Spotting Scope Options < $1k

[Prerylyon]

Good optics cost good money. I get it.

Right now, life circumstances place hard limits on my recreational budget.

A piece of gear I lack is a spotting scope of any kind. I've made do with just a pair of binoculars, but am interested in learning to use a spotting scope and trying it out.

I am not sold on any one optics brand. For reference, I run a Burris Fullfield E1 scope on my rifle and use Leupold McKinley Binos. They helped me and my hunting partners collectively score on mule deer, elk, and antelope in WY.

Curious what others could recommend in the way of a budget, entry level spotting scope?

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[kidoggy]

I have a thirty year old bushnell trophy 15-45 x50 scope that has been awesome. back then it cost around 200 dollars . not even sure if they still make them or not .
I am not a bushnell fan. I actually think most of their products suck. but I have been happy with this scope.


it is no Swarovski but it is a good low price scope .

 

[Slugz]

Vortex Razor HD or Viper HD
Leupold Kenai

Both great scopes and arguably the Razor HD is a top end scope with entry level price.

 

[CODAK]

Buy half a Swarovski this year then the other half next year LOL

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Look on Camofire. They have Vortex Razors and other 50% off and in your price range. You will just have to wait for them to come up. Also look on eBay for used Vortex, with the VIP warranty if anything is wrong with it they will repair or replace no questions asked.

 

[BKC]

https://www.gunsamerica.com/936538256/Leupold-25-X-50mm-spotting-scope.htm
This is what I have and have had it for several years, bought it new. It is very lightweight and compact and is still really clear. It is perfect on the range and works great in the field if you are trying to save weight. I scout with my Vortex 20-60x85 razor and have a good tripod for it. I will use my big spotter on some eastern plains hunts but when i head to the high country, i take my 25x small spotter without a tripod. I flip my 10x leicas over and lay the 25x in the craddle and use it as a big monocular. If you put your elbows on your knees it is sturdy enough. Has 2 1/2 x the power of my 10x binoculars which saves a ton of walking if you need to take a little better look at your quarry. If you bought something like this and then also bought a good tripod, which you are going to definitely want, you would be into it for a little over $500.00. Then when you can afford a little more you can always part with the little spotter and get something more powerful. But your going to fall in love with how handy it is and not want to part with it.

 

[Prerylyon]

Appreciate the feedback; will def give these a look! [emoji106]

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[HighPlainsHunter]

First thing I'd recommend is getting a good pair of binos. No offense but you are better off to have one ferarri than three fords when it comes to optics.

This is coming from someone who did exactly what you did. I finally decided to get serious about optics and started reading on the birding sites. They are much more educated on optics than hunters who simply tell you to buy what they have.

I dropped the BX-4's last year and moved to the B2 Maven. And then since I don't use a spotter much I found the Pentax PF80-ED to be what I needed and found a deal on E-bay.

For spotters one thing most hunters have no idea is that you can switch eye pieces. Most have no idea that many spotters use a standard 1.25 eye piece and you can swap them out. The companies who market to hunters do not discuss this much and many make the hunting spotters where you can't swap eye pieces, they think we are stupid essentially and treat us as uneducated consumers, which we are for the most part.

I'd sell the BX-4's and find a pair of top shelf binos, even if you get used swaro, leica, metopa, maven, zeiss, etc... Also don't be afraid to look at other brands like minox, steiner, pentax, takahashi, etc that most hunters overlook.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

A good question to ask once you are serious about binos is what kind of prism they have.

There are 2 main types, and to be honest most hunters are so uneducated on optics that you will rarely even see this discussed. Which is sad.

Look up Abbe Koenig vs Schmidt Pechan.

If you read this article you will know more about optics than 99% of the dumb hunters who have no idea what kind of prisms they have and simply tell you to buy what they have which is almost always Leupold, Vortex, or Swaro.
https://www.targettamers.com/guides/roof-prism-vs-porro-prism-binoculars/

If you want to see something funny ask a hunter what kind of prism they have in their binos? Then ask if they have ever heard of BK7 or BAK4?

 

[Slugz]

Don't forget to check the warranty program also.....the highly educated birders have horror stories about getting things fixed. For us dumb dumb hunters I prefer lifetime warranty and the proper tool to do the job.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Don't forget to check the warranty program also.....the highly educated birders have horror stories about getting things fixed. For us dumb dumb hunters I prefer lifetime warranty and the proper tool to do the job.

LOL. Hilarious response.

Most everybody who has Vortex gear ends up sending it back for a replacement, including me. You may consider that to be a good thing but I consider it to be a sign of a low quality product. Cabelas does the same thing, they sell you a $20 scope for $100 knowing they can afford to send out some replacements.

Vortex has done a great job marketing to hunters but beyond that when glass is put to the test by unbiased eyes it normally falls short of the competition, even with the warranty.

So honest question. Before you read this thread did you know the difference in Abbe Koenig and Schmidt Pechan? BK7 and BAK4?

Did you recommend what you have?

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Vortex Razor HD or Viper HD
Leupold Kenai

Both great scopes and arguably the Razor HD is a top end scope with entry level price.

Are you sure you aren't confused and actually referring to the Viper?

That would seem to be the case as Razor is well beyond "entry level price".

Thanks for proving my point for me.

Dumb Hunter LOL

 

[JimP]

If you are in the right place at the right time you can find a Vortex Razor 20-60x85 for a very good price.

I was watching Camofire and looking at the special that they run on the Razor 20-60x85 and last Thanksgiving I was thinking of pulling the trigger. That was until I was talking to my nieces husband about them. He called me the next day and said that there was a new sporting goods store down at the mall that had them for $200 less than what Camofire was selling them for.

Well, to make a short story out of it a half hour later I had purchased one and have been watching elk and deer on the hillside south of my home for the last 4 months with it.

Granted it is the 2016 model and it is discontinued but it is a great spotter and I paid about the same price for it that I paid for a pair of binoculars years ago. I found out later that this sporting goods dealer will sell Vortex products at one great discount and can beat just about any store out there. I am a believer in that.

 

[Slugz]

Negativity on OUR forum and attacks on people for just trying to help others is sad to say the least.

The OP asked for an under 1000$ option and didnt specify new. Used VIP warranty 981$
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KKT8H1O/ref=twister_B07GST9JT9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't recommend what I do because quite simply, that wasn't the question. When I need a high end spotter. I rent it. Search for the post, there is a link of the place I've used in the past.

With regards to chromatic aberration chromatic distortion or "spherochromatism" around the periphery of an image due to circular or non circular exit pupils.....is something I learned while I was a model for a famous photographer in Paris at a young age.

que vous choisissiez le koenig pour une meilleure transmission de la lumi?re ou le pechan pour un usage quotidien d?pend principalement du prix

I'll say some extra prayers for you this Sunday at church and send positive vibes your way. Hope your chi trends to the positive side. God Bless

 

[kidoggy]

one ford as worth a thousand ferraris

 

[BKC]

Well at least I know now that I hunt in the wrong state for the wrong animals using the wrong spotting scope. Whats next?

 

[kidoggy]

me to.. I been hunting Idaho all these years hoping to bag a gazelle and some monkeys.

 

[Prerylyon]

Hey guys-its all good! Lets keep it positive.[emoji4]

Some great ideas for me look at.

Just so you know, this 46 yr old hunter has been an amateur astronomer since he was 12. Not quite the same gig, but I have messed with a lot of optics over the yrs. I definitely don't know everything, but I get what you guys are saying. [emoji106]

My wife would be happy if I sold a couple large aperture SCT telescopes I have taking up space in the bsmnt! lol I could use the funds to buy a spotter for hunting, but then I would be sad when I want to photograph planets![emoji50]

Used gear in good condition is an option.

Honestly? I would not be averse to getting a pair of nicer binos. The budget binos have 'worked' for 5+ yrs, but its like this: I can get the spotter or the binos, not both, this yr.[emoji38]

Play nice.

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[Slugz]

Depending on what you want to use them for......you could go the slightly larger than 10x42s and kill 2 birds with one stone. 10x50/12x50....if you haven't, try them out. I know a lot of guys who got rid of their spotters and got really nice 50s and never use the spotter or need it for that matter. Really comes down to the style of hunting I think.

 

[JimP]

If the binos you are using now are sufficent then go with the spotter.

Here is where I got mine on sale for $799. It is the Vortex Razor 20-60x85. It is a little bit big for packing into a area but it sure is a nice scope. Also this price is better than Camofire for the same scope.

https://www.als.com/Vortex-Razor-HD-Spotting-Scope/vortex-spot_scope_razor/Product