Spotting scope vs binos

[Jaredb909]

I'm getting into long range shooting and my plan was to get a swaro 8x30 range finder and a really nice spotting scope (have not picked one out yet) .

After looking at some of these items I was wondering could I get away with using some of the Swaro range finding binos with a tripod instead of a range finder and a spotting scope?

Pros / Cons?


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[proneshooter]

A pair of binoculars with enough magnification to be useful as a spotting scope will be useless without a tripod unless they are stabilizing $$$$ binoculars, so in the end you are married to the tripod/stand.

At that point may as well get a range finder and a real spotting scope.

 

[s002wjh]

depend what distance & magification you want to use. more magnification means less FOV, so you need stable platform.

 

[Redmanss]

If you're trying to look at shot groups on a target, even as close as 100 yards, go with a spotting scope. Otherwise you'll start to get eye strain and that isn't what you want on the firing line.

 

[pinsandpitons]

As with most posts here on the hide, the following is my opinion and YMMV. Having said that I disagree with some of what was posted above. The more time I spend spotting steel at 700 to 1300 yds the more I like doing so with my 10x32 binos on a tripod and less with the 20+ power spotter. The magnification is lower yes, but the image clarity is at least as high and I'm using both eyes which reduces the eye strain to almost zero. I think bullet trace is easier to see and the principal of using two eyes vs 1 makes intuitive sense to me. Clarity is far more important than power, that's why people spend piles of money on good glass not more magnification. Do the math, even a pair of modestly good 10x32 binos have nearly the same light gathering ability as a 50mm spotter, and bigger exit pupils if the spotter is powered above 16. Now change the comparison to a good pair of 10x42 binos and it's no longer a contest in my book. 10 power is about the highest you would want with hand-held binos granted, but 10 is far from useless for spotting deer in the brush or open hills. At competitions I am an out-lier for sure, but I've never had trouble spotting hits or misses and have often been able to see stuff that the RO zoomed in on 20 power and looking into a dim 2mm exit pupil with one eye could not. Just my .02, but I'd spend the money on a decent pair of range finding binos, a tripod, and have three tools in one package. I don't own these, but they would probably fit the bill well --> BUSHNELL Fusion 1600 ARC 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars (201042)

Of course if you've got the money, a pair of 10x42 geovids would be even better.


Cons?
-Spotting .30 cal holes in paper at 300+ yds becomes difficult.
-A method of mounting to tripod must be found (I made my mount, 10 minutes in the shop)
-No good product on the market (yet) with a LRF and a reticle for calling correction in subtension

 

[Phil1]

As with most posts here on the hide, the following is my opinion and YMMV. Having said that I disagree with some of what was posted above. The more time I spend spotting steel at 700 to 1300 yds the more I like doing so with my 10x32 binos on a tripod and less with the 20+ power spotter. The magnification is lower yes, but the image clarity is at least as high and I'm using both eyes which reduces the eye strain to almost zero. I think bullet trace is easier to see and the principal of using two eyes vs 1 makes intuitive sense to me. Clarity is far more important than power, that's why people spend piles of money on good glass not more magnification. Do the math, even a pair of modestly good 10x32 binos have nearly the same light gathering ability as a 50mm spotter, and bigger exit pupils if the spotter is powered above 16. Now change the comparison to a good pair of 10x42 binos and it's no longer a contest in my book. 10 power is about the highest you would want with hand-held binos granted, but 10 is far from useless for spotting deer in the brush or open hills. At competitions I am an out-lier for sure, but I've never had trouble spotting hits or misses and have often been able to see stuff that the RO zoomed in on 20 power and looking into a dim 2mm exit pupil with one eye could not. Just my .02, but I'd spend the money on a decent pair of range finding binos, a tripod, and have three tools in one package. I don't own these, but they would probably fit the bill well --> BUSHNELL Fusion 1600 ARC 10x42 Laser Rangefinding Binoculars (201042)

Of course if you've got the money, a pair of 10x42 geovids would be even better.


Cons?
-Spotting .30 cal holes in paper at 300+ yds becomes difficult.
-A method of mounting to tripod must be found (I made my mount, 10 minutes in the shop)
-No good product on the market (yet) with a LRF and a reticle for calling correction in subtension

Agree with most of this except for the link to the Fusions the new Fusion mile is out and can be had for about a grand. The 1600's have been discounted to about $550

For hunting laser range-finding binoculars are great. You can get an accurate shot off quickly and know the range.

Do some more searches on this site for spotting scopes and rangefinding bino's to decide.

 

[hk dave]

There is option #3... spend that money on a high quality rifle optic, and use that as your spotter.

 

[Landon]

If you're looking for more magnification to fill the gap between binos and spotting scopes Steiner makes some higher power 15-20x binos. They are really great on a tripod for long hours of observation.

I am sure there are other manufactures out there that have a similar product as well.

 

[cjherrman]

Not to give a "copout" but they all have their pro's and cons.

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

If it were me I would invest in the new Swarovski ATX/STX Spotting Scope system. With a modular system anything is possible. Perhaps a binocular eyepiece? Eyepiece with a reticle? Rangefinder module. It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.

 

[pinsandpitons]

Perhaps my internet fu is weak, but I didn't see a binocular eye-piece. Were you referring to a future possibility or an option/accessory that is currently available. I have wondered about such a thing in the past, having worked on binocular microscopes, I know it can be done.

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

All I'm saying is that once you have a system that is modular such as that, it really opens the door for some new and exciting things.

 

[-Nick-]

All I'm saying is that once you have a system that is modular such as that, it really opens the door for some new and exciting things.

Yeah, but buying a system based upon what's possible rather than what's available can have bad written all over it.

 

[VKC]

Depends no what you want to do with it.

Binos for target acquisition and scanning.

Spotting scope for looking at extended ranges at targets you don't want to point your rifle at.

Bino RF are nice but not as accurate as dedicated RFs at extended ranges.

 

[pinsandpitons]

Bino RF are nice but not as accurate as dedicated RFs at extended ranges.

Whoa! That's quite a statement to just throw out there without something to back it up or qualify it. I have not heard that view expressed by anyone before now. The guys that I know who own geovids, or swaros or one version or another of the fusion haven't put them down in favor of a leica or bushnell LRF to range anything. And I think that the Vector series from vectronix is generally considered more accurate than.... well any dedicated LRF. Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but I think the above quoted statement is just not right.

 

[VKC]

Whoa! That's quite a statement to just throw out there without something to back it up or qualify it. I have not heard that view expressed by anyone before now. The guys that I know who own geovids, or swaros or one version or another of the fusion haven't put them down in favor of a leica or bushnell LRF to range anything. And I think that the Vector series from vectronix is generally considered more accurate than.... well any dedicated LRF. Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but I think the above quoted statement is just not right.

There is always someone who is ready to jump on what another person posts. Fair enough, Let me clarify.

Here are the bino RFs that I've used and/or owned Bushnell, Zeiss, Steiner, and Geovid. Here are the rangefinders that I've owned and/or used Bushnell, Zeiss, Lecia, Swaros.

Now I just use my Terrapin and Zeiss spotting scope, and sometimes take a compact Swaro bino with me. That is just my preference.

 

[hk401]

Do u hunt? If you do i suggest Binocular and a good rifle scope. I usually go by myself up to the mountain, so it is heavy for me to carry a Tripod/ spotting scope. Unless you go with 2 or more so they can carry it for you. BTW for just long range target, you need a spotting scope for sure cuz without it u dont know where the bullet hit.....