Compact Spotters

[Jon Boy]

Im in need of a new spotter thats light weight. Ive been lugging around a wind river sequoia 15-45x60. Its heavy and I cant use it much past 30 power anyways, and at low light its useless. I just cant justify toting it along when it weighs as much as it does and it doesnt give me much use. But on the other hand, ive been hunting the back country and its too dam big to not have a spotter.

Ive read this review http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:compact-spotters&catid=6:spotting-scope-reviews&Itemid=6

I already new the ed50 is the best out there but a bit out of my price range, Ive found a few refurbished ones for under 500 (my price range) but im not sure what to think about the refurbished models.

I thought that the Leupold Compact would have been a lot closer to the ed50 than what the review said, I was dissapointed to see that because thats what I originally planned on.

the minox md50 seemed to be the ticket it was cheaper than the leupold while also being optically better. It was a little bit heavier but not by much.

Are there any other light weight spotting scopes out there that im missing? Do you feel like this review is incorrect in anyway from your personal in-the-field experience? Any other suggestions are welcome

 

[Drhorsepower]

Just an opinion but I find reviews usually biased. Especially in some magazines. I would look for more reviews and compare results. Also reviews on individual products. I think the Leupold spotter is great!! In daylight probably compares to ed50. But that first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes is where that extra money you spend on the spotter comes into play and boy does it pay for itself. Don't go cheap.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Ive read this review http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:compact-spotters&catid=6:spotting-scope-reviews&Itemid=6

Jon Boy, you can take Ilya Koshkin's reviews (Optics Thoughts is his website) to the bank. He works every day in the optics industry, and knows his stuff. He doesn't take any money from anybody on his reviews, and they are absolutely not biased.

I have used all three of the spotters you mentioned. I currently own the Nikon ED50. It is the best compact spotter. Period. The Minox is very good, and very inexpensive. You can find screaming deals on demos online.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62225

If I didn't have the ED50, I would have an MD50.

 

[Jon Boy]

Sounds like im going to get the MD50. I saw it on cameraland as well and had already considered it. For under 200 bones its not gunna break the bank and I wont feel to bad about buying the ED50 in a year or 2 after buying a cheaper spotter. Im going to invest in a good tripod though so I wont have to buy that twice. Any suggestions on a really light tripod?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I use a Vortex High Country with my ED50. It works pretty well, but it feels like I could bend the legs pretty easy when they are extended. I would look at the smaller Slik carbon tripods, if you want to buy once.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Also, I noticed that the removeable zoom eyepiece on the Vortex Viper HD 80mm and 65mm has magnifications listed for not only the 80 and 65, but also a 50mm spotter. It seems like another compact spotter is in the works.

 

[Jon Boy]

Too late Bitterroot I already pulled the trigger on the Minox last night. From all the reviews I read it sounded like spotter for me at this time. Ill look into those tripods. Thanks for the help

 

[Jon Boy]

Wow is all I can say about the MD50. I just took it out, its cloudy, raining, and fairly gloomy, not a whole lot of light and this thing performed flawlessly. Really clear even on 30 power and far better than my clunky wind river sequoia. I honestly think for what I paid this is the best deal on optics ive ever come across. Im not sure Ill ever buy the ED50 unless I come across a larger sum of money.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

The MD50 at those prices is a screamin' deal, no doubt.

I also had a Sequoia ... briefly. Not the best product from Leupold.

 

[T43]

If you're broke like myself the Brunton Echo is a good $130 option. I know there are better optics out there but I picked one of these up for my deer hunt this year and I'll be happy with it for a few years at least. Decent optics and I hardly notice it in my pack.

 

[buckbull]

Thanks for the info Bitterroot Bulls. I purchased the MD50 and its excellent and a great deal.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Glad I could help.

 

[jay]

jonboy and buckbull, did you guys order the scope from the link bitteroot provided or somewhere else, i was interested in getting one too...thanks guys!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I see they only have the angled version left at the discounted price. Looks like they are selling out of the demos.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62225

 

[jay]

Bitteroot, what do you prefer, angled or straight? Thanks for the info!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I am an angled guy, but that is definitely a preference.

I like angled because it lets you use a shorter, lighter tripod, and makes it easier for multiple people to look through the spotter.

 

[jay]

cool,thanks for the info. This may be a dumb question as i've already read this thread but do you think this is a smart buy coming from the eastmans forum optic guru! Appreciate all the reviews and info you provide to everyone here.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Like I said earlier, if I didn't have an ED50, I would have an MD50.

As far as Cameralandny goes, I have had nothing but positive experiences with them through many purchases (including the ED50).

 

[jay]

Minox BF 10x42 BR, they have these on sale too for 139.00, have any experience with them bitterroot?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Not a lot with the low end Minox. Probably decent, but looks like a narrow FOV.