Newbie: How important are spotting scopes?

[Fl0und3rz]

Liner socks are one of those rare things in life that are so simple, yet so nonobvious, that it is like a gift you'll want to share.

[boneaddict]

sounds like a plan

[hiway_99]

I have a set of vortex viper 10x binos I would sell you for $350.  Then use the rest of your budget on good boots.  I personally use crispi gtx hunter boots.  And would recommend them.  Every persons feet are different though and may take some time trying different ones out.  Only good thing about top tier boots and glass is the resell factor is high if you dont like them.

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[konradcountry]

Spotting scopes are nice for the shooting range. They are also nice to have in the vehicle when in Eastern Washington. I wouldn't pack one around though.

I honestly wouldn't spend more than 3 or 4 hundred on binoculars. I don't think the advice about needing to spend a lot on glass applies anymore because of improved manufacturing techniques. I don't think the difference is worth it and then it's a bigger loss if something happens to it.

[pianoman9701]

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it! Based on the binos I linked, are those garbage enough that you'd consider upgrading, and if so, what should I be looking at?
On a scale of 1-10, if garbage binos are a 1 and the best of the best is a 10, I usually like to aim for a 6-8 in terms of quality when it comes to my gear.

Aim higher when talking about binos and boots. When your eyes get tired, you miss stuff and are less apt to use your binos consistently and constantly. When your feet are tired, you won't want to work. Everything else falls into place behind these two items, IMHO.

[bearpaw]

I have a pair of cheapo binos (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B9ZFO8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and no spotting scope. Tax return time is here and I am trying to decide what to do. People talk about spotting scopes like they're 100% mandatory, but is that truly the case?
I am archery hunting in 2019 exclusively, but 2020 will be back to rifle and in some territory where I can actually see more than 10 feet. Would my money be better spent on a really fantastic pair of binos, or a midrange spotting scope? Willing to spend up to/around $1k.

Looking for real-world advice here.

Archery hunting is mostly done in a stand, still hunting, calling animals to you, or by stalking in close. On a limited budget good binos will aid you much more than a spotting scope which has it's best use finding or judging animals at long distance. I use my spotting scope a lot, but unless you will be hunting a lot of areas where long distance spotting is necessary a spotter is one of the last things I would worry about for bowhunting.

[h2ofowlr]

As mentioned, get a good pair of binos.  I see lots of guys with Swarovski binos.  Never used a spotter while archery hunting.  I have used a spotter for scouting though.

[ljsommer]

Thank you to everyone for the responses! I spent a good long time looking at and comparing various bino models, from $600 up to $3,000 (even though it was beyond my budget).
I ended up buying a pair of Vortex Razor 10x42's and I am blown away by their clarity. They make my old binos look like I was glassing through a pair of cardboard tubes. I've already been practicing with them on the deer in the forest behind my house.

As for boots, I took the advice in this thread and bought some hiking sock liners and I took them out for a spin in Issaquah. I didn't tape up my heels like I usually have to, and didn't get any blistering at all. That said, I was trudging through a couple feet of snow so I didn't put in anywhere near 10 miles, but I will get out there ASAP to really try it out.

This has definitely been one of the most helpful threads I've participated in, thank you all!

[Skyvalhunter]

There's forest in Seattle? Now we know where the deer went to escape

[Rainier10]

He relocated a little further south and has some urban deer, I won't disclose the location unless he wants to.

Good choice on binocs and glad you can see the difference.  I would get a get a chest harness that covers them up as well.  I use a S4 lockdown harness but there are many different brands.

The liner's should really help and hiking in the snow was probably a really good test.  Don't forget the foot powder.  I put that on my feet before the liner socks and then a little into my boots.

[bearpaw]

Thank you to everyone for the responses! I spent a good long time looking at and comparing various bino models, from $600 up to $3,000 (even though it was beyond my budget).
I ended up buying a pair of Vortex Razor 10x42's and I am blown away by their clarity. They make my old binos look like I was glassing through a pair of cardboard tubes. I've already been practicing with them on the deer in the forest behind my house.

As for boots, I took the advice in this thread and bought some hiking sock liners and I took them out for a spin in Issaquah. I didn't tape up my heels like I usually have to, and didn't get any blistering at all. That said, I was trudging through a couple feet of snow so I didn't put in anywhere near 10 miles, but I will get out there ASAP to really try it out.

This has definitely been one of the most helpful threads I've participated in, thank you all!

Good luck this coming season, let us know how you do? 

[ljsommer]

There's forest in Seattle? Now we know where the deer went to escape

Ah I should update my profile. I moved down to University Place, south of Tacoma. There's a ton of deer down here, and I posted a couple pics of a big old buck in the backyard blacktail buck thread. He's gorgeous, but I haven't found any sheds unfortunately.