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.