Binocular and harness recommendation for 3D shoots
I know this isn't what you're asking, but I don't see many people using binoculars at traditional shoots in my area. Open shoots where compounds are on the same range, yes. But that is one of the big reasons I generally don't attend those types of shoots.
For me personally, there is nothing more irritating than being held up at each target by guys studying each target with binoculars and going through all kinds of gyrations before shooting. It just slows the whole process down and takes much of the enjoyment out of it for me.
In my mind, 3D shoots are great places to practice for hunting. I look at the target, pick my spot, draw and shoot. The joy of traditional archery is in its simplicity. :thumbsup:
I agree with Whip!
Most shoots don't allow binos at the stake. If you use them ahead of getting to the stake there will be little to no hold up. Any pocket binos will do for traditional 3D shoots.
How far away do you put them targets??
The heart's right up between the upper leg joints. Pay no attention to the dots and circles on the skin. ;-)
x3 with Whip super annoying, there just 3-d targets, shoot where your supposed to and enjoy yourself while your shooting, Todd
I rarely keep score when I shoot 3D. For me, if I hit the spot I picked out on the foam, I'm happy. There's a couple of shoots a year that are competitive, and have some sort of trophy for the top shooters, and I always end up shooting my worst it seems.
I'm not sure anybody really addressed the original question. I agree completely with Whip about whether or not they should be allowed, but where they are, I would prefer a low-power, small set. I'm looking seriously at a 6x30 Vortex for my bow hunting. I will carry it on a slightly longer than normal strap slung over my shoulder and hanging under my off-side (string hand side) arm. I really hate being out in the woods without binos. Something moving in the shadows under a tree remains just that - something - without some glass help for my tired old eyes.
I also agree with Whip
I also agree with Whip.
Simple answer is that since 3-D is hunting practice you should use your hunting equipment for familiarity. Use whatever binoculars you normally hunt with.
I agree 100% with Whip and that's one of the main reasons I stopped going to shoots that included compound shooters. I love to shoot but don't want to spend 3 hrs shooting 25 arrows. Especially in the summer.
But you did ask about binoculars so I'll say that if I was going to use them for a shoot I'd use the same ones I planned on having around my neck while I was hunting. For me that's a high quality pair of 10x42s. It's become cliche but the old saying of buy the best you can afford still holds true for binos.
I'm a practice like I play kind of guy. I like my Swarovski 8x30 CL with factory strap over head and one arm so they lay along my side when shooting. I've yet to find a harness I like though I have also used a hill people gear kit bag with some success carrying smaller binos.
And I agree with the others, not to mention the shoots I go to don't allow them.
I'm in strong agreement with Mr. Whip for all the reasons already stated. Also agree that once you get a pair of Swaro 8x30's you'll stop shopping for bino's.
if you got to use bino for 3D you aint shooting trad Gear :archer2:
To the best of my recollection, I have never shot at a traditional archery 3d shoot from club level to state championships that allowed the use of binoculars.
I use the same bino's I use for hunting and have a harness that holds them tight to my chest. I differ from the other guys in that I like glassing the targets. Just do so before its your turn to shoot so as not to delay other shooters. Also I have never hunted stegasauraus, or T-Rex. Bino's have boosted my score and I'm a competitive person. Hope this helps 3-D is great practice for hunting.
I'll go out on a limb here and defend them. I don't generally carry them, but they should be allowed and used at competitive shoots where they have the annoying habit of mixing less familiar makes of 3-D animals, some of which arguably have the vitals questionably placed and not visible to the naked eye. There was an albino turkey that comes to mind (manuf. to remain anonymous)that the vitals on the strutting, broadside bird was so far back it likley wouldn't even have been a lethal hit short of getting lucky and breaking the spine. What should have been a 10 ring hit would have scored a 5. A quick glance through a pair of binocs would have at least told you where to aim!
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
Simple answer is that since 3-D is hunting practice you should use your hunting equipment for familiarity. Use whatever binoculars you normally hunt with.
Agreed
QuoteOriginally posted by Jim Wright:
To the best of my recollection, I have never shot at a traditional archery 3d shoot from club level to state championships that allowed the use of binoculars.
same here, they are not allowed at our state traditional shoots, actually im glad of that, I got so tired of compound shoots with people and their binos, stools, umbrellas and everything else.. maybe im different, but im just shooting for hunting practice and to have fun with my buds... but everyone is different and some more hooked on shooting that 12 ring or whatever, for those I would assume use whatever ya do hunting, just please don't be one of those that stand at the stake forever..... it makes it hard on everyone else
And the other side of the coin is that there is a whole pile of trad guys out there that compete at various levels through organizations such as the IBO. The IBO does in fact allow binoculars at the stake and any good 8 to 10 power will do. I prefer leupold for their unlimited lifetime warranty. They just replaced my tired 12 year old binoculars with the brand new pair this year no questions asked. Really doesn't matter whether you use binoculars are not to each his own the key is that everybody still has fun, we are all just brothers with different mothers aren't we?
Most trad shooters are ornery cusses like Whip and therefore most trad only shoots do not allow binoculars. :D We don't have a rule against them at TBOF shoots, but whenever someone breaks a pair out they catch a lot of grief. Truth is that if you are playing to win they can make a world of difference on oddly positioned targets even at close distances. It is not a big deal if you glass before it is your turn to shoot, but if you wait until you get to the stake you are just bogging down the whole process for everyone.
I've never used binoculars at a 3D shoot, but I also later wished I had them at almost every one of them. Some of the targets have some oddly placed "vitals" that I would like to check out prior to shooting. I'm not extremely competitive, but I sure would like to know I'm shooting at the right spot. It's kind of aggravating to me when I make a perfect shot, and then get to the target and score a 5.
Whip has got it.
QuoteOriginally posted by BDann:
I've never used binoculars at a 3D shoot, but I also later wished I had them at almost every one of them. Some of the targets have some oddly placed "vitals" that I would like to check out prior to shooting. I'm not extremely competitive, but I sure would like to know I'm shooting at the right spot. It's kind of aggravating to me when I make a perfect shot, and then get to the target and score a 5.
I couldn't agree more. I shot my first tourneys ever this year and having no previous experience with the scoring/targets/etc. I felt like that was a major disadvantage. I have since shot 1 more tourney and I will be carrying some bino's at my next tournament.
To refresh everyone's memory, the question was, what bino's would you use at a trad shoot? Not, would you use them? Or how do you feel about them?
Guys that glass at the stake should be outlawed...they slow everyone up and it's rude.
If your eyes are like mine and you just want to see where the ten ring is, then use them, but for heaven's sake, be courteous.
I like a compact set...Vortex 6x30s ought to be all you need.They're good glass for the money.
Whip nailed it!!!!!!!!!!!!
I disagree with whip on this one!
I shoot a lot of 3D and I like to compete. 3D is a game. I do not want to lose points when I made a great shot that hit right where I was looking, but I was looking in the wrong place. The 12-rings on a lot of 3D targets are not in the same place where I would aim on a real live critter! If I miss the mark, I want it to be because I made a bonehead shot, and not because I was looking in the wrong place. I use the binos on nearly every target, and do fast enough that I do not hold anyone up. At all the Traditional Bowhunters of Texas shoots, the rule is that you cannot use binos from the stake, so I look before I even get to the stake, and take no longer than any other shooter.
I use Alpen Shasta Ridge 8x42 binos (about $200 new) for my 3D shoots. I bought my first pair in 2005 and used them with no problems until this past September (these are also my hunting binos. I do not need high end binos fo my hunting as I rarely ever hunt open country where I have to see very far. I was on a mule deer hunt in NM and while getting out of my truck one morning, they fell from the truck seat to the ground. They had been knocked around and dropped several times before this with no ill effects. This time something broke inside the binos and one side would not work any more. When I got home from that hunt I called Alpen and was told they had a lifetime warranty. I sent them in, and in less than two weeks, had a brand new pair in my mailbox. I am sold on the Alpen brand now because of their great customer service.
For carrying them I have a J hook on my quiver belt. I then have a small braided paracord attached to my binos (maybe 5" long) and the binos hang on the hook when I am not using them. It works very well. Up till this year I used a shoulder strap. That worked OK, but got heavy after a while, and was a pain to get off when someone wanted to borrow the binos for a second.
Bisch
QuoteOriginally posted by Oak518:
Binocular and harness recommendation for 3D shoots
This was his topic and question, not weather you do or don't like them at 3D shoots.
total disregard for his question is just rude....
just me :dunno:
Vortex 8x42 and badlands strap for me.....
With Bisch on this one. Going to use a pair of Bushnell 10/42 on sale 57% off. Wanted a pair of 8/32 but no deal. I had LASIK done and it left me with one eye out of focus ,tried 3x to correct. So I will catch some grief but I will be out there having fun.
I plan on carrying my 8x42 Nikon monarchs to the next shoot I go to. A quick check of the right spot is all I'm after.
Well, I will disagree with EVERYBODY on everything.. hows that ! I feel ornery today.
Ya know. . . if they'd a wanted you to see the ten ring zone from the stake, they woulda made it obvious. Big black or white lines. They didn't . . for a reason. You are supposed to shoot for a "supposed kill zone. Of course, there SHOULD be some obligation on the manufacturer and the ranger setter uppers to present a real target then.
If the mfr zings in a really crappy rendition of heart lung location, it screws everybody up and does no good for everybody.
Equally, if the target has a kill zone based on a broadside position, and it is placed at a hard quarter, again, the ten ring will be located very poorly for a kill shot.
Kinda like having a flat ring target, but moving it over towards one side of the paper or another, but not telling anybody.
To directly answer the question. I can't think of a single shoot where the target is over 100 yards away, and typically they are less than 30 yards. A pair of child's $3.00 binoculars will work near as well as a $1,000 pair and they can fit in your pocket. Take your pick.
My two cents
ChuckC
I use trad binoculars. Two toilet rolls glued together and painted black.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I disagree with whip on this one!
I shoot a lot of 3D and I like to compete. 3D is a game. I do not want to lose points when I made a great shot that hit right where I was looking, but I was looking in the wrong place. The 12-rings on a lot of 3D targets are not in the same place where I would aim on a real live critter! If I miss the mark, I want it to be because I made a bonehead shot, and not because I was looking in the wrong place. I use the binos on nearly every target, and do fast enough that I do not hold anyone up. At all the Traditional Bowhunters of Texas shoots, the rule is that you cannot use binos from the stake, so I look before I even get to the stake, and take no longer than any other shooter.
I use Alpen Shasta Ridge 8x42 binos (about $200 new) for my 3D shoots. I bought my first pair in 2005 and used them with no problems until this past September (these are also my hunting binos. I do not need high end binos fo my hunting as I rarely ever hunt open country where I have to see very far. I was on a mule deer hunt in NM and while getting out of my truck one morning, they fell from the truck seat to the ground. They had been knocked around and dropped several times before this with no ill effects. This time something broke inside the binos and one side would not work any more. When I got home from that hunt I called Alpen and was told they had a lifetime warranty. I sent them in, and in less than two weeks, had a brand new pair in my mailbox. I am sold on the Alpen brand now because of their great customer service.
For carrying them I have a J hook on my quiver belt. I then have a small braided paracord attached to my binos (maybe 5" long) and the binos hang on the hook when I am not using them. It works very well. Up till this year I used a shoulder strap. That worked OK, but got heavy after a while, and was a pain to get off when someone wanted to borrow the binos for a second.
Bisch
I agree with this 100%
I like to use an 8x monocular, it really helps on the turkey targets and the really dark targets. The monocular fits easily in my target quiver. I tried binoculars but I never found a way that I liked to carry them.
Like stated above, it stinks when you make what you thought would be a perfect shot and it does not score well. It is a game and I am very competitive, the monocular is the ticket for me. :thumbsup:
I do agree with that some folks do indeed study the target too long. We have an awesome coarse that is within an hour of my house that I will not attend due to the fact that it takes 3+ hours to shoot 30 targets.
I havnt read all the other posts.. I have never used optics at a 3D shoot.. I bought a pair of Nikon Trailblazer 10x25 binos last year for glassing fields. They are compact and fit nicely in my catquiver. I used them a couple of times to watch deer movement in and out of large corn and bean fields. they were on sale for $65. They seem to be very clear and as good as my friends more expensive binos.
If there were more cute girls on the course I may try a pair.
I think Joe pretty much said it all!
I agree with Bish on this one 100%. there are some of us that like to shoot for a good score and binos help us do that. I use 10x42 Nikons. As other people have stated there are new targets coming out all the time and new manufactures that put the kill zones in different places. If you don't know where to shoot how are you going to hit your mark. So as long as people that use binos are polite and use them correctly I don't have a problem using them.
I hunt (and shoot 3D) with a pair of Sightron 8x32 (Blu Sky series) and a Crooked Horn Outfitters Harness.
These were recommended to me by a friend of mine who is an avid birder and after doing a little further research they seemed to be a very popular budget optic. I found mine online for $180 and for the money they're the best glass I've ever looked through! If this is within your price range I'd highly encourage anyone to give them a shot, they are perfect for the application listed above.
If you are shooting to compete and not just practice for hunting, and the guy next to you is using binoculars...you will lose.
It is a competition whether you guys like it or not. If you choose not to compete and just practice for hunting, that is your option. But don't be aggravated by someone who chooses to shoot to win!
Sometimes I compete, sometimes I practice for hunting.
If I use binos, I love Nikon Monarch's. It's what I hunt locally with. They are not too big and bulky, and give a very clear view. They don't get in the way of my draw. (Without breaking the wallet too bad).
You guys must have great sight. When I stand 20 to 30 yards from some of these targets like a mosquito or a frog I can't see the kill zone so I take a quick look with my binos to see where to shoot.
reddogge is right, you guys bring some of the ugliest women to 3-d shoots.
10X40's for seeing scoring rings on a belt hook
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
If there were more cute girls on the course I may try a pair.
:biglaugh: Awesome
To answer the question: I use what I hunt with zeiss 10x42 HD
TO REPLY TO THE OFF TOPIC DISUSSION.
I don't typically ever use binoculars when we do 3D; but closer to the season I WILL just to get used to them on my shoulders for when I actually hunt. In CO we use them a lot.
I'm not opposed to people using them, IF AND ONLY IF they are not taking MINUTES for the procedure. It only takes 5 seconds. And you can do that while others are ahead of you And you are behind them. The bigger problem is glassing AFTER THE SHOT! Awful annoying.
QuoteOriginally posted by Matty:
QuoteOriginally posted by reddogge:
If there were more cute girls on the course I may try a pair.
:biglaugh: Awesome
To answer the question: I use what I hunt with zeiss 10x42 HD
TO REPLY TO THE OFF TOPIC DISUSSION.
I don't typically ever use binoculars when we do 3D; but closer to the season I WILL just to get used to them on my shoulders for when I actually hunt. In CO we use them a lot.
I'm not opposed to people using them, IF AND ONLY IF they are not taking MINUTES for the procedure. It only takes 5 seconds. And you can do that while others are ahead of you And you are behind them. The bigger problem is glassing AFTER THE SHOT! Awful annoying. [/b]
Absolutely. My buddy does this. Annoys the hell out of everyone. But he's huge.
3d shoots are definitely a competition and I admit to being competitive myself but the idea that someone is unfairly disadvantaged because they can't use binoculars to see the scoring rings on a target is a bit of a reach. Everyone in a class is standing at the same stake looking at the same target. The shot is the same for everyone! Is it "unfair" because some shooters have better vision than others? Have we not all shot from stakes that were "unfair" to a tall longbow shooter because of a low branch or from stakes that was "unfairly" placed for a left-handed shooter? Most of us are in Traditional Archery probably in large part because of the challenge it affords us. While binoculars are an extremely useful tool when hunting to locate game, you certainly don't use them after animals are located and when they are within 10 to 25 yards and at the moment just before you take a shot.
Hmm, seems the mans question was about recommendations for binoculars, not about the ethics of using binoculars at a shoot. Let's stay on topic guys.
Can't help but notice this to be one reason why many compound guys come to see us as elitists... overindulgent commentary.
With all due respect Matt, this is of course a traditional archery site and the gentlemen's post is requesting recommendations for equipment that is banned in every TRADITIONAL ARCHERY 3d shoot I've ever attended. Further I suspect most members here are as I am, opposed to their use. Regardless, I feel that this is a perfectly acceptable place to offer input on the ethics of using them, for both those opposed like myself and those in favor.
I also agree with Whip...
I also agree with Whip...
Someone just intelligently posted another thread
to discuss this so this thread no longer gets side tracked.......