Another Poll: the cost of spotting scopes

[Pathfinder101]

I have an Alpen that I have used for the last 5 years.  I like it a lot and never had a complaint until I hunted Montana last year.  Here in WA, I hunt the general season for deer, and all I need to know is if a deer is legal or not before I start a stalk.
In MT though, I was trying to field judge bucks for size, often from over a mile away, and the clarity of my Alpen was driving me nuts.  I never thought it looked "grainy" before, but before I was 3 days into the hunt, I swore that by the 2010 hunting season I would upgrade my spotter.  My Leupold binos were 10X clearer, so I will probably upgrade to the Sequoia sometime this summer.
The problem I have with buying a scope out of a store, is that there is no way to really test out the optic under the conditions that matter, namely for distance and detail.  Pointing the scope out into the parking lot or accross the store just doesn't tell the whole story.  That's why I will likely go with the Leupold.  If it's got the L on it, I know it's good.

[Bigshooter]

I have an Alpen that I have used for the last 5 years.  I like it a lot and never had a complaint until I hunted Montana last year.  Here in WA, I hunt the general season for deer, and all I need to know is if a deer is legal or not before I start a stalk.
In MT though, I was trying to field judge bucks for size, often from over a mile away, and the clarity of my Alpen was driving me nuts.  I never thought it looked "grainy" before, but before I was 3 days into the hunt, I swore that by the 2010 hunting season I would upgrade my spotter.  My Leupold binos were 10X clearer, so I will probably upgrade to the Sequoia sometime this summer.
The problem I have with buying a scope out of a store, is that there is no way to really test out the optic under the conditions that matter, namely for distance and detail.  Pointing the scope out into the parking lot or accross the store just doesn't tell the whole story.  That's why I will likely go with the Leupold.  If it's got the L on it, I know it's good.

I would find someone that has one that you can look through before you buy one.  I was very disappointed looking through one last hunting season.  My burris was a lot clearer, looked through them side by side at the same deer.  And I had planned on buying a sequoia until I looked through one.  I figured since it cost twice as much as my burris that it would be twice as good.  I was way wrong.

[whacker1]

I have an Alpen that I have used for the last 5 years.  I like it a lot and never had a complaint until I hunted Montana last year.  Here in WA, I hunt the general season for deer, and all I need to know is if a deer is legal or not before I start a stalk.
In MT though, I was trying to field judge bucks for size, often from over a mile away, and the clarity of my Alpen was driving me nuts.  I never thought it looked "grainy" before, but before I was 3 days into the hunt, I swore that by the 2010 hunting season I would upgrade my spotter.  My Leupold binos were 10X clearer, so I will probably upgrade to the Sequoia sometime this summer.
The problem I have with buying a scope out of a store, is that there is no way to really test out the optic under the conditions that matter, namely for distance and detail.  Pointing the scope out into the parking lot or accross the store just doesn't tell the whole story.  That's why I will likely go with the Leupold.  If it's got the L on it, I know it's good.

Don't upgrade to the Sequoia.  I would be willing to bet your Alpen is as good if not better than the Sequoia.  I bought thinking that it would be a good starting point.  I would not say the same since owning one.  If you really want to look through one, we can hook up some time and if you think you are making improvement - I will sell you mine. cheap

[Pathfinder101]

I have an Alpen that I have used for the last 5 years.  I like it a lot and never had a complaint until I hunted Montana last year.  Here in WA, I hunt the general season for deer, and all I need to know is if a deer is legal or not before I start a stalk.
In MT though, I was trying to field judge bucks for size, often from over a mile away, and the clarity of my Alpen was driving me nuts.  I never thought it looked "grainy" before, but before I was 3 days into the hunt, I swore that by the 2010 hunting season I would upgrade my spotter.  My Leupold binos were 10X clearer, so I will probably upgrade to the Sequoia sometime this summer.
The problem I have with buying a scope out of a store, is that there is no way to really test out the optic under the conditions that matter, namely for distance and detail.  Pointing the scope out into the parking lot or accross the store just doesn't tell the whole story.  That's why I will likely go with the Leupold.  If it's got the L on it, I know it's good.

Don't upgrade to the Sequoia.  I would be willing to bet your Alpen is as good if not better than the Sequoia.  I bought thinking that it would be a good starting point.  I would not say the same since owning one.  If you really want to look through one, we can hook up some time and if you think you are making improvement - I will sell you mine. cheap

How cheap?

[whacker1]

I don't know.  I paid $300 or so.  maybe $150 or so.  not really sure what they are worth used.

[7mag.]

I love Leupold, but the one low quality product they make is a spotter. It's not even close to the same quality as their rifle scopes and binos.

[Pathfinder101]

Wow.  OK, that is starting to sound pretty unanimous.  I guess I need to look through some in the field.  Good thing I read this, I was pretty close to buying one off Ebay just this weekend.
hmmmmm.... more research...

[7mag.]

Not to sound like a broken record, I know I've said this on here before, but, save your money, buy a nice spotter. I promise, you won't be sorry. I almost took mine back before I even opened the box, but then I looked through it outside, and well, it was worth every penny. I can count points on deer from over a mile away, easily, no distortion. Don't waste money on inferior glass.

[Pathfinder101]

Not to sound like a broken record, I know I've said this on here before, but, save your money, buy a nice spotter. I promise, you won't be sorry. I almost took mine back before I even opened the box, but then I looked through it outside, and well, it was worth every penny. I can count points on deer from over a mile away, easily, no distortion. Don't waste money on inferior glass.

What do you suggest 7mag?

[7mag.]

Not to sound like a broken record, I know I've said this on here before, but, save your money, buy a nice spotter. I promise, you won't be sorry. I almost took mine back before I even opened the box, but then I looked through it outside, and well, it was worth every penny. I can count points on deer from over a mile away, easily, no distortion. Don't waste money on inferior glass.

What do you suggest 7mag?

I went through the spotting scope game for a few years. I would keep upgrading, trying to find one that didn't dissapoint me, without spending a ton of money. I finally got sick of it, saved some money and bought a Swarovski. They are a lot of money, but, I am very pleased. My hunting partner calls it the Hubbel, because we can look at game a couple miles away. It is unbelievably clear and the definition is awesome. I can count points on bucks that with my other spotters, I wouldn't even be able to tell if they were bucks or not. Even at max magnification, the image is still crisp and clear. In low light it works great. I haven't looked through the new Leica or the new Zeiss, but when I bought mine, it was the best I could find.

[Pathfinder101]

OK, thanks 7mag, but if I spent a grand-plus on a spotting scope, I would wind up divorced, and she would get half my *censored*, thereby depriving me of half my hunting gear, and half my eventual military retirement...

I guess I will see if I can get a deal on a Nikon Prostaff...

[7mag.]

OK, thanks 7mag, but if I spent a grand-plus on a spotting scope, I would wind up divorced, and she would get half my *censored*, thereby depriving me of half my hunting gear, and half my eventual military retirement...

I guess I will see if I can get a deal on a Nikon Prostaff...

I understand completely. My wife doesn't understand the money that I sometimes spend on hunting. That's why I kept buying the cheaper spotters for several years, until I could come up with the money by selling things and saving. She still thinks I am crazy to spend that kind of money on a "toy", but I told her it is something I will pass down to my children. I have heard good things about the Nikon spotters though. They are supposed to be the best of the mid priced spotters. Good luck.

[Bigshooter]

+1 on the nikon.  I have seen some very good independent reviews about them.  But I have not looked through one yet.

[Pathfinder101]

Went to Sportsman's Whorehouse (or whatever they're called now) the other day and looked at the Leupold Sequoia and the Nikon Prostaff side by side.  You guys are right, what a disappointment the Leupold was.  WHacker's right, not any better than my $150 Alpen. I will probably wind up getting the Nikon eventually, but used ones don't seem to exist, so I am saving.  grrrrrr..... probably $150 more than I was planning on spending....

[Dansk]

+1 on the nikon.  I have seen some very good independent reviews about them.  But I have not looked through one yet.

 

I looked through ALOT before buying - found the large objective Nikon Prostaff on ebay NEW for around $500.  Free ship and no tax.  No one in Wa could touch the price, plus Nikon's 25 yr no-fault warranty.  They are also very light for the size.