Binoc Magnification recommendations

[jswbga]

Guys,

I have a set of Burris 8x42's that I've liked for a number of years, but in 2012, while on a guided hunt, we spent a good bit of time above timberline glassing for elk. The guides had far better glass than I (wasnt a huge surprise...).

What mag range would you suggest for this kind of hunting?

I think my 8x42's are sufficient for "timber" hunting, but on my 2014 trip, I hope to spend at least SOME time at timberline, glassing far off mountain tops.

Would you say 10x's are sufficient, or would you recommend going to 12x?

If someone wanted to make a product recommendation for something <$400, that'd be welcomed too.

Thanks in advance,

shane

[pointysticks]

without a doubt. 10x.

i think 12x are too shaky without a tripod. 10x may not allow you to evaluate horns and stuff..but you can usually SEE horns. i carry 10x50's..and if i could do it again, i would go 10x42. my 50's are kinda huge.

with that budget. i would sweet talk our host Paul and buy Vortex Viper binos. send him apple pie or something.
the man sold me a spotting scope price competitively with others selling the same scope USED!!

my opinion. if you are investing in guided hunts..it is in your best interest to actually find game. get awesome binos. in the grand scheme of things..it isnt the most expensive part of the hunt.

[jswbga]

Guided hunts havent been (and wont be) the norm for us. After 3 years of so-so results, we invested in a guided hunt to learn more from guys who do this better than us... and indeed, it was a good investment.

we definately learned alot on that trip.

thanks for the feedback, sir.

shane

[pointysticks]

loud and clear.

i think a guided trip would be awesome. especially as a learning tool.

DIY..yup..good binos are even that much more important. you dont have a guide next to you finding animals for you. it is a bummer thinking of all the gigantic epic climbs i have made to get to fantastic vantage points..only to find Zero animals. i've often wondered if there were truly no animals, or i didnt see them.

my first pair of binos were $80. hehe. good luck in the search bud.

[Swede]

Pointysticks is very right on his point. I would not go above 10x. We had a good discussion on this topic not too long ago. I have not looked, but I suspect the thread will be easy to find. Hope it helps too.

[jswbga]

I was astonished at how quickly the guides would spot elk (at maybe a mile off), then spend 5 minutes "coaching" me to see them.

guide: "ok, see that huge rock that looks like..... a huge rock, just up from that patch of spruce trees"

me: "I think so"

guide: "they are about 100 yards to the right of the rock; there are 9 of them"

me: "nine? Jees, I ought to be able to spot 9 of anything..."

guide: "well, they are there, the bull is tilting his head and looking to the right"

me: "I see nine light tan ovals"

guide: "yep, thats them"

me: "sheeeeiiiit"

the experience made me appreciate the fact that I may very well seen hundreds of elk before... and just not "SEEN" them.....

[Swede]

Shane: I just brought up the thread asking if anyone uses 8x32 binoc. to the top. Hope it helps.

[jswbga]

thanks SWEDE!