Binoculars vs. Spotting scope

[Bean Counter]

Ian,

Are you going hunting tomorrow? Check Craigslist for deals locally. You have some time to find  good deal from now till the fall. I've bought both my optics and camera lenses used, saved 50+%, and they're good enough for my use. YMMV.

[ian_padron]

Bean Counter, really good point. I'm looking to score a pair of Nikon Pro-Staff 10x42s. I'll definitely wait things out and look around for the right deal.

[Bean Counter]

I believe Monarch > Prostaff and if you're patient I don't see why you can't snag some 8x42s for $150-200. I had the old ATBs but IDK all the differences between the new '3, 5, & 7' models. I think you have to step up into the 5 or 7 to get the dielectrically coated internal prisms, but all (including the old Monarchs) should have fully multicoated optics, which are the bare minimum for quality standard for hunting optics.   

[couesbitten]

Cabela's is a good place to go in and put your hands on some binoculars and get a feel for the one's you like, but there's lots of places out there on the internet that can beat their prices, not charge you sales tax, and give better customer service. 

Some of the better ones (I've purchased from both of these).
http://cameralandny.com/ Check their Demos/Samples list
http://www.bearbasin.com/
Also, Elknut1 on this website is a Vortex dealer and has some great prices.

[ian_padron]

10-4 guys, thanks again for all the help. It is much appreciated!

[follow maggie]

Binos. They're much more versatile than a spotting scope. Get a good pair of bios, then the rest of what you need, then a spotting scope.

[thinkingman]

I believe Monarch > Prostaff and if you're patient I don't see why you can't snag some 8x42s for $150-200. I had the old ATBs but IDK all the differences between the new '3, 5, & 7' models. I think you have to step up into the 5 or 7 to get the dielectrically coated internal prisms, but all (including the old Monarchs) should have fully multicoated optics, which are the bare minimum for quality standard for hunting optics.   

The field of view (FOV) is much wider on the 7's.
It make a big difference(to me).
After having 'nocs with a nice, big picturewindow FOV, I can't go backwards.

[bankwalker]

I'm torn between a spotter or binos myself right now. Price is equal. Vortex viper hd 15x50 binos and viper hd 15-45x65 spotter. I was on the spotter. But after checking them out in the store the object i viewed through the binos was alot bigger. And the spotter had to be at twice the power for the same object to be equal in size.

So now I'm torn even more

[ctwiggs1]

I completely disagree to skip hunting and save.

I'd go without binoculars if I had to.  Skipping hunting is missing the point!

That being said, if I were in your shoes I'd buy binos first.  I still don't own a spotter but am starting to research them now.

Curtis

[fullpipe77]

Hey im selling my vortex viper 8x42 HD 440$ tri cities.  I got these last season excellent shape.

[Magnum_Willys]

Binocs are for hunting/glassing the first mile nearest you.  Spotting scopes are for areas past the first mile.  If you don't plan or can't hunt-see past the first mile the spotters aren't a high priority.  If you are hunting wide open areas then maybe the first mile is a write off and all your time is spent looking past the first mile.  Then you need the spotter.

Hunting west side washington - mite only use spotter to count the points.