Spotting Scope!!!HELP! my brain is fried

[CoryTDF]

Ok guys i need some help. I need a new spotter and am looking at Nikon and or Vortex. I don't have 1k to spend. I will NEVER own Bushnell products ever again so those are out. Was looking at the Kowa but cant find what type of warranty they have.  I am not interested in how "Sweet" it looked in the store. I want real reviews from field tested trials. I need a GOOD spotting scope and am looking ton the following. Who has used any of these and what do you think? I will be spotting from very long distances. I have ready every review i can find but some hippy bird watcher is not going to sway my decision one way or the other. I want hunters to help me.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/kowa-60mm-high-performance-spotting-scopes.html

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Diamondback-20-Straight-Spotting/dp/B00BIKFKW4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nikon-prostaff-5-spotting-scopes-20-60x-82mm-zoom.html

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-15-45x65-Viper-Spotting-Scopes/dp/B004I8Q9SC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_5

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-15-45x65-Straight-Spotting-VPR-65S-HD/dp/B004I8Z48S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_p_1

[WenHunter]

I just got the Nikon 20-60x82mm, and I really enjoy it so far. I actually found it on camofire for a great price of $399, I bet they still have some left and will be putting them up again, or just give them a shout their customer service is awesome. That's my 

[sticky]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

[SemperFidelis97]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

[CoryTDF]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL

[CoryTDF]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

I do like Leupold but i'm really interested in warranty. Whats the point of spending that kind of money and having to worry about not being able to get it fixed or replaced if someting goes wrong or you drop it. Vortex and Nikon both have lifetime "No Fault' warranty. I have used Nikon's 3 times all cases were my own fault and they did me right everytime. The last time the just sent me a brand new pair of monarchs. I think there is a time limit or something like that on the Leupold warranty.

[follow maggie]

Leupold has a lifetime warranty, even if you're not the original owner:
http://www.leupold.com/resources/leupold-warranty-infomation/

[sticky]

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL
[/quote]

Dude! Snorted what? Can I have some? 

[Bob33]

Leupold has a lifetime warranty, even if you're not the original owner:
http://www.leupold.com/resources/leupold-warranty-infomation/

+1. You will not find a better company, warranty wise.

[grundy53]

I use a leupold gold ring 20-40x60, I paid about 650$ for it on ebay new.  It has a very small profile so I can fit it, and my tripod into my pack very easily.  The optics are superb as you would expect from a leupold gold ring line of product, and I haven't had a single issue with it in all the years I have owned it.  I know you asked about nikon, or vortex I do not own either though I have looked through some nikon spotters all are fine products.  For me it came down to the lightweight space saving design of the leupold as well as my experience with the durability, and quality of the product they sell.

I do like Leupold but i'm really interested in warranty. Whats the point of spending that kind of money and having to worry about not being able to get it fixed or replaced if someting goes wrong or you drop it. Vortex and Nikon both have lifetime "No Fault' warranty. I have used Nikon's 3 times all cases were my own fault and they did me right everytime. The last time the just sent me a brand new pair of monarchs. I think there is a time limit or something like that on the Leupold warranty.

Leopold has one of the best warranties out there. And it's lifetime.

[huntnnw]

Find a used leupold on craigslist or Ebay

[Bean Counter]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-FIELDSCOPE-82MM-ED-OUTFIT-/370839016013?pt=US_Telescopes&hash=item5657ba524d

You're done. IDK if this item up for bid has an eyepiece included or not, which can run you up to $250. I have a fixed 30x wide angle. I'm not sure if a 25-75x would be better or not. I have a ridiculously wide FOV, edge to edge clarity, and brightness in low light.

I would buy my scope all over again, without hesitation. I love the wrap around focus ring. The thumb wring is just too darned small for my spastic fingers to focus comfortably all day long. If you do a lot of backpacking in, consider the ED 50mm Fieldscope. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Fieldscope-Iii-Angled-Ed-20-60X60-Spotting-Scope-Hunting-Waterproof-8340-/390592534832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af1211930

Cheers

[Bean Counter]

Aw man. You mean you don't like to drop some acid and look at all the warblers and chickadees up close - it's like you're floating through the scope and then, poof! Now you're a bird too - with all kinds of far out colors and a big beak to eat bugs with . . . but I'm a pacifist, I can't kill other living things. Maybe if I eat stuff that's already dead. What was the topic again?

I laughed so hard i snorted reading this LOL

Believe it or not I learned most of what I know about optics on bird watching forums. Hard to fit in (didn't talk much about hunting) but holy cow those guys know glass...

[Bean Counter]

Yikes, I need to read more carefully 

I checked the links you provided and it looks like you're in a lower price range than my suggestions. I apologize but will leave them up FWIW. Good luck with the search.

[rosscrazyelk]

If $1000 is your budget vortex viper would be a good scope for that. 
I have the razor and it is only $300 more.   If you need a vortex hook up let me know

[skinzner]

I have bought several things from these guys and their prices were great. I picked up a minox md62 spotter and eyepiece for far less than the spotter body was by itself other places. You can pick up some good deals off of the demo list.

http://cameralandny.com/

[halflife65]

If $1000 is your budget vortex viper would be a good scope for that. 
I have the razor and it is only $300 more.   If you need a vortex hook up let me know

Even if you have to wait another month or two (I know it's hard this time of year since you want to be scouting) I'd save up and buy that higher end Vortex.  You'll be really glad you did that in the long run.

[alecvg]

Vortex is what I use.  Awesome quality, on par with Zeiss and Swaravski. (I have used both of those extensively as well)  At a good price. You might end up having to pay a little over a grand.  Warranty from what I have heard is awesome, haven't used it yet myself.  That's what I would suggest if your looking for the best bang for your buck.

[Bean Counter]

If you're going to go Vortex I would definitely stick to an HD model. I had my Nikon ED set up at the range and some dude next to me had a $500ish Vortex and it couldn't hold a candle to my Nikon. Lots of bluish hue and chromatic aberration aka lateral color fringing. No way would I carry a $500 spotting scope around the desert on a hunt after looking through that. I would rather go this entire season without a spotter and save up for next year to buy what I want.

[ShaneTyTrey]

If $1000 is your budget vortex viper would be a good scope for that. 
I have the razor and it is only $300 more.   If you need a vortex hook up let me know

 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Check out the old nikon fieldscopes.  Darn good for the money.  The vortex viper is pretty nice in your range.

[CoryTDF]

Ended Up Finding A Good Deal On A Leopol Kenai So Thats Where Im At Now. Hope It Was A Good Choice.25-60-80Mm. $649

[b23]

I would agree on the older Nikon Fieldscope Spotters.  I have a non ED Nikon Fieldscope 65mm, about 10yrs old, and my dad bought a new Swaro HD 80mm three yrs ago.  I've mounted them side by side many times and looked thru both back and fourth and with the exception of VERY low light conditions, neither of us can honestly say one was any better than the other.  Even at VERY low light my dad's HD Swaro is only slightly better.  Biggest difference, I paid $1,000 for mine and his was around $3500.

We were both VERY shocked that his Swaro HD wasn't noticeably better, especially considering how much more expensive the Swaro was and how awesome my dad's Swaro binos are.  Swaro binos are fantastic but their spotters, IMO, aren't nearly as impressive.

When I bought my Nikon from Sportsmen's Warehouse the sales guy let me take the different models I was looking at and go outside and look thru them side by side off tripods.  At the time I didn't compare the Nikon to a Swaro or Leica because they were out of my price range but of the spotters I compared in the $1K range, the Nikon Fieldscope was the clear winner.  I haven't looked thru a new Nikon Fieldscope so I have no idea what their like but I would guess they are at least as good as mine.  Also, I would never get anything bigger than a 65mm.  The 80mm, in any brand, are clubs and I don't see any real benefit to anything bigger then 65mm.  If you are looking for a spotter that is compact and has great glass the Nikon ED 50 is and excellent little spotter. 

[hunter75]

Take all the money you can drum up and buy the nicest vortex you can buy. Recently bought a razor that is amazing... Warranty is the best in the industry. I am in walla walla frequently scouting by Dixie if you ever want to check it out.

[CoryTDF]

Take all the money you can drum up and buy the nicest vortex you can buy. Recently bought a razor that is amazing... Warranty is the best in the industry. I am in walla walla frequently scouting by Dixie if you ever want to check it out.

That would be cool. I would like to see if it's much better than the Leupold Kenai that I just bought. If so i'll have to return it and get the Vortex.

[huntnphool]

Just bite bullet for a little more. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,129976.msg1729334.html#msg1729334 you won't regret it.

[CoryTDF]

Ok well I just sent the Leupold Kenai back and bought a Nikon Feild Scope ED
20x75x82mm. Got a great deal on it and just cant beat the claity of that scope. My buddy has one and when we put them head to head It was just better plain and simple.

[SemperFidelis97]

Probably not a bad move the kenai isn't on the same level as the gold ring line that leupold produces, but they aren't in the same price tier either.  Nikon produces some nice optics, and the ED fieldscope you purchased will serve you well.

[X-Force]

Sound like the right move. If you can see the difference in a side by side and can make the change. 

Ive never used the Nikon ED but i have read a lot of positive reviews.

[coachcw]

Hands down the swaro is the best scope I've used , but they are heavy . I cant say anything bad about my Nikon and its pretty light at 1/3 rd the price . what ever scope you get be sure to have a good tripod that's very important.