spotting scope

[trackemup]

I am looking for a compact spotting scope for back country hunts.  Lightweight and good clarity.  Any info is appreciated.

[Bob33]

Vortex makes an excellent 11-33x50mm that is very compact. Nikon's been the standard in this realm with their 13-30x50mm but it is discontinued. You can find it used. There's one (or was) in the classifieds for $425.  Leupold also makes a 40mm, a 50mm, and 60mm scopes.

If you step up to 60mm you increase weight but add almost 50% more light gathering ability than a 50mm.

[M_ray]

I have the Nikon spotter xl It is 16x48 60mm and I think its also disco'd by manufacturer but still looks like its available through some places but probably getting scarce. Looked on Camera land NY and it looks like they still have both the 16 and 13.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-6892-Spotter-Spotting-Outfit/dp/B0001HKUYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453577327&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+spotter

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/nikon.pl?page=nikon8320

[jackelope]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

[M_ray]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I did the Nikon spotter for that reason because it had the largest eye piece of all the compacts that I could find at the time. But I'm with ya I am leaning toward a pair of Swarovski 15x50's and ditching the xl put those on a tripod with adapter and you'll never want a compact spotter again 

[Bob33]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I don't think you're in the minority. A 50mm saves a few ounces and size, but has significantly less light gathering ability than a 60mm.

[deerslyr]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I'm with you.

[jjhunter]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I did the Nikon spotter for that reason because it had the largest eye piece of all the compacts that I could find at the time. But I'm with ya I am leaning toward a pair of Swarovski 15x50's and ditching the xl put those on a tripod with adapter and you'll never want a compact spotter again 

15x56

[bobcat]

I don't own one but I've looked through the Leupold 12-40x60 and that's probably what I'd go with if I was in the market. It's about as lightweight and compact as you can get and still be useful for hunting.

If you're on a tighter budget you might look at Kowa. Several years ago I bought a 60mm Kowa and the 25x extended eye relief eye piece. I'm only in it about $600. But I'd definitely recommend the Leupold if it's not over your budget.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/spotting-scopes/kowa/kowa-tsn-602-straight-60mm-spotting-scope

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362277299/leupold-golden-ring-hd-spotting-scope-12-40x-60mm-shadow-gray

[Bob33]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I'm with you.

Binoculars are easier to look through for extended periods of time. For locating game at relatively close distances of a mile or two, they are arguably better than a spotting scope. The advantage of a spotting scope is being able to take a very close look at something, and in some instances it will locate game at longer distances better. 30x is twice the magnification of 15x. If you plan to sit and glass, binoculars are nice. In other instances, I have not been able to see enough detail at 15x, while at 30x or 40x I can. I consider them different tools.

[M_ray]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I did the Nikon spotter for that reason because it had the largest eye piece of all the compacts that I could find at the time. But I'm with ya I am leaning toward a pair of Swarovski 15x50's and ditching the xl put those on a tripod with adapter and you'll never want a compact spotter again 

15x56

yep that's right

[7mag.]

For high country hunting, especially mule deer, I take the big spotter (80+mm). In low light dawn and dusk situations, it is definitely worth the extra weight.

[Twang]

50 mm is not a improvement over good 10X50 binos in my opinion,  I gifted it to son and use 62mm and that help a lot.  If I had a redo I vote with the others as in 15X56 solo and shave off some total weight. 
I know the trouble packing big glass but if you are thinking spotter then that argument goes away
I rarely glass freehand except for a quick peak while on the move, big or little binos
Simplify your backpack.  Multitask makes sense to me in most of the areas I hunt
Spotters are good for show and tell or sizing up every point.  Sometimes, truth often, I leave the spotter out of the pack to make room for water bottles

[Branden]

Depending on what your hunting I would go with the big spotter. We used a small Nikon one year and a 20-60X80 Swarovski side by side. I spotted some deer a little over 4 miles away with my binos. With the Nikon is all you could tell is they were deer. With the Swarovski you could tell they were bucks. Same hunt I spotted 3 bucks a couple miles away. With the Swarovski I could tell one was a nice buck worth going after. With the Nikon we could just tell they were bucks. It was six miles to hike around and get on top of them. From my experience I would go with the biggest best you can afford and save weight somewhere else.

I also have a pair of 15X56 Swarovski and they are not the same at all as the spotter. I would not go hunting without the spotter but I would without the 15's.

My 2 cents

[Reidus]

It all depends on your needs. If you're trying to score bucks at 2 miles a 50mm spotter isn't going to cut it. If you want something light to pack for bowhunting elk to get a closer look given the opportunity...the 50mm will work fine.

I recently got 50mm and 85mm razor hd's. (Thanks to elknut) I'm thinking the 50mm will be great for those times when I don't feel like/need the 85mm but still would like something with more magnification. At 25oz it's approx. 20 oz lighter and considerably smaller than most 60mm spotters.

[M_ray]

Depending on what your hunting I would go with the big spotter. We used a small Nikon one year and a 20-60X80 Swarovski side by side. I spotted some deer a little over 4 miles away with my binos. With the Nikon is all you could tell is they were deer. With the Swarovski you could tell they were bucks. Same hunt I spotted 3 bucks a couple miles away. With the Swarovski I could tell one was a nice buck worth going after. With the Nikon we could just tell they were bucks. It was six miles to hike around and get on top of them. From my experience I would go with the biggest best you can afford and save weight somewhere else.

I also have a pair of 15X56 Swarovski and they are not the same at all as the spotter. I would not go hunting without the spotter but I would without the 15's.

My 2 cents

The OP asked for thoughts on a compact ... Once one looks through a full size Swaro of coarse theres no contest

[JDHasty]

I'm probably in the minority here but I did the compact spotter thing for a while and didn't like it. I went back to a 20-60x60 and find it a lot more effective than the little tiny ones, and they're not that much heavier. There are other things I'd rather save weight on, especially with a pack that has a designated pocket for a full sized spotting scope.  I'd almost just run a  pair of 15x bino's than one of the little spotters.

I did the Nikon spotter for that reason because it had the largest eye piece of all the compacts that I could find at the time. But I'm with ya I am leaning toward a pair of Swarovski 15x50's and ditching the xl put those on a tripod with adapter and you'll never want a compact spotter again 

15x56

We have had our Swaro 15x56 for a couple years now and they are a game changer.  I looked at the Vortex and it was a pretty darn good binocular too, my buddy has one.

[Okanagan]

Consider a zoom camera.  I own and have backpacked 8, 10 and 15 power binos, plus several 50 mm spotting scopes and two 60 mm spotters.  You can seldom use magnification above 40 power in the field due to mirage and light gathering limits.  Higher magnification is all but useless except in cold weather at midday. 

At my age I will backpack hunt less but am seriously considering taking a good zoom camera in place of the spotting scope.  I seldom glass a long time with the spotter.  If you do, get high quality optics.  My style is to find things with binos and examine them with a higher power glass.  The camera often does a better job of examining detail.  Zoom in, take the pic and then you can examine it as long as you want whether the critter turns its head, steps behind a bush etc.   Cameras amplify light which is a help at sundown.

Examples:  Grandson and I were using our carry binoculars to glass a herd of elk on an early summer evening about ¾ mile away when I said that the one on the left looked like a small bull, could not be sure.  My grandson casually and confidently told me that it was a 3x4 and another was a  4x4 bull.  My binos were better than his so I turned and asked how he knew.  He showed me a zoom picture he had taken.  Tips and shape of velvet antlers showed in detail.  He could zoom in for the pic, then enlarge any part of the pic he wanted to examine.  Ditto on some deer, including bucks in velvet a mile away across an alpine basin, and enough detail to ID a peregrine falcon perched on a snag a quarter mile away.

FWIW I got blasted as an idiot last time I mentioned a zoom camera in place of spotting scope for some hunting uses.   

[Ridgerunner]

I'm seriously thinking of adding the 15x56 to the arsenal this year. 

I'd go for the mid size spotter though.  I just dont think the small ones are good enough in big country, now maybe if the basins aren't too large it might work or if you arent concerned about.

[WAcoueshunter]

I'm seriously thinking of adding the 15x56 to the arsenal this year. 

I'd go for the mid size spotter though.  I just dont think the small ones are good enough in big country, now maybe if the basins aren't too large it might work or if you arent concerned about.

You have seen the light!   

Agreed on the spotters, I've used a couple of the different sized compact Leupold Gold Rings and they aren't in the same ballpark as the high end mid-sized spotters.  Yes, they take up more space and are a little heavier, but they are way more useful. 

[James]

I run an Nikon ED50 with the MC-II eyepiece (13-40) and I love it. I use it in conjunction with some lightweight 8x Binos. I used to use a 16-48 65mm Nikon pro staff, which was a great cheap jack of all trades spotted, but I like my ED50 much better.

[theleo]

For your application I really like the Leupold Gold Ring 50mm scopes. I've used one quite a bit and I've found it small enough to pack but big enough to be useful. Even the non HD version has pretty good glass in it.

[Eric M]

Consider a zoom camera.  I own and have backpacked 8, 10 and 15 power binos, plus several 50 mm spotting scopes and two 60 mm spotters.  You can seldom use magnification above 40 power in the field due to mirage and light gathering limits.  Higher magnification is all but useless except in cold weather at midday. 

At my age I will backpack hunt less but am seriously considering taking a good zoom camera in place of the spotting scope.  I seldom glass a long time with the spotter.  If you do, get high quality optics.  My style is to find things with binos and examine them with a higher power glass.  The camera often does a better job of examining detail.  Zoom in, take the pic and then you can examine it as long as you want whether the critter turns its head, steps behind a bush etc.   Cameras amplify light which is a help at sundown.

Examples:  Grandson and I were using our carry binoculars to glass a herd of elk on an early summer evening about ¾ mile away when I said that the one on the left looked like a small bull, could not be sure.  My grandson casually and confidently told me that it was a 3x4 and another was a  4x4 bull.  My binos were better than his so I turned and asked how he knew.  He showed me a zoom picture he had taken.  Tips and shape of velvet antlers showed in detail.  He could zoom in for the pic, then enlarge any part of the pic he wanted to examine.  Ditto on some deer, including bucks in velvet a mile away across an alpine basin, and enough detail to ID a peregrine falcon perched on a snag a quarter mile away.

FWIW I got blasted as an idiot last time I mentioned a zoom camera in place of spotting scope for some hunting uses.   

What kind of camera was it? I've had this discussion before I was thinking of going that route. `

[Okanagan]

Consider a zoom camera.  I own and have backpacked 8, 10 and 15 power binos, plus several 50 mm spotting scopes and two 60 mm spotters.  You can seldom use magnification above 40 power in the field due to mirage and light gathering limits.  Higher magnification is all but useless except in cold weather at midday. 

At my age I will backpack hunt less but am seriously considering taking a good zoom camera in place of the spotting scope.  I seldom glass a long time with the spotter.  If you do, get high quality optics.  My style is to find things with binos and examine them with a higher power glass.  The camera often does a better job of examining detail.  Zoom in, take the pic and then you can examine it as long as you want whether the critter turns its head, steps behind a bush etc.   Cameras amplify light which is a help at sundown.

Examples:  Grandson and I were using our carry binoculars to glass a herd of elk on an early summer evening about ¾ mile away when I said that the one on the left looked like a small bull, could not be sure.  My grandson casually and confidently told me that it was a 3x4 and another was a  4x4 bull.  My binos were better than his so I turned and asked how he knew.  He showed me a zoom picture he had taken.  Tips and shape of velvet antlers showed in detail.  He could zoom in for the pic, then enlarge any part of the pic he wanted to examine.  Ditto on some deer, including bucks in velvet a mile away across an alpine basin, and enough detail to ID a peregrine falcon perched on a snag a quarter mile away.

FWIW I got blasted as an idiot last time I mentioned a zoom camera in place of spotting scope for some hunting uses.   

What kind of camera was it? I've had this discussion before I was thinking of going that route. `

Good question and I'll have to ask him!  He goes by blacktailCody on this forum I think.  He's a camera buff and knows way more than I do.  I have talked with him a bit about getting a higher end zoom for myself but haven't pulled the trigger yet and cameras change so fast nowadays that you want up to the minute info before you buy.  I'm thinking at least up to 20 power optical zoom and an image stabilizer to reduce camera hand shake, though I'd want to take pics from a rock solid rest of some sort.   

Sorry I'm not more help.

[JDHasty]

I have seen a side by side comparison between a spotting scope and a zoom camera and the zoom camera worked fine until the sun started to go down.  Then the camera image fell behind pretty quickly.  The other three people who were present thought the same.  That was a fairly large SLR digital Nikon or Cannon and the spotter was a 65 MM Kowa

[Okanagan]

I have seen a side by side comparison between a spotting scope and a zoom camera and the zoom camera worked fine until the sun started to go down.  Then the camera image fell behind pretty quickly.  The other three people who were present thought the same.  That was a fairly large SLR digital Nikon or Cannon and the spotter was a 65 MM Kowa

Good info!  I had not done a side by side test of camera and spotting scope in fading light, only saw what my old zoom camera does in terms of taking good photos in way dim light, but it is a low powered zoom.    Big, old animals often don't show till the light is fading or gone. 

[Eric M]

Consider a zoom camera.  I own and have backpacked 8, 10 and 15 power binos, plus several 50 mm spotting scopes and two 60 mm spotters.  You can seldom use magnification above 40 power in the field due to mirage and light gathering limits.  Higher magnification is all but useless except in cold weather at midday. 

At my age I will backpack hunt less but am seriously considering taking a good zoom camera in place of the spotting scope.  I seldom glass a long time with the spotter.  If you do, get high quality optics.  My style is to find things with binos and examine them with a higher power glass.  The camera often does a better job of examining detail.  Zoom in, take the pic and then you can examine it as long as you want whether the critter turns its head, steps behind a bush etc.   Cameras amplify light which is a help at sundown.

Examples:  Grandson and I were using our carry binoculars to glass a herd of elk on an early summer evening about ¾ mile away when I said that the one on the left looked like a small bull, could not be sure.  My grandson casually and confidently told me that it was a 3x4 and another was a  4x4 bull.  My binos were better than his so I turned and asked how he knew.  He showed me a zoom picture he had taken.  Tips and shape of velvet antlers showed in detail.  He could zoom in for the pic, then enlarge any part of the pic he wanted to examine.  Ditto on some deer, including bucks in velvet a mile away across an alpine basin, and enough detail to ID a peregrine falcon perched on a snag a quarter mile away.

FWIW I got blasted as an idiot last time I mentioned a zoom camera in place of spotting scope for some hunting uses.   

What kind of camera was it? I've had this discussion before I was thinking of going that route. `

Good question and I'll have to ask him!  He goes by blacktailCody on this forum I think.  He's a camera buff and knows way more than I do.  I have talked with him a bit about getting a higher end zoom for myself but haven't pulled the trigger yet and cameras change so fast nowadays that you want up to the minute info before you buy.  I'm thinking at least up to 20 power optical zoom and an image stabilizer to reduce camera hand shake, though I'd want to take pics from a rock solid rest of some sort.   

Sorry I'm not more help.

No you were. I was looking at a couple. A guy on here named boneaddict gave me some good advice on another thread I started. Low light and image stabilization are things to consider. And you can buy phone adapters for spotting scopes.