Spotting Scope Recommendations?

[BIGDOG253]

What spotting scope do you use?

I am looking to get a spotting scope for summer scouting, without breaking the bank. Any suggestions?

[vandeman17]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,174050.msg2300900/topicseen.html#new

[dennisbk]

Whats your price range?
Vortex has quality glass and excellent customer service... PM sent

[X-Force]

Size 80, 65, 50?

Cheap and lots of good reviews minox MD 50 right around $200 used, vanguard endeavor 65 $500ish new

[BIGDOG253]

Size: Either 65 or 80.

Im trying not to spend more than $500.

I have an older pair of Vortex binos and they perform well for the most part, good quality. Im looking at the Viper HD 15-45x65 which has great reviews too. vandeman17, PM sent.

[Bean Counter]

 I wouldn't buy a spotting scope Without ED/HD glass. This is not necessarily a  requirement for binoculars.  However, the higher magnification of a spotting scope will magnify imperfections and cheap glass.  Unless you find a stellar deal at $500, you're probably better off selling your current pair of binoculars, adding that $500 to your budget, and getting a nicer pair of binoculars.   If given the choice to take it to hundred dollar spotting scope to the field or just take my binoculars I would probably leave the spider behind.   Not trying to sound snooty, just an honest answer to your question.  You don't have to spend $2000+ on a Swarovski to get a great spot or even in low light..  I was able to find a Nikon ED for just under $800 on eBay many years ago.  Swaro is a tad lighter than my spotter, but even in low light isn't markedly better.

[washingtonhunter121]

I know you are looking for a 65 or 80 but I have a vortex razor hd 11x33x50 for sale that is essentially brand new. I put this spotter up to the vortex viper had in 65 mm and the quality of glass isn't comparable. Once you get into the higher magnifications the viper had distorts a little bit with the smaller razor hs everything is is clear through all magnification settings. If you have a place nearby that stocks both ask them to put them on a tripod and take outside to look through to tell the difference. This was my first spotter over 200 and I loved it so much that I thought it was worth it to spend the money on the 65mm. This was just due to my uncle and I wanting to spot for longer range target shooting

[Bean Counter]

 That's good information to know.  Not a fair comparison given the price difference, but I once put my Nikon against a viper and the Nikon was hand over fist better than The Viper, even in bright daylight the lack of sharpness and chromatic aberration (lateral color fringing) was obvious.

[C-Money]

I bought an Alpen and really like it.. Lifetime warranty.

[deerhunter_98520]

i recommend saving your money and getting a nice spotter...i have the 85mm razor hd and havent looked back....you dont realize how useful a high end spotter is until you have one....that being said you would have to be willing to get over the price tag...one thing i took into consideration is the lifetime warranty on it...no questions asked...i spent the 1500 now and my kids will eventually get the spotter and warranty 

[Bean Counter]

  buy once, cry once.

[Miles]

If you're not wanting to break the bank... www.cameralandny.com

[BIGDOG253]

Thanks for all the info guys.

i recommend saving your money and getting a nice spotter...i have the 85mm razor hd and havent looked back....you dont realize how useful a high end spotter is until you have one....that being said you would have to be willing to get over the price tag...one thing i took into consideration is the lifetime warranty on it...no questions asked...i spent the 1500 now and my kids will eventually get the spotter and warranty 

I probably should just buck up and get something high end. Maybe an "early Christmas present" for myself 

[Larry S.]

My two cents...

1. Look for lifetime (or very long-term, i.e. 10+ years) warranties with very few or no weasel words. If it breaks, they stand behind it. No questions asked.

2. Go look through different spotters. See what works for you. They're your eyes. What works for me may not work for thee. If one brands lets you see better than another - even if it costs less - buy that brand and don't look back. Once you get into good glass ($500 and above), it's all going to help you in the field where you'll be using and abusing (i.e. see warranty above) it.

3. Consider how you'll be using it and how comfortable you'll be behind it. Angled or straight? Light or heavy? Big objective (heavy) or smaller? Can you pack it all day or will it mostly sit in your vehicle? It all matters.

4. Fog proof and waterproof - goes without saying. Bombproof (see: Zeiss Dialyt Spotter) if you can find it. Hunting equals snow, rain, dirt, dust, fog, falling and dropping things. It's a one-to-one relationship and your gear should reflect that.

5. Finally, save your money until it hurts to think of parting with that much, then save for two or three months more. Lifetime glass isn't cheap and the old saying about "Buy nice or buy twice" is always in effect. Ten years from now, when everyone is still asking you if that's a two or three pointer three ridges away, you'll never remember spending the extra $$$.

6. Don't forget to buy a good (see: sturdy) tripod. Nothing like good glass on top of a springy, cheap tripod to make you mumble words your wife won't let you use around the kids.

7. After you buy it, go out and enjoy it!!!

Larry Simoneaux


...and one more thought.

Never, ever buy something without checking into the discount/demos/discontinued glass at Cameraland New York (cameralandny.com) or at Eurooptic (eurooptic.com)

Great deals there all the time.

[magnumb]

Thanks for all the info guys.

i recommend saving your money and getting a nice spotter...i have the 85mm razor hd and havent looked back....you dont realize how useful a high end spotter is until you have one....that being said you would have to be willing to get over the price tag...one thing i took into consideration is the lifetime warranty on it...no questions asked...i spent the 1500 now and my kids will eventually get the spotter and warranty 

I probably should just buck up and get something high end. Maybe an "early Christmas present" for myself 

Well then.........now I can chime in with suggesting a Leica compact spotter.  I bought their compact 65mm, straight body, many years ago when they first came out and they are ideally suited for both range and field duties.  Clear, compact (but not too much), easy, accurate adjustments, a fine tuning wheel and Leica overall makes a very reliable product.

As I have not been interested in any other spotter since that purchase, it is possible that Leica has changed it's offerings and if so, I cannot offer a review or suggestion on any newer models as I've not kept current.

Do get the best glass possible in your 'network', be it scope or spotter...... .

Good luck.