Scope vs Binos

[ffbowhunter]

I currently have 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks that did great for me this year. I did a lot of glassing with them and really enjoy Vortex products and warranty. When I was in Utah I really could have benefited from higher power optics. I am lucky in that I can get Vortex products through expertcity.com which opens up my purchasing power up to the Razor series scope. My question and what I am torn about is do I want to get 15 or 20x binos or get a scope. What do you use and why?

[jackelope]

Tough call for me and I've been bouncing back and forth on it. I'd like a pair of 15's for glassing a lot of country. But I couldn't do without my spotter for the up close long range detail work.

[ffbowhunter]

Tough call for me and I've been bouncing back and forth on it. I'd like a pair of 15's for glassing a lot of country. But I couldn't do without my spotter for the up close long range detail work.

What I struggled with most was just identifying animals from long rang. One could say I wasn't prepared, so even 15x would help or Lasik surgery! 

[jackelope]

I think if you have 10's and are looking to make your next optics purchase, I wouldn't even think twice about buying a spotter.

[ffbowhunter]

I think if you have 10's and are looking to make your next optics purchase, I wouldn't even think twice about buying a spotter.

Fine twist my arm...so then is there much difference between the Viper and Razor.

[jackelope]

Razor is above my pay grade. My next purchase will probably be a viper.

[ffbowhunter]

Razor is above my pay grade. My next purchase will probably be a viper.

But is it really worth the money?

[Bean Counter]

I would make sure that a spotter will work well for you before dropping coin on one. I have a high end one Nikon and despite the optical quality some of my hunting buddies get nauseous using one eye instead of two. In fact, maybe try to rent one for an entire hunt from the guy that does that here so you can see if its just an initial comfort thing and you just need to power over the learning/comfort curve.

Yes, higher end optics are worth the money. You will get what you pay for and the quality will remain long after your wallet recovers. I'd rather skip a few years of hunting to save up for what I want than take cheap glass on hunts   

[JDHasty]

Razor is above my pay grade. My next purchase will probably be a viper.

But is it really worth the money?

If you decide on spotter and are going to spend a grand then act now and get a Razor 85 while they are closing the old model out.  That is if it isn't too big/heavy for your application. 

A quality 15x56 or 15x60 binocular is really in a class all of it's own for finding game in big country.  I had a writer tell me decades ago that binoculars are for finding game and a spotting scope is for looking at game and to a degree I agree with what he told me.  You can use a spotter to look for game, but if you lack power and are trying to judge game you have found there really isn't much chance that you are going to be successful at longer ranges. 

[jackelope]

I agree. Use the bino's to find the deer and the spotter to judge the deer. If you just want to find the animals, roll with the bino's. If you're the type that wants to shoot a certain age class or antler size of deer, the spotter will save you lots of miles and time. Let the optics do the walking for you. A really experienced hunter told me that a long time ago.
Is it worth a grand? The viper 15-45 can be had for $650-ish. The big Razor is getting blown out right now because the new models are coming out. I think $999 is what they'll be on sale for.
https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Viper-15-45x65-Spotting-VPR-65A-HD/dp/B004I8X2KU

[Bob33]

In my opinion, a quality 8x or 10x binocular is the most importance piece of equipment that most western big name hunters should have. If I had to scrimp, that would be one of the last places to do it.

A 15x binocular is a somewhat specialized optic that generally speaking requires a tripod and is useful for locating animals when glassing for extended periods of time from a stationary position. They are too heavy to carry around the neck for lengthy periods of time, and the field of view is too small for most general purpose use viewing. Coues deer hunters come to mind as a group that can take full advantage of them.

Spotting scopes are useful primarily for evaluating specific animals at longer distances. They usually have significantly more magnification (20x to 60x) which allows for much better resolution and evaluation of an animal. They can also be useful for locating game at extreme distances. Sheep hunters that can see several miles often fine them useful for that purpose.

I have and use all three, and would estimate that +/- 95% of my optics usage is an 8x-10x binocular, 4.9% is a spotting scope, and .1% is a 15x binocular. Your usage may vary.

[Mark251]

In my opinion, a quality 8x or 10x binocular is the most importance piece of equipment that most western big name hunters should have. If I had to scrimp, that would be one of the last places to do it.

A 15x binocular is a somewhat specialized optic that generally speaking requires a tripod and is useful for locating animals when glassing for extended periods of time from a stationary position. They are too heavy to carry around the neck for lengthy periods of time, and the field of view is too small for most general purpose use viewing. Coues deer hunters come to mind as a group that can take full advantage of them.

Spotting scopes are useful primarily for evaluating specific animals at longer distances. They usually have significantly more magnification (20x to 60x) which allows for much better resolution and evaluation of an animal. They can also be useful for locating game at extreme distances. Sheep hunters that can see several miles often fine them useful for that purpose.

I have and use all three, and would estimate that +/- 95% of my optics usage is an 8x-10x binocular, 4.9% is a spotting scope, and .1% is a 15x binocular. Your usage may vary.

 I use all three to some degree and I find that I use the 10x42 binos more than anything else.  It really depends on what kind of terrain you normally hunt.  If you want to evaluate specific animals at long distances then go with the spotter.  If you're glassing long distances looking for animals go with the 15's.  Other than that 8's or 10's will work for most other applications.  In any case buy the best glass you can get.  The Razor spotter for $999 is a steal....

[JDHasty]

In my opinion, a quality 8x or 10x binocular is the most importance piece of equipment that most western big name hunters should have. If I had to scrimp, that would be one of the last places to do it.

A 15x binocular is a somewhat specialized optic that generally speaking requires a tripod and is useful for locating animals when glassing for extended periods of time from a stationary position. They are too heavy to carry around the neck for lengthy periods of time, and the field of view is too small for most general purpose use viewing. Coues deer hunters come to mind as a group that can take full advantage of them.

Spotting scopes are useful primarily for evaluating specific animals at longer distances. They usually have significantly more magnification (20x to 60x) which allows for much better resolution and evaluation of an animal. They can also be useful for locating game at extreme distances. Sheep hunters that can see several miles often fine them useful for that purpose.

I have and use all three, and would estimate that +/- 95% of my optics usage is an 8x-10x binocular, 4.9% is a spotting scope, and .1% is a 15x binocular. Your usage may vary.

 I use all three to some degree and I find that I use the 10x42 binos more than anything else.  It really depends on what kind of terrain you normally hunt.  If you want to evaluate specific animals at long distances then go with the spotter.  If you're glassing long distances looking for animals go with the 15's.  Other than that 8's or 10's will work for most other applications.  In any case buy the best glass you can get.  The Razor spotter for $999 is a steal....

The Razor 85s look to be all gone at Cabela's.  Better move fast if you are still thinking

[theleo]

Razor is above my pay grade. My next purchase will probably be a viper.

But is it really worth the money?

That depends on you. If you want to use every last/first minute of light you can for glassing, are picky about field judging animals, needing to tell the difference between a spike and a cow from a loooooong ways off, and trying to pick out horns from sage brush, then yes. If your hunts aren't normally so optics based then no.

[ffbowhunter]

Thanks for all the advise. I picked up the new vortex razor spotter.

[Bob33]

Razor is above my pay grade. My next purchase will probably be a viper.

But is it really worth the money?

That depends on you. If you want to use every last/first minute of light you can for glassing, are picky about field judging animals, needing to tell the difference between a spike and a cow from a loooooong ways off, and trying to pick out horns from sage brush, then yes. If your hunts aren't normally so optics based then no.

Like many things, the incremental improvement in quality and value of optics decreases as price increases.

There are noticeable differences in quality between binoculars costing $30 and ones costing $100. Mr. Magoo could see them. Going from $100 to $500 will result in noticeable differences for most users. The differences in quality between $500 optics and $1000 optics is smaller but evident to most users if you compare carefully.

Going from $1000 to $2000+ binoculars will result in even smaller improvements but many discerning users will find the improvements beneficial in certain situations.

As price increases you start to pay a lot more, for a little more.

Whether or not higher cost is justified and “makes a difference” is a question that can’t be answered by anyone other than the potential user. I have a good hunting friend who uses binoculars that cost around $250. He’s looked through $2,000 binoculars and said he can’t see any difference, and likes his less expensive ones better.

I believe in the adage that you can’t shoot what you can’t see. To me, quality optics are a sound investment. It’s also important to note that many lifelong hunters end up buying lots of optics over a lifetime to get a pair “just a little better”. The $100 binoculars aren’t good enough so they buy a $300 pair. After a while, they decide the $500 pair is better. After much use they decide the $1000 pair is what they really need. And so it goes. Start with a quality pair that can last a couple decades, and you’re money ahead and will see more animals.

[BULLBLASTER]

Good choice!
My spotter actually gets used a lot more in the offseason shooting my rifles or scouting than it does actually hunting though I did watch my buck this year for 20 min or so at 900 yards deciding if I wanted to go shoot him. That right there is tue benefit of the spotter.

[JDHasty]

Thanks for all the advise. I picked up the new vortex razor spotter.

I have one and it is a dandy.  I think you are going to not regret the decision.... however if you decide that it is not what you should have done you will easily get what you paid out of it. 

[jackelope]

In my opinion, a quality 8x or 10x binocular is the most importance piece of equipment that most western big name hunters should have. If I had to scrimp, that would be one of the last places to do it.

A 15x binocular is a somewhat specialized optic that generally speaking requires a tripod and is useful for locating animals when glassing for extended periods of time from a stationary position. They are too heavy to carry around the neck for lengthy periods of time, and the field of view is too small for most general purpose use viewing. Coues deer hunters come to mind as a group that can take full advantage of them.

Spotting scopes are useful primarily for evaluating specific animals at longer distances. They usually have significantly more magnification (20x to 60x) which allows for much better resolution and evaluation of an animal. They can also be useful for locating game at extreme distances. Sheep hunters that can see several miles often fine them useful for that purpose.

I have and use all three, and would estimate that +/- 95% of my optics usage is an 8x-10x binocular, 4.9% is a spotting scope, and .1% is a 15x binocular. Your usage may vary.

What if you're just an average Joe hunter and not a big name western hunter?
 

[Bob33]

In my opinion, a quality 8x or 10x binocular is the most importance piece of equipment that most western big name hunters should have. If I had to scrimp, that would be one of the last places to do it.

A 15x binocular is a somewhat specialized optic that generally speaking requires a tripod and is useful for locating animals when glassing for extended periods of time from a stationary position. They are too heavy to carry around the neck for lengthy periods of time, and the field of view is too small for most general purpose use viewing. Coues deer hunters come to mind as a group that can take full advantage of them.

Spotting scopes are useful primarily for evaluating specific animals at longer distances. They usually have significantly more magnification (20x to 60x) which allows for much better resolution and evaluation of an animal. They can also be useful for locating game at extreme distances. Sheep hunters that can see several miles often fine them useful for that purpose.

I have and use all three, and would estimate that +/- 95% of my optics usage is an 8x-10x binocular, 4.9% is a spotting scope, and .1% is a 15x binocular. Your usage may vary.

What if you're just an average Joe hunter and not a big name western hunter?
 

Lol. You can get without binos for small name hunting, or if you're an eastern big name hunter.

[WAcoueshunter]

Thanks for all the advise. I picked up the new vortex razor spotter.

Good choice...now start saving for those 15's!

Feel like we have this discussion a few times every year.     The three main categories (8-10x, 15x, and spotter) all have their place.  How and where you hunt will determine which works best.  For glassing at less than 400 yards or so, the 8-10x are best.  Glassing between 400 yards and a mile or so, and the 15s are best.  Over that, and you're better off with a spotter.  The spotter is obviously best at any range for determining size or counting points. 

For me, most of my glassing is in the mile or less category, so I carry 10s around my neck and the 15s with a tripod in my pack.  The spotter usually stays in the truck.  There are exceptions - I hardly use my 15s when antelope hunting because their white body is easy to spot with the bare eye or the 8-10s at pretty long range.  So I just go straight to the spotter to see how big they are.  But for most deer and elk hunting, it's the 10s and 15s for me.

[JDHasty]

Thanks for all the advise. I picked up the new vortex razor spotter.

Good choice...now start saving for those 15's!

Feel like we have this discussion a few times every year.     The three main categories (8-10x, 15x, and spotter) all have their place.  How and where you hunt will determine which works best.  For glassing at less than 400 yards or so, the 8-10x are best.  Glassing between 400 yards and a mile or so, and the 15s are best.  Over that, and you're better off with a spotter.  The spotter is obviously best at any range for determining size or counting points. 

For me, most of my glassing is in the mile or less category, so I carry 10s around my neck and the 15s with a tripod in my pack.  The spotter usually stays in the truck.  There are exceptions - I hardly use my 15s when antelope hunting because their white body is easy to spot with the bare eye or the 8-10s at pretty long range.  So I just go straight to the spotter to see how big they are.  But for most deer and elk hunting, it's the 10s and 15s for me.

That is pretty much how it works. 

As for the big binocular, once I had one I never again want to be without having one available. 

[7mmfan]

I've been battling this myself. A few times this year in Idaho I really wanted more power so I could cover ground more effectively. I've never enjoyed looking through a spotter, but I do understand their role. I think by next year I will have a pair of 15's, and hopefully I can talk a partner into the spotter!