My BOB advice needed...

[Plymtom]

Binos.....? Why? - if you have a scope on your air rifle that's all you need.

I'd feel more comfortable looking through Binos, I may be looking at things that I didn't want to shoot, plus you'd have to have a very good scope to equal even the most basic of Binos.

[bladefalcon]

Main additions I'd make personally would be something extra for water purification (which admittedly can be very easily improved thanks to Mother Nature and inevitable carbonised wood which will come of campfires!) like a Sawyer Mini, a cracking little investment, really nice for peace of mind as water is such an important factor of survival.

If you're thinking of buying a basha, I could recommend DD tarps, you just need to be aware when building a fire close by that no spitting sparks reach the tarp, which they will promptly turn into a sieve!!

[SoCal92057]

Binos.....? Why? - if you have a scope on your air rifle that's all you need.

I'd feel more comfortable looking through Binos, I may be looking at things that I didn't want to shoot, plus you'd have to have a very good scope to equal even the most basic of Binos.

Plymtom, I agree with you about not using a scope in lieu of binos. Safety dictates hunters not use their scopes to find game or to recon an area as it may cause the muzzle of the rifle to sweep paste a human. Most would find it very upsetting to be on the wrong end of a muzzle pointing at them.

[WarPrepper]

Quick release scope. Doesn't have to be on the rifle.
A basic scope should far outweigh a basic set of binos.
Especially recce for game.
Binos are good for general observation but the glare from a lens can give away your position. Plus if the eyepiece focus us out in one lens then it will be useless.
My main reasoning is less weight but Mir practicality. Don't carry if you don't need to.

[bladefalcon]

Quick release scope. Doesn't have to be on the rifle.
A basic scope should far outweigh a basic set of binos.
Especially recce for game.
Binos are good for general observation but the glare from a lens can give away your position. Plus if the eyepiece focus us out in one lens then it will be useless.
My main reasoning is less weight but Mir practicality. Don't carry if you don't need to.

The only problem with that is the pure awkwardness of trying to look down a riflescope held in the hands, they're mounted on the rifle in such a way that they only provide a good sight picture when the eyes are aligned correctly with help of the buttstock in most cases.

Binos or a spotting scope cut out that issue as they are designed to be held right up to the eye, cutting down on peripheral distractions and maximising the light which which is projected through the scope into your eyes. This science comes in especially handy in low light situations, which is the safest time to carry out recces/forays if you're worried about other human beings!! Rifle scopes don't usually come in magnifications above say 9x or 12x for most setups, designated spotting optics can go well into the thirties on even a basic, compact product!

You're right though, if you want to cut down on weight, scopes will do, though I'd be operating from a central location on most trips out and most of my gear would be left behind...