collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Which Spotter?  (Read 2592 times)

Offline Wanttohuntmore

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 1956
Which Spotter?
« on: November 18, 2011, 06:56:34 PM »
Vortex Viper 15x45hd, Nikon ED50, or Leupold 12-40/60mm HD?  Tell me your experiences w/em.  Currently using an xlspotter by nikon...

Offline Jason

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 3561
  • Location: Kalama
Re: Which Spotter?
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2011, 07:02:59 PM »
I have used Both the Viper HD and the ED50 and both are very good, but I would give the nod to the Viper HD because it's a 65mm objective and has more zoom, but you cant go wrong either way. But the ED50 is lighter and more compact and would be my choice for back country hunts.

Offline jager

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 1238
Re: Which Spotter?
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2011, 01:51:20 AM »
Here is my  :twocents:
I have the same Nikon spotter. I've had two in the last 20 years. They have served me well. There are better...that's why you are looking.  :chuckle:
Before my elk hunt this year I decided that I needed a new one...I checked out several brands up to $2500.
I only use a spotting scope a few times a year..unless I'm doing an out of state hunt.
I couldn't bring myself to spend $2500 on a scope. I had already spent a lot for the trip at that point...that and that's a lot of money!
I checked a ton of online reviews and decided to buy a Zen-Ray, ZEN ED2 20-60x82. Just under a thousand bucks....
This thing is fantastic!
Relatively "compact" - nothing like the spotter xl especially with a tripod..but doable. Smaller than most I looked at.
Image was clear even at max power. Virtually no edge distortion. Bright even at max power...comes with a great field case...
I really can't say enough good things about this spotter.
Do a google search...
Here's a couple ...


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=188349
http://www.opticstalk.com/theron-zen-ray-and-kowa-spotters_topic26955.html

« Last Edit: November 19, 2011, 02:13:41 AM by jager »

Offline nwwanderer

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4678
Re: Which Spotter?
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2011, 04:54:34 PM »
I use my Kowa TSN 663 every day.  Great scope.  Try Liberty Optics in Montana.

Offline Jason

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 3561
  • Location: Kalama
Re: Which Spotter?
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2011, 05:20:27 PM »
Here is my  :twocents:
I have the same Nikon spotter. I've had two in the last 20 years. They have served me well. There are better...that's why you are looking.  :chuckle:
Before my elk hunt this year I decided that I needed a new one...I checked out several brands up to $2500.
I only use a spotting scope a few times a year..unless I'm doing an out of state hunt.
I couldn't bring myself to spend $2500 on a scope. I had already spent a lot for the trip at that point...that and that's a lot of money!
I checked a ton of online reviews and decided to buy a Zen-Ray, ZEN ED2 20-60x82. Just under a thousand bucks....
This thing is fantastic!
Relatively "compact" - nothing like the spotter xl especially with a tripod..but doable. Smaller than most I looked at.
Image was clear even at max power. Virtually no edge distortion. Bright even at max power...comes with a great field case...
I really can't say enough good things about this spotter.
Glass is almost the same in both the Vortex HD and the ED2, but the major downfall to the ED2 is the weight, that dude is a tank, maybe they will come out with a lighter 65mm model of the ED2.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2011, 05:29:27 PM by Jason »

Offline jager

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 1238
Re: Which Spotter?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2011, 02:50:22 PM »
ED2 is 64 oz
Razor is 65.7
Viper is 63 oz
TSN 663 44.92 oz

These are all the same magnification...20x60

ED50 is only 30x and 16 oz

A "good" quality tripod that will steady the vibration is going to be 3+lbs.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Resetting dash warning lights by Fidelk
[Today at 07:41:41 PM]


Colorado Results by Ironhead
[Today at 06:27:40 PM]


Please Report Problems & Bugs Here by Mossy
[Today at 06:17:02 PM]


What's flatbed pickup life like? by Special T
[Today at 05:52:28 PM]


Oregon spring bear by Fidelk
[Today at 04:58:27 PM]


Idaho General Season Going to Draw for Nonresidents by idahohuntr
[Today at 01:51:40 PM]


Seekins PH2 & Element sale by BigJs Outdoor Store
[Today at 12:40:26 PM]


Kokanee Fishing Tournament!! 🎣 June 13-14, Joseph OR by WRKG4GD
[Today at 11:42:02 AM]


wings wings and more wings! by birddogdad
[Today at 11:00:11 AM]


Survey in ? by hdshot
[Today at 10:55:39 AM]


Jim Horn's elk calling, instructional audio CD's. by WapitiTalk1
[Today at 09:46:03 AM]


DIY Ucluelet trip by WAcoueshunter
[Today at 07:46:51 AM]


Wyoming elk who's in? by link
[Today at 07:00:33 AM]


CVA Optima V2 durasight rail mod by craigapphunt
[Today at 05:56:00 AM]


Last year putting in… by wa.hunter
[Yesterday at 11:02:00 PM]


HUNTNNW 2025 trail cam thread and photos by huntnnw
[Yesterday at 10:34:36 PM]


alkali elk special hunt by Rainier10
[Yesterday at 09:17:12 PM]


Oregon Seed #'s by Brute
[Yesterday at 08:54:20 PM]


The time clock has started.....and go. by KNOPHISH
[Yesterday at 07:31:05 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal