Spotting scope question

[upwind]

What power of spotting scope do you guys use.Open country mule deer hunting.

[oldleclercrd]

The power isnt as important as the quality. I use a 20x60x82 personally, but a smaller scope would be fine too. My 82mm objective lens just allows me to collect more light in the morning and evening when they are most likley out and about. However, its a few pounds heavier than the smaller scopes. The quality is so important because you may be able to see fine for a few minutes with a walmart scope but cheap glass causes severe headaches after a bit and the quality glass scopes provide much longer eye relief. You get what you pay for but trust me down here in Ritzville (mule deer USA) its worth it!

[Heredoggydoggy]

I agree on the Quality over Power thing.  If you spend a lot of time looking through a cheap scope, after a while it will feel like there's a suction cup on your eyeball, trying to pull it out!  I use a 20-50 Sightron and I glass on 20x and zoom up to see details.  Trying to find an object with the power cranked up at the start is nearly impossible, both for spotting scopes and rifle scopes.

[724wd]

carl is your friend!

he costs a bunch, but you'll see things you never thought possible!

http://www.zeiss.com/c1256bcf0020be5f/Contents-Frame/7ef3e5ae85c42b85852571d50048b2b5

[MtnMuley]

carl is your friend!

he costs a bunch, but you'll see things you never thought possible!

http://www.zeiss.com/c1256bcf0020be5f/Contents-Frame/7ef3e5ae85c42b85852571d50048b2b5

Carl rides in my backseat.  12-40x60mm Leupy GoldRing rides up fromt.

[Huntnphish]

 3 Swaro 20-60's backed up with a couple pairs of EL 10x42's

[oldleclercrd]

Well sure those scopes are nice, but who has that kind of money?

[littlemac]

Well sure those scopes are nice, but who has that kind of money?

For me the Swarovski was clearest although the Zeiss were excellant as well.

My EL 10x42's never leave my side in the field either.  You can just make them out in this pic!

[halflife65]

I have an old Leupy but am saving for a Swaro to go with my SLCs.

That's a lot of money in glass in those pictures above...cool.

[sakoshooter]

Redfield 20x - 45x by 60mm Waterproof. Good glass especially for the money. I've been using it for over 20 yrs mule deer hunting. Small tele tripod. Leave it attached for quick set up. Do most of my glassing at 20x and zoom in once in a while but it's gotta be awfully steady to see well at 45x. A cool clear morning or cool day allows good glassing. Warmth from the sun creates too much mirage for high power glassing.

[Pathfinder101]

Leupy Golden Ring for me, 15X45X60.  Picked up a used one for $600 last year on Ebay.  Glad I had it in Montana when we spotted my buddy's buck at about a mile away...  My buck was only spotted at 400 yards, but it was nice to have the quality glass to field-judge him in a snowstorm..

[jackelope]

When we went to the Blues this past November for my late deer hunt, I had the pleasure of having 2 Swaro spotters along with us.
They are leaps and bounds ahead of anything else I have any experience with. It's likely I'll never own one, but it sure was nice to have them if only for that one time.
They were a 20-60x60 and a 20-60x80...man...really nice stuff. 

[huntindork]

I rarely hike or hunt anywhere with out my Swaro HD65. Its a little bigger and heavier but its worth it.  For me I need the combo of both power and clarity but it does depend on your needs.  I have a buddy that has the older fixed leupold 25 power. Its pretty clear and works for him but it doesnt have enough power to really see at the great distances or to really check out an animal at medium distances. If you are a guy that is willing to shoot any legal or decent buck you probably dont need to spend the top money unless you have it laying around.

[alwinearcher]

I just got a Hawke Nature-Trek ED 20-60X80.
It retails for around $600 and I have been amazed by this scope so far! So if you cant afford the big $$$ for a spotter this might be one to look into.
I haven't had a chance to do a ton of glassing with it yet but I am definitely going to be packing it around this fall!

[wannahunt]

10-30 leupold. very clear and light enough that i don't have to think twice about packing in.