Next Year’s Upgrade

[7mm-08]

Im thinking primarily western hunts, but what would you upgrade for next year?

I’m good on my pack, clothes, shelter and sleep. I keep thinking about binos.

I have Vortex Diamondback 10x. They do just fine. Would I really know the difference in a higher end brand or 12xs?

 

[timekiller13]

I’ve been threatening to upgrade to a nice lightweight mountain rifle for the last 2 yrs but always talk myself out of it. I just haven’t put my hands on one yet that screamed “take me home.”

I do need a new set of binos. My 8x42 Monarchs have seen better days.

Other than that I’m pretty good. Except boots. I will be getting a new pair soon. My Meindls have been great but after 5 trips to Colorado, one trip to Alaska and countless miles in NC mtns they are done.

 

[7mm-08]

I’ve been threatening to upgrade to a nice lightweight mountain rifle for the last 2 yrs but always talk myself out of it. I just haven’t put my hands on one yet that screamed “take me home.”

I do need a new set of binos. My 8x42 Monarchs have seen better days.

Other than that I’m pretty good. Except boots. I will be getting a new pair soon. My Meindls have been great but after 5 trips to Colorado, one trip to Alaska and countless miles in NC mtns they are done.

I think my Schnees have a few trips left in them, but I listened to a guy that was a good salesman on Hunt Backcountry Podcast that had me wanting new boots for a few days. Snake oil?

495 | Feet & Footwear Anatomy with Lathrop & Sons

Podcast Episode · The Hunt Backcountry Podcast · 10/09/2024 · 1h 51m

podcasts.apple.com

 

[Castle Oak 2]

I added a lightweight Vortex spotter this year and it’s just what I needed for scouting. Saved me a ton hiking and driving.

 

[Jimbob78]

I’ve never been hunting out west but from shooting long/extreme range, Swarovski is hands down, night and day difference is seeing definition at greater distance.

 

[QuietButDeadly]

Another 100 acres would be nice.

 

[FishHunt]

Getting in better shape (if you are not) would be a big plus. Getting really good boots suited to the terrain you'll be in is a must. I still use my 10x42 Diamondback but upgrading to the 10x42 Viper has proven to be worth the money. I good clear packable spotting scope with a mount for your phone is handy for saving boot leather and reducing eye fatigue peering through a mediocre spotting scope.

<>< Fish

 

[hoyt85]

I’ve got two pairs of diamondbacks, a gen 1 and a gen 2 pair and IMO don’t cut it for long distances when you need quality detail. They’ll ride on the dash of at truck.

My go to’s are Swaro EL 10x42. Good glass will help you kill more critters.

10x42 is a good all around bino for here and out west IMO. If I lived out there I’d prolly carry 12x50’s.

Steve brings up alot of good points about boots. I’m not a stiff boot guy. My go to boots this year for elk were the lapppnia 3’s.

 

[FishHunt]

I’ve got two pairs of diamondbacks, a gen 1 and a gen 2 pair and IMO don’t cut it for long distances when you need quality detail. They’ll ride on the dash of at truck.

My go to’s are Swaro EL 10x42. Good glass will help you kill more critters.

10x42 is a good all around bino for here and out west IMO. If I lived out there I’d prolly carry 12x50’s.

Steve brings up alot of good points about boots. I’m not a stiff boot guy. My go to boots this year for elk were the lapppnia 3’s.

There is no real comparison between my new Vipers and my cousin's 10 year old Swarovski EL binos on detail or low light use. None! Those EL binos are amazing!

<>< Fish

 

[hoyt85]

There is no real comparison between my new Vipers and my cousin's 10 year old Swarovski EL binos on detail or low light use. None! Those EL binos are amazing!

<>< Fish

A real world side by side comparison will answer your questions and you’ll see the cost difference in glass and why.

I saw crows with my diamondbacks, buddy said “look through these swaro’s”…I then could see a strutter and two hens. That’s what sold me on what good glass can do.

I’ve heard the NL’s are even better than the EL’s.

 

[Cornbread]

I have seen some mention Meindl boots and have been threatening to get a pair for a couple years, anybody got any feedback on these, the website says to use the Brannock measurement device, are they pretty accurate on sizing? I think after Christmas I’m going to pull the trigger on a pair of the comfort fit hunter 400

 

[Bailey Boat]

BOOTS, they are comfort for your feet, and without your feet your sitting in camp looking at the big boys through a spotting scope... BOOTS..

 

[richard corn]

those Leica binos are sweet. Germany is where the good glass lives

 

[Loganwayne]

If your planning on taking a spotting scope. Get a GOOD phone adapter mount. I'd rather look at a phone screen watching something than looking through a spotter all day. I used mine today shooting rifles. Plus they take good video and photos and can zoom in on phone once you max put spotter

 

[Natebonebusta]

I have seen some mention Meindl boots and have been threatening to get a pair for a couple years, anybody got any feedback on these, the website says to use the Brannock measurement device, are they pretty accurate on sizing? I think after Christmas I’m going to pull the trigger on a pair of the comfort fit hunter 400

I wear a 11.5 in salamon everyday. My perfekt hunters by miendl are size 11. Also picked up a used pair of zamberlan boots and they recommend a half size less than what you daily wear and they also fit great for me in 11. They are both good boots.

 

[7mm-08]

Anyone have any reviews of the modern range finding binos? Maybe they weigh a bit more, but I’d also be dropping a piece of gear and a carry pouch off my chest rig.

 

[BoonDock]

Suppressor will be the addition for me.

 

[Jimbob78]

Anyone have any reviews of the modern range finding binos? Maybe they weigh a bit more, but I’d also be dropping a piece of gear and a carry pouch off my chest rig.

View attachment 163588

What’s your limit on range you are shooting? I’d rather have a pair of Swarovski pures and a cheaper rangefinder without all the bells and whistles if you are limiting yourself to 600 yards. We’ve used terrapins for well over a decade, they are stupid accurate but you don’t need anything like that with the capabilities of measuring a mile and a half if your limit is 400 yards.

 

[7mm-08]

What’s your limit on range you are shooting? I’d rather have a pair of Swarovski pures and a cheaper rangefinder without all the bells and whistles if you are limiting yourself to 600 yards. We’ve used terrapins for well over a decade, they are stupid accurate but you don’t need anything like that with the capabilities of measuring a mile and a half if your limit is 400 yards.

I’d say 500 until I get some time on a longer range to verify drops and get comfortable with more.

 

[Jimbob78]

I’d say 500 until I get some time on a longer range to verify drops and get comfortable with more.

The other question I’d have to answer for myself is how fast can I range a close target through binoculars vs a stand alone rangefinder. I’m sure the ranging binos like the swarovskis would be great at longer ranges but what about 75 yards; how much searching would it take to find the target. It says 360ish feet field of view at 1000 yards.

 

[25contender]

Good Boots, great socks, Swarovski 10x42s, good trecking poles, anything lighter than what you have now. Over the years I have knocked off 10lbs off by 7 day pack total.

 

[7mm-08]

Ouch. $3k on the Swaros. I wasn’t expecting that large a jump. Is there a gain in going from $350 Diamondbacks to something in the 1000-1500 range, or is it so marginal go big?
I mean I knew Swaros were expensive, I just wasn’t looking for a $3k upgrade. Maybe I’ll try some and get talked into it. I spend days in my Diamondback 10x42s, so in upgrade does seem justifiable.

 

[Jimbob78]

Ouch. $3k on the Swaros. I wasn’t expecting that large a jump. Is there a gain in going from $350 Diamondbacks to something in the 1000-1500 range, or is it so marginal go big?
I mean I knew Swaros were expensive, I just wasn’t looking for a $3k upgrade. Maybe I’ll try some and get talked into it. I spend days in my Diamondback 10x42s, so in upgrade does seem justifiable.

There is that big of jump in their razor spotting scope vs the Swarovski.

 

[Deep River]

My recommendation would be a reasonably priced set of rangefinding binos. I have experience with the Lieca, Vortex, Nikon and Burris variants in the $1000 range and they are pretty much interchangeable -- and all very helpful.

Our 'upgrades' this year will be moving from our 280 AIs to 7mm PRCs. Sticking with Savages, but changing from 110 Timberlines to Impluses. The Impulses are kind of heavy, but that is what we like.

We currently have Impluses in 6.5 CM and 300 Win Mag and have been very pleased with them. The straight pull takes some getting used to, but it is really nice when you do get used to it.

For glass we are 'upgrading' from Burris Veracity 3-15s to Veracity PH 4-20s. The PHs have a dial to range heads-up display that seems really nice.

 

[sky hawk]

Ouch. $3k on the Swaros. I wasn’t expecting that large a jump. Is there a gain in going from $350 Diamondbacks to something in the 1000-1500 range, or is it so marginal go big?
I mean I knew Swaros were expensive, I just wasn’t looking for a $3k upgrade. Maybe I’ll try some and get talked into it. I spend days in my Diamondback 10x42s, so in upgrade does seem justifiable.

If you're using Diamondbacks, I would upgrade the binos, but you don't need $3k Swaros. There will be clarity gains in price points below that - like you said in the $1,000-1500 range.

This is a derail - but everyone here is frugal when there's a finances thread, and they all talk about delayed gratification, but start a gun thread - or even worse - an optics thread, and you're shorting yourself if you don't spend $thousands$ on top of the line. Makes me . Life is all about priorities. But everything can't be a priority all at once. Though I will say if there's ever a situation to prioritize optics, it's out west. The guys paying that money for top end glass to hunt around here are wasting it, IMO.

 

[Randy]

Ouch. $3k on the Swaros. I wasn’t expecting that large a jump. Is there a gain in going from $350 Diamondbacks to something in the 1000-1500 range, or is it so marginal go big?
I mean I knew Swaros were expensive, I just wasn’t looking for a $3k upgrade. Maybe I’ll try some and get talked into it. I spend days in my Diamondback 10x42s, so in upgrade does seem justifiable.

In that price range you might want to look at the Zeiss Conquest binos. I upgraded to some about 8 years ago and they have been a very good investment. I believe they still can be had for around 1k.

 

[Jimbob78]

If you're using Diamondbacks, I would upgrade the binos, but you don't need $3k Swaros. There will be clarity gains in price points below that - like you said in the $1,000-1500 range.

This is a derail - but everyone here is frugal when there's a finances thread, and they all talk about delayed gratification, but start a gun thread - or even worse - an optics thread, and you're shorting yourself if you don't spend $thousands$ on top of the line. Makes me . Life is all about priorities. But everything can't be a priority all at once. Though I will say if there's ever a situation to prioritize optics, it's out west. The guys paying that money for top end glass to hunt around here are wasting it, IMO.

The cheap man spends more

 

[Deep River]

The cheap man spends more

The discerning consumer spends less.

 

[30/06]

I have seen some mention Meindl boots and have been threatening to get a pair for a couple years, anybody got any feedback on these, the website says to use the Brannock measurement device, are they pretty accurate on sizing? I think after Christmas I’m going to pull the trigger on a pair of the comfort fit hunter 400

Have had Meindls I’ve loved and a pair now I hate. The mountain style boots are very stiff and heavy. The euro light hunter or similar look intersting, my vakuum hunters are falling apart after some fairly light use, disappointing. Meindl has offered to take a look at pics and work with me, just haven’t had time to take the pics and see what they are willing to do. Had a pair of perfekt hunters, they were Chinese made for cabelas which l loved.

 

[Jimbob78]

Ouch. $3k on the Swaros. I wasn’t expecting that large a jump. Is there a gain in going from $350 Diamondbacks to something in the 1000-1500 range, or is it so marginal go big?
I mean I knew Swaros were expensive, I just wasn’t looking for a $3k upgrade. Maybe I’ll try some and get talked into it. I spend days in my Diamondback 10x42s, so in upgrade does seem justifiable.

If you are looking at the swaro binocular rangefinders, vectronix makes vectors that are a little cheaper that uses leica glass, if I’m not mistaken. Vectronix is the leader of rangefinders