Free: Contests & Raffles.
Not sure if all the specs are same, but the scope you show looks very similar to what I used to have called the Nikon XL II. Same amount of zoom and objective size. I really liked the scope over all. The slim line made it easy to put in and take out of a pack, and it was pretty light to carry.Overall I thought the glass was good. Depending on distance to target, I did find it was hard to focus sometimes when zoomed all the way to 48x. The only thing that I think may have fixed that was if the scope had a fine adjustment focus knob like some manufacturers have. I'm not a trophy hunter, but I used it many times to confirm horns on a buck or a legal bull.I wish I still had my XL II, but that's another story.
Just tagging this.New to deer hunting and will be in the market for an inexpensive spotter to start out with. Gotta keep it under $500. I can live with a few headaches from spotting through lower-priced glass.
If you're looking for a scope for backpacking I'd seriously consider the Nikon ED50. I have one, at first i was skeptical due do the size (it seriously almost looks like a kids toy or something) but it packs a punch for size/weight. I started noticing it on hunting shows like Eastmans esp on hunts where they were in the backcountry. I've yet to see a scope of that size/weight that is as quality as the ED50. The downside is the price as you're looking at over 2x the cost of the scope u posted but then again getting an scope that hasthe ED or HD rating is worth it IMO. My philosophy was to buy a scope I can live with for a long time so I ponied up and got an expensive one and settled on the ED50.Good luck.
I prefer a spotter that is a bit smaller than most guys like. I have an older leupold 20x inline scope that sits on my tripod and i can stuff it into my pack this way...
Quote from: ICEMAN on June 28, 2013, 07:08:29 PMI prefer a spotter that is a bit smaller than most guys like. I have an older leupold 20x inline scope that sits on my tripod and i can stuff it into my pack this way...So looks like that serves you well Iceman, is that a 60mm? or 40?I have a twenty power but I dont feel its very effective its the leupold gold ring compact 10-20x 40mm it was a gift and I got some good use out of it but realastically it wasnt enough power to justify packing it with binos, now it is clear enough and light enough you could use it hand held like binos.
Id rather pack a high quality pair of Binos than a small spotter
Well after alot of research and listening to your guys opinions a couple things stood out to me. spending the extra money on a HD and I think I would rather have more glass then less so I think I am going for 80mm Vortex, If it turns out to be to heavy for backpacking I will buy a smaller one in the future. thanks everyone for your input.
I have the steiner nighthunters and love them..little heavy, but nice on the eyes. The question with owning a pair of nice binos is buying a spotter like the nikon above really going to help much (quality of glass) ?
Quote from: wilsongideon on July 07, 2013, 02:37:21 PMWell after alot of research and listening to your guys opinions a couple things stood out to me. spending the extra money on a HD and I think I would rather have more glass then less so I think I am going for 80mm Vortex, If it turns out to be to heavy for backpacking I will buy a smaller one in the future. thanks everyone for your input.Have you already purchased it? I wouldn't go 80 mm for a backpacking scope, they're big. Spend your money on high quality lenses, not bigger ones.
From what I hear, the guys that pack the 80mms regret it...until they get to there glassing point and can glass for miles and not have to move. I think a 65mm is the best of both worlds though. Not as big and bulky as the 80s and far superior optically to the 50s. Im really bored with my 50 and have said to myself at least once on every outing the last year that I wish I had something more.
Quote from: JLS on July 08, 2013, 11:00:48 PMQuote from: wilsongideon on July 07, 2013, 02:37:21 PMWell after alot of research and listening to your guys opinions a couple things stood out to me. spending the extra money on a HD and I think I would rather have more glass then less so I think I am going for 80mm Vortex, If it turns out to be to heavy for backpacking I will buy a smaller one in the future. thanks everyone for your input.Have you already purchased it? I wouldn't go 80 mm for a backpacking scope, they're big. Spend your money on high quality lenses, not bigger ones.No I havent but wouldnt a 80mm let it more light in low light coniditions and be easier on the eyes all day? its less then a pound heavier then the 65.
well as I continue to change my mind I have talked myself out of the 80mm it would just be a beast to carry, So now I ponder the difference between the 50mm Razor and the 65 Razor they both look pretty sweet.