Reasonable first spotting binoculars

[Judster]

I am just beginning my journey into the sport of long range shooting. I am looking to acquire a pair of binoculars specifically for spotting down range. I am not a hunter so this would be their sole purpose.
I also am not wanting to break the bank as there are plenty of other avenues for my cash right now!!

 

[longgunJR]

Here's an option if you're interested.

Optics - WTS Vortex Viper 12x50 HD Binos

Hi all, As the title says, new in the box with all manuals and accessories, never been off the wrapper. PP FF $430.00 Shipped.

www.snipershide.com

 

[Forward543]

The athlon 15x Binos are badass for entry level. They spot really well, and only real drawback is the lack of clarity on the edges. They are big and heavy, but watching trace and spotting misses is almost as good as anything else i have used. They are not swaro, but they are very nice.

 

[Fishin6061]

Depending on your budget perhaps Meopta

 

[kindabitey]

Spend as much as you can on a good set. This keeps you from constantly trying to upgrade, which costs more in the long run. I may have done that

 

[hlee]

Do you have a pair of binoculars? If so, start with those. I assume this is for match shooting. Take them to a match, but you won’t need them. More than likely, >50% of your squad will have spotters. But, ask to look through their gear. No one is going to say “hey, get off my spotter.” A match is the best place to get real world time on equipment.

That said, I’ve got bad news for you. A stable tripod is as important as good glass, and that will set you back ”good glass money...”

 

[Pckphunter]

I’ve had more budget binos than I care to admit. I learned the value of good glass when I bought a Leica range finder on the cheap and the fixed 8 monocular was so much better than my budget binos I threw them all out

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Bushnell Forge 15x binos are damn hard to beat for the money. I've used mine at a pile of matches (shooting and ROing) and I've never found them lacking. GAP still has them available for $720 after coupon code, and they're giving you a Kestrel Sportsman and Havalon knife kit with the binos. If you don't need the Kestrel, you can easily get $300 for it and be into the binos for dirt cheap.

 

[1moaoff]

Good or decent glass will last you decades.
Buy once use forever!

 

[Mxridr]

Cabela’s brand is made by meopta. Excellent value for the money. I have the 12x50 and everyone raves about the glass.

 

[db2000]

I have these and they work well and include a mil reticle. Smaller and lighter for carrying hunting as well. Not 15x though and if for only at the range the Bushnell Forge deal is hard to beat. I've used the Forge spotting scope and it's nice. The 30-45x power range is lacking but on par for that price range.

Leupold BX-T 10x42mm Tactical Black Mil-L Binocular 176289

NO TAX and FREE SHIPPING on Leupold BX-T 10x42mm Tactical Black Mil-L Binocular 176289

www.scopelist.com

 

[6cmShooter]

I use vortex diamondback binos 12x50. They work great very clear lenses.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

You can spend $20-20,000. How about starting with a price range you can afford and go from there?

 

[19Scout77]

Binoculars suck for spotting shots. Buy a spotting scope.

 

[Maddybrook]

Start a pm with @gr8fuldoug at camera land. He helped me out. They've got great advice for ya and excellent pricing. I just received a spotter from them today.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I just went w/ the cheapest Swaros. CL Pocket 8x25. Anything over 10 requires a tripod. Glass trumps magnification. Easy to take anywhere and wear on my belt.

SWAROVSKI OPTIK

Austrian manufacturer of premium quality rifle scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, and tripods. Visit our online shop!

www.swarovskioptik.com

Found mine new for just over $800.

 

[Steel head]

Binoculars suck for spotting shots. Buy a spotting scope.

Actually at the modest distances of PRS and most shooters binoculars are quite awesome, using both eyes has multiple benefits.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Binoculars suck for spotting shots. Buy a spotting scope.

On paper? Maybe. On steel? Hell no, give me binos any day.

 

[19Scout77]

Actually at the modest distances of PRS and most shooters binoculars are quite awesome, using both eyes has multiple benefits.

Spotting hits? Binos are fine. Spotting misses and making accurate corrections...not so much.

 

[Steel head]

Spotting hits? Binos are fine. Spotting misses and making accurate corrections...not so much.

I thought the same til I actually tried it.
Trace and misses are pretty easy to see with good binos.
During the winter in the PNW I’d certainly prefer some more magnification at times though.

 

[flatland1]

Was curious about Cabela's house-branded binos, so just visited their website. Their Intensity binos are the only line I could find 15x56s in, and at $399, they're most certainly not the ones made by Meopta. The only Instinct Euro HD models (which may still be made by Meopta) are 8x42 & 10x42. Meopta makes a pair of 15x56s, but I don't believe Cabela's sells them. My personal experience with 15x56 binos is limited to a pair of Leupold BX-5 Santiums & Athlon Cronus. Both have worked really well for spotting at matches. Performance & quality are similar, with Leupold being slightly better to my eyes. I used the Athlon binos at a 500/600yd practical rifle match last weekend, and seriously doubt that I could justify more expensive binos for this application. Yes, I'd like to have an opportunity to compare my Athlons & Leupold 15x56 binos to Meopta & Swaro SLCs, but OTOH, I'm happy & satisfied with what I've got, so why rock the boat?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Spotting hits? Binos are fine. Spotting misses and making accurate corrections...not so much.

Again, disagree. With binos with no reticle, I can give target size references for corrections, or estimated mils if it's a range I'm familiar enough with. With a reticle (and yes, I have binos with a reticle), I can do everything I do with a spotter. Binos let me see trace better, give me far less eye strain and fatigue, and I don't get a migraine. Having both eyes involved also makes it far easier for me to spot both impacts and misses.

 

[cast1]

Another vote for the 15x athlons chronus. They are incredible for the price and I don’t see me having to replace them anytime soon.

 

[19Scout77]

If binos work for you...you ain’t shooting far enough!!

 

[cast1]

If binos work for you...you ain’t shooting far enough!!

Or it could just be that what works for you doesn’t work for absolutely everyone else. I’ve used them both out to 1100 yds and would pick binos over spotter at that distance or any other. As someone else said, better trace visualization, plus better depth perception from using both eyes in calling misses.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

If binos work for you...you ain’t shooting far enough!!

And how far is 'far enough' for you?

 

[drwood96]

Again, disagree. With binos with no reticle, I can give target size references for corrections, or estimated mils if it's a range I'm familiar enough with. With a reticle (and yes, I have binos with a reticle), I can do everything I do with a spotter. Binos let me see trace better, give me far less eye strain and fatigue, and I don't get a migraine. Having both eyes involved also makes it far easier for me to spot both impacts and misses.

I agree with Hollywood. I've been staring down scopes, spotters, and bino long enough plus ROing match that I can easily make a correction calls to get you on steel out to 1200 with a good set of binos without a reticle. Shoot a couple of team matches and you'll pick it up fast.

 

[TN Shooter]

Anyone done a side by side of the Bushnell Forge and Athlon Cronus 15x? Curious if one has an advantage over the other.

 

[StrayDog]

The Bushnell Forge 15x are the only spotting binos I've been able to use with glasses on. They have 20mm eye relief. Sold my Swaros when I went 4-eyes

 

[jsel10]

Leupold bx5 santiam closeout sale on europtic. 799.00 best deal going.

 

[flatland1]

Leupold bx5 santiam closeout sale on europtic. 799.00 best deal going.

I'll 2nd that opinion - they're made in Japan, and as good as the Athlon Cronus 15x56 binos are, the Leupolds are a bit better. So for less money AND Japanese glass & construction, it's kind of a no-brainer.

 

[Vio515]

I have these and they work well and include a mil reticle. Smaller and lighter for carrying hunting as well. Not 15x though and if for only at the range the Bushnell Forge deal is hard to beat. I've used the Forge spotting scope and it's nice. The 30-45x power range is lacking but on par for that price range.

Leupold BX-T 10x42mm Tactical Black Mil-L Binocular 176289

NO TAX and FREE SHIPPING on Leupold BX-T 10x42mm Tactical Black Mil-L Binocular 176289

www.scopelist.com

Binos with a reticle are great. They make it so easy to see bullet trace and give solid corrections.

I have the Vortex 15x50 Monocular with reticle. No one at my local club has been sad to use it.

What is your budget?