High power binoculars or spotting scope?

[yaderehey]

I personally think you are on the right track with the lightweight 8x binoculars and the relatively lightweight spotter.  I have used a lot of different binoculars and have settled on 8x30/32 as ideal and have never felt hindered by the slightly smaller objective.  I know that common advice is you need 10x for western hunting but I have found that I personally see a lot more game with a 8x with a 400' plus FOV than I do with a 10x and a much narrower FOV.  I see a lot of guys with 10x binoculars that don't seem to keep the glass up to their eyes for very extended periods of time and the longer you can keep that glass to your eyes the more you will see.  I personally find it much easier to hand hold an 8x glass steady for very long periods of time than a 10x.  Also I would much rather have a $1,000 pair of binoculars and a $200 spotting scope than vice versa as typically the binoculars are getting used about 95% of the time compared to the scope.
   I assume you are thinking about using the 15x binoculars with a tripod.  This "big eyes" technique is fairly common with Coues deer hunters but I would not consider going that route unless I knew the area I was hunting and knew that the terrain was conducive to using that technique.

[luv2bowhunt]

Yes, my thought was to use the 15x binocs with a tripod. I like the idea of spending the $$ on the binocs adn getting a less expensive spotting scope.

I see that Cabelas has the Leupold Gold Ring HD 10x42's on sale for $699 right now and there is a $100 mail in rebate on top of that, this may just be the route that I go for the binocs. Does anyone know if Leupold makes a doubler to fit those or if there are another brand that would fit them?

Thanks again for all your help guys!

[Andy Cooper]

Originally posted by yaderehey:
I see a lot of guys with 10x binoculars that don't seem to keep the glass up to their eyes for very extended periods of time and the longer you can keep that glass to your eyes the more you will see.  

That's why I use the Zeiss's and spend time making sure they are properly adjusted for my eyes. Otherwise, a headache is sure to occur...and headaches don't mix well at all with glassing. I've used the 10x40's for the last 30 years.

[CG]

The Traditional Bowhunters Handbook by TJ Conrads has a good chapter on optics that might also be of benefit to you.

[easyup]

Read this:  http://www.24hourcampfire.com/index.html
I have hunted with Rick and he knows how to hunt the west and is a convert.

[Andy Cooper]

I love my 10x's, but am always open to try something that might work better!

[Steve Clandinin]

So many option, read Ricks report ,Yea interesting.For 40 years I,ve hunter the west,the last 25 in Southern sask.There is no where where optics are more prevalant than here.I've spent a ton of money on every concievable combination that is possible .From High power binos on tripods to cheap minis.
What I use now is an accumulation of my experience(and money loss1)for hunting wide open trophy Mule deer and Whitetails.
First and foremost my hunting is Glassing,Spot and stalk.I would as soon leave home without my bow than my binos.The one thing we have today is an array of first class choices that don't cost 2grand.because these are always with me ,around my neck and under my jacket when I'm belly crawling 2-3 hundred yards(Not hunting in Mexico and Rifle shooting)these have to be fairly light and compact.I've settled on Steiner 8X32's as an all around good glass.Sharp clear as a bell and still able to pick up light in semi-dark conditions plus have a wide range of field.If glasses get to big neck fatique sets in real quick.Another great thing today is whatever jacket etc. you use sew a pocket on the front to hold your glasses in ,or if wearing a daypack some of the new Binopouches that hook to your pack.
Now for spotting scopes.FOR ME what I've settled on was my 50th B'Day present from my wife(Of course she knew exactly what model etc to buy!)I have a Baush & Lomb Elite 20-60X70.Where I hunt it is always windy and quite often sunny so miraging is a problem and will be no matter what you have so try to do most of your glassing early or late     .At 40 power I can count the pionts on a deers rack and watch him blink,but more important I can study the terrain around him to plan my stalk or find other deer that are with him that I might not normally see.Food for thought.When you catch a big buck moving to his bed DON'T take your eyes off him until hes tucked in.15 power won't do this for me in the areas I hunt.I have 2 differant Tripods, my large fully extendable pod and my "rock topper" which I take if a lot of hiking is involved.Just remember theres a big differance in thumping a deer at 500+ yards with howizers and trying to place an arrow at 15 yards.good luck my friend.