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Best 15x56 binoculars |
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mcseal2
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2011 Location: KS Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Posted: October/24/2011 at 16:20 |
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The guy I hunt with and I have decided to get a really good spotting scope and 15x binocular to take on our western hunts. He has a scope all picked out, so I will be purchasing the binoculars. I've been reading reviews and these look like the best options I've found. I wanted to get some opinions if anyone has experience with them. I haven't looked through any of them, just going from what I've read. I'm trying to decide if the difference in clarity and low-light perfomance justify the differences in price. Swarovski 15x56 SLC $1900Vortex 15x56 Kaibab $1200
Minox BL 15x56BR $600
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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Keep this one in mind as well.
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alexbino
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/30/2011 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 36 |
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I recommend Swarovski SLC 15x56 WB-Excellent optics.
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alexbino
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/30/2011 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 36 |
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koshkin
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Edited by koshkin - October/25/2011 at 14:26 |
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Fujinon,Swarovski,KOWA,Leupold, Nikon,Pentax,Olympus,Minox,Canon,Bushnell,Steiner,Weaver,BPC(Russia)
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Are you sure you want 15x? It's basically like a spotting scope though
less power. I used to have Steiner 15x56 but sold them after a couple of
years and bought a spotting scope. Some of the things I didn't like
were the FOV and shake. Having a tripod would address the
shake but not the FOV. Out west we usually use 10x or 12x.
Edited by mike650 - October/25/2011 at 11:49 |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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mcseal2
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2011 Location: KS Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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I really like the 15x. I carry a tripod to use for long glassing sessions, and find that I can hold them well enough to identify game. If I need a better look I can brace up for it. My guide on a trip this fall had 10-15x50 Leica's and the outfitter loaned me his Swaro 15x56's to try for the trip also. I was impressed with both, but really liked the Swaro's best.
Thanks for the replys so far.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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My boss has the Swaro 15x56s. He uses them primarily for judging pronghorn antelope. They are definitely too heavy to pack around and they need a tripod or a window mount to get any real benefit but, having the ability to use both eyes sure can help during long glassing sessions.
He loves them, but after trying them, I found Koshkin's comment (quoted above) about the poor eye relief for eyeglass wearers to be spot on. As a result, I can't really use them very well.
My dad just bought a 20x60 Pentax. I am looking forward to giving those a try.
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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Always fun to use, I hope your dad gets a good one.
When it comes to a 20x binocular, having the stiffest metal tripod adapter is very important in minimizing vibrations.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I like 15x binoculars, and think they provide tremendous usefulness when tripod mounted and glassing for extended periods of time.
Unless I could find a great deal on the Swaros, I would spring for the Vortex. A less expensive option would be the Oberwerk Ultra porros, but you would have to deal with individual focus eyepieces.
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-Matt
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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I gave him a spare Vortex tripod adapter that I had. I hope that will prove adequate.
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Klamath
Optics Master Joined: May/20/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1308 |
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I would say Vortex as well. Those are pretty good glass, and they have very good edge performance, which is nice for tripod mounted use, where it is harder to keep everything centered. Before I bought, I'd want to do a side by side with the Minox 15x. I have never seen the 15x Minox, but the 13x are pretty awesome. If you don't use the 15x a lot, I see no point in the extra money for the Swaro. I think the Swaro is better, but...money is money. You will never regret the Swaro if you can afford them, and won't miss them if you can't afford them and get the Vortex. The thing I'd need to see for myself in the Minox is if their lack of ED glass would cause any color fringing in hazy far off objects.
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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron |
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drsal1527
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/08/2012 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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Lucznik,
A friend of mine has a pair of 20 x 60 Pentax and seems to like them just fine. However this years 2012 hunt in southern AZ for whitetail where not only big glass but big guns are needed for that trophy buck we found out that they don't compare to the big name sellers. You/we all know the ones and I have a pair of Docter 15x60, by the way I wear glasses. We were glassing a ridge 1200 yards away when we spotted two deer walking. He thought he could see horns on one of the deer when I could not see any (mine are on tripod). I suggested he look though mine and he's first reaction was to say "WOW" the second was "yep no horns". We glassed up 9 doe during that time and my friend would now just ask "horns"? The Docter's like the Warski's (with 4 oz differences in weight between them) are heavy and not only need a tripod but also a backpack to get them to those long walk locations. Having a pair of good glass is a pleasure that not everyone can enjoy/afford but if you can by all means do so. happy glassing. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Did your friend have the Pentax also on a tripod?
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-Matt
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drsal1527
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/08/2012 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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no he did not
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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The lack of stabilization could have accounted for his inability to resolve detail. While undoubtedly the Docter is the superior optic, a decent sample of the 20x Pentax should have handled the task, if tripod supported. |
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-Matt
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gulf1263
Optics Apprentice Joined: June/15/2011 Location: Alaska Status: Offline Points: 212 |
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IMHO you should also look at the Steiner 15x80's, the Fujinon 16x70's and the Nikon Astro 18x70's.
These are large, heavy glasses and require a tripod. I have used the Nikon Astro 10x70 for surveillance, window mounted and tripod mounted and have looked through the Nikon Astro 18x70 mounted on a tripod along with the Steiner's. The Docter 15x60's are in this league, you will need a tripod to make use of the extra magnification. Saw a demo with the Steiner's, sitting braced and with a tripod, everyone saw a lot more with the tripod mounted glasses. I think for the money the Docter's are a bargain. Art |
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Good day.
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drsal1527
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/08/2012 Status: Offline Points: 3 |
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very true and have at one point mentioned that to him. He did break out a shooting stick and used it as a mono-pod, but still a tripod is called for in such a situation. maybe nest year he will or better yet show up with some major big glass. :>)
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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The Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II binocular is a very good Porro prism binocular for the price tag.
For glassing at long distances a sturdy tripod, with pan head, is a must. A very stiff metal tripod adapter is also necessary to minimize vibrations at 20x. I own several 20x binoculars and they are alot of fun to glass with. Stan |
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FOsteology
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/21/2007 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 101 |
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I recently acquired a set of Kaibab HD. Very close optically to the Swarovski, and fit my face better and had more eye relief which was welcomed as I wear glasses.
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