I tbr) plus a good spotting scope (probably Leupold SX-1 Ventana 15-45 x 60mm) - that should cover spotting at close, medium, and far distances pretty well during my hunts. In the future, I might get a set of binocs, if need be. Thanks again! __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber???

July 21, 2014, 12:07 PM	#31
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Stabilized, you say? Here. Get this and a tripod and you're in high cotton. Use it both ways - standing and as if a spotter, on the tripod. http://swfa.com/Zeiss-20x60-Classic-...ular-P875.aspx

July 21, 2014, 12:19 PM	#33
ezmiraldo Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2013 Location: one of the un-free states Posts: 240	Ha! 7 grand is a little over my budget... Those binocs look awesome! __________________ When Darth Vader killed the younglings, did anyone blame the lightsaber???

July 16, 2014, 04:21 AM	#29
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	It's your money, but I really think that binocs should be first on your purchase list, and they should be 10 powers and high quality. For general glassing, a spotting scope isn't what you need.

July 16, 2014, 08:37 AM	#30
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Let me put it this way. If you choose one. You won't be satisfied until you have the other. As I interpret your question. It's a tough call. As for myself I use a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40 Spotter. Wish at times I had a set of binoculars instead. But my pockets aren't deep enough for my wish of a swarovski el range 8x42 w b. Who know's maybe some day I'll win the lottery. First thing on my >Need to buy list. swarovski's ~~Yup!!_

July 21, 2014, 12:09 PM	#32
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Now if you don't have $7K, but do have a little cash to spend, these are more reasonable: http://swfa.com/Swarovski-15x56-SLC-...ar-P66699.aspx that's what I'm talking about by "big bino".

July 22, 2014, 10:43 AM	#34
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Too rich for my blood, too. Not sure what I'm going to do once I actually move out there next year. I gave away my small spotting scopes, and in binos, all I have is little lightweight numbers for the woods (Leupold Yosemite 6x30, Kowa YF 8x30, Brunton Echo 8x30, Pentax Papillon 6.5x21, and Nikon Action 7x35). Love those little lightweight ones. Maybe I can get my brother to give me back the Nikon 15-45x65mm spotter I gave him.