How to Choose Hunting Optics: Spotting Scopes, Binoculars & Rangefinders

How do you choose hunting optics without spending money on magnification and features you don’t need? I break down how to choose a spotting scope, binoculars, and a laser rangefinder for western hunting and whitetail scouting. From angled vs. straight spotting scopes to 10x vs. 12x binoculars, I explain the tradeoffs behind my glassing setup and what I’d look for before upgrading. I use my Maven S3 spotting scope, B6 12x50 binoculars, and RF1 rangefinder to demonstrate, but the buying considerations apply across optics brands. ·         Angled vs. straight spotting scopes—and why I switched to angled ·         Choosing spotting scope magnification to complement your binoculars ·         Why I prefer 12x50 binoculars for western hunting and whitetails ·         When higher-power binoculars might replace a spotting scope ·         Tripod mounting, binocular diopter adjustment, and digiscoping adapters ·         What rangefinder distance ratings mean for different targets ·         Angle compensation, brightness controls, and field/forest modes Subscribe to Drawn West and leave a rating and review. Sign up for the newsletter through the link below, and follow @getdrawnwest on Instagram. For the hands-on demonstrations, watch on YouTube or Spotify. Stay drawn.   Check out the optics I run from Maven: https://mavenbuilt.com/?utm_source=&utm_medium=drawnwest&utm_content=archery&utm_campaign=bb_maven_2026   Stay Ahead of Hunting Season with the Drawn West Newsletter. Get practical emails on deadlines, draw strategy, new episodes, and giveaway updates. Join Here: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/newsletter Looking for more content from Drawn West? Check out our latest article! Check out Drawn West Apparel:https://www.getdrawnwest.com/shop   FREE Gear Checklist: https://www.getdrawnwest.com/gear Connect with Brian Krebs https://linktr.ee/getdrawnwest Have Questions or Comments? Send an email to [email protected]! Sponsors and Discounts: GOHUNT Insider - $50 Gear Shop Credit with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/g3aa8L4 GOHUNT Gear Shop – 10% off most items with code DRAWNWEST https://alnk.to/e75Pm4u Save 10% on Maverick Hunting Blinds & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST https://maverickhunting.com/?ref=getdrawnwest Save 20% On Reveal Cell Cams & Accessories with code DRAWNWEST20 https://www.tactacam.com/ Best Prices on Trauma Kits & First Aid at Jase.com https://rstr.co/jasemedical/getdrawnwest 00:00:00 Intro & Drawn West Updates 00:03:40 Angled vs. Straight SpottingScopes 00:12:45 Scouting Whitetails From YourTruck 00:19:40 Spotting Scope Magnification& Digiscoping 00:22:55 Pairing Spotters With Binoculars 00:25:15 Tripod Mounts &Interchangeable Eyepieces 00:30:50 Choosing Hunting BinocularMagnification 00:36:05 How to Focus Your Binoculars 00:40:00 Rangefinders & AngleCompensation 00:43:20 What Rangefinder DistanceRatings Mean 00:48:50 Rangefinder Brightness &Field/Forest Modes 00:52:15 Tripod Ranging & Maven RFZZoom