spotting scopes under $1000

[deerhunter_98520]

Thanks guys  I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swaros

[Crunchy]

Thanks guys  I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swaros

Nothing wrong with that Leupold you saw at cameraland.  It just isn't  Swaro, so it all depends on what you want out of your spotting scope.  Me, I wanted the best quality glass I could afford and bought the Swaro.

[mountainman]

I don't really care about size and weight...I won't be backpacking with it.....mostly for spotting deer....I had a few deer at first and last light that I know where bucks but not sure how big.....they had big bodies but my Bushnell trophy spotter just wasn't bright enough and I'm not gonna miss alotber opportunity because of it....if I need to spend a little more I will...but I want to make sure and get good optics

Thanks guys  I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swaros

size and raising the top cap on dollars not an issue, definetly go with the Swaro!!

[400out]

good luck with your choice! 

I just have one last question for you! you save for the next 6 months for your glass, ten years from now you happen to fall and break the glass or housing! Ouch that hurts      does the brand you chose ask no questions and send you a new one      vortex will! The one reason I will go with them for all my optics from here on out  Mery christmas and good luck

[teanawayslayer]

Thanks guys  I'll have to getup to cabelas and check one out first hand.....is swaro that much better to save up and spend another $600-1000 ....I see the cameralandny has demo models for sale also...I could save up more and get one of the 65mm swaros

The swarovski is more superior than any thing on the market.  I love mine and glad that I finally bit the bullet this past year.  I let a friend borrow it for his sheep hunt this year.  He has some kind of nikon ed scope.  Not a bad scope some where right around the 1k range.  He put them side by side and looked at the same ram at a 1000 yards.  With the nikon he could not count rings.  Clear as day with the swarovski.  Now he is in the hunt for one.  Your can easily count points clearly up to 1.5-2 miles away. 

[deerhunter_98520]

good luck with your choice! 

I just have one last question for you! you save for the next 6 months for your glass, ten years from now you happen to fall and break the glass or housing! Ouch that hurts      does the brand you chose ask no questions and send you a new one      vortex will! The one reason I will go with them for all my optics from here on out  Mery christmas and good luck

Leopold did this with binocs for me ....I got my grandpas when he passed and they fogged up and Leopold sent me new ones

[BULLBLASTER]

Vortex viper hd.

[deerhunter_98520]

I keep hearing vortex or swaro ....vortex must be pretty good then....who sells vortex around here son I can check them out

[yorketransport]

I keep hearing vortex or swaro ....vortex must be pretty good then....who sells vortex around here son I can check them out

This is the biggest hold up I have. I really want to look at them outside before dropping the cash.

FWIW, I picked up a Leupold MK 4 spotting scope with the TMR reticle for about $900 new off of Camofire about a year ago. You can find them in that price range if you look around.

Andrew

[Crunchy]

The only Vortex that might compare to Swaro is the Razor line.  The Viper line is about the same as Leupold, decent glass but nothing great.

[jackelope]

Can you really "easily" count points on a buck 2 miles away? What x magnification are you talking about? Legit question. Not trying to be a smart guy.

[deerhunter_98520]

And just and FYI I hunt western Washington so I'll be glassing at most 1000yds if that makes a difference

[jackelope]

I personally think when you're comparing a $1k scope to a $2k+ scope, you're spending lots more money for tiny little differences that 90% of people won't even notice. I used a Swaro a couple times...20-60x60 and found it to be awesome, but I'm not sure, for me, that it's $1k+ more awesome than the ones you're looking at in the $1k range. I realize not everyone will share the same opinions.

[JPhelps]

My 

For 1000 yd spotting I would save the money and avoid getting into the high end Swarovski and Vortex Razor Line. Those scopes really shine at long distances, low light or when being used to initially spot game at a mile+.

I have been fortunate to use a Swarovski STM 65 and stx85 over the past two seasons and while they are great glass I don't know if the price is worth the extra $1000 to $2500 depending on the model.

I would recommend you look at the Vortex Viper line.  They have the HD version as well.  This recommendation is based only for your use as if you wanted to start looking at further distances I would recommend the Swarovski or vortex razor.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper15-45x65

[Bill W]

I have a Nikon 15x - 45x and an Alpen 20x - 60x and use them for target shooting.   The power and clarity is needed to see which side of the line a bullet hole is on a black target at 200 yards on a rainy, cloudy morning against a black hillside.   

If the Swarovski's have more resolution than the two I have I'd like to compare.   

I started out with a 25x Tasco as it was my hunting spotting scope, albiet heavy.   I was "lunchmeat" at the shoots until I got the Nikon.  The Alpen was a tad better.     

One issue with high power spotting scopes is heat waves/mirage.   I've been on prairie dog trips in Montana when the July temps hit close to 100.   I had a 20x scope on my rifle and had to dial down to around 12 because of heatwaves/mirage.