Backcountry spotting scopes

[Okanagan]

FWIW, if I didn't own a spotting scope I would consider taking a better zoom camera than putting the money into a spotting scope.  I use binos a lot and then zoom in to check details with the spotting scope, and seldom just scan with the spotter. 

My grandson opened my eyes to camera possibilities.  We were looking at several elk 3/4 mile away with binos when I opined that one of them might be a bull.  "The one on the left is a three point," said the 14 year old, "and the second from the left is a tall spike."   I was rummaging to set up my spotting scope and was surprised at how he knew.

He showed me his camera.  He had zoomed in for a photo, then zoomed in on the recorded pic on his little screen, and a three point velvet rack of antlers was clear as can be.  Furthermore, we had all the time we wanted to study that view of the elk.

Ditto to identifying a big raptor perched in a snag way across a river.  With a zoom camera I could look at details and take it home to compare with online bird pics. 

[Bob33]

What we all want is a scope that is as bright as day at midnight, has eye popping resolution and contrast, weighs 16 ounces, fits in a shirt pocket, has six inches of eye relief, and costs less than $500.

Sign me up.

[grundy53]

What we all want is a scope that is as bright as day at midnight, has eye popping resolution and contrast, weighs 16 ounces, fits in a shirt pocket, has six inches of eye relief, and costs less than $500.

Sign me up.

I'll take one too!

[westsidehntr]

What we all want is a scope that is as bright as day at midnight, has eye popping resolution and contrast, weighs 16 ounces, fits in a shirt pocket, has six inches of eye relief, and costs less than $500.

Sign me up.

  I mean, come on, we can land on the moon but can't make the spotting scope we all want?

[xXLojackXx]

What we all want is a scope that is as bright as day at midnight, has eye popping resolution and contrast, weighs 16 ounces, fits in a shirt pocket, has six inches of eye relief, and costs less than $500.

Sign me up.

  No kidding. Until then, this will be in my bag 

[swift]

Well looks like I'll be using what I have !! A viper HD 15-45x65 I was just looking at shaving some weight
I got the weight saving "bug" new Quilt,pad,tent,water filtration,pack,ect  reengineered my whole system and thought why stop there 😜
I've got it down to 26.6# no water,food, spotter,gun
3 days food 64oz water,viper spotter,300 ultra mag I'm still just under 46# so I'm happy with that !! And could drop 2.5-3 in a rifle change but that's not an option 😝

[7mag.]

Well looks like I'll be using what I have !! A viper HD 15-45x65 I was just looking at shaving some weight
I got the weight saving "bug" new Quilt,pad,tent,water filtration,pack,ect  reengineered my whole system and thought why stop there 😜
I've got it down to 26.6# no water,food, spotter,gun
3 days food 64oz water,viper spotter,300 ultra mag I'm still just under 46# so I'm happy with that !! And could drop 2.5-3 in a rifle change but that's not an option 😝

That's about the same weight for me for a 5 day hunt. One place I don't cut weight, is optics.

[xXLojackXx]

I left the spotter at home last year and went 10 days on 49.5#. You can easily cut more if you really wanted to.