Thinking about a new spotting scope-Leupold 15X30X50mm GR?

[Pathfinder101]

I would almost venture a guess that the Nikon ED 60mm and the Leupold Kenai are the same scope.  Same color, same features, and I know the Kenai is not actually made in the Leupold factory in Oregon...  They're both pretty new (you can't find a used one anywhere), and go for the same price.
I just bought a pair of Zen Ray ED binos (got them in the mail yesterday), and I am VERY impressed.  I wish Zen Ray made a good spotter.  For now, I am going to tend towards your advice, not be a "VaJayJay", and save up for the 60mm Leupy Gold Ring....
Even though there's a 50mm GR on Ebay right now, sitting at $275, I could afford it right now, and I would have it in time for this deer season...
You're right, be strong.  I'll just wind up replacing it in a year....

[JackOfAllTrades]

You might shoot a message at ZRS-8x42. Someone on here told me that ZenRay was developing a better spotter earlier this year. I don't know when it could hit the market if that's true.  I noticed that the Sedona, http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/spottingscopes.html, price dropped this summer and now they are listed as out of stock so I'm wondering if they discontinued production and are ready to market something new.  I'd still like to check out a Sedona; at 80mm it has to be pretty bright even with 'decent' glass. Does it have foggy edges at 60x? The Sedona weighs more than twice as much as a GoldRing 15-30x50 too. That could be good, or could be bad.

-Steve

[Pathfinder101]

Good points.  If I am going to wait until I save up the $$ for the 60mm Golden Ring, I guess that will give Zen Ray plenty of time to develop a new spotting scope.  The only exception to that is if I find a smokin' deal on a used 60mm Golden Ring.

[whacker1]

I have been pushing Charles on the ZenRay spotter and as of now they don't have an ED spotting scope.  He said they were developing one and that they were hoping to release this summer, which didn't appear to happen (came from conversation last spring).  He elluded to the point that those that are happy with the ED binoculars would not be happy with the Sedona, as it doesn't provide the clarity or light capabilities of the ED.  He is also trying to keep the cost down on the process, so cost might be part of the challenge.  He said Hunt-Wa would be one of the first to know when the product does become available.  I am saving my pesos in the mean time and using my Windriver Sequoia a few times per year (lame).

[Pathfinder101]

Well, I just found out that I will be headed up to the Colville area this weekend with PathfinderJR.  Shoot some grouse, and probably try to put him on a bear (if it's not too late-buddy up there says it might be).  Will give me a chance to put the Zen Ray ED2s through the paces.  I'll file a report when I get back...

[257 Wby Mag]

Great little scope for the $$. I've had mine for about 8months, I think it'll surprise ya.

[grundy53]

I would almost venture a guess that the Nikon ED 60mm and the Leupold Kenai are the same scope.  Same color, same features, and I know the Kenai is not actually made in the Leupold factory in Oregon...  They're both pretty new (you can't find a used one anywhere), and go for the same price.
I just bought a pair of Zen Ray ED binos (got them in the mail yesterday), and I am VERY impressed.  I wish Zen Ray made a good spotter.  For now, I am going to tend towards your advice, not be a "VaJayJay", and save up for the 60mm Leupy Gold Ring....
Even though there's a 50mm GR on Ebay right now, sitting at $275, I could afford it right now, and I would have it in time for this deer season...
You're right, be strong.  I'll just wind up replacing it in a year....

Lol. That's too funny I started a similar post yesterday (didn't see this one) and ended up buying that 50mm GR off eBay.

[Pathfinder101]

I would almost venture a guess that the Nikon ED 60mm and the Leupold Kenai are the same scope.  Same color, same features, and I know the Kenai is not actually made in the Leupold factory in Oregon...  They're both pretty new (you can't find a used one anywhere), and go for the same price.
I just bought a pair of Zen Ray ED binos (got them in the mail yesterday), and I am VERY impressed.  I wish Zen Ray made a good spotter.  For now, I am going to tend towards your advice, not be a "VaJayJay", and save up for the 60mm Leupy Gold Ring....
Even though there's a 50mm GR on Ebay right now, sitting at $275, I could afford it right now, and I would have it in time for this deer season...
You're right, be strong.  I'll just wind up replacing it in a year....

Lol. That's too funny I started a similar post yesterday (didn't see this one) and ended up buying that 50mm GR off eBay.

Well then I wont tell you about the one I saw in the Cabelas Bargain Cave yesterday for $245... Sorry...
I took the 50mm outside and spent a little time looking through it.  The glass is very nice, but like MntMuely says, the magnification is just not enough for what I need.  I'll keep saving for the Gold Ring 60mm.  I did look through the Nikon 60mm ED and liked it a lot though...  hmm.... more to think about.... Cabelas didn't have a 60mm Leupy for me to compare it and the Nikon sode by side (or the Kenai).  Maybe next time I am up there...

[BLUEBULLS]

doesn't anyone use/like Vortex?

[Pathfinder101]

doesn't anyone use/like Vortex?

The guy I hunted Montana with last year was using one (a 60mm).  It seemed the be on about the same par with my Alpen.  Better than nothing, but grainy at the long ranges we were using it for.  Seemed like if I was having a hard time judging a buck, he was having the same trouble.  We both vowed to upgrade...

[whacker1]

Bumped into some Moose hunters this weekend that were looking at a drainage, and they both had the Carl Zeiss Spotter - straight version. 
http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A80033F8E4/?Open

I have never had a chance to look through a Zeiss spotter in the field.

I am not sure, but I liked that one about the same, possibly more than the Swarovski.  1200 yards 45 inch moose looked pretty darn clear.  Makes the motivation for finding a good spotter increase significantly.  Sorry, I upped the price range, by about $2500 in one post.  My Sequoia wouldn't have done us anygood.

[Bean Counter]

+1 for the straight model of ANY brand of scope. My Nikon is angled and its a bit of a pain trying to keep a low profile on top of a hill and angle it downward at the big bucks. 

[whacker1]

Yeah, I don't like the angled scopes either.  Very difficult to acquire your target in the Spotter.  Downhill sucks the worst.  Only solution is to role them sideways to not have to stand up in the skyline

[Pathfinder101]

OK, I am going to give this thread a bump, because things just changed.

I just got back the estimate from the insurance adjuster.  They valued my Alpen spotter that burned up at $800 (   whatever, I am not going to argue with them... ).

So, here's my dillema;  I can get a new Leupold Kenai 80mm for $800.  I have looked thru them, I like them, for an 80mm scope they are not too bulky or cumbersome.  I think I would be perfactly happy with a Kenai.
For $200 more, I could get the Golden Ring.  Less magnification, smaller objective, but of course less weight, and (I assume) better glass...    
So that really is my question;  does anyone have any experience with the Kenai?  I only looked  thru one inside the store, and I haven't looked thru side by side with the 60mm Golden Ring (I will before I buy of course). 
 ALso, I could probably pick up a used 60mm Golden Ring on Ebay or Craigslist for $800 or a bit less....
Anyone have any input concerning these two scopes?

[actionshooter]

Looks like you made out like a bandit. 
 I'd have to vote for the golden ring