New optics, opinions wanted

[mcseal2]

I have some money coming I want to use to expand my optics. I plan to splurge once on these and hopefully be done upgrading for at least the next decade, hopefully longer. As to my hunting style, I usually make a trip out west each fall for elk, muleys, or antelope. I put in lots of miles on foot when I go, so weight is a factor. I also hunt whitetail around home and scout extensively before season. I hunt predators quite a bit also. I work on a ranch, and also use my optics for checking cows while calving without disturbing them, reading tag numbers, I find lots of uses for them. I practice shooting regularly to 600yds, and am comfortable shooting to that distance under ideal conditions. I want a rangefinder that will read quick and accurate to that distance, my Leupold seems to struggle past 450yds. I won't come up with this kind of money for hunting again for a while, whatever I buy will have to last me.

Here is what I have
Zeiss Victory FL-T 8x56 - my whitetail hunting binos to use all available light
Zeiss Victory FL-T 10x42 -my all purpose binos, use for everything else
Nikon ED50 spotter - my only spotter right now, have a really good tripod for glassing and a really light tripod for real long steep days.
Leupold RXIV 1000yd rangefinder

Here is what I'm thinking of adding
Vortex Kaibab 15x56 - judging antelope and scouting from the truck
Swarovski 10x42 EL Range binos - keep locked in my safe except for hunting trips use the Zeiss for scouting, I want a rangefinder built into my binos capable of giving me the angle compensated range
Swarovski ATS65 spotter with the 20-50WA eyepiece - spotter for use from vehicle scouting and hunts where I will be glassing enough to justify the extra weight.

Any comments or reviews on the ones I'm looking at and how they will fit into my system? I know the Swaro and Zeiss 10x42's overlap, but my wife hunts also. She doesn't seem content with her optics anymore after using mine so that is part of my reason for expanding the line-up. This way she could have my Zeiss 10x42's and Leupold rangefinder when we are hunting apart from each other.

 

[OregonJim]

Hard to go wrong with Swarovski if you have the stomach to lay down the $$$$.
I have way too many optics. I just ran though the manufacturers leopold, nikon, leica, meoptic, fujinon, and swarovski (along with several low end optics, tasco, bushnell, etc).

Zeiss are undoubtedly top end optics and I don't know that much about vortex except they seem to have a great guarantee.
I don't own Zeiss binos but I once had a guy standing beside me with a pair of brand new ones comparable to my 15 year old slcs.
He asked to look though mine and by the end of our comparison he said he was taking them back to Cabelas to swap for swaros.

I have the swaro spotting scope you are looking at. I used to own a Nikon and literally gave it away after I got my angled Swarovski.
One of the best purchases I have made.
I just picked up a Swaro SLC 15X56wb which was discontinued. It is heavy but the optics are exceptional. If you can still find one of the discontinued ones you might be able to save about 30-40%. I don't think that would get you down to the Vortex price but 40% off is huge.

I know you would be happy with the swarovski spotter.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Hey Mcseal2,

You have some nice stuff already

I like your Swaro spotter choice too. A good bump in performance, and not too bad on weight.

You may want to look close at the Leica Geovid B. It seems to have an excellent rangefinder, and more advanced ballistic function set than other rangefinding binoculars. I like the idea of a Micro SD card with your load data. I haven't used one yet in the field (been trying), but I am interested in this product myself.

On the 15's, the Kaibabs are likely suitable, but also note Meopta came out with a 15X56 this year, and although I also haven't tired that particular configuration, I have yet to see a poor performing Meopta product. Just another one to research. Of course, if you are willing to spring for it, the 15X56 SLCs are awesome.

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks for the replys.

I will look for the 15x discounted Swaros. I have looked through a set and was definitely impressed. The 15x binos likely won't be the most used of my optics so I hated to spend 2k plus. As far as a rangefinder all I really want from it is an angle compensated true ballistic range. I am used to my current system, and have a turret on my scope matched to my load and expected elevation. I like to keep things simple, especially when incorporating something to go wrong into my binos, or to many buttons for me to fumble with when my adrenaline is rolling. I have my load data and MOA wind holds memorized, I've been using the same loads for a while now.

I'm looking at dropping 6k if I do this, but I have the money saved right now. Not drawing any western tags this year helped, no expensive trips. I know it's a huge chunk of money, half being the Swaro binos. I got my finances in good shape and have been building the hunting budget for a while to do this. I have done the cheaper optics building up to what I have now, and am now firmly in the buy once, cry once school.

 

[Musket Man]

Do the 15x56 binos have enough advantage over 10x42 to be worth having both? Seems like you would almost have to have them on a tripod?

 

[swampokie]

R we talkin binos or spotting scopes? Im with mm. I don't see how 15x binos are practical without using a pod.

 

[Squirrel tail]

oh you definitely need a tripod or some sort of steady support. i use a tripod 50% of the time with my 12x its just so much easier to do a grid and glass intently with both eyes open all the time ..i just wish i had the money to buy better glass...i say go with the swaros

 

[mcseal2]

The 15x binos will be used with a tripod.

 

[vince]

Mcseal, if I were you I'd look at the new 20 X 56 Kaibab for using on the tripod.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[OregonJim]

Musket,
The 15X56 SLCs have a tripod mount included.
Been carrying them during a few spring bear trips.
Don't have to use a tripod but if you are using them as a spotter it would be preferable.

I've noticed my triceps and pecs are getting bigger using them without a tripod

 

[OregonJim]

The 15x binos will be used with a tripod.

Mcseal,
If you are looking at the 15X56 exclusively for tripod use and you are also looking at the Swarovski ATS65 spotter with the 20-50WA,
I'd go with the spotting scope. Like I said I have both and I purchased the 15X as carry binos (by no means back country carry).
If the primary use is long range glassing for hours go with the spotter.
If you need the flexibility of using a tripod or glassing without a tripod the 15X56 might be better.

 

[mcseal2]

I look at the 15x binos and spotter as fitting different niches, not one replacing the other for me. I had Minox BL 13x56 BR binos for a while so I have an idea of where I will and will not use the big eyes. One of the main uses I had was for scouting whitetail around home. The area I hunt has a lot of pasture with fields along the creek bottoms. I used the big binos a great deal from the vehicle finding and evaluating bucks from vantage points. I really liked the big binos for checking out bucks before early muzzle loader season when the hot temps had them moving really late. I was often looking 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile at bucks. I found by running the truck window to the right height and resting on it I could get steady enough for judging antlers at that distance. I also used them off my tripod for finding and evaluating deer on areas I hiked into not visible from roads. Sometimes I paired them with the ED50 for higher magnification but often I could see what I needed to with the binos on my tripod. I traded them off with the intention of replacing them with a set of 15x Kaibabs or Swaros and just haven't ever done it yet. I really missed having binos with more than 10x on my last antelope hunt, I know I want another set. I like to get to my antelope area a couple days before opening day to scout from the vehicle, check the condition of the waterholes I know, etc. and would use them then also. Having big binos and a larger spotter for use from the vehicle would also let me have my ED50 and tripod all ready in my Eberlestock so once I find an animal I want to make a stalk on I'm all packed up and ready to roll. No time wasted putting stuff in or out, just throw the pack on and go. I still have the ED50 if I decide when I get closer I need to evaluate the animal further to make sure I want him.

The Kaibabs are expensive, but not nearly as expensive as the other optics I'm looking at. I'm thinking of carrying them in the vehicle during scouting season around home (ranch trucks are hard on optics) and leaving the other optics in the safe except for hunts and times I know I'll want a spotter. Working on the ranch I get unplanned opportunities to scout, so I like to have some good optics with me in the fall. I just don't want to carry any more high dollar stuff around than I have to in a truck to get dirty, bounced, or stolen.

For hunts where weight matters more I'll likely pack the 10x42 Swaro ranging binos and either the ED50 or Swaro ATS65 depending on what I'm after and how picky I want to be. Where I elk hunt, anything over 320" and mature I will be trying for. I do a lot of hiking and glassing with the binos from different angles and use the spotter primarily for evaluating animals I've already spotted. I've been very happy with the ED50 for that sort of thing. If I draw a great muley tag where I coyote out I'd probably pack the extra ounces of the ATS65. I could go with an 80 or 85mm spotter also since I already have the ED50, but I don't think I'd use that big a spotter except from the vehicle or on short walks.

When the wife goes too I'll still have the 10x42 Zeiss for her to use or for me to take as back-up in case something happens to my Swaro ranging binos. Anytime I leave the state, or even the county, on a hunt I want back-ups just in case. I'll also likely use them shed hunting, anytime I'm not packing a rifle and needing the rangefinding option, since they are a bit lighter and seem to fit my eyes very well. They will let me keep the Swaros in the safe more also and in better condition in case I decide to upgrade to newer technology and trade someday down the road.

 

[sneakypete]

I have sawro 10x42's before the range model came out and love them. I also bought last year the vortex I believe the Vortex 11x 33x 50 angled spotter, which I love, it's worth the look and Vortex has the best warranty. Good luck shopping. I also chipped in for my hunting partner last year for Vortex talons 10x42's a lot less $ but no range finding.