texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,768
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,989
Posts9,719,202
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Binoculars vs scope #7506125 05/07/19 03:00 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,158
W
wp75169 Online Content OP
THF Celebrity
OP Online Content
THF Celebrity
W
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,158
This is spin of thoughts I had in another thread. It’s simple. If you was going to make your first purchase of truly high end optics would be a scope or binoculars first? My money is invested in scopes but have yet to be willing to spend more than $300 on binoculars. I have also never been hunting where I had to glass for animals and stalk them unless I was with a guide so I haven’t had a purpose for the binoculars. At least in my mind.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506134 05/07/19 03:09 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
C
Cleric Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
C
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Really a loaded question. Depends on what you are hunting.

I would say binos if you are doing a lot of glassing. If you are hunting over a feeder I would say scope.

But it just depends on which one you think you will use more in the hunt

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506137 05/07/19 03:11 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,562
6
68rustbucket Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
6
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,562
Binos



Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506278 05/07/19 12:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G. Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
A rifle scope can double as an observation optic.

A dedicated observation optic cannot double as a rifle scope.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506300 05/07/19 01:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
J
Jgraider Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
Binos. An SWFA 3-9x $500 rifle scope will allow you to kill deer or bang stee all day long , especially when you're a stand hunter. I'm not much of one, so I use binos 10x's as much as any rifle scope when hunting. Using your rifle scope to find game is a bad idea IMO.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506312 05/07/19 01:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,765
W
Wytex Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
W
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,765
Binos, good ones work almost as well as a spotting scope.
I agree on not using your rifle scope as a spotting scope.
Spotting scopes comes into play of you're spotting at long distances, we use ours for spotting mule deer and antelope in open country and are able to locate and evaluate if a stalk is in order from a mile or more away.
We've never even taken our spotter down to Texas for a hunt, but the binos are invaluable.
If you hunt west Texas or the open plains a spotter would be great to have, otherwise good binos would be the way to go.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506436 05/07/19 03:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,158
W
wp75169 Online Content OP
THF Celebrity
OP Online Content
THF Celebrity
W
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,158
As of right now the longest line of sight that I hunt regularly is 700 yards. The higher end Bushnells that I have can clearly identify any animal at that range. No doubt if the line of sight went further I would be looking for better glass.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: J.G.] #7506488 05/07/19 04:50 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,277
onlysmith&wesson Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,277
Originally Posted by FiremanJG
A rifle scope can double as an observation optic.

A dedicated observation optic cannot double as a rifle scope.

This. You can loose a great animal as you go from bino's to your rifle.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7506521 05/07/19 05:35 PM
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,715
duckhunter175 Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,715
I spend more time behind my binos than my rifle scope. Especially if you are putting them up on a tripod for hours at a time quality binos makes a huge difference.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507101 05/08/19 12:25 PM
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,156
S
Smokey Bear Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,156
Originally Posted by wp75169
This is spin of thoughts I had in another thread. It’s simple. If you was going to make your first purchase of truly high end optics would be a scope or binoculars first? My money is invested in scopes but have yet to be willing to spend more than $300 on binoculars. I have also never been hunting where I had to glass for animals and stalk them unless I was with a guide so I haven’t had a purpose for the binoculars. At least in my mind.


It depends on your useage if your only buying one. If you are glassing for animals, binoculars. If it is for range use, scope.

Edited to add: I bought several high end scopes before my first high end binocular. If I had to do it over, I would purchase the high end binoculars first for my usage.

Last edited by Smokey Bear; 05/08/19 12:54 PM.

Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507281 05/08/19 03:30 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,262
BOBO the Clown Offline
kind of a big deal
Offline
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,262
If you are setting in a blind restricted to only a 45 degree 200 yard FOV/shooting window.... I’d still go with the bino’s

If you loose a deer because of the time it took to switch over so be it. In actuality that’s how you miss or make a bad shot, Not too many shooters are disciplined enough to have an effective pop shot. I’d be the first to say I would miss because I know I need more then a second or two to get settled and go through shot sequence


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: BOBO the Clown] #7507300 05/08/19 03:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Originally Posted by BOBO the Clown
If you are setting in a blind restricted to only a 45 degree 200 yard FOV/shooting window.... I’d still go with the bino’s

If you loose a deer because of the time it took to switch over so be it. In actuality that’s how you miss or make a bad shot, Not too many shooters are disciplined enough to have an effective pop shot. I’d be the first to say I would miss because I know I need more then a second or two to get settled and go through shot sequence


I agree. I wish I would of invested in quality glass many years sooner than I did. Many hunters never see what’s out in view of them because of low quality binos. I have some very nice long range tactical scopes. I enjoy them but learned I would rather have a light weight quality glass mil dot reticle about 15x on the top end of magnification range. I don’t take shots more than 400 yards on most big game animals and usually don’t have time to dial for elevation.

Last edited by Pitchfork Predator; 05/08/19 03:53 PM.

Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507318 05/08/19 04:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,538
P
patriot07 Online Content
Extreme Tracker
Online Content
Extreme Tracker
P
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,538
You can get some really nice binos for not much more than $300. Look for the older Cabelas Meopta-made binos (Euro I think is the Cabelas model name, but they say Meopta on the binos themselves). They are Meostars for a highly discounted price. I got a pair for $450 awhile back of 10x42, and they're stupidly good for that money. You have to be up in the Swaro/Leica money before you get anything better, and while it is better, you'd really have to hunt a ton for it to be worth the extra $ IMHO.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507367 05/08/19 05:14 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267
A
AZ_Hunter_2000 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
A
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267
Buy high(er) end binoculars that cover the bulk of your hunting. You'll get far more use out of them than a rifle scope. Can always put them on a tripod to cover extended glassing sessions.

Despite Internet myth, low cost binoculars are not as good as high(er) end binoculars. Unless you hunt over a well manicured lawn, you will miss animals inside 700 yards with low cost binoculars; you will not miss as many with high(er) quality binoculars.

Never use a rifle scope to glass. Been on the receiving end of idiots doing that multiple times. If they are stupid enough to put their crosshairs on another hunter then they are stupid enough to have a round chambered and their finger on the trigger.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507368 05/08/19 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
S
snake oil Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
If you care about score then good binos are a must....


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507375 05/08/19 05:19 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
Interesting read,

Before I go public land out west ill have both. Right now the majority of my hunting is stand hunting over senderos. Feeder at 100+/- yards and corned senderos to 300 or so yards.

Right now non high end optics accomplish both relatively easily. I have chose to delve into upper end scopes first as I have started shooting longer range targets.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: patriot07] #7507382 05/08/19 05:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,309
F
freerange Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,309
As others have said (and it usually applies to most topics on any of these forums) it really makes a huge difference in how, where, etc you hunt. Its rarely "one size fits all" and its really true on a question like yours. Its a very good question by the way. You stated you do very little long range glassing and spot and stalk so maybe the higher end binos aren't important. Personally, I do a whole lot of long range glassing and anyone in that situation I would definitely recommend getting the best binos your budget allows. As compared to high end scopes, ive never used them and don't really see the need since I never plan to shoot more than 300 yards(and that's really pushing my range.) Since some mentioned spotting scopes ill say that I don't go anywhere without mine but as I said I do a lot of long range glassing/spotting. May be getting off topic but recently bought a Nikon P1000 camera that zooms way more than most if not all spotting scopes. Havent played with it much yet but there are situations where a person could use a superzoom cam instead of a spotter.
Bottom line, in your situation I don't think ide spend big money on either type optic. My 2cents.


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: J.G.] #7507390 05/08/19 05:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835
U
unclebubba Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
U
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835
Originally Posted by FiremanJG
A rifle scope can double as an observation optic.

A dedicated observation optic cannot double as a rifle scope.

On private land, this is true. On private land you should know who is hunting and where, so you have little chance of pointing your rifle at a fellow hunter. On public land, I would consider this a BIG no-no.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507393 05/08/19 05:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
J
Jgraider Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
As patriot mentioned, you don't have to spend a fortune nowadays to get an optically superb bino. $500 glass today is better than anything made 20+ years ago. I cannot see anything through my 10x50SV's that I can't see equally as well through a $500 used Tract Toric UHD. If you are a stand hunter primarily, a guy would be schocked as to how good an Athlon Midas 8x42 is.....amazed actually. It is at least as good as a Viper HD or BX4 McKinley.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: unclebubba] #7507398 05/08/19 05:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
J
Jgraider Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
Originally Posted by unclebubba
Originally Posted by FiremanJG
A rifle scope can double as an observation optic.

A dedicated observation optic cannot double as a rifle scope.

On private land, this is true. On private land you should know who is hunting and where, so you have little chance of pointing your rifle at a fellow hunter. On public land, I would consider this a BIG no-no.



Besides the fact that you can glass for hours using two eyeballs and not just one.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7507407 05/08/19 05:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,605
6
603Country Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
6
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,605
Speaking from experience, whichever you buy first can or will cause a problem in certain situations. I went with the high dollar binocs first. It was great for glassing deer, but in dim light I couldn’t find the deer in the scope that I had seen in the binocs. Frustrating. It only happened a couple of times, but it cost me a shot at a few nice bucks.

Sooo, I think I’d buy the good scope first, and some decent affordable binocs. I hunt with Leica binocs, but at the house we use Nikon for watching critters in the yard. The Nikons work fine. We have 4 sets in the house.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: unclebubba] #7507652 05/08/19 10:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G. Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
Originally Posted by unclebubba
Originally Posted by FiremanJG
A rifle scope can double as an observation optic.

A dedicated observation optic cannot double as a rifle scope.

On private land, this is true. On private land you should know who is hunting and where, so you have little chance of pointing your rifle at a fellow hunter. On public land, I would consider this a BIG no-no.


I hunt private land. And the one week a year, there is a group of us, we are scattered over 10 sections.

The public land I hunt is for prairie dogs, and there is no one else around, as far as the eye can see. Two of us stay in the rifle scope all day long, then bounce a laser as needed. And the once again gun safety topic. Bolt open, or bolt handle lifted, booger hook off the bang button.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7508517 05/09/19 08:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
O
okstatefan Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
I'll admit that I've never had a high-end quality binocular, but I have had some pretty dang crappy ones.

My current binos are a used Leupold BX3 Mojave 10x42. They work pretty well for me.

Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: wp75169] #7529469 06/07/19 08:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
N
Nogalus Prairie Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
N
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
The advantages of quality binoculars for hunting are too numerous to list. Glassing with a scope is ridiculous for any number of reasons. It’s dangerous, cumbersome, tiring, and just plain not practical.



Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Binoculars vs scope [Re: Nogalus Prairie] #7529491 06/07/19 08:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
S
snake oil Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
Originally Posted by Nogalus Prairie
The advantages of quality binoculars for hunting are too numerous to list. Glassing with a scope is ridiculous for any number of reasons. It’s dangerous, cumbersome, tiring, and just plain not practical.




This x100


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3