Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: buckmaster_wa on May 25, 2010, 09:20:12 AM

Title: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: buckmaster_wa on May 25, 2010, 09:20:12 AM: I am considering getting a pair of these. They weigh in at 45oz. Do any of you guys use these, and are they worth their weight out in the field? I mean are they a bino that you would pack in on a backcountry hunt?
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: jjhunter on May 25, 2010, 09:27:03 AM: My 15's are like "my buddy".....wherever I go, they go. :chuckle: I take my 15's in the backcountry over my spotter. On day hunts, I take both. Get those things mounted up on a good tripod and watch "a whole new world" open before your eyes. If you want to try my set-up sometime, let me know.

BTW, I don't wear these around my neck. I keep a pair of 10x42 EL's around my neck for cruising and glassing. When I set-up to pick the mountain apart, I grap the 15's and tripod out of the pack. I can have them out of my pack and set-up in about 30 seconds.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: littlemac on May 25, 2010, 09:27:47 AM: I checked out a bunch of bino's before I settle on EL 10x42 at 28 oz. Their all I would care to lug around
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: longrange7mm on May 25, 2010, 09:32:02 AM: My step dad has a set of them he hauls them in his pack he has the doubler they are very clear like all swarovski's but they are too big to carry around the mountains on your chest they will get in the way

It depends on what you are using them for too if you are not packing in any were or just using them for spotting then they are awesome, the doubler is worth its weight in gold :twocents:
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: thinkingman on May 25, 2010, 11:04:18 AM: At 15X, you can forget holding them in your hands....Monopod at a minimum....tripod even better.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: buckmaster_wa on May 25, 2010, 05:54:16 PM: Thanks for the info. With these replies I believe I will get the 10x42s and then just use a spotter.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: bearpaw on May 25, 2010, 06:27:03 PM: I have a pair of 15's that I mostly keep in the vehicle for longrange spotting from the truck. I love them. Have horsebacked and hiked all over with them too, but they get heavy on the neck after all day. I never have used any pod for them, but it does help to lean or prop yourself against something when you use them.

I prefer to wear a pair of 10x42 around my neck in the field.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: Wea300mag on May 25, 2010, 06:33:32 PM: Quote from: buckmaster_wa on May 25, 2010, 05:54:16 PM
Thanks for the info. With these replies I believe I will get the 10x42s and then just use a spotter.

They practically give those products away, I think you should have one of everything. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: sako223 on May 25, 2010, 06:44:29 PM: One day I saw 5 pairs returned at cabelas. Must be a friendly rental program. I have a friend that packs a pair with buddy straps. Myself it's 10x42 Leica but the 8x42 Leica & 8.5x42 Swaro seem a little more steady.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: thinkingman on May 27, 2010, 12:59:21 PM: Quote from: sako223 on May 25, 2010, 06:44:29 PM
One day I saw 5 pairs returned at cabelas. Must be a friendly rental program. I have a friend that packs a pair with buddy straps. Myself it's 10x42 Leica but the 8x42 Leica & 8.5x42 Swaro seem a little more steady.
Lower magnification will always seem steadier, and brighter....and less critical for eye position.
The only pair of 10x I owned (Vortex Razors) I returned in 30days.
Leica and Swaro are outstanding glass, I just find 8X more relaxed, easier to use.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: MtnMuley on May 27, 2010, 01:36:47 PM: buckmaster, if you are still interested, I have a pair of the newer 15x56's that are in mint condition that I'm considering getting rid of. I also have a new Swaro tripod adapter for them. PM me if so.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: jjhunter on May 27, 2010, 03:18:22 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on May 27, 2010, 01:36:47 PM
buckmaster, if you are still interested, I have a pair of the newer 15x56's that are in mint condition that I'm considering getting rid of. I also have a new Swaro tripod adapter for them. PM me if so.

Sucks to have your eyes too close together..... :chuckle: Gonna have to go with those second-class citizen Geovid 15x's :chuckle:
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: Wild Bill on June 01, 2010, 09:55:07 AM: Quote from: longrange7mm on May 25, 2010, 09:32:02 AM
It depends on what you are using them for too if you are not packing in any were or just using them for spotting then they are awesome, the doubler is worth its weight in gold :twocents:

What is this doubler people speak of??????
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 01, 2010, 10:13:47 AM: I wouldn't be without mine, best 2 grand I've spent on hunting equip.. I have a lightweight K&K tripod I mount them on, great for big clearcuts over here.

Bill, the double is a eye piece that you screw into where your eye cup goes, doubling your power..
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: Wild Bill on June 04, 2010, 04:20:41 PM: So doubles to a 30x?
Still a little confused...
Is this item spendy? And will it fit on all Swarvos?
Been tossing around the idea of selling off 2-3 pairs of my Leupolds to get some Swarvos.... If this thing doubles the power, I may just get a pair of 10x's....
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: MtnMuley on June 04, 2010, 04:24:46 PM: Yes. Doubles the power of your binos. I used to have one for my EL's and would use it as a 20 power monocular when needed. It was nice, but I still prefer packing a lightweight spotter.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: WAcoueshunter on June 04, 2010, 11:09:37 PM: My cousin in AZ has a pair. He's primarily a coues hunter, meaning he spends a big chunk of his day behind the glass. He lugs those things around with a full size Bogen tripod and couldn't be happier with the investment. For sure, they do not go around your neck, and they are pretty worthless without a good tripod. They are not a bino replacement, but a spotter replacement. In my mind, 15x is ideal for glassing to find animals - the only problem is when you want the extra magification to count tines and inches.
Title: Re: Swarovski 15x56
Post by: lilswab on June 12, 2010, 05:27:06 PM: Quote from: WAcoueshunter on June 04, 2010, 11:09:37 PM
They are not a bino replacement, but a spotter replacement. In my mind, 15x is ideal for glassing to find animals - the only problem is when you want the extra magification to count tines and inches.
:yeah: I have a buddy that may be looking to get rid of his or trade for a quality 10x42 pair. PM me if you are serious.