Trying to decide between binoculars. Looking to for dual use, spotting out to 1000 in matches and general use. Options are Swarovskis SLC 10x42 vs Zeiss Conquest 15x56. I think I could use the extra power in the Zeiss, just not sure of quality. Any help will be appreciated, thx
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binoculars question
- Thread starter anginaprinzmetal
- Start date
Have you considered the Steiner HX 15x56 or the Meopta MeoStar 15x56? These are, IMO, the best of the 15x56's below $1,500.00 and the Meopta's are scary close in quality to the SLC's.
Please feel free to give a call to discuss what would be best for you.
Great time as we have launched our July 4th Sale this morning
Please feel free to give a call to discuss what would be best for you.
Great time as we have launched our July 4th Sale this morning
Magnification that's good for general use isn't going to be enough to spotting, and enough magnification for spotting isn't going to be good for general use.
I'd get nothing but 15x56 SLC's for spotting, they're awesome. Despite what anyone says nothing lower end compares.
I'd get nothing but 15x56 SLC's for spotting, they're awesome. Despite what anyone says nothing lower end compares.
15x56 scl we have a rep that brings them to all of our matches and there is no equal. That being said I have vortex 15x50 HD’s that will spot out to 800 fairly easy I don’t think we have them set up quite right yet but they were spotting 6mm hits on a 650 mover last week
I also don’t have a problem regardless of people say taking the 15 power the bipod and finding targets by hand that could easily be used for hunting or laying out course of fire by hand.
If you are going to use the binos just to identify targets during a long distance match, I would wager the 10x binos have enough magnification. You will probably not have enough magnification to see hits, but target identification should not be an issue. I would not go over 10x for anything that was not supported, so figure a tripod into your 15x purchase. 15x will be better for seeing hits, though I'm not sure what your max range would be. My experience has been that 10x is more than sufficient at 600 y to identify hits on a steel 10" circle target.
Did a lot of research and for the price I settled on the 15x56 Meostar. I own the 8x32, and the 10x42 Swarovskis for bird watching not enough magnifying power for seeing hits at 800 for my eyes. The Swarovski 15x56 were more than double the price. Add on the pistol grip head and the tripod and I just paid for a new AI in any caliber. My 2 cents
I was going to buy a pair of swaros but then pulled a pair of Leupold BX5 15x56 off the prize table at a match and I have to say. Holy shit was I surprised. I’m no longer looking to buy any. I’ve compared them to friends binos (swaros and Steiners) and I won’t be changing. They are awesome.
I use them to RO our monthly matches that go out to 900 yards. I also have a hendsoldt spotter45 and I grab the binos first unless I’m calling shots for people and want to give them accurate mil corrections.
Also used them at the Q-Creek ELR match and had no issues spotting out to 2100.
I use them to RO our monthly matches that go out to 900 yards. I also have a hendsoldt spotter45 and I grab the binos first unless I’m calling shots for people and want to give them accurate mil corrections.
Also used them at the Q-Creek ELR match and had no issues spotting out to 2100.
I don't use binos for spotting, IMHO they are best used for scanning and target acquisition. Over 60 or more years, I have been an avid user of the basic 7x50 configuration, but never truly had a 'good' unit. My old standby was a pair of Jason 7x50's, which probably really betrays my age. I find that more magnification simply accentuates shake too much, especially for night and astronomical observation.
Do it over again today, my quick search found these Steiner Marine Navigator Pro 7x50, which would adequately fit the criterion without significantly straining the budget. I would add the Steiner float strap as a basic insurance policy. Camo is not a factor for me with this item.
My spotting is done with a Vortex 20-60x80 Nomad spotting scope (out of production, closely equaled by the similar configuration Diamondback). My rifle scopes are several; three Mueller 8-32x44 Target Dot Scopes, a Simmons 6.5-20 Whitetail Classic, and three Bushnell AR Drop Zone 223 BDC scopes. On rifles of lower priority the three Tasco 6-24x42 Target Varmint scopes have proven to be utterly reliable, well as the nearly identical 2.5-10x42 version on my older Savage 7.62x39 10FCM Scout.
Greg
Do it over again today, my quick search found these Steiner Marine Navigator Pro 7x50, which would adequately fit the criterion without significantly straining the budget. I would add the Steiner float strap as a basic insurance policy. Camo is not a factor for me with this item.
My spotting is done with a Vortex 20-60x80 Nomad spotting scope (out of production, closely equaled by the similar configuration Diamondback). My rifle scopes are several; three Mueller 8-32x44 Target Dot Scopes, a Simmons 6.5-20 Whitetail Classic, and three Bushnell AR Drop Zone 223 BDC scopes. On rifles of lower priority the three Tasco 6-24x42 Target Varmint scopes have proven to be utterly reliable, well as the nearly identical 2.5-10x42 version on my older Savage 7.62x39 10FCM Scout.
Greg
Used the Meostars today at the 100 doing load testing. I’m sold.... these are way better than I expected, very very close to the Swarovski 15x56. Best money spent for spotting.
The MeoStars are great. I didn't want to pony up the $3K Cad for the Swaros and I couldn't track down the new Leupolds.
I had them at a match on spotter duty and they were preferred over the Spotting scope (Zeiss I think) every time. It wasn't because the glass was better, I never compared anyways, but it is just easier to sit behind a pair of binos.
I had them at a match on spotter duty and they were preferred over the Spotting scope (Zeiss I think) every time. It wasn't because the glass was better, I never compared anyways, but it is just easier to sit behind a pair of binos.
I’m running the leupold BX-4 pro guid 12x for spotting, and scanning stage layout at matches to 1000 and have no complaints at all and I’m only into them for $600 new..... I’ve tried the swaro 15x and they are super badass but the leopolds are surprisingly good
After thinking a good bit and reviewing the Vortex Razors 12 and Zeiss Conquest 15 both are going back to Eurooptic (by the way awesome customer service) and ended up ordering the Swaros SLC 15. Which are what I really wanted in the first place, I figured buy once, cry once.
Both the Razor and the Zeiss are amazing bins, unfortunately my buddy had his Swaros ELs to compare and the glass is better in the Swaros. Having said that the Razors didn't have enough power for the intended use and comparing them to my buddy's Swaro's Els where clearly inferior. The Zeiss had the right power and the glass (in my opinion) was better than the Razors (almost as good as the swears) but they had a good bit of chromatic aberration on the edges of the field of view and in high contrast areas (ie a mountain ridge against the sky). So that unless you were perfectly on the optical axis the chromatic aberration did bother me.
Finally, I really really wanted the Swaros so what the hell... Better my wife doesn't find out or I'm dead meat... lol
Both the Razor and the Zeiss are amazing bins, unfortunately my buddy had his Swaros ELs to compare and the glass is better in the Swaros. Having said that the Razors didn't have enough power for the intended use and comparing them to my buddy's Swaro's Els where clearly inferior. The Zeiss had the right power and the glass (in my opinion) was better than the Razors (almost as good as the swears) but they had a good bit of chromatic aberration on the edges of the field of view and in high contrast areas (ie a mountain ridge against the sky). So that unless you were perfectly on the optical axis the chromatic aberration did bother me.
Finally, I really really wanted the Swaros so what the hell... Better my wife doesn't find out or I'm dead meat... lol
I buy optics used on Ebay too… Most quality mfg.'s have stellar CS and will take it back and make it right if something is wrong.
Im looking to pick up some Binos for both hunting and Spotting. Wont be spotting past 1000 but likely will see most use 800m and in. Im looking at Swaro's and am wondering if the 12x50's might be a nice compromise between the 10x42 and 15x56. Any thoughts from those that use theirs for both?
I have tried many high end binoculars and used them worldwide over the past 40 years. Guessing I have had 30+ brands/sizes/types.
I currently have four binoculars.
An old Ziess 8x30 that I purchased new in the early 70's and keep for sentimental reasons. I never use them.
My main set is a Swaro 10x42 EL Range which is about all I use/carry etc.
I have a very nice but seldom used Leica Ultravid 10x30. Great glass but I seldom use it unless I am going to walk all day like shed hunting but not shooting thus no ranging feature needed.
I keep a Leica Ultravid 12x50 nearby in house for bird viewing etc.
The 10X is all I really ever need in a binocular. I use a spotter if I need more. The 12X Ultravid is great but bulky and heavy with no real advantage over the 10x42 Swaro.
If anyone wants the 12x50 Ultravid I will part with it. Like new with box. I simply don't need much of anything the Swaro wont do.
I currently have four binoculars.
An old Ziess 8x30 that I purchased new in the early 70's and keep for sentimental reasons. I never use them.
My main set is a Swaro 10x42 EL Range which is about all I use/carry etc.
I have a very nice but seldom used Leica Ultravid 10x30. Great glass but I seldom use it unless I am going to walk all day like shed hunting but not shooting thus no ranging feature needed.
I keep a Leica Ultravid 12x50 nearby in house for bird viewing etc.
The 10X is all I really ever need in a binocular. I use a spotter if I need more. The 12X Ultravid is great but bulky and heavy with no real advantage over the 10x42 Swaro.
If anyone wants the 12x50 Ultravid I will part with it. Like new with box. I simply don't need much of anything the Swaro wont do.
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Received the Swaros SLCs 15x56. Initial impression is that they have slightly better glass than the Zeiss Conquest but not by much, with the caveat that the Swaros have a lot less chromatic aberration (some people are not bother by it, I was). Out to 1000 yds a 20 inch target is very clear w/ 15 binos in my experience. I haven't try to spot beyond that.
The 12 power, in my opinion, is not enough for spotting, and I agree that the Swaros EL 10x are more than adequate for just about anything, except no enough power for spotting. The problem I have w/spotting scopes is the narrow field of view and that I get tired of looking through them
The 12 power, in my opinion, is not enough for spotting, and I agree that the Swaros EL 10x are more than adequate for just about anything, except no enough power for spotting. The problem I have w/spotting scopes is the narrow field of view and that I get tired of looking through them
