Wanting a new spotter

Hilltop · Nov 23, 2016

I bought a cheap spotter a couple months ago and love it- Leupold Ventana. It only goes to 45 power but I haven't found many that are clear past 45 power. It is very clear and easy to focus. It is a little bulky to put in a pack but the majority of my spotting here in Nebraska is done close to or inside the truck. For only $200 I am very pleased with it.

Tim McCoy · Nov 23, 2016

You might consider sending it in to be looked at. It should focus through out all the range. Their golden rings are generally solid products.

ando_31 · Nov 23, 2016

All the Nikon Fieldscope ED scopes are well worth the money and I personally think they are better than the Leupold gold ring spotters. Obviously you can go high end with the swarovski options and you will be very pleased with the view but your pocket will be a bit lighter. If both price and size isn't a concern, you could also look at the Nikon EDG VR scope. I have both a swarovski 80mm HD and the nikkon EDG VR. I love the VR (vibration reduction) for viewing from the truck while leaving the truck running or using it in heavy winds. The VR works amazingly well and it is also a very clear scope.

missjordan · Nov 23, 2016

I second the Nikon spotters! I have a prostaff spotter that's 6 years old and just love it. Don't see the need to upgrade to an expensive spotter because mine serves my needs just fine

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hoshour · Nov 23, 2016

ando_31 said:
All the Nikon Fieldscope ED scopes are well worth the money and I personally think they are better than the Leupold gold ring spotters. Obviously you can go high end with the swarovski options and you will be very pleased with the view but your pocket will be a bit lighter. If both price and size isn't a concern, you could also look at the Nikon EDG VR scope. I have both a swarovski 80mm HD and the nikkon EDG VR. I love the VR (vibration reduction) for viewing from the truck while leaving the truck running or using it in heavy winds. The VR works amazingly well and it is also a very clear scope.

Holy cow! I just looked up the price on the Nikon EDG VR. I didn't know there was such a thing as a $6,000 spotting scope. That's double the price of a Swarovski. But, I have tried a set of binos with image stabilization and they are amazing.

I use a Zeiss Diascope and like it.

mcseal2 · Nov 23, 2016

I use 3 depending on the situation.

The smallest is a Nikon ED50. I don't have any experience with the other Nikons, but this one is darn impressive for it's size and weight. It's not a Swaro but it's darn good in good light. It's nice when I can't decide if I should pack a spotter or not. The biggest place I use it is elk hunting when it and a light cheap tripod are just enough to tell if a big bull is broke or not before deciding to go after him. I hunt late in the season and many bulls are broke up in the unit I like.

The middle one is a Swaro STM65 I picked up used for about $1100. It is the one in my pack most times and a very versatile scope. It is good for evaluating muleys, whitetail, or antelope with smaller antlers than elk.

The big one is a Swaro ATS 80mm. It's great from the truck or when weight/bulk isn't an issue. It's clearer and brighter than the STM but it's a newer HD version. I don't know how much of that is the bigger lens and how much is the newer HD glass.

If I was to own just one and not completely break the bank it would be a Swaro STS65 HD. That and an Outdoorsmans compact medium tripod with their pan head and window mount would do most everything I need. It's nice at times though to have the big spotter with the window mount and the other one and tripod all packed up in the pack and ready to bail and go on a stalk.

IDELKFVR · Nov 23, 2016

I just bought the vortex razor this last month and seems to be awesome. cabelas had it on sale for 999.00 and then I got another 100.00 off that for being a veteran. Normally its a 1600.00 dollar scope. Compared to what I had before which was about a 20 year Bausch and laumb its way better. Never spent that kind of money on optics but I can see why people say spend as much as you can afford because its night and day from my old one.

ore hunter · Nov 23, 2016

I use a Nikon ed-50 for my small spotter,,my larger spotter is now a vortex razer hd 20x48x65 "the mid size strait"older style and it is awesome,,very clear even at 4 miles,,for under $1000 ,I think it might be a good choice for ya,,,"now they may be clearing out the older style razer hd now ,,the new ones copycat swaro,,,I think the older style 2-tone is great.you might be able to get one in the $800 ball park.sharpest scope ive ever looked thru.

Musket Man · Nov 23, 2016

Tim McCoy said:
You might consider sending it in to be looked at. It should focus through out all the range. Their golden rings are generally solid products.

It really depends on conditions and quality of glass. The more magnification the harder it it to get a clear image.

Triple BB · Nov 23, 2016

Camofire has the ZEISS VICTORY DIASCOPE 85 T FL SPOTTING SCOPE for $2400.

go_deep · Nov 24, 2016

What are you planning on using it for, and how much are you planning on using it? Makes a big difference in what you should buy.

Slugz · Nov 24, 2016

I'm surprised and glad to hear all the Nikon comments. I have an old Nikon, not even sure of the model, but it works. I just couldn't justify getting a new one while having one that works well.

LaHunter · Nov 24, 2016

I've never used a Leupold Gold Ring spotter, but have read plenty of positive reviews about them. You may need to get it checked out.

One thing to remember about spotting scopes is that atmospheric conditions play a huge factor in the image quality when you get up there in the 30X + magnification range. Humidity, air density, airborne particles, temp, available light, sun position, etc will determine image quality to a large degree. I live in La (not Los Angeles), so when I am target shooting near home, there are many (most) days that I can't get a super sharp image with my Swaro sts 65 mm spotter above 30-35X. Just too much humidity and air density. When I am at 9,000 ft out west on a clear day, I can get the full potential from my spotter.

If you are looking for another spotter option, I had a Vortex Razor HD 65 mm spotter for about 3 years and was totally happy with it. This is a very good spotter for the price. Side by side with a Swaro sts 65 mm, there is not a ton of difference in good conditions. As conditions get worse, the differences become more noticable, but the Vortex Razor is a good spotter.

This is just my opinion, but when I consider the purpose of a spotting scope, I refused to by a marginal spotter at bargain pricing. I saved my pennies until I could buy at least a "good'" spotter. When I found a deal, I upgraded to a "damn good" spotter. A marginal spotter is not worth the weight to carry, to me. To me, there aren't many things more frustrating than looking through crappy glass for hours / day, especially when I consider the effort I have put forth over the past several months towards my hunt.

Good luck and hope this helps.

sneakypete · Nov 24, 2016

I've got the smallest vortex razor 11/33/50 and I love it. The only upgrade it's missing is a sun shade. I took pictures this year thru it like these

at almost a mile.

stevevan · Nov 24, 2016

I picked up on ebay one of the older Leupold 25 x 50mm Compacts real reasonable. I love it and is the scope I use most. Great optics and lots of eye relief.

go_deep · Nov 24, 2016

hvfd21walker said:
I use it for spotting Bulls in the timber to mule deer in the plains. I have had this Golden Ring for 10 years. Been Happy with it but want something more powerful to spot stuff farther away

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I have a vortex viper hd, works great. If you got any sporting goods stores around that carry a large selection of spotters, I'd make a trip and look through some.

ScottR · Nov 24, 2016

Blog.eastmans.com has a bunch of reviews of some new spotters. Not the smallest stuff, but good scopes.

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B&C Blacktails · Nov 30, 2016

I have an Alpen 20-60x80 it retails around $400ish and it has been a fantastic spotting scope! I have buddies who have 20-60x80 Leupolds, vortex and nikon spotters and I can see no difference between the brands whether its hot or cold throughout the magnifications. I personally lean towards my Alpen because it is easier to focus than the other brands not to mention the price difference. Alpen also has a lifetime warranty.

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