Leupold spotter recommendation

[vandeman17]

I am looking for a new spotter. My parents friend just started working for leupold and can get me 50% off. Looking for a good mid range spotter to upgrade from my bushnell. Suggestions?

[Bean Counter]

Gold Ring or go elsewhere. You know you want it 

[coop2424]

Gold ring HD with that kind of discount or the mk4.  I have the gold ring HD and is a good size and good glass for the price you would be paying.

[vandeman17]

Gold Ring or go elsewhere. You know you want it 

Dang right I do 

[JDHasty]

12-40x60 Gold Ring. 

Mine is north of twenty years old, it is not HD, but still is a great spotter for hunting and rockchuck shooting and the range.  I a have a Razor 85 and optically it is better, but the Leupold is packable - to a degree.   

If I were offered the deal you are and did not have a spotter... It would be an easy choice to make.  I would go with the 12-40x60 HD. 

I have had three Leupold 20x50 and 25x50 Gold Ring Rubber Armored Compacts stolen and need to purchase a compact scope for packing and don't have a clue what I will get. 

[trophyhunt]

I have no Idea what models are the best, but with 50% discount, I would get the best one they have.  I bet your PM box is getting full of people wondering if you can buy them one??? Sweet deal.

[coachcw]

50 percent  the best heaviest  glass they have. I have a Nikon but it's light and blows around .... imo  wieght is good in a spotter ....

[vandeman17]

That gold ring is mighty tempting

[Bob33]

Get the 12-40x60 HD Gold Ring. It is a nice scope. I have one and love it. The HD model is just a wee bit better.

[coachcw]

Gr 20-60 x 80 !

[JDHasty]

Gr 20-60 x 80 !

 

Unless you have a pack able scope or have no use for a pack able scope I would tend to disagree.  YMMV

I have a 12-40x60 and a Vortex Razor 85 and if I had to choose only one... 

[SemperFidelis97]

Go with the 12-40x60 vandeman I have used mine for years in the s.e. where decent glass is huge.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[Bob33]

I have 60mm scopes (including the Leupold 12-40x60 HD) and 80mm scopes (including a Swarovski). The benefits of the larger scope are obvious: more magnification, and more light gathering ability.

The benefits of the 60mm scope are not so obvious, but real. First, they are smaller and lighter. If you’re using the scope exclusively from a road, that doesn’t matter. As soon as you start packing, it will become a factor.

Secondly, they often have a lower power magnification. The Leupold has 12x at the low end. That provides nearly double the viewing area that an equivalent 20x scope does. That’s huge if you’re using the scope to look for something, rather than focusing on a known object.

The 12x also provides a greater exit pupil. A 12x eyepiece on a 60mm provides a 5mm exit pupil. By comparison a 20x eyepiece on an 80mm scope only provides a 4mm exit pupil.

The bottom line is that I use my 60mm Leupold more than any other scope. It’s a perfect compromise between the compact 40mm and 50mm scopes, and the larger 80mm scopes. All have their purpose but I personally find the 60mm most useful.

[coachcw]

Gr 20-60 x 80 !

 

Unless you have a pack able scope or have no use for a pack able scope I would tend to disagree.  YMMV

I have a 12-40x60 and a Vortex Razor 85 and if I had to choose only one... 

He has a bushenell forthe pack . its nice to have some heavy glass ....

[JDHasty]

I have 60mm scopes (including the Leupold 12-40x60 HD) and 80mm scopes (including a Swarovski). The benefits of the larger scope are obvious: more magnification, and more light gathering ability.

The benefits of the 60mm scope are not so obvious, but real. First, they are smaller and lighter. If you’re using the scope exclusively from a road, that doesn’t matter. As soon as you start packing, it will become a factor.

Secondly, they often have a lower power magnification. The Leupold has 12x at the low end. That provides nearly double the viewing area that an equivalent 20x scope does. That’s huge if you’re using the scope to look for something, rather than focusing on a known object.

The 12x also provides a greater exit pupil. A 12x eyepiece on a 60mm provides a 5mm exit pupil. By comparison a 20x eyepiece on an 80mm scope only provides a 4mm exit pupil.

The bottom line is that I use my 60mm Leupold more than any other scope. It’s a perfect compromise between the compact 40mm and 50mm scopes, and the larger 80mm scopes. All have their purpose but I personally find the 60mm most useful.

 

That is what I am talking about.  I have a 15x56 Swarovski binocular, but before I had it I used my 12-40x60 a heck of a lot more betw 12 & 20 power than I ever used my 20-60x85 Vortex Razor above ~40 power.  A LOT more, like twenty times more often. 

Others who went chuck shooting w/me commented on the value of having a spotting scope that has the FOV that 12 at the low end provides, as have big game hunters who have been with me and had the oportunity to spend time behind my 12-40X60.  Some of these guys had their own Kowa, Leica, Swaro or Ziess along and we used my Leupold because it was just a better scope for looking FOR animals with.  No one in their right mind is going to claim that the Leupold is optically superior to those, what it is all about is that the format makes this configuration a great scope for shooting chucks and hunting big game.   

Nothing, and I mean NOT A THING, in the spotting scope world will best a 15x56 Swaro SLC or Vortex Kaibab or 15x60 Zeiss bgat for looking for chucks, prairie dogs or most all big game.  "Binoculars are for looking for, spotting scopes are for looking at" is what I tell my kids, but we have that option available.  If a person does not own a "big eyes" binocular... the Leupold 12-40x60 is a great second choice.  It is also a great choice to throw in a pack if you have some hiking to do and are going into a place where you don't have the luxury of taking both a binocular and a spotting scope.

The 12-40x60 is packable, it isn't my first choice for a scope that will be primarily packed, it is a bit bulky and a bit heavy, but it is not going to kill you packing it either. 

I am speaking form 25 years of experience w/ the optical instrument we are discussing here and YMMV, but I would think long and hard before I purchased the 20-60x80 over the 12-40x60.  It just may be that the larger scope will better satisfy your needs, but don't just go with "bigger is better."   

[Bean Counter]

Nothing, and I mean NOT A THING, in the spotting scope world will best a 15x56 Swaro SLC or Vortex Kaibab or 15x60 Zeiss bgat for looking for chucks, prairie dogs or most all big game. 

You're entitled to like whatever you want in the optics industry, but I'm wondering how many different brands you've actually looked through. I've held my Nikon EDG next to Swaros in the same quality of light and the Nikon blew the Swaro away.

[JDHasty]

Nothing, and I mean NOT A THING, in the spotting scope world will best a 15x56 Swaro SLC or Vortex Kaibab or 15x60 Zeiss bgat for looking for chucks, prairie dogs or most all big game. 

You're entitled to like whatever you want in the optics industry, but I'm wondering how many different brands you've actually looked through. I've held my Nikon EDG next to Swaros in the same quality of light and the Nikon blew the Swaro away.

I happen to own an 8x42 Nikon EDG II binocular and purchased it after comparing it to the best Leica, Zeiss & Swarovski have to offer.   I have not only looked through them  in a store, I own them and I also own and use use Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, Leupold, Vortex and other quality optical instruments in the field.

 I'm wondering if you've actually compared a high quality big eyes binocular, such as a Swaro or Vortex or Zeiss 15x56 roof or a Zeiss bgat or Docter 15x60 porro, against any spotting scope IN THE FIELD.  My guess is that you have not.  You are  entitled to your opinion, irrespective of how that opinion was developed.  When I offered my opinion, that opinion was based upon actual field experience. 

I don't know what "quality of light" you were comparing a Nikon EDG to a Swaro in, but nothing blows a Swaro SLC or EL away.  I personally preferred the Nikon EDG, but it most certainly didn't "blow away" any of the other binoculars I was considering at the time.   

The individual who is asking for advice here would probably appreciate it if people who are trying to give him a bit of helpful advice "keep it real." 

[Bean Counter]

Sure have, along with Leica, Zeiss, etc 
Chromatic aberrations (lateral color fringing) were far, far worse with the Swaro that I looked through. The Nikon was much crisper all the way to the edge, as well. Just my experience.

[carpsniperg2]

I bought the Kenai spotter kit. comes with a fixed 30 lenses and 25-65. I really like it the only think I wish is a bigger tripod in the kit. Most are only sitting height of course.

With his discount it will 50% off full msrp. So make sure you shop around. Sometimes you can find sales and better deals then 50% off full msrp.

[Bob33]

Differences between the images in alpha glass (Swarovski, Leica, top end Nikon, top end Zeiss) are slight and are most likely due to differences in the viewer’s eyes. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s not credible to state that objectively speaking any one of the alphas blows away any of the other alphas (not that anyone here has.)

There have been far too many objective reviews, and professional opinions expressed to conclude anything other than the differences are slight.

I know people that think the image in a $50 Bushnell is better than the view through a Swarovski EL binocular.

Back on topic, Leupold is not considered to be “alpha glass”. The Gold Ring HD spotting scope optics are very good, and offer some compelling advantages with respect to size, eye relief, and other factors.

[Bean Counter]

I think how someone uses their glass will affect their perception, in addition to brand loyalty of course  If Vandeman needs something extremely portable for a backpacking hunt the Leupold may be the best spotter on the market for him as they're incredibly compact.

When I'm in northern Arizona's elk country I don't even bother to bring my spotter, but for a deer hunt in the southern half of the state I often hike up one single hill in the morning and then spend 8-9 hours that day with my optics glued to my ugly mug. a quick glance through at mid day won't often yield perceptible differences, but for sustained glassing the binoculars collimation as well as all the myriad optical characteristics will definitely identify what works and what doesn't.

[JDHasty]

Differences between the images in alpha glass (Swarovski, Leica, top end Nikon, top end Zeiss) are slight and are most likely due to differences in the viewer’s eyes. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s not credible to state that objectively speaking any one of the alphas blows away any of the other alphas (not that anyone here has.)

There have been far too many objective reviews, and professional opinions expressed to conclude anything other than the differences are slight.

I know people that think the image in a $50 Bushnell is better than the view through a Swarovski EL binocular.

Back on topic, Leupold is not considered to be “alpha glass”. The Gold Ring HD spotting scope optics are very good, and offer some compelling advantages with respect to size, eye relief, and other factors.

   Good synopsis.  What the Leupold 12-40X60 gives up in optical quality is obvious to me when looking through it side by side (in the field) w/alpha spotters.  But it has other features that IMHO make it one of the best options for a hunting spotting scope.  We have a Unertl Team Spotting scope and the view through it is pretty skookum, like I have never seen anything that compares, but it most definitely isn't even in the running when the topic is what is the best scope for chuck and PD shooting and big game hunting or even for range sessions.

 

[JDHasty]

.... While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s not credible to state that objectively speaking any one of the alphas blows away any of the other alphas (not that anyone here has.)

"I've held my Nikon EDG next to Swaros in the same quality of light and the Nikon blew the Swaro away."

Yes someone has. 

[Bob33]

.... While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it’s not credible to state that objectively speaking any one of the alphas blows away any of the other alphas (not that anyone here has.)

"I've held my Nikon EDG next to Swaros in the same quality of light and the Nikon blew the Swaro away."

Yes someone has.

I took that as an opinion.

[jstone]

Ok i have been on the fence to. Most of these coments have answered my questions BUT i am going to spend 600-700 on a spotter. Vortex HD or Leupold?

[Bean Counter]

Whether X brand is better than Y can become quite subjective based on the totality of someones priorities  out of their optics. Color fidelity seems to top the list for bird watchers.  Relative brightness  and exit pupil might be more important to one user than another, particularly if their hunt hinges on the first and last moments of daylight. To me, nothing is more frustrating than attempting to discern antler points at a distance and that being spoiled by lateral color fringing turning the points fuzzy. Maybe the Swaro I looked through was a bad copy but by any objective standard the Nikon controlled chromatic aberration far better than Swarovski. I don't see how a specific trait like that can be subjective 

Ok i have been on the fence to. Most of these coments have answered my questions BUT i am going to spend 600-700 on a spotter. Vortex HD or Leupold?

Both companies would take care of you service wise. I'd go with whichever you can find a used HD copy at a screaming deal. 

[Bob33]

Ok i have been on the fence to. Most of these coments have answered my questions BUT i am going to spend 600-700 on a spotter. Vortex HD or Leupold?

Without some form of discount you're not going to get a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40x60 scope for $600 to $700, so if that's you budget you're better off with Vortex.

(Leupold does offer discounts to hunter education instructors....just a hint.)

[JDHasty]

Ok i have been on the fence to. Most of these coments have answered my questions BUT i am going to spend 600-700 on a spotter. Vortex HD or Leupold?

You are probably looking at a Viper HD and it has a really neat, short, piece of Weaver rail that you can put an old pistol scope on and use that to line it up with.  I have used that scope so outfitted and it worked great for that.  I am not familiar w/the Leupold offering at that price point, so cannot offer a comparison on the two and when I used the Viper it was mid day on a chuck colony so my observations would not going to be of much use other than I really liked that Weaver accessory rail.

Hopefully there are individuals who have used the Viper 65 HD Spotter during the twilight hours.  i.e. dusk and dawn who can give you an honest assessment of how well it performs under field conditions.   

[WAcoueshunter]

I think what got missed in the banter about brands was what I took as JDHasty's main point, i.e., that 15's are more useful than a spotter.  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately for the OP, I don't think Leupold makes a high end pair of larger binos that you'd put on a tripod.  But for others that are not limited to a certain brand because of the discount, the 15's will help you see a lot more animals at normal glassing distances. 

[JDHasty]

I think what got missed in the banter about brands was what I took as JDHasty's main point, i.e., that 15's are more useful than a spotter.  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately for the OP, I don't think Leupold makes a high end pair of larger binos that you'd put on a tripod.  But for others that are not limited to a certain brand because of the discount, the 15's will help you see a lot more animals at normal glassing distances.

Everybody that has used ours says they are a game changer.   I could not agree more, I thought about it for north of a decade before finally getting them and sure wish I had done it earlier.   

[WAcoueshunter]

I think what got missed in the banter about brands was what I took as JDHasty's main point, i.e., that 15's are more useful than a spotter.  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately for the OP, I don't think Leupold makes a high end pair of larger binos that you'd put on a tripod.  But for others that are not limited to a certain brand because of the discount, the 15's will help you see a lot more animals at normal glassing distances.

Everybody that has used ours says they are a game changer.   I could not agree more, I thought about it for north of a decade before finally getting them and sure wish I had done it earlier.

Me too, I watched my cousin in AZ spot coues after coues, but I was reluctant to spend the extra cash when I was already toting around 10's and a spotter (Leupold gold ring 15-30, BTW).  But then I got the 15's and hardly ever used the spotter. I have since upgraded the spotter, but it still doesn't leave the truck very often. 

[Bob33]

 

...but while we're off in the weeds, Coues deer hunters have exploited the use of "dual eye" optics for longer than anyone I know. It is difficult to effectively learn to use a single eyepiece (i.e. spotting scope) for long periods of time spent glassing.

[JDHasty]

I think what got missed in the banter about brands was what I took as JDHasty's main point, i.e., that 15's are more useful than a spotter.  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately for the OP, I don't think Leupold makes a high end pair of larger binos that you'd put on a tripod.  But for others that are not limited to a certain brand because of the discount, the 15's will help you see a lot more animals at normal glassing distances.

Everybody that has used ours says they are a game changer.   I could not agree more, I thought about it for north of a decade before finally getting them and sure wish I had done it earlier.

Me too, I watched my cousin in AZ spot coues after coues, but I was reluctant to spend the extra cash when I was already toting around 10's and a spotter (Leupold gold ring 15-30, BTW).  But then I got the 15's and hardly ever used the spotter. I have since upgraded the spotter, but it still doesn't leave the truck very often.

For rock chuck or prairie dog shooting I have my binocular on a Manfrotto 55XPROB w/the center column set horizontal and use a Manfrotto 553 right angle bracket.  The tripod sits off to the left of my bench and I am able to rest my elbows on my shooting bench while glassing and it is really a comfortable setup.  Then if I see a target I just lean to the right to get behind my rifle.   We will usually also have a couple, or three (I like to keep a spotter set up next to the cooler), spotting scopes set up so that we can call shots for each other.  I have my spotting scope set up on another similar tripod (a Benbo) to the left of my binocular and just have to lean left a bit to get behind it.  It is a pretty efficient setup. 

Like I said above, a binocular is used for finding game, a spotting scope is for looking at it once it has been found.  Depending on the range I will sometimes just call the shot from behind the big binocular, but since I have a 30 WA eyepiece w/MOA reticle on our Razor 85, I will usually spot shots for my partner using it. 

One of my shooting buddies bought a 15x56 Kaibab and it is pretty nice too.  The big Swaro is somewhat better, but it is also north of $2k.  He is setting his tripod up exactly like mine for next season.   

For big game hunting our spotting scopes don't come out all that often any more.  When we need them they are there and they are invaluable when you need them, but that is not all that often.