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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,471
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,471 |
I seen this on another forum and it was a good read. It's also the off season and I am always looking for ways to spend money... What is everyone's glassing set up? List your optics, tripod, tripod head, stool or pad, etc. Also what would you like to change about your setup. Pics preferred. Dink
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 11,273
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 11,273 |
Mine is pretty low drama. I use 8x32 Meopta Meostar HDs and when I'm glassing for a long time, I stick a trekking pole in the dirt and rest them on top of that. Seems to work pretty well. 20-60x60 Nikon Fieldscope III ED for when stuff needs a closer look, on a Slik Sprint Pro 2 tripod. Not the greatest ball head in the world and will get upgraded this year. I did get a chance to look at some 15x SLCs on an Outdoorsman's with their pan-head last weekend and it left a pretty lasting impression... That's a badass setup for when a lot of glassing needs to be did. Tanner
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,399 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,399 Likes: 1 |
Sorry nothing in pictures but my binos are either swaro 10x42 SV's or geovid HD-R 8x42's. For a spotter I have a swaro HD 80 25-50 on a velbon maxi tripod and a vanguard pan head. I'm not sure I'll be changing anything.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 920 |
12-40x60 Leupold Gold Ring HD on a Manfrotto BeFree Carbon. 8x30 Mavens. For my style of hunting, the small binoculars have been very useful. Much lighter around my neck/in a harness than my former 8x40s and don't give up much, if anything, at dawn/dusk. If I need to see something closer I just grab the spotter out of the pack.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,607 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,607 Likes: 5 |
I spend 90+ % of my hunting time glassing from a tripod. Here's the set-up: Swarovski 15X56, Swarovski tripod adaptor, Manfrotto tripod (no clue as to model... scratched up and repainted a few times over the last 15 years.) Manfrotto 3265 pistol grip head. I sit on one of those cheap walmart pads. Sort of like a giant beanbag, but with styrofoam beads.
Super sturdy and rock solid, but the tripod and head weigh just under 6lbs together. I would like to try a carbon fiber tripod and perhaps a lighter head someday.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,971 Likes: 25
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43,971 Likes: 25 |
Nothing quicker.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,766 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,766 Likes: 1 |
not real fast nor stable, but comfey and the pack spotter
Guns don't kill people, drivers with cell phones kill people.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,851
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,851 |
Important gear....Twix and M&Ms are my favorite but after that it's a Leupold 12-40x60 GR on top of a Surui compact tripod and ball head Pad.....its a pull over jacket Leather chamois cloth My binoculars are also Leupold...10x Mojave
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,148 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,148 Likes: 5 |
I'm a minimalist right now with just these two, a Zeis victory BRF 8x42 and a 15x56 Leica Geovid HD
Last edited by George_De_Vries_3rd; 05/01/16.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 5
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 5 |
12x50 ELs with Outdoorsman's tripod for backpack Coues. Works great without excess weight.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 5
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,242 Likes: 5 |
Add a Swaro 65mm spotter for longer work... desert bighorn in this case. Someday may upgrade to the HD version, but this works pretty well for now.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,228 Likes: 1 |
Have run 15 swaros for 10 + years, manfrotto tripod pistol grip, st 80 for close work, no pics, lotsa dead critter pics though...
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,845 |
George_De_Vries_3rd, I've been thinking of trying that type of binocular holder for something different. I know Bog Pod and Bushnell each make one like yours. Who makes the one you are using in the photo?
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
Hunting focus has changed a bit for me, so I don't glass long as much as I used to... That said, the Nikon ED Fieldscope III w/fixed lens on a Slik, still compares favorably to new stuff and is lightweight. The tripod grew up a little some time ago. However, Swaro 15x56 gets taken more often now. If going lighter, which is happening more frequently, a "vintage" 8.5x42 EL only. Small pad when hunting in the hills. This below when hunting lowland. Carol loves this for astronomy gawking along with the 15x -- she provides single best excuse for upgrading perfectly adequate optics...:) walkstool
Defend the Constitution
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,126
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,126 |
"Never miss the opportunity to shut the f$%K up." Colonel Hopewell.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,517 |
I'm going to try this set up for Coues this season. Swarovski 10x42 el's. Hoping to upgrade to a sig rangefinder over my Leica lrf 1200.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,652 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,652 Likes: 3 |
Tons of pics but not on phone.
Main setup is Manfrotto carbon fiber 'pod, Manfrotto Jr. Head, with Swaro 15 HD's on top.
8x30 Swaro SLC's for my scanners. Meopta S2 20-70 for my spotter.
- Greg
Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575 |
George, I don't think this: 15x56 Leica Geovid HD and this: I'm a minimalist can go in the same sentence.
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,278
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,278 |
Tons of pics but not on phone.
Main setup is Manfrotto carbon fiber 'pod, Manfrotto Jr. Head, with Swaro 15 HD's on top.
8x30 Swaro SLC's for my scanners. Meopta S2 20-70 for my spotter. This is a pic of Greg W and one of his set ups. Pic taken with my phone through my binos.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 43 |
I changed my optics up last season and was pleased overall. I'm using a Manfrotto aluminum tripod, Meopta Meostar 12x50 binos, and a Vortex Razor 11-33x50 spotter. To me these are a pretty good combo for good glassing power vs weight.
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