Hunting Optics

finhiker · Guest

I recently moved out west and the open country hunting means that I am going to have to invest in some optics for spotting animals. I am hoping that you would be able to help me decide what my best option would be. I have $300 to $600 to spend, but prefer the lower number. I am concerned about weight (portability), as well as low light capability, and comfort of use. I typically will be hunting deer, elk, and antelope. I have looked at the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60, as the Elites have a great reputation on this site and I like the low weight. I am wondering how good the performance of this type of scope is going to be with a roof prism and only 60 objective, the 80 objective porro prisms seem to be much more popular/recommended.

My second consideration is that I have run into a few guides that swear by using high powered binoculars instead of a spotting scope. From what I have read here using two eyes with binoculars will somewhat offset the lower relative power of a 15 to 20 power binocular compared with a higher powered spotting scope and be noticably easier on eye strain. Is there merit to this approach or am I best served to stick to the scope?

Thank you.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

Hi

Spotting scope versus high power binocular has long been an issue for western hunting. As always, it's a matter of trade-offs.

For finding game, the binocular is my first choice and, out west, a high power bino is a great choice for this application, no doubt about it. First, it is a much more comfortable instrument to use than a spotting scope for long extended scanning sessions. Second, it can be a much more portable instrument if you keep the magnification and size down low enough to avoid using a tripod. For many years, the Zeiss 15x60 was a classic in this regard and today, the Swarovski 15x56, http://www.opticsplanet.net/swarovski-15x56-forest-green-binoculars.html also sees a lot of action, http://www.opticsplanet.net/swarovski-15x56-forest-green-binoculars.html You may still need to brace it against a rock or vehicle, but it sure beats dragging along a tripod.

On the other hand, if you are trying to evaluate a rack or animal across a canyon or distant peak to see if a long stalk is justified, a 15x bino often comes up short. For that kind of work, there is no substitute for a spotting scope. Out west, where the air is drier and thinner, you will often find yourself using 60x to good effect. That's not going to happen with a bino.

It's a tough choice and a dilema which has plagued western hunters for years, but you'll have to decide that for yourself, based on your style of hunting and so on. Some hunters use both instruments and others try to compromise with one.

I do like the little Elite. It is made for this very situation. No, it doesn't have the muscle of a big 80mm spotting scope, but it is about as packable as a spotting scope can be.
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robroy123 · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 27

Sorry to butt in, but have you considered Oberwerk binoculars? Oberwerk makes alot of large astronomical grade binos that have gotten great reviews, and they are very reasonably priced.

Joanie, have you tried any of the Oberwerk binoculars, any opinion on these?

Just thought I would mention it, because it seems that for $200 to $300 you get alot of bino for your money (say for a 15x70mm bino). At that price you could still have some money left for the Elite scope if you wanted to stretch your budget just a little.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:35 am Post subject:

Hi Robroy

If you are going the giant bino route, some of the Oberwerks are a good value. I like the 20x90, for instance, http://www.opticsplanet.net/ow-20x90-binocular.html.

Keep in mind weight, though. Even a 70mm bino is not something you can wear around your neck all day, or at least my neck, especially when you are carryiing a rifle and other gear. A giant bino might work from a vehicle, but not a good choice for the backcountry hike. The idea here is to avoid bringing the tripod. A 15x60 or 15x56 is about maximum for a bino if you choose not to use a tripod and even then, you will need to brace it against something to be effective.
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820

finhiker · Guest

Thank you both, I appreciate the input. This site has been very helpful.

finhiker · Guest

Hi Joanie:

The high quality binos are out of my reach financially and the inexpensive high power binos are too heavy for my purposes, so I'm down to a spotting scope. As I had said, I like the light weight 15-45x60 Elite, but I also looked at the Leupold Wind River Sequoia 15-45x60 and wanted to get your opinion on a comparison. It would be 9 ounces heavier than the Elite, but would a porro prism be a gain in quality over the roof prism Elite?

Thank you again.

opticsplanet.com · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:37 am Post subject:

Hi

Normally a porro will have an edge, yes, but if I had to pick between these two, I'd go with the Elite. It's a better built scope optically and mechanically. l
_________________
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Your personal optics expert
Joanie (Jne) K
http://www.OpticsPlanet.com
Phone: (888) 263-0356
Fax: (847) 574-6820