Damn straight!

I'm not arguing that a tripod isn'y nice to glass from. But I am arguing that you can use a heavy 12X50 hand held. But not a 15X58/60. If you want to watch something for a while, you simply make a rest using your pack, a handy rock, or a log. I've done it many, many times over the years. Learned that one from Jack O'Connor.
If you read Rick Bin's evaluation of the Big Eyes models, he states that the 12X50 Leica runs right with the 15X58 Swaro SLC's as far as image quality. With the exception of the edges of twilight, it will show you anything the bigger Swaro will.
It all boils down to how much gear you are willing to pack. Heck, half of the time, I leave my 12X50's in camp and make do with my 8X32's. E

I hear what you are saying.
And I agree 12x50's are nice bins and if I had to get a 50mm it would be a 12x.

What I don't agree with is hand holding the bins. Anything that size in my opinion is useless without a tripod. A rock, a log or your pack might work, but what do you do when you don't have a rock or a log and you can't go prone to use your pack or take your pack off to use as a rest?
A tripod overall is better than the rock, the log or the pack hands down.

I guess we agree to disagree. you would be lost without your rock, log and pack, I am lost without my tripod.

I agree a makeshift rest works for a quick look but for serious glassing a tripod is a must IMO. For all the reasons Enrique listed above I try to use a rest even when using my 8x32s.

This was pulled directly from the "Big Eyes" article...

t was not until the light dimmed and distances got long that the Ultravid showed any weakness as a Big Eyes. "The farther I look, the more I like the 15x (Swarovski)," said one reviewer. "I see less detail at long range with the Ultravid," said another. "The extra magnification makes a lot of difference," said a third.

While the Ultravid is unquestionably an elite binocular that performs optically to the very limits of its design, some reviewers felt that it fell a bit short as a Big Eyes, requiring a tripod, yet lacking in magnification and objective diameter for low-light and long-distance work. "At 12x, I'll still need a tripod," said one. "The close-focus numbers tell me this is awesome birding glass," said another. "Neither fish, nor fowl as a Big Eyes," said a third.

Here is the review of the Vortex Kaibabs against the Swaro and Duovids that Dennis and I did back in June.
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...D_8#Post3116064

I would like to confirm what has been said before:

1)You will get much more use from a 15x Bino than a spotter, especially if you are not measuring inches of antler from a distance.

2) Even put the 10x on a tripod. It is much easier to pick up movement if the fielsd of view is tripod steady. And also easier to pick apart a motionless view.

3) Glassing with a spotter for a long time is tiring. Best to havea black eyepatch over the off eye if inclined to use a spotter.

4) Having had the Minox 15 for a period of 2 years, the resolution was very useable, and slightly better than the Zeiss and Docter porros, but less than Swaros. What I did not like about the Minox is that the eyecups had squarish, not rounded, edges that were felt on the brow at the end of the day. Also, the diopter is not locking and is right on the focus knob, so I was constantly moving it by accident. There also seems to be more field curvature than the Leica Duovids or Swaros. But for 550 bucks, its a great buy.

5) When hiking in for a coues hunt, the spotter is usually not carried as the 15s suffice. If you can see good antlers in the distance, I say it's time to get closer.

6) Don't waste your money on the Conquest 15x45 or the Vortex VIPER 15x50 (not to be confused with the new 15x56 Kaibabs)

7) Don't forget the foam butt pad for those hours of glassing.

8) For inexpensive tripods $100-150, you might consider the Manfrotto 190, Velbon Sherpa (similar to the Chaser that Kique and I have), Velbon LUXiL, or the Slik Pro AMT. The Manfrotto 700 RC2 is a nice, light, smooth head.

Doug~RR

Hey Doug,
Been meaning to thank you for your tripod recommendation from back in May. After looking at a lot of pods, I ended up with the Velbon Luxi L and I put the Manfrotto 700RC2 on it, just like you said. I really like the legs ability to lock at different angles and I can get super comfy in a chair and glass for hours. Just wanted to say thanks and let you know you were spot on.

You're welcome.
For a super light tripod for packing in miles, I like it. I like that its legs are stiffer than the Slik Sprint Pro, another ultralight tripod with adjustable leg angles.

RR

I'll add one other thing about the Vortex Kaibab's, and that is, whoever designed their "Pod-Lock" is a frigg'n genius! So simple it's amazing! I leave the female end attached to an extra Bogen quick release plate and it takes all of about five seconds to be up and running. I also like the fact you can leave the male end attached to the binos and they'll still fit in the case.

GW,
If its the same one I have for my Minox, that design has been around for a while. They even make a male end with a fork so that you can take the bins off the female end, attach the male fork and use the tripod as a shooting rest.
You are right, pure genius!