Rangefinder or Spotting Scope

[losdaddy7]

Any comments or rationale? 

[Bean Counter]

 I picked scope but am torn. You should have a general idea with the use of any standard duplex reticle what  is in your range and what is not when sporting a modern rifle.

I picked spotting scope because it is far more effective to hunt with your eyes and not with your legs. Especially on a high hunt. The majority of my rifle kills start this way, high hunt or not. Find a tall peak with a sharp drop, glass buck until he beds, go kill him. You'll be amazed at all you've been missing.

Torn because $500 or less usually buys you crap on the spotting scope world. Sure you can get into respectable binos in that price range, but thee spotters higher magnification will also amplify cheap glass' distortion, color fringing, chromatic aberration, etc. I would be prepared to drop $1,000+. Buy once, cry once. You'll get far more people on here telling you they wish they would have nutted up the first time with quality glass rather than people who will tell you that they're glad they only spent $399 on a spotter and have used it on many successful hunts.

[Bean Counter]

Are you riding horses in or backpacking? If the latter then weight and space will be a concern. I would consider a compact, yet high quality spotter, such as the Leupold Golden Ring HD 12-40x60 or something like it. I'd probably also go with a monopod for that setup instead if a tripod.

[losdaddy7]

Backpacking.... 

If I were to drop $1000 on a good scope, any other suggestions on models/brand?  I may go shopping this weekend..

[Bean Counter]

 don't forget to budget for your tripod/monopod! I spent $300 on mine (Manfrotto), though I did upgrade the head to a nicer model (Bogen 701rc2) that would support  the weight of an 80mm scope.+ DSLR for digiscoping.

Truth be told, I've never digiscoped in all the many years I've owned it, but a nice, fluid  head than pans (turns) smoothly is great to have for making minute adjustments and glassing all day long.

[jrod1407]

ok i choose range-finder with out a doubt!!! first day of opening season in the first hour in fact. i called in a 6x6 MASSIVE BULL to about 35 yards and MISSED (overshot). 3 hours later i was at bob's sporting goods browsing the selection. then 5 days later i got a second shot and because i knew the exact distance (down to a half of a yard) i was able to stick a nice 4x2 with a double lung shot.  range-finder is mandatory.... for anyseason

[Bean Counter]

The Nikon ED 50mm Fieldscope (NOT the Prostaff model) and Pentax PF-ED2 65mm are two models that I considered a few years ago when I considered a more compact  scope. I like the wrap around focus ring found on the Nikon, Swaro, etc myself over the finger knob found on some other brands--YMMV as this is purely preference. Since the two I mentioned are a few years on the market, there should be a few on the cheap used.

Go with HD/ED/APO/etc glass from one of the reputable manufacturers and you'll be good to go.

[Bob33]

I would choose a rangefinder over a spotting scope. Knowing how far away an animal is can make the difference between a hit, a miss, or a cripple, or passing a shot that could have been made because you thought it was too far. Binoculars are essential but a spotting scope would be third on my list after a rangefinder.

Also, if you plan to get a spotting scope you'll really want to budget and not go cheap.

[sirmissalot]

I would choose a rangefinder over a spotting scope. Knowing how far away an animal is can make the difference between a hit, a miss, or a cripple, or passing a shot that could have been made because you thought it was too far. Binoculars are essential but a spotting scope would be third on my list after a rangefinder.

Also, if you plan to get a spotting scope you'll really want to budget and not go cheap.

Yup, word for word on what I was gonna say.

[Blacktail Sniper]

I would choose a rangefinder over a spotting scope. Knowing how far away an animal is can make the difference between a hit, a miss, or a cripple, or passing a shot that could have been made because you thought it was too far. Binoculars are essential but a spotting scope would be third on my list after a rangefinder.

Also, if you plan to get a spotting scope you'll really want to budget and not go cheap.

Yup, word for word on what I was gonna say.

[Hilltop123]

Just my  .............. I didn't offer, YOU ASKED................Most modern, high velocity rounds will do 400 yds. easy enough,  just sight in 2-3 inches high at a hundred, takes some of the guess work out...and if you look at alot of deer, through your scope and practice at those ranges, you know your limits......Now are you hunting west or east side?  If eastside is your regular hunting grounds.........then get the spotting scope..........I have watch way to many folks, looking a bucks with bino's, GUESSING that it's a 3 point.....I put my spotter on it and it's just a big 2.......but the opposite can happen also........guys looking at smaller bucks....and walk off leaving a legal 3 standing......the spotter can also save alot of boot leather on stalks also, it sucks to put miles and time into a stalk and only have it turn out to be a 2 point.........and yes I own a range finder, a Lieca 800........but if I had to leave one at home....hands down the the range finder will be left....the spotter will always have a spot in my pack

[losdaddy7]

With my limited comfortable range, and more time hunting Eastern Wa terrain, I think Ill go for the spotter.  Now to figure out which one...

[royalbull]

I think I would need more than $500

[losdaddy7]

Well....just finished my shopping trip at Cabelas and decided to purchase the best deal I could, the best quality sale item.....  I bought the Leica crf1600 rangefinder.  Cabelas is closing them out and I bought the last one in stock for $150 off....  woohoo...   I checked out the spotting scopes and have my eye on the Vortex Viper HD....  just need to wait for a good  price.

[Maligator]

I chose rangefinder because I already have a great set of Zen-Ray binos that I take with me and my concern is with having an accurate distance for proper bullet placement. Now don't get me wrong; I still need a good spotting scope and will end up getting one, but just ordered a Vortex 1000 rangefinder today. Waiting for it to arrive in 3-5 days!