HD Bino or Spotting Scope?

[BIGMIKE]

Finally, I was able to save some money to upgrade my optics.  :)I was wondering if you guys have input on which one to buy. Initially I was looking for a good backpacking spotting scope (Vortex Razor HD...50 or 65 mm) because I dont have a spotting scope yet. But come to think about it, I made it all these years without one so why buy now? I currently have a Nikkon Bino 10x42 and it has served me well in the past. I always hear people say...buy the best optics you can afford. So I am looking at Vortex Razor HD 10x or 12x. I have been talking to Elknut1 and he mentioned that with 12x I will have to mount it on a tripod if glassing for more than a few minutes. I just dont have the experiece with a HD spotter and HD Binos, is it really that big of a difference when looking thru them versus a regular glass like my Nikkon. I hope that with you input I can decide which glass to buy, my budget is 1000 dollars, so any input is greatly appreciated.

[Bean Counter]

Good job saving up cash and being patient.  If your budget were only $500-600, I would tell you to go with the binos, hands down. With rare exception, it's just not worth lugging around a non HD spotter IMHO. Too much color fringing at long distances and not enough low light performance. With $1,000, you should have no problem getting into an Hd spotter, especially if you shop used. Save money for a nice tripod and head. A fluid, smooth panning head is real nice  for meticulous scanning of a hillside. bought mine on ebay 8 years ago and have used it nearly every season since. I can't imagine hunting without it. You say that you've never needed one before, so why now... So I answer your question with a question: are you happy with your hunt results? Do you hunt the east side a lot and not tag out ? If the answer is yes then you probably need a spotter. You literally don't know what you're missing. Ive watched other hunters push animals around with no clue what they're doing. I've judged antler sizes on bucks so far away that I can yell and scream with excitement and they still don't hear me. If you hunt thick brush on the west side and put down good animals every year, then a spotter probably doesn't make sense for you.

[Bob33]

I would spend limited funds on binoculars over just about anything else.

[Crunchy]

If you are going to buy binos then get 10X of whatever brand you decide.  12X can get a little shaky if you don't have a solid rest.  My 12X binos are used for deer and bear hunting, and I have my spotter with me. So I am able to rest the binos on the tripod as well.  A spotting scope sure is nice, and no regrets on mine.  I like to pack in a good ways and glass from ridges.  You wont be able to pick a hillside apart with just binos at 10X. 

[nwwanderer]

My spotter gets used multiple times every day, binos on long walks and unforgiving situations.  Save for both.

[Kuduman]

BIGMIKE:
 to me its a matter of personal preference. I have a spotting scope but rarely use it afield unless I'm antelope hunting in Wyoming or Montana. I prefer using binos as a primary means of glassing for game but I also don't glass from one spot for extended periods of time. This year was the first year I had difficulty with my 10 X and 12 power binos because I was hunting a new area that was very open compared to my normal hunt areas. So I picked up a pair of vortex vipers in 15x50. The higher power gives me the magnification to properly evaluate game at longer distances and the quality of the viper, razor or even the kaibab series of vortex are worth a consideration if you decide to go down the bino path. excellent value for the cost IMO

Good Luck
Kuduman

[300rum]

I am just the opposite, I use my spotter all of the time (Leupold 12x40).  Most of the time I carry my rifle in one hand and my spotter in the other!  If you hunt the west (not west side), I would suggest buying a pair of 10x vortex diamondback binos and spending the rest on a good spotter.  I don't have the Diamondbacks (I have much more expensive binos) but know two who do, I just can't tell any difference between the expensive binos and the Vortex's. 

[300rum]

A guy who has a spotting scope (that knows how to use it) will run circles around a guy with binoculars, all day long.  The exception being when hunting thick areas, such as the west side.  I prefer spot/stock for the most part so take that into consideration. 

As far as 12x's go, there is just too much movement in the glass for me, too hard to hold steady.  They really need a tri-pod to be effective.  One of the things you are looking for is movement, so movement at all in the glass may prevent you from noticing movement in what you are looking at.  The other thing is that if you are going to set up a tripod, why not use a scope, it is better anyway.