What power bios for elk hunting

8x32 Swaros....more field of view is better in my area.

The bulk of my hunting day is spent glassing with my bino's. They are by far, my most used tool in my bag. I'm partial to 8X which is a good compromise between field of view, magnification, and bulk..but mostly it's less work to cover ground, and easier on the eyes, for me. I used Swaros for years until Lieca introduced the Geovid(RF). I found the glass of the Leicas to be comparable to the Swaros. While it's been about ten years since I've used them as my primary RF, this feature is an added capability that has proven to be quite useful for mentally checking distances of important features and initial distance checks on game during the countless hours spent glossing. If a shot looks promising I can easily check the range and begin thinking about my wind dope in advance of setting up.

I have 10X42 Meoptas and 10X30 Swaroski. I find myself using the 10X30s more because of its weight (less) advantage. I use these when elk hunting in the mountains or whitetail hunting on the edge of fields. It has great clarity even in low light situations too, which I contribute to the quality of glass. I don't think a size this small would work in a less expensive product though.

These are all good suggestions, but no one has mentioned STABILIZED binoculars! I have two: Canon 10 x 30 IS we bought new, and 18 x 50 IS I bought used on eBay. I can tell you that these have changed my mind about binoculars -- I would never buy a pair on non-stabilized again. RevJim could use the stabilized 10 x30 on his horse.

Chances are you'll want a 10x bino for Colorado hunting -- depending on the terrain. If you have to choose between a bino and a spotting scope – choose the bino. A spotting scope won't be any good without the bino finding the elk first! However, like others have said -- buy the highest quality bino you can afford. I have a 10x42 Leupold Cascades and an older Swarovski 7x42. Even though I consider the 10x Leupold Cascades a good buy for the price -- when I'm looking for game at long range – I can find the game easier with the 7x Swarovski than the 10x Leupold Cascades. The resolution on the Swarovski is that much higher! Also -- as others have said – low light viewing will be better with the more expensive bino's and seeing is believing! Therefore – a higher quality bino of lower power will be better than a lesser quality bino of higher power!

Several years ago before daylight, I was sneaking up on a field where I'd seen deer the night before. When I got to my spot where I was going to sit while waiting for shooting light, it was still way before I could see anything in the field. I was carrying my Swarovski's, so I took a peek through them just to see if I could tell yet what was in the field. It was almost if someone had turned the lights on! Even though the light wasn't bright through the bino's, it was bright enough that I could see the whole field through the bino's but still couldn't see it with the naked eye. Seeing is believing!

Good luck on your hunt!

Guys, thsnks for the imput, looks like 10x is what I need

10 x 42 is to me the ideal power/size for western hunting binoculars. And Leica HD-B rangefinding binoculars are THE best available.

Eric B.

valleysnyper said:

Ok so my 3 boys and I are going on an elk hunt next Oct in Colorado, the question is bios or spotting scope ? Also what power ? We are from Wisconsin and new to Elk hunting. Thanks for any help...Gary

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First off, how far are you looking for the game, are you shooting over 500 yards??
Are you after a trophy? If so, bino's 10X42 to 50's and a spotting scope as well to see over 500 yards in the trees and shadows, you may only see horns at first..

I Elk hunt and use both every day I hunt, the spotting scope saves boots and miles and time looking..There is four of you going so many hands make light work..

ValleySnipe...............while all of the above answers may be right for the author, they may not be right for you. Your needs in binocs change as you age. Young, fit, steady, get 10X or even more. Old, glasses, presbyopic, get 8X or even 7. Do not confuse magnification with resolution. ......................good hunting..................FWB