Spotting scopes

[ribka]

Looking to pick up a spotting scope for deer.
Would love to buy a Leica or swarovski but economy wont allow this year
Any suggestions for a scope < $700. Something light, easy to pack. And a tripod suggestion too.

Thanks

[7mag.]

I think Nikon makes a decent spotter for under a grand. You might want to check out Zen-Ray also. With that said, you shouldn't settle for a lesser spotter. It is just a waste of money. Save your money and go without this year, and buy a Swarovski next year. It's worth it, trust me.

[Bean Counter]

Ribka,

PM sent 

[Bigshooter]

Eastmans did a review on spotting scopes a couple of months ago and the Nikon got a very high grade from them.  It was almost as high as the swarovski and the leica.  I don't remember the model but it was under $700.

[Bean Counter]

Eastmans did a review on spotting scopes a couple of months ago and the Nikon got a very high grade from them.  It was almost as high as the swarovski and the leica.  I don't remember the model but it was under $700.

In order to compete with Swaro and Leica, it had to be the HD model. From what I've learned discussing it with bird watching fanatics (who own all three of the above), the Nikon is basically 95% as good as the other two, and almost half the price. The Field and Sky model doesn't cut the mustard. I tried selling my Nikon HD on here with a tripod, head, and nice eyepiece for only $1,250 

but alas, no takers 

[BIGBULLBALLS]

Save your money and buy a Swarovski next year.  You will never be disappointed

[ZRS-8x42]

For your budget, you may want to take a look of Celestron Regal F-ED65. I haven't looked at the scope myself. But FrankD had a great review on it.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=147180

Of course, if you can wait for zen...

[ribka]

Thanks for the help.
After much thought and research decided to save up until next year for a swarovski

[Intruder]

Finding a budget spotter that is actually useful is tough.... try Vortex/Stokes.  60-65mm w/ a variable eye piece 15-50 is pretty versitile.  Get a decent tripod... spend at least 75-100.  Slik has some pretty nice ones in that range.   

[MtnMuley]

Leupold 12-40x60 goldring.  With all this new HD stuff, you can probably pick one up for the money you have.  Most universal, quality scope around, that won't break your budget.

[royalbull]

Thanks for the help.
After much thought and research decided to save up until next year for a swarovski

wise choice

[Wacenturion]

Bought a Nikon Pro staff 20x60x82mm........absolutely love it for the price.

[HIGHROUTE]

I'm surprised that everyone is very adiment about buying the Lieca or Swaro spotters when someone talks about a lightweight durable scope.  I know these high dollar scopes are very clear and have great morning/evening glassing features but what about that fact that they are big and heavy.  It doesnt seem to be a concern to most.  Must be doing quite a bit of hunting close to the pickup on the flat land??  You spend most of your time glassing with binos and spotters are used most of the time to zoom in on an animal to see whether it's worthy of a stalk or not.  I can tell the difference between a good animal at 1500-2000 yds with a $700 scope, if you can't then he's probably not worth going after.  I would say buy the $700 light Nikon or Leupold and spend that extra money you were going to spend on the Leica and put it into your binos since they are pressed against your face 75% of the time your glassing.  I have been without a spotting scope all season struggling with which one to buy as well.  $2,000 or $700? back and forth I have struggled also and I have no problem spending money on good gear but this just doesn't make all that much sense to me especially being a backpack type hunter where weight and size is a big concern.  I would think the Leica or swaro was great also if it's mounted to the window of a pickup or a mule packs it in for you.  Just my

[rjm5]

All I do is backback hunt and the weight of the swaro, leica or zeiss is worth it. You can cut weight with carbon fiber tripods which are spendy but worth it. The binoculars are of great importance but so is your spotter it can save you a lot of miles. With my spotting scope, my pack weight is only 30-35 pounds for a week to a week and a half. The last place you want to cut weight is in your optics in my opinion.

[HUNT]

I'm surprised that everyone is very adiment about buying the Lieca or Swaro spotters when someone talks about a lightweight durable scope.  I know these high dollar scopes are very clear and have great morning/evening glassing features but what about that fact that they are big and heavy.  It doesnt seem to be a concern to most.  Must be doing quite a bit of hunting close to the pickup on the flat land??  You spend most of your time glassing with binos and spotters are used most of the time to zoom in on an animal to see whether it's worthy of a stalk or not.  I can tell the difference between a good animal at 1500-2000 yds with a $700 scope, if you can't then he's probably not worth going after.  I would say buy the $700 light Nikon or Leupold and spend that extra money you were going to spend on the Leica and put it into your binos since they are pressed against your face 75% of the time your glassing.  I have been without a spotting scope all season struggling with which one to buy as well.  $2,000 or $700? back and forth I have struggled also and I have no problem spending money on good gear but this just doesn't make all that much sense to me especially being a backpack type hunter where weight and size is a big concern.  I would think the Leica or swaro was great also if it's mounted to the window of a pickup or a mule packs it in for you.  Just my

I would consider myself to be a backpack hunter and I pack my swaro 65 in my daypack along with a compact tripod.  It weighs a few pounds more but to me it is worth it.  Carrying a couple extra pounds in your daypack wont make much of a difference.  Save your money for one more year.  You wont regret that decision.  Same thing goes for the Bino's.  Stick with the Leica, Swaro, Zeiss.  I'm sure we all understand not affording both for a while.  I bought mine a few years apart.  

[scudmaster]

The Forums on www.OpticsPlanet.com has great reviews and no apparent brand loyalty.  Anyone can post and Joni, who does the spotting scope testing, comparisons and reviews will respond.  I bought a scope they recommended based on the low weight requirement for backpack hunting.

A Kowa 602 with the TE-9z 20-60 eyepiece.  Whole thing under 3 lbs for around $750.  

Can't beat a Swaro or Leica for clarity, but sometimes that is not the only requirement to consider.

Scud

[elk311]

I'm surprised that everyone is very adiment about buying the Lieca or Swaro spotters when someone talks about a lightweight durable scope.  I know these high dollar scopes are very clear and have great morning/evening glassing features but what about that fact that they are big and heavy.  It doesnt seem to be a concern to most.  Must be doing quite a bit of hunting close to the pickup on the flat land??  You spend most of your time glassing with binos and spotters are used most of the time to zoom in on an animal to see whether it's worthy of a stalk or not.  I can tell the difference between a good animal at 1500-2000 yds with a $700 scope, if you can't then he's probably not worth going after.  I would say buy the $700 light Nikon or Leupold and spend that extra money you were going to spend on the Leica and put it into your binos since they are pressed against your face 75% of the time your glassing.  I have been without a spotting scope all season struggling with which one to buy as well.  $2,000 or $700? back and forth I have struggled also and I have no problem spending money on good gear but this just doesn't make all that much sense to me especially being a backpack type hunter where weight and size is a big concern.  I would think the Leica or swaro was great also if it's mounted to the window of a pickup or a mule packs it in for you.  Just my

I have bought about 6 scopes over the years starting with $29 bushnells. Finally I absorbed what everyone else was writting about, bit the bullet and bought an HD Swaro 80. It is by far the lightest scope of all of them and I will continue to pack it whereever I go. Tripods far outweigh my scope.

[MtnMuley]

I'm surprised that everyone is very adiment about buying the Lieca or Swaro spotters when someone talks about a lightweight durable scope.  I know these high dollar scopes are very clear and have great morning/evening glassing features but what about that fact that they are big and heavy.  It doesnt seem to be a concern to most.  Must be doing quite a bit of hunting close to the pickup on the flat land??  You spend most of your time glassing with binos and spotters are used most of the time to zoom in on an animal to see whether it's worthy of a stalk or not.  I can tell the difference between a good animal at 1500-2000 yds with a $700 scope, if you can't then he's probably not worth going after.  I would say buy the $700 light Nikon or Leupold and spend that extra money you were going to spend on the Leica and put it into your binos since they are pressed against your face 75% of the time your glassing.  I have been without a spotting scope all season struggling with which one to buy as well.  $2,000 or $700? back and forth I have struggled also and I have no problem spending money on good gear but this just doesn't make all that much sense to me especially being a backpack type hunter where weight and size is a big concern.  I would think the Leica or swaro was great also if it's mounted to the window of a pickup or a mule packs it in for you.  Just my

Agreed. Good wrtie up.