Was it a mistake?

[ADAHY]

New to bow hunting, and getting geared up for my first hunt this year. Bought a Vortex Viper HD 15-45*65 spotting scope couple days ago,,,,,WOW.     I love this thing except for the weight. Anyhow, should I have put the money into a nice binocular instead?

[RadSav]

Not sure if it was a mistake, but I would definitely put the value of a good pair of binoculars WAY far above a spotting scope.  You use binos everywhere near and far, on the move or at a stand still, heavy brush and wide open valleys.  You usually only use a spotter after you have found an animal with your binos first.  But heck, you got the hard decision taken care of first.  Should be easy decisions from here on out!

[jackelope]

Do you have binoculars? It's an awesome scope. Whether you're going to use it or not and make it a worthwhile investment is based on your style of hunting. I'd sacrifice a little extra weight to have an awesome spotter, but only if I had good quality bino's too.
My opinion.

[Curly]

should I have put the money into a nice binocular instead?

Yes.

[300rum]

Depends on what kind of country you are in.  Where I hunt (E. Wash, Montana, Idaho), I use the spotter way, way more then binoculars.  In fact, I carry my bow/rifle in one hand and my spotter/tripod in the other. 

Where the Binoculars win is in tight cover, a thick north slope where you expect to see animals within 50-100 yards of you. 

A guy with a spotter (who knows how to use it) will run circles around a guy with binocs in open country.   

[kentrek]

while binos are great...you can def get by with just a spotter AND a good range finder

while everyones hunting area/style is a tad different
it seem pretty common for me to use a spotter like usual but on my stalk by the time i get to the critter its either soo steep or thick that i can only see at max 30 yards..so i usualy nev end up bringn binos for archery....rifle elk tho binos are a must

[notellumcreek]

If you are bow hunting I would have put the money into a nice range finder and some binos. I hardly use my binos bow hunting. 

[sirmissalot]

should I have put the money into a nice binocular instead?

Yes.

[ADAHY]

Thanks for the response, I think I'm gonna return the spotter and tri and put that grand toward binos and  the last remaining  gear to get started? I already have a nice range finder and bow. I'll get the binos, then what should be the order of priority for the best chance to have a successful first year in regards to gear. I've studdied and understand the regs, have already begun scouting the areas I'll begin in, and got my time in on the bow. Help with my remaining gear needs please. I'll get the spotter next year if needed. I should mention I'm a long time backpacker and already have all the gear associated with that.

[SkookumHntr]

You cant have enough hunting gear.. Now go get yourself a pair of boots and a rangfinder!

[Mudman]

Good rain proof clothes and a pack with H2O and good boots.  If a guy is comfortable he spends more time in the woods I think!

[Bob33]

#1: boot leather. 

[BULLBLASTER]

I a thinking about buying that same spotter. Been looking a bit and it seems great for the money.

[ADAHY]

I liked it , just a bit heavy.

[Elknut1]

Yes, binos would be my first purchase as I built my glass foundation but a spotter would be right behind it! I hope you didn't really pay a grand for it, it's a 600.00 spotter. It's weight is right at what any 65 spotter with HD/ED glass would be. Good Luck!

  ElkNut1

[Don Fischer]

A spotting scope for archery hunting? I don't archery hunt so please forgive me my ignorance. But I would think a good range finder woubd work for any of it. My Leupold ranger finder is a 6x scope.