Binocs or Spotting Scope
01-20-2005, 06:13 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,758
Binocs or Spotting Scope
I am getting my tax refund back and i expect it to be about $300. I really need a new pair of Binocs but i could also use a spotting scope. I never take optics with me in the field while hunting because i hunt a very thick timber and the deer are on top of you befor you could even think about picking up the binocs. The reason i need a good pair is because i do a lot of looking for deer out of my truck. Any opinions on which i should buy please let me know. I also would like to hear from you guys which brands would be the best. Thanks in advance.
Kyle.
Kyle.
01-20-2005, 06:20 PM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 132
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
l if your looking for them from your truck, I would get a spotting scope with a window mount. Dont know which brand is better than any other but I have always had good luck with Bushnell. Stay away from Tasco.
01-20-2005, 07:29 PM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 55
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
I absolutely hate spotting scopes. unless something unfortunate has happened you have 2 eyes I say use them. A couple of years ago a friend of mine bought a pair of 20X80 binocs. These were the best things I've ever spotted with. They have the same mount as your spot scope but no eye strain.
01-20-2005, 07:37 PM
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location:
Posts: 121
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
A couple of years ago a friend of mine bought a pair of 20X80 binocs. These were the best things I've ever spotted with.
01-21-2005, 05:45 AM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
I say binoculars. Here is my primary rational. Binoculars allow a much wider field of view plus the flexibility to allow you to take them with you if you eventually do decide to use them while hunting and/or pick a different type of terrain to hunt out of.
I also tend to prefer 8x binoculars as opposed to 10x for several reasons.
1. They provide a larger depth of field meaning that objects in front of and behind what you have the binocular focused on will be more than likely focused as well....within a reasonable distance of the focused object. 10x binoculars do not allow for this as much as 8x binoculars do. This could be important, especially at short ranges since an animal could enter your field of view either closer or farther away than the distance that you have the binocular focused for.
2. 8x generally provides a wider field of view (when all else is equal).
3. An 8x binocular tends to provide a larger exit pupil. (Again, assuming all else is equal.) If you were to hold a set of binoculars out in front of you and look at the eyepiece then you would notice a small circle of light. That circle is the exit pupil and the diameter of it is measured in millimeters. Exit pupil is measured by dividing the magnification into the objective diameter. For example, a 7x35 binocular would have an exit pupil of 5 mm.
This is important for a few reasons but probably the most important as it relates to hunting is the fact that a larger exit pupil allows more light to reach your eye thus giving you a brighter image. For hunting I would not go with an exit pupil lower than 4 mm....5 would be even better for low light situations. For an 8x binocular this translates into needs to using at least a 32 mm objective or, even better, a 42 mm objective.
4. It is much less difficult to hold an 8x image steady versus a 10x image. On one of the websites I frequent the analogy for trying balance a 10 foot pole versus an 8 foot one is used. This is a fair comparison since it relates directly to the level of difficulty of holding an 10x versus an 8x image steady.
As for specific models, in the $300 price range I would suggest the Bushnell Legend, Nikon Monarch, Pentax HR II and possibly the Wind River Olympics. All sell for right around the $300 mark at Cabelas though they can be found for somewhat less at various internet optic sites.
Hope this helps.....and sorry for rambling...but ya asked.
I also tend to prefer 8x binoculars as opposed to 10x for several reasons.
1. They provide a larger depth of field meaning that objects in front of and behind what you have the binocular focused on will be more than likely focused as well....within a reasonable distance of the focused object. 10x binoculars do not allow for this as much as 8x binoculars do. This could be important, especially at short ranges since an animal could enter your field of view either closer or farther away than the distance that you have the binocular focused for.
2. 8x generally provides a wider field of view (when all else is equal).
3. An 8x binocular tends to provide a larger exit pupil. (Again, assuming all else is equal.) If you were to hold a set of binoculars out in front of you and look at the eyepiece then you would notice a small circle of light. That circle is the exit pupil and the diameter of it is measured in millimeters. Exit pupil is measured by dividing the magnification into the objective diameter. For example, a 7x35 binocular would have an exit pupil of 5 mm.
This is important for a few reasons but probably the most important as it relates to hunting is the fact that a larger exit pupil allows more light to reach your eye thus giving you a brighter image. For hunting I would not go with an exit pupil lower than 4 mm....5 would be even better for low light situations. For an 8x binocular this translates into needs to using at least a 32 mm objective or, even better, a 42 mm objective.
4. It is much less difficult to hold an 8x image steady versus a 10x image. On one of the websites I frequent the analogy for trying balance a 10 foot pole versus an 8 foot one is used. This is a fair comparison since it relates directly to the level of difficulty of holding an 10x versus an 8x image steady.
As for specific models, in the $300 price range I would suggest the Bushnell Legend, Nikon Monarch, Pentax HR II and possibly the Wind River Olympics. All sell for right around the $300 mark at Cabelas though they can be found for somewhat less at various internet optic sites.
Hope this helps.....and sorry for rambling...but ya asked.
01-21-2005, 06:19 AM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA
Posts: 2,890
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
If you are glassing from the truck , I would sugest 8x50s or 10x50s , The 50s are going to be much clearer and brighter than smaller binos , and you are in the truck anyway so its not like you are carying them all over the place . As for brand , I like lepole olimpics , the others in this price range dont even come close to their quality . If your well to do , look at zeiss , and swarovski's .
For me 10x50 lepole olimpics would be the first Id look at .
For me 10x50 lepole olimpics would be the first Id look at .
01-21-2005, 08:20 AM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Whitetail Ridge Iowa
Posts: 949
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
IMO, binoculars are very close behind your bow on the "must have"
list for bowhunting. I don't think some hunters realize how helpful
and important they are. A spotting scope would be nice, however
I think it's much further down the "list".
As far as brand....spend every dollar you can afford to spend. Remember
this should be a lifetime investment.
list for bowhunting. I don't think some hunters realize how helpful
and important they are. A spotting scope would be nice, however
I think it's much further down the "list".
As far as brand....spend every dollar you can afford to spend. Remember
this should be a lifetime investment.
01-21-2005, 11:32 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,758
RE: Binocs or Spotting Scope
Thank you all for the great input. I still am not sure what i want. I think the best bet for me would be to drive to Cabelas and just start looking. Hopefully they will let me take the optics outside so i can get a fell for what they will be outside instead of in a store.
Thanks Again,
Kyle.
Thanks Again,
Kyle.