Spotting scope vs. Nocs?

[Tim McCoy]

The earlier Minox 15x56 were made in China or Japan as I recall, when they first replaced the 15x58's. They were not deemed as good as the older 15x58 by most. They made some improvements a few years back, and the current 15x56's are very good, made in Germany. No idea where all the parts are sourced from. So if a guy is looking at a used pair, I think he'd want the more recent version from Germany. Most reviews have them behind Swaro's, but very close to the more expensive Kaibabs.

 

[Tim McCoy]

There are some very good folks at Cameraland, Doug may be his name, they would not steer you wrong. They know their stuff. Worth a call to ask your questions.

 

[SouthForkguy]

I honestly was able to get back in Arizona with 10s, there was several occasions though where I spotted deer, over a mile with them but wished I had the scope to verify antler size, etc. On a short hunt, you dont want to be wasting time gettting closer if the animal is not what your after. I recommend a good set of binocs, and a good lightweight scope and carry both.

 

[AT Hiker]

I purchased some Swaro 10x42 last year, tripod adapter and lite weight tripod. If I didnt already own a spotter I doubt I would ever buy one.


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[WRO]

I have the 12x50 El and had the 15x56slchd, the 12s are better. Plus you can hand hold them if need be taking away the need for 2 sets of binos.

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[Daubs]

Been thinking about nocs vs. spotter vs. big-eyes for a while now. I'm leaning towards upgrading my Cabela's 8x42's to some 10x nocs, hunting this season, then deciding if i should add big-eyes vs. scope.

Talked to some friends who hunt the Sandhills, and my cousin who works for Scheels (he's very much in to shooting, optics, owns old set of Zeiss 10x). They all suggested upgrading the 20 year old Cabela's nocs first.

Spent about 30 minutes on phone with Neil from CameralandNY. From conversation with Neil, he recommended the following, in this order (and why):

• Minox HG 10x43 BR (he own's these nocs, very pleased with them. Great value for the $$, owned by Leica, excellent image quality)
• Vortex Razor 10x42 HD (warranty is unmatched in the industry, excellent optics)
• Leica Trinovid 10x42 (excellent glass, he likes the Ultravid better, but price out of my budget)

He suggested staying with x42/43s vs. x50s due to size and weight. Optically the x50's will be same as x42/43's, but difference will be in low light.

I found used Vortex Razor 10x42s on Ebay today, "fair condition" with scratch on the front element. I figured I could ship them to factory for repair...I was outbid as they sold for $775 (I wasn't really trying that hard).

 

[MtnBuck]

Check out the reviews for the newer Meopta Meostar 10x42 HD (the old ones were non-HD). I picked mine up for well under $600 on Ebay.

 

[PacWestUL]

Great post guys, thanks. Im new to the forum so first post here. A $1000+ spotting scope is out of my league for now, and my 10x42 bushnells are letting me do more walking than Id like. Anyone have thoughts on the vortex vultures 15x56? I can find them for just over $400 and that is in my range. My plan would be to mount them to my trekking pole for stability while glassing, and my goal is spotting efficiently, not so much trophy hunting. I take the first legal buck I see usually, and can find them if I climb mountains. I know Id find more bucks with better glass as I have many glassing spots marked on the gps. Is there a better option for a few bucks more, or would this work?

 

[Tim McCoy]

• Minox HG 10x43 BR (he own's these nocs, very pleased with them. Great value for the $$, owned by Leica, excellent image quality)
• Vortex Razor 10x42 HD (warranty is unmatched in the industry, excellent optics)
• Leica Trinovid 10x42 (excellent glass, he likes the Ultravid better, but price out of my budget)

d).

I can vouch for the Minox HG's. Own the older 8.5x version. Very light too. Great compact glass.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Great post guys, thanks. Im new to the forum so first post here. A $1000+ spotting scope is out of my league for now, and my 10x42 bushnells are letting me do more walking than Id like. Anyone have thoughts on the vortex vultures 15x56? I can find them for just over $400 and that is in my range. My plan would be to mount them to my trekking pole for stability while glassing, and my goal is spotting efficiently, not so much trophy hunting. I take the first legal buck I see usually, and can find them if I climb mountains. I know Id find more bucks with better glass as I have many glassing spots marked on the gps. Is there a better option for a few bucks more, or would this work?

I'm not sure what Bushnell's you have, but based on your walking remark, I'd probably try a bino upgrade first. Then use them with a tripod. After that, I might consider either big eyes or a spotter. With a first legal buck strategy, very good bino's on a tripod with a small light spotter makes good sense to me. Used optics, as has been shared here, can be a very cost effective move.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

I looked at the Vultures at Cabela's and didn't like them. The glass was fine but the adjustment that you use to align the left and right eye focus was in a terrible spot. Right where the main focus is and when your wearing gloves it will be in the way.

I'd start with a good pair of 12x50 binos for upgrade.

 

[PacWestUL]

Well.... just pulled the trigger on the 15x56 vultures lol. Never looked through them because no one carried them out here, but were top of my budget. Good thing being vortex holds their value well and I got a good deal >400, so I can always sell in the future. I already have an ok tripod so hopefully I wont have to fiddle with them much while glassing. The rokslide review between the kaibabs and vultures sold me. My main concern is the glass so glad you think its fine. Im used to cheap 10x42 bushnells, which work fine, but I imagine even vultures will put them to shame.

 

[ulmer]

I had just got the 15x56 vultures right befor I left to go antelope hunting. Kinda the same deal as you couldn't find any place that had them with reasonable driving distance to look at. And we're in my price range I'm very happy with them. Actually better then I thought they would be. I used them off a window mount and tripod


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[Daubs]

Update: Decided to upgrade my binoculars. Ordered the following to test and review:

• Minox HG 10x43 BR (all black) - $950
• Vortex Razor HD 10x42 - $1,160
• Vortex Razor HD 10x50 - $1,079
• Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 - $899
• Cabela's Outfitter Series 10x42 - $224

Note: Minox ordered from CameraLandNY, rest from Cabela's (they had 10% off and free shipping).

I plan on testing them in low light, and hope to make a decision quickly. The Razor 10x42's and Zeiss arrived a few days ago...Zeiss looks sharper to my eyes. Rest arrive today. Daubs

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Daubs keep us updated. Can you send them back? Didn't realize you could test then then send back.

 

[Daubs]

Daubs keep us updated. Can you send them back? Didn't realize you could test then then send back.

I asked Neil @ Cameraland if I could try them out, and what return policy was. He's excellent to work with, said take my time and ship em back if I don't like. Cabela's has a very liberal return policy. I won't be taking the nocs to the marsh or anything...just glassing in neighborhood...in low light...comparing them.

I got a little time with all but the Minox this morning. The Zeiss are still my favorite right now. The Razor 10x50's seem more clear / sharp than the Razor 42's, but still just a hair behind the Zeiss. The Cabela's 10x42's are much better than my old Cabela's 8x42's, and actually not too far off from the Zeiss or the Vortex. I think the Minox arrive today.

It's interesting the Cabela's nocs are good as they are, for a $499 noc that is sale priced down to $224.

I believe low light testing will help separate the great from the good.

 

[Daubs]

Spent some time behind the nocs this weekend. And more time this morning at sunrise.

Here is how I would rank them and why:

1. Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 - $899: Sharpest in the bunch, by far! Solid feel (although heaviest). Great color. Excellent ergonomics. The 10% Cabela's coupon discount makes them even more likable.
2. Minox HG 10x43 BR (all black) - $950: Just behind the Zeiss in terms of sharpness. Build quality was disappointing. Focus adjust had a little play, and the eye cups didn't feel solid built. I really wanted to like these nocs, due to weight and all the reviews I've read. But in the end they just were not as sharp as the Zeiss, and difficult to focus.
3. Vortex Razor HD 10x50 - $1,079: Close to the Minox in terms of sharpness, solid feel, excellent ergonomics. I didn't see big difference in brightness compared to the x42's in this bunch. Size and weight moved them down to #3 on the list.
4. Vortex Razor HD 10x42 - $1,160: Disappointed with sharpness of these nocs. They weren't near as sharp as the any nocs above. Size and weight are great, and the warranty can't be beat. But for the price (most expensive here), and the sharpness, they only rank above the Cabela's nocs.
5. Cabela's Outfitter Series 10x42 - $224: Not bad nocs, but sharpness was no where near any of the binoculars listed above.

Zeiss the clear winner for this round. I may have a look a the Leica Trinovid HD 10x42's. Stay tuned.

 

[Slugz]

Will be interesting, I've been wondering how the Vortex stuff matches up. Thanks for doing this. I'll be surprised if anything beats out the European glass. Thanks again Daubs.

 

[Daubs]

Shipped the Minox back to CameraLand, and returned rest to Cabela's.

Decided not to even try the Leica's, no-fault warranty is 2 years vs. 5 for the Zeiss, and they are $100 more right now.

It's the Zeiss for me! Very pleased with my choice!

Now I'm looking at the FHF Bino Harness. I think that will suit my needs best.