JasCald02 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 First of all let me start by letting everyone know that this is my first post here, or anywhere for that matter….that’s right, I am a newbie. Since deciding to start hunting Coues, this site has become an invaluable source of information in planning for my first attempt at whitetail this fall. After reading a couple of posts and the book How to Hunt Coues Deer, I have come to this potentially expensive realization: I must put all non-optic spending to a halt and save my money for the most important purchase: good glass! Knowing this, my questions to all of you are: 1. Should I save $1500 for a pair of Swaro 10x42 SLC, then purchase the Jim White Trippler to “pop” on the glass when it comes time to evaluate bucks? 2. Should I continue to use my Bushnell Trophy 10x42 (I know they suck) as my “around my neck” glass and purchase the Swaro 15x56 SCL for all tripod glassing? (I am assuming that I would not need to purchase the Jim White Trippler or a spotting scope as I will be able evaluate the bucks and decide if I want to give chase by already having enough glass to make that decision) 3. Should I drop $2500 on Leica Duovid 10 + 15 x 50 and have both options in one pair of binoculars. (My hesitation with this option is that the binoculars might be a bit heavy to carry around my neck during a stalking situation). I know that these are loaded questions, but this will be a lot of money for me and I want to make sure that I am making the right decision. Any help on the questions above or other suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks. - Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TREESTANDMAN Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I would recommend one of 2 options. 1. Buy the swarov 15*56's for tripod binos and buy nikon monarch neck binos either 8*42 or 10*42. Use your crappy bushells for thick brush scouting only. 2. Buy the swarov 10*50 for neck/tripod glasses the 50's are quite a bit brighter then the 10*42's and they aren't too heavy. I'm not sure about the Leica Duvoids, never tried them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntn coues Report post Posted March 19, 2007 If you decide on a spotting scope to drop your cash on definately give the NIKON monarchs(10x42) a look for your neck. I bought a pair for my wife and I am impressed. They are 300.00 at Cabelas. If you can afford the Swaros then buy those. I am currently saving towards a pair of those myself. Good luck with all the advice coming your way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Welcome to the website... You are trying to make a decision we all try to make at one time or another... I think the Leica's are some great glass but you are going to see that they don't have a really nice way of mounting to a Tri-pod.. I think it is a good idea to have a dual power Bino because it would allow you to carry one piece of glass rather than two... j Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TREESTANDMAN Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I just posted my swarovs for sale in the classified section. Check it out, it is a good deal. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Jascad: I think your option #2 is the most appropriate way to go. Get a good pair of 15's and you can get by the first year with the 10's you already have. Your next investment will be a good set of 10's which dont have to be SLC's, you could get the american line of Zeiss 15x45 to use around your neck and I believe those are around $800.00 I am buying those for my son, they are really a good pair of bino's but cant do the tripod glassing the SLC 15x56's do..............Allen Taylor............ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Go with the 15x my friend. You will not be let down. Sometimes you will spot deer way out there and will not be able to tell if they are bucks. So the tripler is still a good idea with the 15x. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I'd save for the Swaro 15's. Most of your time is spent glassing, and you'd get the most value with them coues hunting over a pair of 10x. Get a sturdy tripod also. That said, I use a pair of 10+15 Duovids. You will lose some field of view with the Duovids, which would be more important at 10x if deer or elk hunting inthe timber. They are only 4 oz heavier than the 10x50's and the same bulk. I consolidated a pair of Minox 15x and Leica 10x50 to save weight and not have to carry 2 binos. I found that the IPI Bino Manager handles the extra weight of the duovids or 10x50s better than the Crooked Horn bino harness system. http://www.archerywarehouse.com/binoaccess.htm When you get ready to order, give Doug at Camera Land a call for good pricing and service. Lastly, Welcome! Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted March 19, 2007 Get the 15's. Much more vital in my opinion as you're going to spend the majority of your time sitting on your butt behind a tripod anyways. I won't go anywhere without my Swaro 15's. They are AWESOME. I call them my crutch . I'd upgrade the 10's as well, but you can save and do that later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted March 19, 2007 I tote a pair of 8x's around my neck & a set of 12x's in my pack. I don't think you can go wrong w/ anything that says Swarovski, Zeiss, Minox, or Leica on it. I also know a guy who uses the Nikon Monarch 12x's & thinks they're great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted March 20, 2007 the 10s you have should work for now. save your money for the 15 swaros. then a spotter and then upgrade your 10s. do not undervalue the benefit of a good spotter. chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted March 20, 2007 Welcome to CW.com... .... You have gotten some great advice so far, and I am gunna throw in my $.02.... Swaro all the way! But, you have to look at it like this..... 1) If you plan to own 1 pair of bino's for all hunting, buy the 10x50. Because you can free hand them or use them on a tri-pod. They are way brighter than the 15's, so I have found that a group of good glassers sitting together with 10x50's & 15x56's have "equal" glass, power vs clarity & field of view. I bought my son the 10x50's for X-mas a few years back with the thought that it might be a really long time before he could afford a second pair of good glass. He loves them, packs them with him everywhere, and is hard to beat at the glassing game. 2) I love my 15's... but I always have my 8x32's or 10x42's around my neck because some stuff is too close to glass with the 15's...... I would almost rather have the 10x50's for coues about 1/2 of the time. If you are ok with owning 2 pairs of quality glass then the 15's are the best choice. I say 2 pairs because once you have purchased your new pair.... you will most certainly give you old pair away.....because, you won't be able to stand looking through them.. Then you will be saving for a second pair. I use the same (but older) Velbon tri-pod as RR (Doug). It is great! Light, strong, and affordable! I, however, use an over priced Outdoorsman pistol grip head and accessories.... It is a great product because it it light and compact..... but I see red every time I think of all the $ I have tied up into the shoes, addapters, and the grip.... .... I do really like it though..... Best of luck to you! Let us know how you make out on optics! CnS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 20, 2007 I would save for the swaro 15's. That's what I use and they are great. Before buying the swaros, I rented a pair of leica 10-15x50's. I didn't like them. So it made my decision a lot easier. But several people on this site love their Leica variable power 10-15's. So it's definitely personal preference. I suggest you find a shop that has both binos and see which you like. Outdoorsmans might have them. Or you can rent them like I did from Ross Outdoors. That way you can hike around with them and test them in the field. http://rossoutdoors.com/catalog/ I disagree that if you get the swaro 15s that you won't need a spotting scope to evaluate bucks. I guess it depends on how much "evaluating" you really need. Are you worried about knowing the bucks estimated score or just seeing how many tines he has? The more picky you are, the more you need the extra power of a spotter to evaluate a buck. Another option is to get the swaro 15s and then perhaps get the Jim White tripler. The JW tripler is a lightweight, lower cost alternative to having a full size spotting scope. Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scoutm Report post Posted March 20, 2007 There hasn't been enough said about making sure if you spend the money on good glass you need to invest in a good sturdy tripod. Good glass on a bad tripod is no different than bad glass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 20, 2007 good point about getting a good tripod....the new velbon sherpas are great, sturdy tripods. You can see them (and purchase one if you like) in the CW.com store.... http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/tripods_adaptor.htm Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
