Long Range Binocular

[Short Case]

What power and weight binocular do you like for long range hunting out west in high country

 

[Browninglover1]

I use Vortex Kaibab 15x56 binoculars with a tripod. I spent years hunting with 10x binos and a spotting scope and now I just take my 15 power binos. There are times when I feel like they are too powerful in certain conditions, but most of what I glass is open or fairly far away and the 15x binos rock!

 

[sp6x6]

I do alot of hiking, packed 10x32 els for well over 10 years

 

[bruce_ventura]

I've been using 7X binos on the trail and Swarovski 15X56 binos on a tripod for long distance glassing. This works best for me. I won't go back to 10X hand held.

 

[DocB]

I've been using 7X binos on the trail and Swarovski 15X56 binos on a tripod for long distance glassing. This works best for me. I won't go back to 10X hand held.

Hey Bruce,

What's the +/- on 12x50 vs 12x60 and 15x56?

Appreciate the input.

DocB

 

[bruce_ventura]

Hey Bruce, What's the +/- on 12x50 vs 12x60 and 15x56? Appreciate the input. DocB

IMO, they all have too much magnification for handheld viewing. A good tripod and 2-axis head like the Slik SH-707E, or better, the Jim White, would make all of them good choices for long range glassing. 12x60 would have the brightest image in low light, followed by 12x50 and then 15x56.

The minimum inter pupil distance may be too large for some people on the 56 mm and larger binos. Check them out in person if your IPD is small.

For me, 15x56 binos seem to be the best compromise between magnification, field of view and low light performance for long range glassing. I can sit for at least a solid hour glassing without fatigue using my Swarovski 15x56 binos and Slik tripod head.

I currently use the MeoPro 6.5x32 binos for the trail and low light glassing.

 

[DocB]

IMO, they all have too much magnification for handheld viewing. A good tripod and 2-axis head like the Slik SH-707E, or better, the Jim White, would make all of them good choices for long range glassing. 12x60 would have the brightest image in low light, followed by 12x50 and then 15x56.

The minimum inter pupil distance may be too large for some people on the 56 mm and larger binos. Check them out in person if your IPD is small.

For me, 15x56 binos seem to be the best compromise between magnification, field of view and low light performance for long range glassing. I can sit for at least a solid hour glassing without fatigue using my Swarovski 15x56 binos and Slik tripod head.

I currently use the MeoPro 6.5x32 binos for the trail and low light glassing.

Roger That.

I have a pair of Bushnell armored 7x50's that were a 'gift' of Uncle Sugar that I use for my trail glasses and they work just fine for that purpose. I'm going to get a long range pair of binos and get away from the spotting scope for just the reason you did, less eye strain, longer viewing, more versatility and better low light capability. Probably a 12x60 cause the 15x56s are way too expensive. +1 on the tripod and 2 axis head. I have an old Canon tripod with a 2 axis head that's small enough to pack so I'll use it till something better comes along.

Thanks for the advice amigo!

DocB

Anime et Fide "Courage and Faith"