How Much Bino Magnification is Really Needed for shooting PRS style matches?

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I'm going to pony up the coin for a pair of decent binos, but I'm stuck on how much magnification is necessary.

How much magnification do you prefer for a pair of binos if you're only going to use them for PRS type matches and shooting related hobbies?

 

[patriot07]

How far are we shooting?

 

[Olen_4504]

what's the purpose? hunting? bird watching? PRS/competition spotting?

and will you be mounting on a tripod, or holding free hand

 

[crunchy]

I voted 10 but have 12s which is nice at those longer ranges where I do most of my deer hunting. 12s inside of 200 yards is difficult unless you are seated or using a tripod.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Updated the post to reflect the purpose.

 

[Olen_4504]

if I was personally in your situation - i'd go as high on magnification as the brand i was interested in offered. but only if i was using a tripod.

so i'm voting 15x because of the wide amount of options from various manufacturers

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I've got a set of 10s, and will hopefully have a new set of 15s this week. I've spotted out to 1200 with the 10s, and they work - but the 15s definitely make it a little easier. That said, most 15s are also significantly larger than the 10s - which is why I wanted both. If you're going to have them parked on a tripod just for spotting, the 15s are definitely the way to go, but 10s are typically a little more pack-friendly.

Not sure what your budget is, but the new Bushnell Forge binos are pretty amazing for the price point. If you're going to be at Altus for the AI match this weekend, there will be several sets of the 15s and at least one pair of 10s floating around between shotoers and ROs.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Im currently looking at the Canon L IS 10x42 binos. They also make a pair that are 15x50, but from my understanding, the 10 x42s are better glass .

 

[northshorelumber]

12x or 15x. Good glass trumps magnification, go for quality.

 

[Statusquo]

12x or 15x. Good glass trumps magnification, go for quality.

8x works good if you go with Leica's or Swaro's. If you're going vortex, go higher

 

[47guy]

Im currently looking at the Canon L IS 10x42 binos. They also make a pair that are 15x50, but from my understanding, the 10 x42s are better glass .

Call Doug at camera land...great guy and willing to talk and share...I mean who better than a guy that has ALL the glass to look through to talk to....I was fully prepared to buy the swaro 15x56s after talking with Doug I ended up with the meopta meostar HD 15x56s and saved over a $1000 bucks.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Call Doug at camera land...great guy and willing to talk and share...I mean who better than a guy that has ALL the glass to look through to talk to....I was fully prepared to buy the swaro 15x56s after talking with Doug I ended up with the meopta meostar HD 15x56s and saved over a $1000 bucks.

I don't think they carry them. At least they're not on the website.

 

[47guy]

he will most likely chime in here but just give him a call great guy to deal with and he will save you some money.

 

[AIAW]

Hard to beat a Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD, Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 or Swarovski SLC 10x42.

12x available in some.

 

[just browsing]

Same use, I went Canon IS 18x and use them in conjunction with a tripod exclusively. I never regret having the additional mag when spotting.

That being said, image stabilization is a nice feature, but I still wouldn’t want to rely on it to give you a good sight picture, unsupported, especially at shorter distances. A tripod obviously negates any issue there however if you planned to ever use it for anything else, go lower.

 

[Kane0519]

I use x8 and I’m happy with it. They’re not high quality glass by any means, but I like the field of view x8 offers. This gives me context for what’s around the target to help me find it faster when I’m on the rifle.

That’s just my two cents though. Maybe out west more is better.

 

[JC0352]

Is everyone talking about binos for RO’ing or just for observing targets before you shoot a stage?

 

[RTH1800]

Top end used will be cheaper than second tier new. Zero depreciation on second hand if well purchased. Unless you are just into cardboard boxes and stickers.

 

[Sheldon N]

I’d be on the fence between high end rangefinding binos like Leica 10x42 or Swaro el Range and a set of high end 15x56. Lean towards the latter if you want them to do double duty for ROing or to read mirage more effectively. The former if you want simple functional for yourself for match shooting, since they also eliminate a second piece of gear.