Binoculars vs. Spotting scope

[ian_padron]

Hey guys, I just moved to the area from Wisconsin and am planning on hunting one of the wilderness areas for the High Buck Hunt. I'll be scouting throughout the summer but have a limited gear budget. My question is if you had to choose either a spotting scope or a good pair of binos for the High Buck Hunt which would it be and why. Again, I know ideally both, but that isn't in the budget this season. Thanks for your help!

[huntnnw]

I would take the binos..I use them way more than my spotter. The spotter comes out for super long distance or looking at something closer.

[Crunchy]

Agree Binos always first then spotter

[Wetwoodshunter]

Ian,

A few years ago when I was getting some nicer gear set up I went with the spotting scope first. This was a huge mistake. Recently I got a nice pair of Binos and never take my scope out in the woods anymore. The convenience of having the Binos to look through quickly is essential, I use one of the backpack things that keep them always on my chest.  I would try to get as nice a pair as you can afford since Binos in my opinion are the most useful tool you will have in the woods for locating game, counting points, and glassing.

I would recommend a good 10 x 42. Vortex makes some of the best affordable glass out there right now. But look through a few then chose what's comfortable and clear for your eyes.

[Bean Counter]

Good question

Start with a good pair of Binos. Then buy an HD/ED/ULD spotter next year or save up until you can afford it. Skip a season and save the tag, gas, and misc expenses in the cookie jar until you can afford it. I'd rather not hunt or photograph than use less than what I want.

[RadSav]

Spotting scope is a luxury.  Binoculars are a necessity!  So get a good pair of binoculars first, dang good pack second and the spotter third.

[Bob33]

Everyone is different but I use binoculars probably 50 or 100 to 1 compared to a spotting scope. Hands down I would put my money into binos first.

[grundy53]

Spotting scope is a luxury.  Binoculars are a necessity!  So get a good pair of binoculars first, dang good pack second and the spotter third.

This

[kentrek]

Spotting scope is a luxury.  Binoculars are a necessity!  So get a good pair of binoculars first, dang good pack second and the spotter third.

This

  and go shoot giant regardless if you have the best...never skip a year of hunting to buy a luxury product

[RadSav]

Spotting scope is a luxury.  Binoculars are a necessity!  So get a good pair of binoculars first, dang good pack second and the spotter third.

This

  and go shoot giant regardless if you have the best...never skip a year of hunting to buy a luxury product

Absolutely!  My biggest bull, biggest bear and biggest deer were all shot before I even owned a pair of binos.  Who knows how many animals I walked past and didn't see   But, what I lacked in equipment I made up in effort.  30 years later I still haven't exceed the quality of the results.  And I have fantastic glass now!

[kentrek]

My first years bow hunting I only managed to get a rx 2 leupold range finder....boy that 4 power could locate deer !

I wouldn't sell those days for the hubble telescope of all binos or spotters

[Firedogg]

Wow!  I didn't know a range finder could "lactate" deer. lol

With the high country hunt you will want 8-10x binos. If you are hunting brushy areas I find lower power ones are easier to pick through the brush with. Different tools for different conditions.

My spotting scope takes up too much room when I am moving around. If I know I will be going to a ridge to sit I will set up with the spotter, but still start out with binos till something catches my interest.

[kentrek]

Wow!  I didn't know a range finder could "lactate" deer. lol

  leupold thought of it all....dang auto text

[Mark251]

Definitely Binos.  I use them almost exclusively anymore.  Save up and get the best glass you can afford...

[ian_padron]

Thanks for all the input guys, can't tell you how much I appreciate the help. Lot of good people out here so far, off to Cabelas to grab some binos I guess!

[Bean Counter]

Ian,

Are you going hunting tomorrow? Check Craigslist for deals locally. You have some time to find  good deal from now till the fall. I've bought both my optics and camera lenses used, saved 50+%, and they're good enough for my use. YMMV.

[ian_padron]

Bean Counter, really good point. I'm looking to score a pair of Nikon Pro-Staff 10x42s. I'll definitely wait things out and look around for the right deal.

[Bean Counter]

I believe Monarch > Prostaff and if you're patient I don't see why you can't snag some 8x42s for $150-200. I had the old ATBs but IDK all the differences between the new '3, 5, & 7' models. I think you have to step up into the 5 or 7 to get the dielectrically coated internal prisms, but all (including the old Monarchs) should have fully multicoated optics, which are the bare minimum for quality standard for hunting optics.   

[couesbitten]

Cabela's is a good place to go in and put your hands on some binoculars and get a feel for the one's you like, but there's lots of places out there on the internet that can beat their prices, not charge you sales tax, and give better customer service. 

Some of the better ones (I've purchased from both of these).
http://cameralandny.com/ Check their Demos/Samples list
http://www.bearbasin.com/
Also, Elknut1 on this website is a Vortex dealer and has some great prices.

[ian_padron]

10-4 guys, thanks again for all the help. It is much appreciated!

[follow maggie]

Binos. They're much more versatile than a spotting scope. Get a good pair of bios, then the rest of what you need, then a spotting scope.

[thinkingman]

I believe Monarch > Prostaff and if you're patient I don't see why you can't snag some 8x42s for $150-200. I had the old ATBs but IDK all the differences between the new '3, 5, & 7' models. I think you have to step up into the 5 or 7 to get the dielectrically coated internal prisms, but all (including the old Monarchs) should have fully multicoated optics, which are the bare minimum for quality standard for hunting optics.   

The field of view (FOV) is much wider on the 7's.
It make a big difference(to me).
After having 'nocs with a nice, big picturewindow FOV, I can't go backwards.

[bankwalker]

I'm torn between a spotter or binos myself right now. Price is equal. Vortex viper hd 15x50 binos and viper hd 15-45x65 spotter. I was on the spotter. But after checking them out in the store the object i viewed through the binos was alot bigger. And the spotter had to be at twice the power for the same object to be equal in size.

So now I'm torn even more

[ctwiggs1]

I completely disagree to skip hunting and save.

I'd go without binoculars if I had to.  Skipping hunting is missing the point!

That being said, if I were in your shoes I'd buy binos first.  I still don't own a spotter but am starting to research them now.

Curtis

[fullpipe77]

Hey im selling my vortex viper 8x42 HD 440$ tri cities.  I got these last season excellent shape.

[Magnum_Willys]

Binocs are for hunting/glassing the first mile nearest you.  Spotting scopes are for areas past the first mile.  If you don't plan or can't hunt-see past the first mile the spotters aren't a high priority.  If you are hunting wide open areas then maybe the first mile is a write off and all your time is spent looking past the first mile.  Then you need the spotter.

Hunting west side washington - mite only use spotter to count the points.