Vortex Viper HD 12x50 Binos

[jay]

Good morning, I bought these last night and was wondering if anyone is using this same glass. I haven't used them other than around to store yesterday. I have 30 days to take them back if I don't like them, just wondering what you all thought about them in your personal experience. Thanks

 

[Hilltop]

Several threads on here discuss them. I haven't heard anything negative. I use a different pair from Vortex and absolutely love mine.

 

[bghunter]

I always use them on tripod for glassing and like them.

 

[jay]

Several threads on here discuss them. I haven't heard anything negative. I use a different pair from Vortex and absolutely love mine.

I did a search and didn't find much on this specific size and model...which ones do you have?

 

[jay]

I always use them on tripod for glassing and like them.

Are they too shaky off hand? Didn't really want to have to use a tripod, wanted something a little more powerful than my 10x42s without jumping into the 15 power stuff...

 

[bghunter]

I like everything more than 10X to be on a tripod as it is more steady. If you use it for couple minutes you should be fine without tripod but for long time scouting your hands get tired and shaky.

 

[jay]

I like everything more than 10X to be on a tripod as it is more steady. If you use it for couple minutes you should be fine without tripod but for long time scouting your hands get tired and shaky.

I got you...

 

[CODAK]

I have the 10X50's and they are amazing.... anything bigger and things get shaky

 

[JimP]

Are they too shaky off hand? Didn't really want to have to use a tripod, wanted something a little more powerful than my 10x42s without jumping into the 15 power stuff...

When you go up in magnification you have to learn how to hold them steady if you don't plan on using a tripod.

I have a pair of 15x60's that I uses quite regularly with no problem and no tripod but I hold them differently than I do my 10x42's. Pull your arms in closer and under the binoculars and if possible even get your upper arms against your chest. If I am sitting I'll use my knees as a rest for my elbows.

 

[bghunter]

When you go up in magnification you have to learn how to hold them steady if you don't plan on using a tripod.

I have a pair of 15x60's that I uses quite regularly with no problem and no tripod but I hold them differently than I do my 10x42's. Pull your arms in closer and under the binoculars and if possible even get your upper arms against your chest. If I am sitting I'll use my knees as a rest for my elbows.

Maybe it just me, but my hands/arms get tired and shaky very fast no matter how I am holding binoculars. With tripod I can glass for hours without any problems.

 

[JimP]

A tripod is better hands down, but you can learn how to steady 15x's. As I said you have to get your arms back into your body and not like a pair of wings poking out both sides.

 

[RICMIC]

Don't automatically disreguard the tripod advice until you try them. I got a pair of Kiabab 15x56 and use them instead of a spotting scope. Even using a top notch Swaro spotter, I have problems. The 10x42 is perfect on a harness, but I go to the bigger pair when sitting for a long or closer look. If you already have a decent harness, put your 10x50's on and go for a good walk, run crawl, slither, and see if they wear on you.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Binos on a tripod are superior to hand held bino's. Jim P and RICMIC are correct IMO. You will be able to see much more with 8-10x and even more with 12-15-20x, with a tripod. You can brace your body w/o a tripod, support your elbows, back, and be OK. You can even grab the bill of a baseball hat as you glass, and it helps. But that really defeats the purpose of the higher power glass. Your ability to see detail and spot game out to a mile or so, is unparalleled with 15x ish bino's on a tripod, IMO. The Field Optics Research bino attachment system is what I use, best I've found so far.

Other than the weight, I love my 15x and wish the Vortex 20x had been available when I got my 15x. I use the Minox 15x56.

 

[jay]

I agree with all of you. I have Leopold 10x42s that I like and also have a Minox Spotter and I was trying to get away with something somewhere in between, a little more power and magnification than the 10x42s that I could still hold off hand and of course put on a tripod. I need to get out in the field and try them for myself. If I'm gonna need a tripod for these I might as well take them back and get a set of 15s...

 

[mcseal2]

12x50 might be a good compromise size. Even my 15x Swaros I can hand hold for a quick scan to locate game or shorter term walking and glassing use. The 10x are definitely better for this, but when scouting I might only carry one or the other. I'd definitely have a way to put the 12x on a tripod when you stop to glass for very long. Even resting them on shooting sticks or trekking poles with the wrist lanyards hooked over each other to create a V is better than hand held for longer term glassing. Nothing beats a tripod though even with 10x. I wish I'd have started using one years earlier.

I tried Viper 15x50's before buying the Swaros and wasn't impressed especially with the light gathering. I compared them to 13x58 Minox I also tried and the Minox were considerably brighter and showed more detail. I think the bigger magnification really needs the bigger objective. I seem to have issues with the eye relief on the Vortex binos also, I always seem to want to turn them out another click. Not bashing them but they just aren't right for me. I have a Vortex 4-16 Viper scope and several Diamondback scopes that have performed very well, Vortex is good quality.