So from reading through the forums it looks like 15x binos are the way to go at PRS matches. Now I'm trying to figure out which ones to get. I know the Swaro SLC's are the go to but they're just too much for me. Without price being a consideration between the following, which binos are the best between the Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56, the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56, The Meopta Meostar HD 15x56. Those are the front runners right now, any others I should be considering?
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Best 15x binos for spotting PRS matches
- Thread starter Mnash
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Meostars are sweet
i'd also consider the new bushnell Forges
i have the cronus BTR's and i'm happy with them
i'd also consider the new bushnell Forges
i have the cronus BTR's and i'm happy with them
I know some guys who like the vortex kaibab a lot.
My slc’s just showed up today. They are better than I realized. Will try to get them beside kaibab soon and see how they compare.
My slc’s just showed up today. They are better than I realized. Will try to get them beside kaibab soon and see how they compare.
The Athlon Cronus 15x56 is great quality and for the money a best buy, the Meopta MeoStar 15x56 is as close as you can get to an SLC at non-Swaro pricing.
My pleasure to discuss the options with you
Doug
516-217-1000
My pleasure to discuss the options with you
Doug
516-217-1000
Consider the Fujinon in there as well. I ended up buying Nikon Monarch 20x56 and am very well pleased with this.
Prior to that purchase, I used 15 and 20x Steiner, 15x Swaro, 15x Fuji, and 15x Leica duovids.
No experience with Meopta.
Prior to that purchase, I used 15 and 20x Steiner, 15x Swaro, 15x Fuji, and 15x Leica duovids.
No experience with Meopta.
I would go with the ziess. I have 10x HD’s and 10x victories and they have awesome light transmission. I have never had eye fatigue with the ziess optics either spotting all day. I have a razor hd spotter in 65x with 85mm objective and I can only last a few hours looking through it at one session without fatigue. I have used all three on backcountry hunts spotting mulies and the ziess always have the best contrast for me.
Do you have the Meoptas? I'm interested in your thoughts if you have a pair? They look a good saving over the Swaro's without giving up much in quality
I do have the meoptas meostars and they are fantastic binos the glass is phenomenal.
Everyone that looks through them is amazed...you can see trace..easily see mirage and impacts on steel at 1200yds in good conditions and at 1000 with light to medium mirage.
Call Doug at camera land and he will hook you up...I was looking at the swaro SLCs when I bought these and happy I went with meoptas.
I had the slcs, downgraded to the meostars, and feel like I gave up 1 or 2% in glass. Just my opinion. Slcs are best, but meostars are phenomenal for the money, especially if u can get leo or mil pricing
I have the 15X SLC... but compared heavily against the Meostars... They are VERY close. If I had it to do over again, I would just get the Meostars and call it a day... it's that close
Direct from meopta. Call them and they can point u in the right direction
I've used my set of Leupold BX5 15x56s in one 4x600 prone match last fall. Was very pleased with them, made it really easy to see trace as the bullets went into the bullseye paper targets.
Never had an opportunity to spend any time with either Swaro SLCs or Meopta, but would like to see what I'm missing....if anything.
Never had an opportunity to spend any time with either Swaro SLCs or Meopta, but would like to see what I'm missing....if anything.
I've been super happy with my Bushnell Forge 15s, and every single shooter I have had look through them has been impressed. I have a hard time seeing much-to-any difference in them and the Swaros, much less $2k worth of difference.
It is my pleasure to work with the members here with special pricing on the Meoptas, please give us a call, 516-217-1000
Doug
Doug
for that price id pass...you can get the meoptas for that.
The Swaros are top shelf including the price.
They have built a reputation on delivering outstanding glass.
I recently had some time on the Bushnell Forge, solid showing in that price range.
R
They have built a reputation on delivering outstanding glass.
I recently had some time on the Bushnell Forge, solid showing in that price range.
R
If anyone wants to check out the Forge binos in person, I will have the 10s and 15s at the Alabama and K&M PRS matches over the next few weeks.
Update for anyone who was following this thread: ended up getting a pair of the Meopta Meostar B1 15x56s. Amazing. Took them to the range last week and was seeing trace and impacts out to 900 yards with ease. There was a gentleman there with the SLCs, we compared and couldn’t tell a difference. I highly recommend them, especially if you qualify for their mil / le / fire program
Does the Meopta have a tripod mount that is included? Any pics or additional information on the mount would be appreciated. Thanks
Most everyone seems to be using the sportsman mount. You’ll need to buy the stud and the mount.
I ordered the Zeiss Conquest x15 and the Vortex Razors x12. Both went back.
The Zeiss had severe chromatic aberration to my eyes. The Vortex just not enough power and somewhat darker. Ended up getting the Swaros SLCs and never looked back. Based on what people say the Meopta should b the closest second to the swaros.
The Zeiss had severe chromatic aberration to my eyes. The Vortex just not enough power and somewhat darker. Ended up getting the Swaros SLCs and never looked back. Based on what people say the Meopta should b the closest second to the swaros.
To anyone shopping for binos,
You need to look through them for a long period of time. Comparing two optics side by side for only a minute or so may leave you uninformed. Two optics may seem similar but use one for several hours and then switch to the other and you will notice differences more. If you cannot do that, poll the RO'S at your next match and get their opinions.
Bang
You need to look through them for a long period of time. Comparing two optics side by side for only a minute or so may leave you uninformed. Two optics may seem similar but use one for several hours and then switch to the other and you will notice differences more. If you cannot do that, poll the RO'S at your next match and get their opinions.
Bang
Meopta does not include a tripod mount, however, we will include one for you with your purchase
I also got a pair of the Meopta Meostar B1 15x56 HD’s and have been super impressed. I would highly recommend them.
Picture through the Meostars from 550-700 yards.
Picture through the Meostars from 550-700 yards.
I have a set of the Steiner 15x80 observation binoculars. Glass is not quite Swarovski or Leica quality, but the infinite focus allows you to see trace from rifle all the way to the target.
Oldish thread, but this piqued my interest. I have a 8x Steiner I enjoy out on the prairie, and like the non-focus system. How does the experience watching trace compare between, say, a 15x Swarovski vs 15x Steiner?
Are you more able to spot hits and see trace, or is it just more of a different (but effectively equivalent) experience?
I've only looked through the 8x and 10X Swarovski, and that's been a few years ago, so I cannot compare. But yes, I can see everything from trace, splash, and/or miss. I have 8x Steiners also, and cannot say the same, except on days where everything is perfect.
I have a set of the 15x forges. I've compared them side by side to swaros and they are definitely not in the same league. That being said, I've been super happy with the forges, and never felt limited on glass clarity when spotting.
The price I paid for them is what makes them extra sweet.
Now If only they had a reticle.
The price I paid for them is what makes them extra sweet.
Now If only they had a reticle.
I bought a set of Leupold BX-5 Santiam 15x56 binos not long after they dropped the retail price by $250, and while I had a little more than $260 in Cabela's bucks saved up a few years ago. IIRC, I wound up paying just over $850 incl shipping, and still feel very good about the purchase. Have used them in place of a Kowa 661 spotter during 600yd prone match & to spot while shooting a tactical steel match with targets from 300-600yds. Much less eye strain at the end of the day, and never felt under-equipped.
Also bought a pair of Athlon Cronus 15x56 binos a year or more ago. Have compared them to the Leupold BX-5s, and while I find the BX-5s to be better, the Cronus binos are well worth the money.
Also bought a pair of Athlon Cronus 15x56 binos a year or more ago. Have compared them to the Leupold BX-5s, and while I find the BX-5s to be better, the Cronus binos are well worth the money.
I've poked the guys at Bushnell about that one quite a few times. Unfortunately, its had a hard time getting any traction.
I personally wasn't impressed with Swarovski binoculars, at least their LRF models. In my opinion, the glass was just Ok.
For the glass, the Leica's are the best, unfortunately, they cater to the hunting crowd, and not the precision shooter. If they had a smaller, more precise reticle, like a smaller box with a dot in the center. I wouldn't hesitate to get a pair, until then, I'll just wish for a pair of Vectronix Vectors, or just stick with my Steiners.
The other LRF binoculars that show promise, other than looking through them at Cabela's, are the newer Zeiss models.
For the glass, the Leica's are the best, unfortunately, they cater to the hunting crowd, and not the precision shooter. If they had a smaller, more precise reticle, like a smaller box with a dot in the center. I wouldn't hesitate to get a pair, until then, I'll just wish for a pair of Vectronix Vectors, or just stick with my Steiners.
The other LRF binoculars that show promise, other than looking through them at Cabela's, are the newer Zeiss models.
so i have a pair of 15x meopta meostars and love them but ive been looking for a pair of binos with a bit more power.
i stumbled upon these...celestron 25x70 binos...and started reading reviews and they seemed to get good reviews so for a $106 bucks to my door i thought what the hell!
celestron also makes some multi magnification? binos that didnt seem to get to good of reviews and they are in the $400ish range so i passed on them.
i will tell you this these binos are not euro glass and are cheaply built but worth every penny of $106 bucks! the pics are through my iphone so in person the image is much better...
the pic with the tan building and the pole in the middle is the dump and in person you can clearly read the sign on the right side of the smaller bldg its about 1-1.5 miles.
next pic of the tower on top of the mountain is...and im guessing here....about 10 miles maybe farther
next pic the poles on the hill side at lest 5 miles
the pic of the GSR 2-3 miles and in person you can clearly see the louvers in the penthouse mechanical room....also the pigeon sitting on the the lower part of the G on the side of the building.
i have set these up side by side with my meoptas and again these are not euro glass so i will not even try to compare them to euro glass but like i said for a $106 bucks i would not even hesitate to buy another pair or recommend them to a budget shopper looking for a pair of binos for spotting matches...where these start to fail is in low light and trying to spot into shadows.
i guess should add they are big!
last pic is the celestrons next to my 15x meoptas.
i stumbled upon these...celestron 25x70 binos...and started reading reviews and they seemed to get good reviews so for a $106 bucks to my door i thought what the hell!
celestron also makes some multi magnification? binos that didnt seem to get to good of reviews and they are in the $400ish range so i passed on them.
i will tell you this these binos are not euro glass and are cheaply built but worth every penny of $106 bucks! the pics are through my iphone so in person the image is much better...
the pic with the tan building and the pole in the middle is the dump and in person you can clearly read the sign on the right side of the smaller bldg its about 1-1.5 miles.
next pic of the tower on top of the mountain is...and im guessing here....about 10 miles maybe farther
next pic the poles on the hill side at lest 5 miles
the pic of the GSR 2-3 miles and in person you can clearly see the louvers in the penthouse mechanical room....also the pigeon sitting on the the lower part of the G on the side of the building.
i have set these up side by side with my meoptas and again these are not euro glass so i will not even try to compare them to euro glass but like i said for a $106 bucks i would not even hesitate to buy another pair or recommend them to a budget shopper looking for a pair of binos for spotting matches...where these start to fail is in low light and trying to spot into shadows.
i guess should add they are big!
last pic is the celestrons next to my 15x meoptas.
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There's a few behind the scenes complications. Unfortunately, I don't think it'll happen (and if it did, it wouldn't be called a Forge).
For anyone still looking to buy, it looks like Bushnell has dropped the price on the Forge 15s to $600. My understanding is it's a permanent price drop, not a temp sale.
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