Looking for Expert Advice on Backpacking spotting scopes

[ORCA_SIX]

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.

I have the same one and love it

[MtnMuley]

I'd check out jackelope's Leupy Gold Ring 12-40x60 in the classifieds.  Excellent price on what I feel is the best back country spotter out there.

[wilsongideon]

I appreciate the continued input. I looked at the 12-30x-50mm nikons and Vortex has a similar one but I decided I want more glass then a 50mm. I can spot feeding animals at 500 yards plus with binos and have even spotted a few bedded down at that distance which is a awesome. but its really difficult on a bedded animal which isnt moving to field judge and you spend alot of time glassing the animal untill it moves or stands up, I was hopeing with a spotter I can improve my time both on spotting bedded animals and field judging the same animal so I can move on looking for another animal. I also looked at Jackelopes Leupold which Is a excellent deal and I would love the Camera adapters but I like the Idea of HD or ED so that is where I am leaning towards even more. I am looking at the 65mms with High def and doing some comparisons

[mountainman]

Have a Razor HD AND the camera adapter if interested??

[ICEMAN]

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...

[6haase6]

May have skipped over this. But what's the effective range on the ED50?

[wilsongideon]

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...

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.

[ICEMAN]

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...

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.

20x x 50mm

[b23]

I have a set of Vortex Kaibab 15x56 binos that I find myself using more than my spotter.  Especially, if I'm glassing for extended periods because my eyes don't get tired.  But if a compact spotter is what you're set on, that little Nikon 50ED would be at the top of my list.

[wilsongideon]

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.

[huntnnw]

Id rather pack a high quality pair of Binos than a small spotter

[wilsongideon]

Id rather pack a high quality pair of Binos than a small spotter

I definitly agree with you there....I would like to upgrade my binos but I am happy with my steiners. Last year I spent 3 full days glassing and spotting deer with them and it was a absolute blast. I want to get this spotting scope so that when I do spot a bedded deer I can hopefully get a little closer look without having to change position or have to wait for the deer to move. When a bucks head is in the shade its hard to tell if your looking at one side or bothsides, lots of forked horns sure look bigger from the side.

[huntnnw]

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) ?

[JLS]

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.

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.

[wilsongideon]

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) ?

After hashing it out I dont think it will help as much as I would like