New Binos or Spotting Scope

[arwaterfowler]

Fellas,

I currently own Nikon 10x42 Monarch Binos and a Nikon Prostaff 65mm spotting scope. I am going to upgrade one of the to to a Vortex Razor. I'll either go with the same size Razor binocs or upsize to the 80mm spotting scope. Like most, I use the binocs more, but they do just fine.

I typically hunt the same General Elk unit if I don't draw a LE tag. This year I drew a very good Wyoming antelope tag and wouldn't mind reaching out with a 80mm to save hiking time. Conversely, I use my binos much more often.

I'd appreciate any opinion folks.

 

[arwaterfowler]

Excuse the typo, I meant 85mm

 

[sneakypete]

I'd go with the bino's, you always have them. You could also spend another 10-15$ and buy the bino tripod adaptor and carry a tripod for glassing that way.

 

[ando_31]

Spotter. I have used my spotter a lot more since I've upgraded it. You will probably notice more difference between your nikon spotter and a high end spotter than your nikon binos and a high end bino. I would put my money into whichever provided the greatest improvement.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I would say for me I would go with the Binos. 85mm spotter is pretty dang big and for packing it's very bulky. I use 65 mm Vortex spotter and the 50mm binos. It's my fav combo.

 

[WY ME]

Binos are a necessity. Spotting scopes are a luxury. Upgrade the binoculars.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Binos are a necessity. Spotting scopes are a luxury. Upgrade the binoculars.

^^^^^This^^^^

 

[Againstthewind]

I guess I am with the bino crowd, but on a rifle antelope hunt the spotting scope is pretty nice from the truck. You don't have to pack it, and you can look over a lot of area. Most Wyoming antelope places have lots of roads, but in general I also use binos more and they are the more necessary like above especially with the good suggestions like the tripod.

 

[Mark]

Not sure what your budget is but you can get used Swarovski's on eBay for about the cost of new Vortex. Defeinitly worth a look IMHO.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Not sure what your budget is but you can get used Swarovski's on eBay for about the cost of new Vortex. Defeinitly worth a look IMHO.

Yea, everybody has $1200-$4,000 bucks to drop on a swaro spotter. Obviously the OP wouldn't be asking which one to get if he had that kind of $$$.

 

[Mark]

Yea, everybody has $1200-$4,000 bucks to drop on a swaro spotter. Obviously the OP wouldn't be asking which one to get if he had that kind of $$$.

I'm pretty sure the OP was asking which to get. Spotter or binos. I think he also asked for opinions but maybe I misread his post? I don't read so good.

Very true. I would imagine most people don't have a money tree, myself included. I saved and saved to buy my used Swaro binos. My advice is that if one is going to drop $ on new Vortex bions you can get used Swaros for about the same $. Some might argue they are better glass but thats up to the end user. Heck....even used Vortex would save a guy a few bucks and both companies offer amazing warranties. Either way....worth a look.

 

[arwaterfowler]

Thanks for the help. I suppose I was really needing help with the choice to upgrade binos or a spotter first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[7shot]

I did the same thing last year and upgraded from Nikon to Swaro. I love the new binoculars, I can look right into the setting sun or rising sun and there is very little glare on the glass - could not do that with the nikon. Used the Binos so much more this year than the spotter, but I also picked up the Swaro 65 mm ATX spotter - very nice piece. I second getting the tripod adapter - it will make your binos seem like a spotting scope, but easier on the eyes. There is nothing like having the best glass, but it took some time to save up for them. Now looking to get the 95 mm for long distance glassing when I'm not hiking. Enjoy the new glass you get -

 

[25contender]

I would say Binos first. If you get a good set you will be pretty happy. After I bought my Swarovski Binos took me 20+ years to buy a spotter!! And I still use my Binos three times as much as the spotter.

 

[go_deep]

Use my spotter a lot, but use my binos way more.

 

[hunt1up]

Binos all day long if it was my choice.

 

[SansSouci]

If I owned a spotting scope, I'd doubt that I'd carry it while hunting. However, I do use my binos a whole lot.

I started out with less expensive binos. There is a tremendous difference in quality with more expensive binos. My suggestion would be to buy the best quality binos you can afford.

I have a pair of Zeiss 10x. I've had them for 20 years. I can glass for long periods w/o eye strain. The clarity is amazing. Even at 10x, holding them steady is not always easy. I'd doubt that I'd want higher magnification.

I've thought about upgrading to Leica with internal range finder. However, as long as I'm able to judge distance with reasonable accuracy, I'm not sure that they're worth the price premium.