What glass/device(s) should I own?

[Zatchmo]

Okay, I have searched and come up empty handed. Hopefully this ends up with some good information and can become a sticky.

I'm relatively new to the long range game. I don't hunt, and haven't tried competing yet but do plan to. I have good glass on my rifles (Minox zp5 and ZCO). However, I don't have any glass that isn't attached to a rifle.

I have been to the range with friends who have all the gear, so I haven't made the plunge myself. The 3 things I see used are spotting scopes, binoculars, and range finders. Of those, what should I own and what should I combine? For example, are rf binos the way to go? Or is a spotter and separate range finder the solution?

I would say this is for use alone. If I go with someone else, chances are they'll have whatever I don't. I don't typically shoot paper past 100, and shoot steel out to 1000. Since I don't hunt, I don't need backpack light, but in general I prefer more compact assuming performance isn't too compromised. Not in the market for a $5k spotter, but not limited to $50 and a stick of gum, either.

 

[lte82]

Binos. 10x - 12x is perfect for spotting and watching trace, finding targets, or even glassing a hill side. Swaros would be my first option, however if you want a budget pair that are 95% as good, the Meoptas are top notch.

 

[Blue72]

Bino without a doubt. They will get used the most in most applications you find yourself in

 

[SporterII]

I like a portable spotter with good eye relief like a leupold 40x and a 8x32 bino. Range finder can sub.

 

[Wyzrd]

You can’t go wrong with good glass. I think it boils down to personal preference as far as which route to go though.
For me, when I’m just practicing at the range, i use my Sig Kilo 2000 for rangefinding, and a Zeiss Victory Diascope FL 65mm with a 30x WA eyepiece for spotting shots on steel out to 1000+ yds.
When I’m hunting, I use a 10x42 Leica HD-R LRF bino, and I also bring the same Zeiss spotting scope for glassing (amazing glass in that Zeiss!) Now, I just ordered some 15x56 Athlon Cronus UHD binos to try out. Depending on how they perform, I may not need to bring my spotting scope. Anyways, try using as many different set ups as you can to figure out what you prefer the most. Good luck!

 

[NorthWesterner]

Binos for spotting hands down. I much prefer less eye strain vs a single eye spotter. Buy the best glass you can afford along with a quality range finder.

 

[NorthWesterner]

You can’t go wrong with good glass. I think it boils down to personal preference as far as which route to go though.
For me, when I’m just practicing at the range, i use my Sig Kilo 2000 for rangefinding, and a Zeiss Victory Diascope FL 65mm with a 30x WA eyepiece for spotting shots on steel out to 1000+ yds.
When I’m hunting, I use a 10x42 Leica HD-R LRF bino, and I also bring the same Zeiss spotting scope for glassing (amazing glass in that Zeiss!) Now, I just ordered some 15x56 Athlon Cronus UHD binos to try out. Depending on how they perform, I may not need to bring my spotting scope. Anyways, try using as many different set ups as you can to figure out what you prefer the most. Good luck!

I went from a swaro 20-60x65 spotter to someSLC binos. I much prefer the binos for shooting.

 

[Zatchmo]

Thanks for the advice so far. Seems binos are the heavy favorite. Any opinions about RF binos? Or am I better off keeping separate units? I assume glass quality suffers with rf.

 

[ifgator]

I went from a swaro 20-60x65 spotter to someSLC binos. I much prefer the binos for shooting. View attachment 7441924

I want that plate and I'm sure I've seen it somewhere.
I'm assuming those are 15x slcs which I'm sure are so much easier for that distance that doesn't require spotter.
How hard is it to align? Thinking out loud you probably just need to be close. Get the rand then use Binos for spotting. How is the anvil to use? Nice setup brother. I've been thinking about the 15x to be a quick spotting scope option then if needed bust out spotter and or tripod especially in hunting scenario

 

[chevy_man]

Thanks for the advice so far. Seems binos are the heavy favorite. Any opinions about RF binos? Or am I better off keeping separate units? I assume glass quality suffers with rf.

The biggest downfall is electronics. If they fail you're out both pieces of gear while it's being fixed.


I run a sig kilo 2200 range finder, sx-4 spotter, and kilo 5 10x42 binos.
The binos and rangefinder live in a badland chest pack. Spotter is always optional depending on what I'm doing.

Binos 1st, rangefinder 2nd, spotter is a "nice to have".

 

[Mortalpawn]

A complete kit is binoculars, a spotter (with good tripod) and a laser range finder. None are cheap.
- For binoculars my favorite pair are the Swarovski 10x42s because they are not excessively heavy and have outstanding glass. I've also borrowed the 15x Swarovskis but found them a bit heavy and bulky to tote around though the glass is again outstanding.
- For a field spotter it is hard to beat the Leupold Mark IV 12-40x60mm with TMR reticle. The reticle allows your spotter to measure hits/misses as well as mill targets. The 12x to 40x range is a perfect complement to binoculars - you find the target with the binocs then zoom in to mill, read the wind mirage and spot the trace at 40x. Get a high quality carbon tripod and geared head - don't put good glass on a cheap tripod.
- I don't have a specific laser range finder recommendation, but good ones are not cheap. I would recommend one with at least a mile range. Also you need a tripod for it as they don't work well at long range when hand held.

I personally went with a LRF/binocular combo in the Leica 3200 Geovid. The glass on this is very comparable to the Swarovskis and I've used them side by side in a variety of conditions. The LRF on it is also outstanding - shot 1000+ yard targets recently in pouring rain and the Leica was giving good ranges all day when most of the handheld LRFs failed to range. Several shooters came over to ask us to range targets for them.

 

[NorthWesterner]

I want that plate and I'm sure I've seen it somewhere.
I'm assuming those are 15x slcs which I'm sure are so much easier for that distance that doesn't require spotter.
How hard is it to align? Thinking out loud you probably just need to be close. Get the rand then use Binos for spotting. How is the anvil to use? Nice setup brother. I've been thinking about the 15x to be a quick spotting scope option then if needed bust out spotter and or tripod especially in hunting scenario

The plate is a grey ops Elite plate. It works very well and the two optics align well enough for spotting with binos and target being in fov in the range finder with no issue. The anvil is awesome, came from a rrs leveling base and I prefer the anvil much more. I’m glad I went with binos over the spotter.

 

[Zatchmo]

Wow. I thought this thread had died. I jumped on the sig bdx3000 deal. They seem to get great reviews as a rangefinder at least and if the binos suck, but I like using them, I'll get something nicer.

Thanks all for the help.

 

[biggmac1]

I went from a swaro 20-60x65 spotter to someSLC binos. I much prefer the binos for shooting. View attachment 7441924

Great setup! Drooling over here!

 

[Painterbolt]

Just got my Leica 3200’s in, the Bluetooth works flawlessly so far. Really convenient to link with the kestrel. I do believe though that the Meoptas Hd plus are noticeably more clear.

 

[krimet]

+1 for binos. I’ve had really good luck with my Athlon Cronus 15x. Have no problem spotting out to 1000. FWIW I also like to keep my Cronus Tactical spotter with me as well. I prefer to quickly spit out corrections with the reticle if we’re cleaning up dope or working with something new.

 

[J@50n]

Binos, rangefinder, then spotting scope with an mrad reticle.