Looking for Expert Advice on Backpacking spotting scopes

[wilsongideon]

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/Nikon-Products/Fieldscopes/6983/PROSTAFF-3-Fieldscope-Outfit.html



a 60mm spotting scope that wieghs less then my binoculars? 22 oz is light!!! So I am a big fan of the saying you get what you pay for, what is the catch with this spotter? I have to admit I do like Nikons I think their glass is extremely clear and bright, but this lightweight spotter at the price seems to good to be true. What do you guys think? I have been doing alot of research on lightwieght spotters but decided that 60 mm was the smallest light gathering end I would consider. I looked at the vortex and leaupolds, nikons because I like what I hear about those brands and have used them myself (except for vortex but I like what I hear) from what I can gather from those 3: Leaupolds are proven, Nikons are semi-proven in the hunting world and liked by many, Vortexs are the new hot commodity due to price warrenty and service. what am I missing. Swaro would be my number one choice but its out of budget. I really dont wanna go with a brand I havent proven, like pentax, alpen, Minox etc although I am sure there are some great affordable scopes in those lines though.

[JoeE]

I'm interested in knowing what people think about this as well.

[Huntnfolk]

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.

[wilsongideon]

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.

thanks for the input, So with your XL II did you use it to glass for animals or did you find animals with your binos then check them with the scope. I am just wondering if its something you ever used for extended periods of time picking apart hillsides, timber ect. I wouldnt be worried about perfect zoom clarity as I am not trying to score animals with it, but use it to find parts of bedded animals at longer ranges. My 10x binos workawesome out to 500 yards and I have spotted parts of bedded deer at 7-800 yards with binos and I am thinking a scope might improve my odds even more at finding deer in the 5-800 yard range midday when they are bedded for several hours. and also when I do spott them bedded at long distances with binos you cannot make out anything alot of times, so with a scope you might be able to confirm horns or not.

how did you lose your XL?

[teanawayslayer]

they had this spotter on camofire the other day for a killer deal!

[asl20bball]

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 has
the 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.

[Elknut1]

That Nikon, looks like it would be a nice size to pack for sure. I've not used it so not sure about the glass? I have a couple of the New DiamondBack Spotting Scopes coming in that are the 20-60X60 I'll check them out when they show & see how nice the glass is on it. I suspect it will be suitable for the price as a non HD Spotter. I'd say it would do fine up to the two mile range in picking critters out of the not so obvious spots that you could pick up with 10X binos. Personally when I setup in a nice vantage area I rarely use my binos, they are good to under a mile & just for obvious sightings but nothing like a Spotter at 30X-40X - That's my favorite power for glassing for 6-7 hours at a stretch. It's so deadly sometimes I think it should be illegal! (grin)

  One thing to consider is it's tough on the eyes & head to Spot for hours through Spotters that do not have HD glass, just a thought!

  ElkNut1

[Alan K]

Far from an expert, but I just picked up the Leupold 12-40 HD spotter. 

Had been using a Vortex Skyline ED for a couple years, and it has been a great scope, but the size kept me from lugging it around.  It's more of a pickup/landing spotter. 

This new Leupold is nice and compact for packing.  Have several back country hunts planned in the next few years, and it should serve me well! 

Weight/packability/HD, are obviously the major things to look for.

[wilsongideon]

After the thoughts on the HD/ED I thinking thats a must as well I dont want to get eye strain or headaches. I really enjoy glassing for animals and have done all day stints many times. I will check into the ED50, I would be sold on the Leupold except for the wieght, I may end up going with that but only after I look at other glass that weighs less.

[deerslyr]

I have the Minox MD50, arguably the greatest value optic out there. Truly an awesome spotter and I picked up a demo model for $189, having said that, when Im in the high country, the compact scopes just dont cut it any more and the small FOV drives me nuts. I grew out of it. Im on the hunt for a new 65mm scope, I think the new 65mm razor will get the nod. Ill pack a few extra pounds and cut them some where else.

[mountainman]

I carry a set of Vortex Razors. 10 power for glassing, snap their doubler on in less the 2 second and presto, a 20 power spotter! Fits in the shirt pocket too! Much smaller than a full size spotter, yet still count points out at longer range

[T_L_S]

 The Prostaff 3 seems like a good deal considering the 60mm objective, 48x zoom, and 22 oz, but even though I like nikons I still believe you will get what you pay for. If that's all the more someone wants to spend then they will make it work. If I were you I would save a little more and shop around for a 13-30x50. You won't be disappointed. I will admit 30+power would be nice at times, but I question whether the clarity of the prostaff on 48x comes anywhere close to the fieldscope on 30x. If I were forced to compromise I would rather have less zoom and a clearer image than more zoom and poor image. The best of both worlds will cost more. If I could only have one scope the 13-30x50 would be it.

[acnewman55]

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.

[ShaneTyTrey]

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.

Spend another $100 and get the Vortex Vipers.

I vote for the Vortex Razors have bothe the binos and spotter bought both from Paul and would say for the money you can't touch them...just my

[haugenna]

If you are having trouble viewing animals past 500 yards with your binocs, look at getting a tripod mount for your binocs.  You will spot a lot more animals with a steady set of binocs versus a spotter.  Use your spotter to field judge.  Looking through a spotter for extended periods is hard on my eyes and gives me fatigue. 

As for the brands you mentioned, I also heard good things about the Nikon Spotter XL II.  I am leupold rifle scope fan but haven't found a good spotting scope in the Leupold line.

Good luck in your quest.