Use of Binoculars and other optics

Just wondering how many of you use Binoculars, or other optics during a skirmish. I find myself using them quite often, Enough that I've had to drop them more than once in a match to engage an enemy. I use a very handy and expensive pair That is just a tad bigger than my fist, that are effective up to 1000 yards. They have a neckstrap, but it is a very bad idea to use in the field if you are often in combat, or for anyone at all, in that matter. They get caught on evertything and swing around, the neck strap is just a real hassle. The size is VERY handy, especially in the field and/or in combat. I use them from everything to spotting targets for a sniper to checking on advancing squads or enemy groups. Just wanted to know how other players utilize, if at all, these handy tools.

We use a spotting scope and binoculars so I chose alot in a game , my spotter uses them more than I do but still I consider the spotter and the sniper one .

I always thought about using some binos, a small light weigh pair, but as yet never found any with suitable eye relief so that I can use them while wearing eye protection.

I think that I could modify my ghillie to have a 'dump pouch' on my chest, so that the binos could be stowed away safely, and avoid them swinging around in the breeze.

I use pocket binocs alot. Usually my scope is set on 3x so it's not as good at target identification as my 8x binos are.

sticks

the only time i use binoculars is when in the woods, because everything looks
like a person and with binoculars you can be sure it is a person

Binocs would be useful only to spotters, scouts, and commanders.

Lone Wolf wrote:

Binocs would be useful only to spotters, scouts, and commanders.

That isn't true. However I would say that they are probably MORE USEFULL, to spotters, scouts, etc. Rifleman and infantry often come upon situations where they need them.

When?

IVE never had to use them.

I chose "never." I love having people in my squad who do use optics (binocs, monocs), but I'm honestly not good with using them on the field. I guess I don't really need one b/c I use my scope (3-9X40). Of course my scope doesn't give me the best picture/zoom, but it does alright. it's really the added weight of carrying around an optic that's large enough I can still get a good view through the lens w/my goggles on (requires a big optic). When I'm playing I like to carry as few of things as I can to increase mobility and reduce weight so I don't wear out as quickly.

Admin wrote:

I chose "never." I love having people in my squad who do use optics (binocs, monocs), but I'm honestly not good with using them on the field. I guess I don't really need one b/c I use my scope (3-9X40). Of course my scope doesn't give me the best picture/zoom, but it does alright. it's really the added weight of carrying around an optic that's large enough I can still get a good view through the lens w/my goggles on (requires a big optic). When I'm playing I like to carry as few of things as I can to increase mobility and reduce weight so I don't wear out as quickly.

Yea I would also have to agree with the fact that your gun must already have a scope for you to see ahead.

M14, unless every member of your team spreads out on "L.W." tatics (tehe) the use of binoc's is very slim.

The only problem with binos is eye relief, it is too short for wearing eye protection. Scopes have a far longer eye relief, for obvious recoil protection.

Lone Wolf wrote:

When?

IVE never had to use them.

Say you have are in the woods, on point of your teams slow advance. You think you see something ahead. You raise up your hand meaning for your team to hold up, the all kneel and stay "weapons ready" while you try to see what it is....But you just can't tell. Its too far away. Oh! you've got your handy dany binocs!! You pull them out and take a look. Well, your glad you have them because Not only did you see a man, he is with six other men and they're hiding in perfect ambush position.

I mean, If you think about you pretty much need them whenever you can't tell what something is up ahead, or if you need to check out a spot that you think may be hot with enemys. YES, I know some of this may be what a spotter is for, but he can't be everywhere, and not EVERYBODY uses a spotter. Well thats atleast some of the things I use them for.

A. if i saw it that close ahead for me to tell movement in deep woods, it would likely be a ghille'd sniper.

B. binocs take time to focus in, and if there is enemy activity i don't want to hesitate only to confirm that someone is there, about to take a shot.

C. It is easier to just strafe 2 to the right, 2 to the left, while your DM and Support point head on, quickly surrounding the area of activity. That is the way of the rifle platoon... This would scare any L.W. commando or sniper/dm combo...Now that was if this was close enough, If i were to see movement from the opposing treeline accross a open feild, things would be a little different, In that case I would relay the area of movement and tell my recon sniper to take a look for me.

Looking for a ghille'd enemy is hard though, because YOU DON'T know what kind of a outline your looking for, the purpose of a ghille is to distort the human figure. The smart thing to do, wait...or just avoid crossing taking a longer way around, then go on a sniper hunt. lol.

Well we are obviously fighting two kinds of wars here, as I haven't near enough people to form infantry squads and rifle squads and whatnot.....So in the kinds of battles I am in, Binocs work best.....for me.

Same here, im just using common sense...and applying some of my exp. in going on sniper hunts, alone...

I haven't done much with a team, though i think i can make one "heck" of a CO...

Yeah, when we play a game of more than 3 on 3, Its usually either me or M16-A3 as the CO.

Why do you think im on a forum, that exclusively discusses sniper tatics...so i can anticipate their reactions...

as DOA Draven puts it, only i modify that, joe sniper...nah, rookie snipa...lol thats more like it.

very well put. I have thought about that also.

Well, a sniper takes shots from a long distance right. And a standard infantry man or rifleman has a shorter ranged carbine. In this case a gun i can't classify as SMG or Carbine such as the G36C. Your range of accuracy is very limited, obviously, but you have a sniper on the other side of the feild, thinking he is in a good spot because A. he can see most of your squad behind cover, B. He begins to neglect his flank (admin, you play halo, you know how often this happens). and C. he will begin to take some shots, confirming his position

Now alot of times that would be a rare occasion. as are all scenarios. or just more variable.

Any smart, patient sniper though, would wait because he only has a few shots before it is absolutely mandatory to move. And you would be more likely to take fire from the team, all the sniper is, is just a set a eyes for team with a high powered rifle. He only has a few shots, his team has hundreds. But taking out the eyes first is always a good way but not reccomended way to start a game.

yet another great point

Oh, and congrats......sergeant
*Solutes*

And im a infantry man...gosh, ive really got to lay off halo...

Lately ive made a few friends on halo who share interests in paintball and airsoft. And the funny thing is, is that we actually practice basic but limited feild craft and common sense tatics on halo...

As you guys know i do 50 vs 50 overnighters and i just hop in a ghillie and spend most of the first day getting into position and then i give the positions. I use Surplas bino's alot instead of my scope. Now on the other hand a lot of people who are new to airsofting don't have enough patience to wait and watch. They just want to run out and get KIA!

i have never had the need to use anything other that a scope

its the silhouette that the gun makes, do you know what im saying here. When you use the scope on your weapon your rifle is on bags/bipod. its sticks up higher, requires more ghillie. Its a preference and im not going to force you to change your mind.

i lay on the ground and don't prop my gun up i just hold it up when needed