Field Tip Optics Selection for a Mountain Hunt

[@kalikasurf]

I’ve got the vortex 12x50 diamondbacks, and I’ve found if I hook a couple fingers over the bill of my hat, I can be much more steady. Not sure if that will help anyone, but figured I’d throw it out there.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Anything that you can use to make you steadier is a great idea. Thanks for the comment!

[@danbond5971]

Hey Greg, what's your opinion between vortex uhd 10x42 vs SWAROVSKI el 10x42 as far as clarity. Thanks for your time.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Hey Dan, I've been doing super-well with the Vortex binoculars over the past couple of years, and Vortex has been working hard on improving all their optics for years now. I used the 10x42 UHD's last year and they didn't leave anything to be desired.

[@VICSKIM949]

Swaro's are the stand alone optic for quality and clarity, Dan. Vortex make some good stuff yes, but Greg is probably getting freebies as Vortex sponsors his stuff. It's your decision whether you want to spend $2,500 on binoculars though.

[@josiahjoiner9096]

Greg, I just picked up that same spotting scope. What tripod are you using?

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

This past year I used a Miller. I can't recommend it, as it's way over-powered for glassing. It's a video tripod and thus super-smooth and steady, but way too heavy. I can't recommend anything in particular at the moment. If you're running a nice scope, a solid and light tripod is a must. You don't need crazy smooth panning, though that's nice if you can get it. The ability to get nice and low is important if you are the mountains and will need to hide from wind.

[@wolverinekut]

👍💯

[@mikegray7326]

Looks like vortex makes a 10x42 and a 10x50, is the main advantage to the 10x50s more light? What would make the 10x42s better?

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

The 10x50s will have a wider field of view than the 42s. I love the Razor UHD, which only comes in 10x42, and they are fabulous for the kind of hunting I do. With the higher end glass and binos, you are going to get a brighter sight picture as well. The 10x50s will likely be heavier and bulkier.

[@alicdim1256]

Actually this is not correct. As contradictory as it may seem, the 10x50 will have a narrower FOV than the 10x42 (315 ft. vs. 362 ft. @ 1000 yds.). The 10x50 will be brighter. That is its only advantage.

[@bruin1980]

Greg, do you carry a rangefinder?

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

A rangefinder is mandatory. It didn't make the cut in this video, but knowing the range of your game is a big deal. In the mountains, it's tough to tell the distance of anything as there is not much to compare the animal to.

[@bruin1980]

@@GregMcHalesWildYukon Understood. It does not appear that you have a rangefinder integrated into your binos or scope, so I assume you are utilizing a separate handheld unit. What is the rationale for a separate unit? Weight? Ability to upgrade the rangerfinder without buying new glass too?

[@bruin1980]

Disregard, I found the info on your web page. Lots of good info there, thanks.