Spotting Scope Help

[BKHunter]

Hello All,

I am new to hunting out west, and am in the market for a spotting scope. I know glass is a very important tool for this type of hunting, but some of these prices really break the bank ($2-$3K). How much do you really need to spend to have an effective good quality spotting scope? Can anyone make any recommendations? I would like something that will last and not a basic startup as I want to make the purchase once and be able to use it years to come. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

BK

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

In optics you get what you pay for. If possible go to you local gun shop, Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc. that has a good selection of them and start looking thru them. If possible go outside and use them in sunlight & limited light. You will notice a difference. If you plan on carrying it, then yes size & wt matter!!

I bought a high dollar one that was one year old. It was on consignment in a gun shop in Cody, Wy. Paid less than 1/2 of new and love it, especially for what I paid. I have a Leupold Boone & Crockett, which is not made anymore, but I wouldn't trade it for any new one!

 

[HeathT]

BK,
I used Nikon Prostaff spotter for several years (around $400) because that is what I could afford as I had a young family and had to keep my priorities straight. Not going to spend more on a spotting scope than on my children's college fund for the year. It served its purpose and didn't break the bank. Currently, I have upgraded to Vortex Razor 16-48 X 65 mm($1,199.00) and love it. It isn't the most expense glass, however, for the money theres nothing better. Cody at Outdoorsman's in Phoenix walked me through price points and different glass for the money. I really appreciated that and didn't feel he was trying to push the most expensive spotter over on me. The $2500 Swarovski may be slightly better, but its twice the $. Just my two cents
HeathT

 

[mntnguide]

Vortex for the money, warranty and quality hands down is right up there with the BIG 3 (zeiss, swaro, leica) and well below half their price point. You wont go wrong with a vortex. . I personally have Zeiss binos, i forked out the money because i spent 8 years making a living looking through them, but my spotter is a vortex, and my next spotter will be the Razor HD spotter from vortex. And if i ever get rid of my Zeiss binos, I will most likely be going vortex for binos as well.

 

[25contender]

Take a look at the Vantage line of spotters. They are very impressive for the low cost. I'm a Swarovski guy but really like my Vantage spotter.

 

[sneakypete]

Like mntnguide said, vortex for the money is a great buy. There warranty is second to none. I own Sawro 10x42's bino's, but I own a 11x33x50 razor spotter. I bought my son a pair of the vortex talon 10x42s bino's great glass!

 

[LaHunter]

I have the Vortex Razor HD 16-48X65mm spotter. For me it is a great compromise between wt/size, and magnification/resolution at a reasonable price. I never feel handicapped with this spotter. For comparison, if you want to rate a Swaro 65 mm HD spotter a 10/10, I would say that my Razor HD is an 8/10 or maybe a 8.5/10, and it costs about half the price of the Swaro HD.
Hope this helps. Good Luck

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

The Leupold 12-40X60 Gold Ring spotter is a solid budget option, and has the benefit of much better eye relief than the most expensive spotters. I have seen used units go for under $400. This is the minimum level I would recommend. Any cheaper, and you may be better off putting a little extra into your binoculars instead.


I also think Vortex spotters are great values with the Viper HDs being serviceable and the Razor HDs being excellent.

The Meopta S2 is perhaps the best premium scope value, but they aren't cheap.

The best spotters available are the Swarovksi ATX and Kowa Prominar series, IMO, BUT they cost as much as an out of state hunt (or more).

I have premium spotters, and ALWAYS have a spotter when hunting, but I would never give up a season, or even a week hunting, just to be able to afford a top shelf spotter.

Good luck out there.

 

[pmcgovern]

+1 on the Vortex..... Bought my Razor last year. Love at first sight!

 

[Kodiak32]

+1 for the Vortex Razor HD. I got mine last year and love it. I don't think you can go wrong with Vortex.

 

[geargrinder]

+1 on the Vortex Razor HD

I got an incredible deal from Cameraland. I bought a demo 20-60x85 straight when they were having a sale a couple months ago. My order went through but the product wasn't available. Doug and Neal went way above and beyond to make sure I was a happy customer.

Long story short, I can read the sign on the front of a bar in the next town over. Almost 9 miles away. Super impressed with this spotter. Hope it gets me on a big bull next month.

 

[stevevan]

Here's another endorsement for Vortex. I actually sold a High end Zeiss and replaced it with a Vortex Razor. Had money to boot to look for a pair of Binos. To me I can't tell the difference in visual quality between the Zeiss and the Vortex.

 

[Murdy]

A year or two ago, there was a buzz about Celestron's Regal line of spotters which are pretty affordable. Haven't heard much lately. Anyone have any opinions or ever use/buy one?

 

[Triple BB]

You might want to give some thought as to what you'll be using it for. If yer gonna be packing it plus a lot of other junk, I'd go with something light like Leupold 12-40X60 Gold Ring spotter. If yer gonna be doing a lot of hunting out of a truck or off a wheeler, get one of the 85mm ones.

 

[ore hunter]

I really like my Nikon ed-50,,,super light,compact,good glass for its size and 50 mm size,,,runs about $750.ive found that its almost always my go to for packing up a ridge to glass.

 

[rcfireninja]

Vortex viper hd 20-60x85 has been great for me. Looking to upgrade to the razor when the time is right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[6mm Remington]

The Leupold 15-30x50mm Gold Ring spotting scope has quality optics, excellent eye relief, and is a small compact package. Nothing there not to like. Plus Leupold takes care of you if you ever have a problem with their product.
David

 

[mcseal2]

I have a Swaro 20-60x80 I really like when I'm not carrying it to far. For when I'm packing it around I have a Nikon ED50. If I was in your shoes I'd probably buy either a Vortex Razor 50mm or a Nikon ED50 for now. I got by good using just my ED50 for several years before saving up the funds for the Swaro. Rather than buying a cheaper big spotter now I'd get a good 50mm and then add a Vortex Razor or better big spotter down the road if you feel the need, that way you have the best of both worlds. Much depends on how and what you hunt also, just how much clarity and magnification you need. Elk hunting I usually go late in the season and want to be able to tell if a bull is broke up bad before spending the time and energy on a long stalk. Antelope can be hard to judge and a good spotter really helps as long as the heat waves aren't to bad.

I bought my optics over time on years I didn't draw tags. I put the money I didn't spend on out of state hunts on good optics those years until I have the line-up I want now.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Kowa makes some very high quality glass, for decent prices. I'd look hard at some optics tests and consider both Vortex and Kowa, if you do not want to spend lots for one of the big three.

 

[In God We Trust]

I am running the Viper HD and it is a good piece of glass for the money. If you can afford the Razor you wont regret it. Check out prices on Cameraland which is in your neck of the woods. They have good buys on "demo" models. I ordered mine as a demo model and it looked brand new right out of the box.