Bino’s for range and hunting

[bmicek]

Currently have a Razor HD 16-48 spotter that I am considering swapping to binos for range time and hunting. Really just looking for the most versatile option. I don’t shoot PRS but I don’t want to run out of top end when I shoot longer range steel (1k yards or so). I also hunt whitetails in river bottom and open country and plan on doing more elk hunts and open country spot and stalk.

Currently looking at Meopta Meostar 12x50’s (and Cabela’s Euro model). Would I be safe in assuming the 15x model would be a bit overkill for my intended use? There’s no do all optic but this is my attempt at covering my bases the best I can.

 

[RTH1800]

Budget?

 

[bmicek]

Budget?

Less than $1k

 

[RTH1800]

I generally prefer a 10X binocular when not for night use or extreme long range/fine detail use.
Suggest you look at used German glass. Should be able to locate an older, great condition Zeiss or Leica 10x40 for 6-800.It will be within a fraction of a percent of the latest/greatest German glass and well above any Asian product.

 

[Wyzrd]

Just as you said, unfortunately there is no one do it all optic that can cover all the bases (I wish there was!). With that said, I would hang onto the spotting scope and find a good pair of 8x or 10x binos. Like rth1800 stated, if you can find some German glass, do it! However, there are some binos made in Japan that are very nice too. Maybe check out some of the offerings from:

Nikon (Monarch HG or Monarch 7)
Vortex (Razors)
Athlon (Cronus)
Steiner (HX)
Leupold (BX5 Santiams)
Or, if you can afford it, try to get into some of the Big-3 (Swaro, Zeiss, Leica...with Meopta up there too). Pricey, but these are glass that you don’t have to worry about upgrading in the future because they’re the best of the best.

 

[accurate obsession]

12x50 Meostar's, I'm also interested. If you get them let us know what you think. I have Meostar S2 82 spotter and it's excellent but for long periods of time just more comfortable behind binos.

 

[bunsen27]

Less than $1k

15x is too much without a tripod, 12x may also be too much for handheld, but 10x is usually quite solid handheld.

If there is any chance you can save up and increase that budget to ~$1600 you could snag a pair of Swaro SLC 10x42's.

I ended up there after looking VERY hard at the Meopta 12x50's and have not been disappointed at all with spending the extra $$.

BTW I don't believe the 12x50 sell anywhere for under $1.2k either branded as Cabela's or Meostar.

 

[RTH1800]

Purchase of top quality glass is seldom regretted. Purchased used, you really cannot lose. It will always get your money back if sold.

 

[wilsoN_]

Meopta glass is no slouch

 

[bmicek]

15x is too much without a tripod, 12x may also be too much for handheld, but 10x is usually quite solid handheld.

If there is any chance you can save up and increase that budget to ~$1600 you could snag a pair of Swaro SLC 10x42's.

I ended up there after looking VERY hard at the Meopta 12x50's and have not been disappointed at all with spending the extra $$.

BTW I don't believe the 12x50 sell anywhere for under $1.2k either branded as Cabela's or Meostar.

Not unless you’re friends with a dealer appreciate the input though.

 

[msstate56]

I have found 12x to be a great western hunt bino. But you really need to tripod mount them to get the most out of them. I think 15x is great off a tripod, and 10x is good hand held. The 12x is a good compromise. I’ve had a pair of Leupold BX-4 (Japan) 12x50 for most of this year. I use them spotting off a tripod at PRS matches. I took them to AK for caribou last month. Watching ‘bou and a few bears between 1 and 2 miles away was no problem. My hunting partner has Swaro ELs. They are better, but not $2k better.

 

[bmicek]

I have found 12x to be a great western hunt bino. But you really need to tripod mount them to get the most out of them. I think 15x is great off a tripod, and 10x is good hand held. The 12x is a good compromise. I’ve had a pair of Leupold BX-4 (Japan) 12x50 for most of this year. I use them spotting off a tripod at PRS matches. I took them to AK for caribou last month. Watching ‘bou and a few bears between 1 and 2 miles away was no problem. My hunting partner has Swaro ELs. They are better, but not $2k better.

Would you say the 12x are too much off a tripod? I imagine my hunts will involve mountain hiking for elk, and also long glassing periods for mule deer. I know the long glassing is not an issue on account of using a tripod, but my biggest concern is whether they’d be too much for elk hunting... but honestly, a cheap pair would be sufficient for elk anyway where I may not glass super far anyway... hmmm

 

[msstate56]

12x is not too much to use by hand, but you get a lot more out of them when you steady them on a tripod. As long as you can steady them on your knees, pack, etc. you can do great work with 12x. They just wouldn’t be my choice for glassing offhand if that was all I would be doing. I’ve used 10x on several elk hunts, and would again if I were in lots of timber. But from now on 12x is my go to bino.

Elk are huge, you don’t need the Hubble space telescope to find them, nor world class glass. You can tell if a bull is a shooter fairly easily. Premium glass is nice, but I’m not a glass snob, and have no problem looking through BX-2 and BX-4 binos all day for a week at a time.

 

[MTtimberline]

I’d like to suggest looking into Maven as another option. I recently purchased the C1 10x42 and I am very impressed. They sell direct with no middleman and put all the money in the glass. If you don’t mind giving up some bells and whistles in the housing, the glass is excellent. They offer a demo program as well. Just another option to consider. There is a lot of research and reviews online to be found. I purchased mine through the amazon link to save on https://mavenbuilt.com/

 

[msstate56]

I’ve spotted through a pair of Mavens at a match a couple months back. Glass was very nice.

 

[MTtimberline]

Took the Mavens out this weekend for some glassing and comparison to my old Nikon Monarchs and a friends vortex vipers. Tried all three at different ranges and light conditions. Still impressed and happy with the purchase.

 

[Davo308]

I’d like to suggest looking into Maven as another option. I recently purchased the C1 10x42 and I am very impressed. They sell direct with no middleman and put all the money in the glass. If you don’t mind giving up some bells and whistles in the housing, the glass is excellent. They offer a demo program as well. Just another option to consider. There is a lot of research and reviews online to be found. I purchased mine through the amazon link to save on https://mavenbuilt.com/

Im really wanting to try their 9x45's.