Optics on a budget. binos and spotter or just binos

[fireball31]

First, I am not looking for brand recommendations It seems to me that based on budget you get pretty much the same thing dollar for dollar with any of the reputable brands. That being said. I am planning an elk hunt in Colorado for the fall of 2017. I have a non negotiable (she who must be obeyed) 1000 dollar budget for optics. I am wondering if I would be better off buying a very good set of 15X50 binos and a tripod or a decent set of 12 or 15x50's with tripod and a spotting scope. Thanks for any info guys. I am assuming that this is traditional bowhunting related because I will be toting my stickbow only. Should be exciting. It will be my first backcountry hunt and I will be solo for 5 days.

[bbell]

Do you have a quality pair of 8 or 10x binos yet? I would do that before a set of 15s. I haven't hunted Colorado but chase elk in western and eastern Oregon. I don't think a pair of 12s or 15s are necessary for elk. If you have a quality pair of 8s or 10s I would say get a spotter. If you plan on mule deer 15s would be good for that.
I know you don't need brands but look for used swaros if you can. I got a used pair of 10x42 HD slc for $1200. They have been so nice. Just my 2 cents.
Brandon

[wingnut]

I carry 10X binos for most elk hunting.  Seldom do we have ideal glassing areas with large vistas where a spotter is a must.

Now for moose in AK we carry both.

I'd like to find an area in CO for elk where spot and stalk is good.

Check out the reviews on Rocslide.com.  They have done a couple of newer brand glass that are more affordable and sound great.

Mike

[Doc Nock]

Everything I've read compared the cost of optics to the cost of the hunt.

Good glass and the hours spend behind them either will make or break the hunt and given the overall cost of the hunt, travel, etc, having excellent optics for hours of glassing, seems a small investment.

Bottom line, what does your outfitter say about the type of hunting you'll be doing???

if you're on your one totally, what type of terrain are you hunting?  Will you spend most of your day up high spotting and then stalking or just sneaking in dark timber looking to find?

If You do a lot of long sits spotting and then stalking, I've read that high quality binos and tripod are a god-send.  I've most often read that good binos locate then spotting scopes evaluate... but as Wingnut says, it "depends' on terrain and how you will be hunting I'd think.

If you're in thick "dark timber" why bother.  if you're in open country glassing 2/3 of the day only to then stalk, glass seems a priority.

Good luck finding out the situation, then act accordingly and have a great time!!!

[Steve O]

1. You need a spotting scope on an elk hunt about as much as as you do on a thick north woods deer hunt. You can save a bunch of money by NOT buying one. Elk are big. If you are trying to judge to the inch of antler score, it might be worth having a spotting scope, but you will need better than a $1000 one. You want to see elk, all you need is a Bino.

2. Now you have $1000 for your bino. Use it all! If you want compact get something like an 8x30 or 8x32.

I once sold a very good pair of 10x42 to help buy a 10-15x50 and an 8x32. I missed those 10x42s dearly. I won't ever be without a pair. They are like a pair of Schnee Hunter boots; they are not PERFECT for every terrain, but they have saved a sheep hunt for me. I've never felt overpowered in any terrain with the 10x42s. Not even in the thick cover "up north".  The 8 or 10 X 42 are great all arounders. The others, larger or smaller are much more specialized and don't do as well in all situation, but do VERY well in very specific situations.

If you look hard you can find the BEST binoculars for your budget. Leica just brought out the Trinovids HD. I had a pair of the originals that were very good and they logged a TON of miles. I'd love to get them back with the Ultravid glass they now contain for $999...

You buy the BEST binoculars you will use them more and see more.

[Longtoke]

id spend all the money on the best binos you can get

[fireball31]

Thanks for the answers guys. I've got a pair of 8x42's that I have no interest spending a lot of time behind. They are great for clarifying things from a treestand but not for a several hour vigil.

[wapiti]

Spend the pesos on quality 10x binoculars. I have hunted elk in the mountains for 30 years or so. Never needed nor wanted a spotter for elk. Sheep are a different story however. 8x work best all around but if you are going to spend lots of time glassing timber canyons and grassy slopes the 10x42 or 10x50 is what you really need.

[TradBrewSC]

Originally posted by Steve O:
1. You need a spotting scope on an elk hunt about as much as as you do on a thick north woods deer hunt. You can save a bunch of money by NOT buying one. Elk are big. If you are trying to judge to the inch of antler score, it might be worth having a spotting scope, but you will need better than a $1000 one. You want to see elk, all you need is a Bino.

2. Now you have $1000 for your bino. Use it all! If you want compact get something like an 8x30 or 8x32.

I once sold a very good pair of 10x42 to help buy a 10-15x50 and an 8x32. I missed those 10x42s dearly. I won't ever be without a pair. They are like a pair of Schnee Hunter boots; they are not PERFECT for every terrain, but they have saved a sheep hunt for me. I've never felt overpowered in any terrain with the 10x42s. Not even in the thick cover "up north".  The 8 or 10 X 42 are great all arounders. The others, larger or smaller are much more specialized and don't do as well in all situation, but do VERY well in very specific situations.

If you look hard you can find the BEST binoculars for your budget. Leica just brought out the Trinovids HD. I had a pair of the originals that were very good and they logged a TON of miles. I'd love to get them back with the Ultravid glass they now contain for $999...

You buy the BEST binoculars you will use them more and see more.

I agree completely!

From an elk standpoint a quality set of binos in 10x or even 8x is all that will be needed. 42mm would be optimal, as it is large enough, yet small enough to not be cumbersome.

As a Leica employee I can truly say that the Trinovid HD is one of the best bang for the buck out there at $999.00 for a 10x42 and $940.00 for 8x42. I think I mislead in a previous thread saying that it is the same glass as the Ultravid HD-PLUS. There are a few slight differences in terms of coatings but would rate it right there with the original HD's. From a hunting standpoint vs a birder, such as myself, the difference is hardly noticable if at all. I love these Bino's and think it can stand beside most anything out there regardless of the price.

Please feel free to PM me with any further questions.

All in all go with a quality set of bino's and save some pack weight on a spotter. You will be glad you did!

[PistolPete]

Another opinion, which may differ (as many of mine do): if you're backpacking, give the weight of your optics strong consideration. 42 mm bino's are HEAVY, and not all that useful for elk hunting, especially if you aren't trophy hunting. I've gone without optics on some elk hunts and not really missed them. However, I have come to really like monoculars (i.e. a mini spotting scope) for a weight vs usefulness balance. I have a 7x25mm Specwell that is fantastic, weighs 6 ounces, and will be with me in Colorado in just over a week.

If you insist on binoculars, I'd recommend something in the 8x30-32 range for backpacking for elk. I've always wanted to try the legendary Nikon 8x30 E2's and have read so many people who say they equal or beat anything in the $1000-$1500 range.

And I agree, spotter is unnecessary to carry. I do have a 20x50 Alpen I keep in the truck which is actually good glass for the $70 it cost.

[JockC]

I have a set of used 16x58 big eyes that I keep in the truck and use on scouting trips.  They are incredible, but I would never ever ever carry them hunting.  When hunting I use excellent 8x32 Leica's I bought refurbed well within your budget, don't feel like I'm giving up anything substantial to bigger glass, and love the size and weight.  I can tell you this--with any binoc, you see a lot more at distance if it's dead steady.  You can use your bow or a stick as a monopod, glass off your knees, or even carry a very light, small tripod with a binoc adaptor.  I wouldn't bother with a tripod unless I was doing a LOT of glassing, but it does make a perceptible difference, and the tripod helps you grid out your glassing. If nothing else, I try to rest the binocs against a tree if available and I'm doing more than a quick glance.

Spotters are really for the sheep and goat crowd who need to be very careful in their estimation of horns.  Or for the truck.

The good news is that there are a LOT of excellent binocs within your budget--many of them well within.  You might check a birder's website called betterviewdesired.com for its dated but excellent reviews.  You can also go to the hunting optics forum on 24hourcampfire to read volumes on this subject, some of it from experts.

Western glassing is a real skill.  After a pretty moderate level of quality--say in that $250-500 range from one of the better manufacturers--or even below, now that I think about it--the skill is more important than small increments in optical quality.  For me, what you're paying for in that middle range and above is near-absolute reliability and ruggedness--which is worth a lot when you're back in the mountains!  For a grand, you will get kickbutt reliability and optics that will startle you every time you look through them.

One other piece of advice--save a bit for a low profile chest pack that will keep the dust and rain off them but keep them handy.  I probably pull out my binocs 50-75 times a day...

[fireball31]

Thanks for the advice. I have one of the Alaskan guide bino packs on order already Jockc.

[bbell]

I really like my Alaska guide harness. Thought it might have been to big at first but seems to really hold tight to my body and doesn't interfere with my string at all. Think you will like it.