Binoculars with a reticle

PBWalsh

Preston Walsh Fitness
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 10, 2017
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Central AL
Hi y’all,

Kicking the tires on kicking a binocular. Don’t have much experience with any type of quality bino as I’ve only been able to use piss quality Walmart stuff. Currently looking at two different options in the $300-$600 range.

While I don’t technically NEED a reticle, I definitely do not want one without it. The two I am considering are the SWFA 12x32mm and the Leupold BX-2 Tactical 10x42mm. Both have usable mil based reticles. Both have similar reticles, with Leupold offering the ability to rotate the reticle. Neither reticle blows me away and is quite large. I don’t see myself having the ability to break down the hashes in .2 increments.
Any recommendations as to the two listed above? If it matters I can get the Leupold 50% off MSRP making it around $350. Are there any other binos I should be looking at in this price range with a reticle?
I would love to get a bino with a reticle that you can actually break down into the .2s or smaller, I’m not calling for artillery support, just want the ability to range a target or make scope adjustments while sighting in a LPVO or such.

Oh I considered the Leupold Mk 4 12-40x60mm spotter, but at 1.1k after the discount, its still a bit out of reach. Would be very nice though and I’d love to have it. The Mk4 spotter would be perfect for my needs.

Thank you,
- PB Walsh
 
If you go the route you are intending also consider a tripod and mount to secure the binos.

When you factor all that in maybe a spotter is where you want to be.
 
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Got a Pig 0311 tripod, still need a Pig or Hog saddle though, just been using a homemade mount.

Spotter is what I want, just hard to justify the price for me.
 
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Forgot all about the Bushnell! Thanks for the reminder, they look like what I’m wanting in the price I can justify. There is a Vortex RT in the PX that is tempting as well.

Anyone here have the Bushnell for a few words?
 
Thats fair. Wouldn’t be using it for PRS or anything. Just casual use up to 300ish yards and might be packed along while hunting in lieu of actual binoculars.
 
I have that Bushnell spotter and agree it’s good for what it is and the price. Also use their little 10x fixed monocular with reticle that is really handy. What I’ve noticed since starting to go to matches however is that the eye strain I get from squinting one eye becomes very unpleasant after spotting for several shooters, hence I’m following this thread closely as binos with a reticle is what I’d like to try.

Now if someone would incorporate a decent LRF into such a unit, that would be all I need. Out comes the Visa.
 
After re-reading your post above mine, that little 10x monocular I mentioned might suit your needs well. lightweight and doesn’t take up much space. Love mine.

still on the hunt for binos for matches.
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For 300 yards, binos would work pretty well. Spotting, I like the option for more magnification than my binos give me.

The Bushnell Legend T is definitely going to work for 300 yards. I was really surprised how clear it was. I use it spotting out to 1000 no problem. It is one of those things that really is worth more than the money.



I have two of the Bushnell, cause I typically shoot with other guys who don't have spotters. I traded into a different spotter, so one of them is listed in the forum.

 
Forgot all about the Bushnell! Thanks for the reminder, they look like what I’m wanting in the price I can justify. There is a Vortex RT in the PX that is tempting as well.

Anyone here have the Bushnell for a few words?

Yep, I've got one. For the money, it's one hell of a spotter. I've used mine to spot out to a mile for both 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 SAUM. The glass isn't as good as some of the higher end options out there, but it's excellent for the price point.
 
If your goal is to glass 90% of the time, and range 10% or less, then you might consider a Zeiss or Leica rangefinding binocular.
I found a set of Zeiss 10x45 used 2 years ago for $1100.

The glass is unreal- best I’ve been behind (disclosure-never owned a Swarovski) and the rangefinder is money on deer out to 500 and solid objects like barns out to 1200+.

Alternative is just get a decent binocular without a reticle, and then a $200-300 rangefinder to put in your backpack.

Others might be great at it, but the math behind using a reticle on an object of variable height can throw your distance estimate 25+/- yards in a hurry.
 
Think I’ve settled on a used Bushnell 15-45 from a user here. Think it’ll serve my purposes best in the price I’m looking at.

Glancing at a few reviews, I cannot see justifying the price difference between it and a Mk4 spotter.

I appreciate the words, thanks for helping me find an appropriate optic!