$1000 to spend on optics and boots

[swmoelk]

I'm going on a backpack elk hunt this year and need a good set of binos and a pair of boots. I have a pair of good USA made danners . They are awesome Missouri whitetail boots but I'm not sure about 11k' with a 50# pack.
I was thinking 10x50 vortex diamondbacks for binos. I don't need to count hairs at a mile but would like to scan timber edges and the like. Is it mandatory to step up to the vipers? Doesn't have to be vortex but I tried them at bass pro and they beat out all the competition that was within $100 of them. I also will be going to se Alaska in another year so I'm going to be using them in the rainforest as well.

Thanks guys.

[Elkduds]

Click on upper left hand corner of this page, Elknut Vortex, for awesome deals and service by the man who built and operates these forums

[swmoelk]

Thanks. This forum is what put me on the scent of vortex to begin with. I love this place and the sponsors. I've already got my handy dandy elkmtn gear umbrella/blind/trekking pol/ decoy/tarp stake.. It is pretty sweet.

[pointysticks]

the viper HD's are really good binos. still leaves plenty of cash for just about any boot on the planet.

[swmoelk]

10x50 or 10x42? What is yalls suggestion there?

[ElkNut1]

Jarred, 10X42 is best, 10X50 do not add enough light gathering into the picture to choose them over the 42mm objective lens. Hunters choose 1-50mm out of every 50 - 42mm we sell, this should help you to see what the overwhelming choice is. I too use the 10X42 models. Yes, the Viper HD model is a sweet optic it will do everything you need it to do out of an optic! It's the best 500.00 optic on the market!

ElkNut1

[Lefty]

I spend more on optics than boots.
I know many have gone to the 10x power, they are still a bit much for me free handing and I ended up with 8x.
I hunt the open for elk but still hunt the woods for deer, clarity for picking out legs, ears and horns is often more important in close situations

[aron]

I would definitely step up to the viper HD over the diamonbacks. That still leaves a lot of room for boots. Check out sierra trading post online for boots. They have some great deals for boots on there. Sign up and get email offers for up to 35% off and just be patient and wait for it to be valid on boots. Just make sure to use them before your hunt and work out any kinks with them. I went through a few pairs before finding the right ones.

[AZ Vince]

I use the 10X Diamondbacks but they back up a 15 X 56 pair on a tripod. Go for better if you can.
For boots I'd look at lightweight mountaineering boots. I use La Sportiva.

[pointysticks]

what danners do you own?

elk hunting runs the full spectrum of terrain. i have a buddy that did it a few years ago in Trail running shoes. he absolutely crushed us hiking. he did the same thing in the sierras..he brought out the heaviest load of venison wearing those new balance trail joggers.
i bet if you have good feet, your current danners would kick butt..

then you have a $1000 to spend on optics..and that "changes everything"..haha.

[AZ Vince]

Where is the like button for pointysticks post?

[JoeH2o]

I've been looking to get rid of my old Razors. They are still in great shape, no scratches, just a lot of old dried blood on them. PM me or Elknut if you are interested.

[swmoelk]

I have the hood winter lights. They're a good boot but with my pack in sidehilling ditch banks they're not to sturdy. That's how I'm training for the mountains . I sidehill the road ditch and an abandoned rail bed. I also have a few steep hills that match the grade of my hunting area just A LOT shorter climb.

[swmoelk]

Pulled the trigger on some demo vipers from the elknut store. Wow I absolutely love them .

[elknturkey]

what danners do you own?

elk hunting runs the full spectrum of terrain. i have a buddy that did it a few years ago in Trail running shoes. he absolutely crushed us hiking. he did the same thing in the sierras..he brought out the heaviest load of venison wearing those new balance trail joggers.
i bet if you have good feet, your current danners would kick butt..

then you have a $1000 to spend on optics..and that "changes everything"..haha.

Yep give me trail running shoes any day over boots. Only time I wear boots is in snow.

[Swede]

swmoelk: Congrats on the new Vipers. I found mine to be excellent. They are very near the optical quality of much higher priced binoculars. I have read many times, buy the most expensive binoculars you can afford. After looking through the Vipers, I just ask why. Certainly the value is there. I cannot imagine you ever regretting the ones you chose.

[swmoelk]

Thanks Swede. They're the first real set of binos I've ever bought and couldn't be more happy with them. They're crystal clear and gather a lot of light.