DesertDweller

Gents Ole AZBob got me fixed up... Thanks Bob, you're a gentleman, scholar and all around good guy! DD

What it comes down to is that we have binocular vision... two eyes - and when we only try and use one, it messes not only with our eyes but our brain! Spotting scopes do a good job at what their name says... looking at a spot. i.e... horns, target, the neighbors hot wife etc.... <wink> They don't call them "Finding Scopes" do they! Stick with the binos for finding and then if necessary, use the spotter for a quick, closer look. DD

I concur with the Leica being the RF of choice... I have had one for years and it works perfectly. Mine is LRF and the newer CRF is even more advanced and waterproof. You will not be disappointed when you purchase a Leica rangefinder. DD

My hunting buddy has a pair of 30x Docter's... He loves them and so do I!!! I have glassed for HOURS behind them and not had eye strain. He uses a SLIK 444 Sport Tripod and it holds them perfectly. I found a Desert Mule Deer at 2 miles and he made the stalk and killed it... What more could you want? The real problem is service here in the US... it's non-existant. DesertDweller

I am thinking seriously of selling a few things and buying a Leica Duovid 10+15x50 bino… It seems like the perfect spot and stalk glass… Use the 10x to cover lots of ground and then turn it up to 15x when a closer look is needed. How many of you folks have them? What are your thoughts on them? Just wondering… If I do this, my piggy bank will be empty! DD

Yes, the PM came thrugh... Thank you for your offer, but I am still collecting enough coins to buy a pair. I am not ready to pull the trigger on a pair yet... the opperattive word is YET.... D.D.

I agree, carrying a 15x around your neck is a bit wacky in my book... but I always carry an 8x or 10x around my neck. Guys/Gals, check out the Del Norte Optic Belt. It works with a neck strap or harness system and elimanates the dragging or swaying of your binos when your stalking. It's easy to use and really keeps them from swingng and swaying. Thier web site is www.delnorteoutdoors.com You can order them on line. They have a cool video you can see on thier site. D.D. P.S. The owner is the guy who invented the Optic Belt after his Swaro's almost knocked him out while riding his horse while hunting!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info... It's not a matter of quality, I'd never question Leica on that - but the practically of using a switch power binocular in the field. Sounds as if the Duovid’s have quite a following. Thanks again! DesertDweller

I really enjoy checkning out the pics you tail cam folks post on the site... I am wanting to buy one and get in on the fun. Do you guys have any recommendations on what brand or model to boy, or maybe more important, what NOT to buy... Your help will be greatly appreciated! DesertDweller

Good thread... just remember boys, Binoculars are for finding things, Spotting Scopes are for looking at things... Their is a big difference! Don't try and have a tool made for one job try and do another! It doesn't work that well... Buy the best binocular you can afford and then buy the best spotting scope you can afford knowing you will use the binoculars a lot more than the spotting scope! MHO DesertDweller

Doug, thanks for the heads up... is the 3.94 inches of eye relief is great! But is it at the low end or through the power range? If it's got almost 4" of eye relief at 14x it's a canadiate for my 300 Ultra Mag. DesertDweller

The last version of the 15x58 had the diopter adjustment under the right eye cup as most bionculars do. This was a great improvement. Red Rabbit was exactly right, on the old version, when you used the focus wheel, it was super easy to move the diopter adjustment. With the ED glass this was a great binocular for the $$$. MHO. To bad Minox discontinued it. I've cut back on my kids lunch money and I'm saving it for a Leica Geovid 15x56. DesertDweller

A friend of mine just bought a pair of Zeiss 15x45 binos. I told him I was worried that the smaller 45mm objective lens would limit thier usefullness in early morning or late evening glassing. Have any of you compaired them to say a 15x56 or 15x60 side by side in actual glassing conditions? He says the smaller size and weight are what sold him... What are your experiences with this binocular? Just wondering... D.D.

LOL!!! We all have had experiences at the range that make us shake our heads. My 300 Rem Ultra Mag has a break, as well as my daughters 300 Ultra and my son's 300 Wby.... so we are an equal age ear buster family! We usually go together and it takes a hour or two to make sure our big boomers are on the mark. I agree that muzzle brakes punish those on either side of us... we tell them and try to get down on the end of the fireing line. Jack O'Connor was right... Magnums either kick like a mule or deafen you... take your pick! What bothers me is the weekend warrior that drives to the range, sets up, fires 3 or four shots and lowdly proclaimes "GOOD ENOUGH FOR DEER! as he looks at his 6 inch group at 100yds" D.D.

Thanks for the input Amanda... my buddy is coming down for Thanksgiving and we are going to put his 15x45 and my 15x58's on tripods side by side and compair. Can't wait to "scope it out"! D.D.

I've been using a "Jimmy's Rest" from Jim White for years... it works great on the tripod. Another tip, I have on screwed on the top of my Bogen Monopod/walking stick. I adjust it so my around the neck binos set on top of it and are the right height for my eyes... Keeps my 10x42 steady. You could shoot offhand with it... but I never have, I hate shooting offhand! D.D.

WOW! that's a great shooting and great looking rig! I have been partial to the 280 Rem. cartridge for more years than I like to admit to! Had Jensen's Custom Ammo put a Douglas barrel on a Mark X action back in the 70's... I did the stock work, and it ended up with a Brown Precision fiberglass stock... I feed it 140gr Nosler Partitions with a heavy dose of IMR 4350. At 3000 FPS it's deadly. It was my first "Semi-Custom" rifle. I've carried it many a mile and it was "My" rifle for years. I still have it and always will... the kids can fight over it. ;>) Just wondering, what power Zeiss Conquest did you choose? Did you go for the Rapid Z reticle? They are sweet! I'm thinking of changing out the Leupold VXIII 2.5 - 8x I've had on it for years with the Conquest 3.5-10x44 with the 600 Yd. Rapid Z. I hope you enjoy your 280 as much as I have mine... D.D.

Well boys and girls it's going to be a interesting ride... Some of the comments crack me up... Move to Mexico? Are are you smoking crack? You think it's better down there? You may not like McCain, but his words are true... "Fight for this country, never give up, never give in, we don't run from history, WE MAKE HISTORY!" Our Country is worth fighting for... D.D.

Thanks for your reply... Have you tried them side by side other 15x binoculars in the early morning or late evening? l am going to test them against my Minox 15x58 as soon as my buddy comes to visit. D.D.

Way to go SnapShot!!! Isn't it fun when a plan comes together! Congrats on a great buck! D.D.

A buddy of mine was hunting with me in CO... Gene Tayors Sporting Goods in Grnad Junction was having a sale on 15x60 Doctor Optics. He bought a pair and some other stuff and put it on his Master Card... Called home and told the wife not to use the Master Card because the transmission of his truck had gone out and it cost 1,000 bucks to get it repaired at Gene Taylors Transmissions.... Good thinking wouldn't you say? Never did get cought! LOL!!! D.D.

OMG!!!! A Copehegen chewing dog!!! I'm laughing so hard my sides are hurting! TO FUNNY!!!! Thanks for sharing! Where else would you find such a post!!! D.D.

Thank you for sharing your story with us... :>) As a Dad who has also expereinced that with both my son and daughter I know how you feel! You and your son have a memory that will connect you to for all of your lives. The memories my kids and I have in the outdoors are the ones we relive over and over. No matter what path your son takes in his life, he has the memory of being with Dad and getting his first buck. It will connect you two like very few memories will. Congratualtions to both of you and thanks again for sharing with the forum. D.D.

Congrats on the fine buck! You earned that one! Your story confirms my theory that you loose 90% of the competation for each mile you put between you and the closest road or ATV trail! Way to go!!! D.D.

My wifes grandfather was 87 years old when we went hunting in Nevada. He hunted all his life... had stories that would split your sides, was shooting long range with a powerful riflescope on a 300 Weatherby in the early 60's, killed his last buck at 89 and I miss the old bastard to this day. It was a privilege to of known and hunted with this man. D.D.