12x50 binos

[Frank grimes]

Thinking of picking up some 12x50's. Mainly for times when I'm sitting and glassing a larger area. Eventually would like to get a tripod. Only problem is budget. I simply can't afford some of the high end brands. I was looking at maybe the vortex diamodbacks, or maybe the Celestron granite series, if I can find a good price.

Thought's . . . . Recommendations?

Thanks,

[warnniklz]

I'm assuming you don't have a spotting scope either?

[Frank grimes]

No spotter either. Just a set of 8x32 that I keep around my neck. They are nice for taking a quick look, but often I'm wanting more.

[monasheemountainman]

Get a spotter...12 x binos are big and bulky, and really aren't that much of an advantage over 10x...

[chele]

I was in a similar situation last year. I didn't need the magnification you need so my advice may not work for you. I bought a pair of porro prism binos instead of roof prism. Porros have much better qualities than a roof prism binoculars of the same price. Here is the post for the binos I got:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?133823-Low-budget-porro-prism-binoculars

[Frank grimes]

I was in a similar situation last year. I didn't need the magnification you need so my advice may not work for you. I bought a pair of porro prism binos instead of roof prism. Porros have much better qualities than a roof prism binoculars of the same price. Here is the post for the binos I got:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?133823-Low-budget-porro-prism-binoculars

Thanks for the link. I never thought to look at porros. Back to more research I guess.

[Brew]

Go for it. I have 15x50 that I mount to a tripod and it's way better than a spotter. They really improved my glassing. Don't get me wrong I do have a spotter but it only comes out once I locat something worth taking a better look. For sure buy a tripod.
Two eyes are way better than one and reduces eye strain huge during long glassing sessions. Because you have 8x32 I would get 15x binos. I think they would serve you better. Try the vortex kaibabs. They get really good reviews. I treated myself to a pair of swaro though

[ljalberta]

No experience with the 12x50s, although I'm interested in trying a set. I would say try out a tripod setup with your 8x32 though first if you're able. You might be surprised at how effective the 8s are once stabilized on a tripod for long glassing sessions. It'll improve your glassing game big time, and give you more time to save up for a better pair of binos if you wanted to.

[Frango]

Just a word of caution. It is very hard to hold 12 x anything steady enough to see objects. I would not go higher than 10x 42. This is from 40 plus years in the lens business. Trying to tell an immature moose at 300 meters with a 12x50 would be like drinking coffee on a quad in an open cup on a rough road. Doable but not fun.

[huntcoop]

I have the Diamondbacks and they are VERY good for the price, would certainly recommend them. This year I'm also getting a lightweight tripod for glassing with the binos.

[whitlers]

Too much bino IMO

I can feel the difference trying to focus for long periods of time out of 10x42 compared to my 8x42's. I couldn't imagine trying to glass continually with 12x50s without a tripod.

[Frank grimes]

Thanks for all the input. I've got more to think about now. Also have more time as the fund's I had set a side are now required for more important matters.
The main plan was to use the 12's on a tripod and keep the 8's for general looking. So maybe a spotter would be better, although I really liked glassing with some 15x. Binos. To much to think about.
Any tripod recommendations, in the 200-300 range?

[New Bow Hunter]

This is what I purchased several years ago for my professional camera.
I kept just in case. I have a "V" block mounted on the top for shooting. I can quickly remove it and put my Binoculars on it.
I see now they have a lightweight aluminium model.
https://www.manfrotto.ca/products/photo-tripods/tripod-with-heads

[ljalberta]

I run a Slik Sprint Pro II tripod with a Benro S2 panhead. The total cost was about $250. You can also get the same tripod with a cheaper Slik panhead for well under $200. I am pleased with the setup for what I paid. The setup obviously isn't as steady or robust as more expensive models, but it holds my binos and spotter beautifully.

[Surrey Boy]

Just a word of caution. It is very hard to hold 12 x anything steady enough to see objects. I would not go higher than 10x 42. This is from 40 plus years in the lens business. Trying to tell an immature moose at 300 meters with a 12x50 would be like drinking coffee on a quad in an open cup on a rough road. Doable but not fun.

+1!

Others may have steadier hands and better eyes than I, but even in my 30s this is becoming an issue.

[ActionJackson017]

Just a word of caution. It is very hard to hold 12 x anything steady enough to see objects. I would not go higher than 10x 42. This is from 40 plus years in the lens business. Trying to tell an immature moose at 300 meters with a 12x50 would be like drinking coffee on a quad in an open cup on a rough road. Doable but not fun.
+2!

Even with my 10.5 x 42's I have trouble with anything outside 100 yards if I have to watch it for a while.

[huntcoop]

+1!

Others may have steadier hands and better eyes than I, but even in my 30s this is becoming an issue.


+2!

Even with my 10.5 x 42's I have trouble with anything outside 100 yards if I have to watch it for a while.

Hence the need for a tripod.

[Surrey Boy]

Hence the need for a tripod.

Next binos I buy, I'll check for compatibility with a tripod.

Does this mean I'm committed to a single brand of glass?

[ActionJackson017]

Don't think so SB, I think many binoculars have a 1/4 x 20 hole in the front. I just had to unscrew the cap between the objective lenses on mine, and buy an adapter that connects the binos to a tripod.

[Glenny]

Next binos I buy, I'll check for compatibility with a tripod.

Does this mean I'm committed to a single brand of glass?

Could just use your shooting stick.

[hardnocks]

i have a pair of 12-42 monarch 5s ...they are no bigger then the 10s and no harder to hold ....

[chele]

Here is a picture of the Nikon 7x50 porro binos and the vortex diamond back 12x50. The vortex are slightly smaller but they are heavier.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/chelemena/bch/IMAG0248_zps1xbmel5b.jpg

[Frank grimes]

Thanks for posting that.

[Ajsawden]

Your field of view starts to drop drastically as your magnification goes up. I find that the larger magnifications are more useful for looking AT things that you have already identified with your smaller ones. No matter which ones you decide on, pick the ones that are best for YOU. Try all the brands and all the models (+/- a reasonable amount from your price point). Some will say that $300 dollar leupolds are way better than the $300 dollar bushells, but maybe the leupolds give you eye strain and the bushnells don't. "Better" is relative to you, not what others say. Good luck and I hope you find nice optics.