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.