- Jul 8, 2015
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Decide my fate - spotting scope
- Thread starter mallardsx2
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
The problem even with 15x binos is that at times you really need to reach out there with a spotter. That extra magnification can really make a difference on making a stalk or just sitting there watching.
unoboats
New Member
Swarovski 25-50 WA 65 mm straight or angled spotting scope
Great packing size and great resolution.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great packing size and great resolution.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
unoboats
New Member
Micah S
Active Member
Get sometime behind both these spotters. Don't let vortex or leupold fan boys make decisions for you.
rcfireninja
Active Member
Do you have a budget set for it?
What weight are you wanting it to be?
Those questions once answered will help narrow it down. For antelope you want one that can reach out far enough to save you from hiking miles after a goat that doesn?t meet what your after.
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- Jul 8, 2015
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I have pretty much decided on these systems for both price point and weight. I should also mention that I have looked through all of these. Are you saying that you dont think the 12-40 GR would be enough magnification?
Slugz
Veteran member
Duck2,
Couple comments that the guys and or you have hit on.
1) We are a Leupold/Vortex family and love both of what you listed. Each from a great company and both with rockstar customer service.
2) Col V brings up a great point. If I'm not concerned with size weight I'm going the 85 route. Example: I quad to my camp/ glassing spot, short hike to it or plains glassing from the truck/roads for mule deer and antelope before the stalk.
3) If I'm humping around I'm going with the 60. MCSeal I believe has a great thread on it.
4) I made the assumption on the price point so that's why you were going with those two. Col V makes another good point on looking for the deals on the European glass if time permits.
5) Lastly, have you looked at the Maven optics line of products? I haven't looked through them, or checked the price point......but.....the name keeps coming up in differnt conversations. They are a sponsor now for the Colorado Outfitter Association which caught my eye. I believe they are out of Lander Wyoming.
Couple comments that the guys and or you have hit on.
1) We are a Leupold/Vortex family and love both of what you listed. Each from a great company and both with rockstar customer service.
2) Col V brings up a great point. If I'm not concerned with size weight I'm going the 85 route. Example: I quad to my camp/ glassing spot, short hike to it or plains glassing from the truck/roads for mule deer and antelope before the stalk.
3) If I'm humping around I'm going with the 60. MCSeal I believe has a great thread on it.
4) I made the assumption on the price point so that's why you were going with those two. Col V makes another good point on looking for the deals on the European glass if time permits.
5) Lastly, have you looked at the Maven optics line of products? I haven't looked through them, or checked the price point......but.....the name keeps coming up in differnt conversations. They are a sponsor now for the Colorado Outfitter Association which caught my eye. I believe they are out of Lander Wyoming.
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,816
- 3,011
I run the Leica 65 , it really is an awesome spotter. For me it is the best blend on weight,power,clarity .
I ran the Leica 77 on a manfrotto tripod.
The 65 with tripod weighs less than the manfrotto tripod alone.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
15 power Swaros SLC binoculars definitely have their place glassing up game and have become probably my favorite tool for long glassing sessions. Once the animal is located, a spotter becomes invaluable if you want to size up the animal.
I carried an 80 mm Swarovski spotter for years. It was excellent glass but I got tired of the bulky size and weight. I scaled down to a 65 and got burned on a nice muley one morning at first light when I couldn't size him up at only about 800 yards. Now I am back with a larger objective. If you aren't worried about low light glassing like in antelope or sheep hunting go with a smaller objective.
This year we stalked a 360+ bull only because one morning I spotted him going into a brush patch in VERY LOW light (nearly dark). There was a tan spot (butt), then there wasn't. I watched that brush patch for an hour until I saw a tine move. It is those kinds of situations when I am glad to be carrying the extra weight of a large spotter.
I've been using a Vortex Razor HD 20-60X85 for the last few years. It is good but not great. It is going back to Vortex this spring to have them look it over. That scope just hasn't been as "sharp" of glass as I would think it should be. This fall I glassed next to a guy who was getting some crazy good video through a new generation Vortex spotter.
I carried an 80 mm Swarovski spotter for years. It was excellent glass but I got tired of the bulky size and weight. I scaled down to a 65 and got burned on a nice muley one morning at first light when I couldn't size him up at only about 800 yards. Now I am back with a larger objective. If you aren't worried about low light glassing like in antelope or sheep hunting go with a smaller objective.
This year we stalked a 360+ bull only because one morning I spotted him going into a brush patch in VERY LOW light (nearly dark). There was a tan spot (butt), then there wasn't. I watched that brush patch for an hour until I saw a tine move. It is those kinds of situations when I am glad to be carrying the extra weight of a large spotter.
I've been using a Vortex Razor HD 20-60X85 for the last few years. It is good but not great. It is going back to Vortex this spring to have them look it over. That scope just hasn't been as "sharp" of glass as I would think it should be. This fall I glassed next to a guy who was getting some crazy good video through a new generation Vortex spotter.
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luckynv
Active Member
Hey Mallard, I also have a Leica 65 and you can just about see after dark through it. Several years ago Eastmans did a side x side and it came out Leica on top then Swaro than Zeiss and then Vortex. There are several new ones/Lesser Known out there now, Niteforce, Kowa, Maven. I bought mine as a Demo off New York Cameraland and paid a hair over 2k. Now if money is no object the Swaro with the interchangeable objective lenses would be the ticket, unfortunately about a 5k or 6k investment with all the lens choices. Good luck and God bless
- Jul 8, 2015
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Thanks for the heads up.
Im taking my time with this decision for sure. There are so many conflicting opinions that it makes it hard to truly narrow things down.
I'm heading to AK for a DIY black bear hunt in may. I need to get something better than what I have before then.
I missed an opportunity as a good mule deer a couple years ago because I coudnt see what it was in the early morning light. By the time I could tell what he was he go onto private land and has lived in my dreams ever since. He was a dandy and if I had known that I think I had the time to get into position to kill him. I vowed that I would do everything to minimize that mistake in the future.
I'm really going to swing for the fences with my next purchase even if that means selling a couple guns to get what I want.
Im taking my time with this decision for sure. There are so many conflicting opinions that it makes it hard to truly narrow things down.
I'm heading to AK for a DIY black bear hunt in may. I need to get something better than what I have before then.
I missed an opportunity as a good mule deer a couple years ago because I coudnt see what it was in the early morning light. By the time I could tell what he was he go onto private land and has lived in my dreams ever since. He was a dandy and if I had known that I think I had the time to get into position to kill him. I vowed that I would do everything to minimize that mistake in the future.
I'm really going to swing for the fences with my next purchase even if that means selling a couple guns to get what I want.
luckynv
Active Member
Hey Mallard, another thing that you may look into is renting one. Years ago while going to Yellowstone there were several shops outside the park that advertised Spotter and Binoc rentals, not sure if they still exist or quality but it may be a way to check out different top brands if available. Just a thought. Good luck and God bless