Spotting Scope Preferences?

[silverdalesauer]

So, I'm in the market for a spotting scope - either new or used. But I don't have thousands of dollars to spend.

What are your thoughts on makes, models, brands? Price ranges? I'll be hunting with long distances in mind and plan to carry it with me in my hunting pack as well as use at the shooting range.

Suggestions for someone who knows very little on this topic?   

[bullchaser]

I have a nikkon ed 50 super light good price and its really clear. i have tried bigger more expensive scopes but i get tired of carring them my little ed 50 can go anywear with you. my 

[Hawgdawg]

Just like any optics. Get the best you can afford. I have a baush and laym and love it. Don't forget the window mount. They come in handy in open country and 3 point or better units.

[400out]

I have a nikkon ed 50 super light good price and its really clear. i have tried bigger more expensive scopes but i get tired of carring them my little ed 50 can go anywear with you. my 

the problem with bigger is heat waves 

[MtnMuley]

It would be nice if you could give us a price range. That'd narrow it down. It is very important to spend the most you can afford on good glass if you plan on hunting big country. If it takes a couple years to save up, do it. Buy the right glass once, and you won't ever have to buy it again.

[400out]

It would be nice if you could give us a price range. That'd narrow it down. It is very important to spend the most you can afford on good glass if you plan on hunting big country. If it takes a couple years to save up, do it. Buy the right glass once, and you won't ever have to buy it again.

Well put!

[silverdalesauer]

$300 to $500

[JLS]

Go to www.cameralandny.com and look at their demo models.  I purchased a Minox 62 spotter as a demo for about $500.  It is a great scope.

If you're trying to find a scope for $300, my recommendation is to skip it.  The optical quality won't be good enough to do what a spotting scope is really meant to do, IMO.

The Nikon ED scopes are also very good scopes.

[colockumelk]

I have a nikkon ed 50 super light good price and its really clear. i have tried bigger more expensive scopes but i get tired of carring them my little ed 50 can go anywear with you. my 

This will be my post-Afghanistan present to myself. This scope is the best scope in the world. It weighs a pound and is small enough you can actually take it with you instead of leaving it in the truck. 

[JLS]

Nikon 13-30 ED for $675.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/nikon.pl?page=nikon8320

[Bob33]

Kowa TSN 602.  Ask for Doug.   Ill bet you can get this for $599.   

 http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/kowa.pl?page=kowa_tsn-602

Kowa makes some of the world's best spotting scopes.

[jackelope]

I have a nikkon ed 50 super light good price and its really clear. i have tried bigger more expensive scopes but i get tired of carring them my little ed 50 can go anywear with you. my 

This will be my post-Afghanistan present to myself. This scope is the best scope in the world. It weighs a pound and is small enough you can actually take it with you instead of leaving it in the truck.

You ought to look at the little Minox and save yourself a few bucks. A lot of the reviews on the Minox put it in the same category as the Nikon for a few hundred bucks less. I've got one and love it. The 30x is limiting, but the quality of the glass is awesome.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598408-USA/Minox_62226_MD_50_2_0_50mm_Spotting.html

[HairTrigger]

I purchased a Burris High Country 20×60×60 from www.wholesalehunter.com for just under $200 an also a burris window mount for around $40

[JohnVH]

more money = better glass, there may be a few exceptions, but I have not seen many yet. Ive looked through a few $80-250 ones, and looked through a swarovski, at full power my inexpensive one is useless

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Check out camofire.com. They have had the Nikon pro staff scopes on there for 355 and 270 i beleieve.  They have one with a 60 mm objective and one with and 82.  I have had my eye on the 82 and it's normally 800.  Looks like good quality optics though and it's a smokin deal, comes with a tripod as well and they have straight or angled eye pieces.  Just sign up for their daily emails and you won't miss out.  Anyone used these scopes and have any comments? 

[huntnnw]

Vortex...everything Ive read in reviews and people I have talk to say they are great.

[ICEMAN]

IMHO, a guy is better off with a smaller scope, as I feel the larger ones often get left behind in the truck due to their size...

[silverdalesauer]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'll start checking these out and give 'em a try.  Sounds like a lot of great ideas.

[C-Money]

You should be able to get a dandy Leupold for the money you want to spend. That is what I would get. I am currently using a fixed 20x Burris that is very clear,  some day I want a bigger one in Leupold.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Just ordered 2 ED50's (one for my dad), should be here tomorrow.  I'll report on them compared to the Vortex Viper HD.

[colockumelk]

IMHO, a guy is better off with a smaller scope, as I feel the larger ones often get left behind in the truck due to their size...

That's why I want a compact. I don't need 60x scope to decide whether a Pronghorn is 15" or 17". I need one that is small and light so I can fit it in my pack and with enough power so I can determine if that buck on the otherside of that wilderness drainage is legal or not. A big normal size scope is too heavy and big. I am looking at the NIKON , Minox and Leupold compacts but like the NIKON the best. Admittedly I Havnt been able to look through a minox yet.

Vortex...everything Ive read in reviews and people I have talk to say they are great.

I have read the same but ALL their spotters are way way way too heavy. They weigh 3x more than the NIKON ED50. If I did more open country spot and stalk or antelope hunted I would definately buy one. But I don't so the "mini" spotters suit me best.

[ICEMAN]

It should look like this.

[Bigtine96]

Swarovski 65mm with a 25-50 wide angle lense

You will not be disappointed spend your money on your equiptment and it will take care of you.

[jackelope]

I am looking at the NIKON , Minox and Leupold compacts but like the NIKON the best. Admittedly I Havnt been able to look through a minox yet.

Colockumelk...
Miles put a great review of the little Minox here a while back. I have the same scope as whats in the pics.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=72861.msg984191#msg984191

[Bob33]

"I don't need 60x scope to decide whether a Pronghorn is 15" or 17". I need one that is smalland light so I can fit it in my pack and with enough power so I can determine ifthat buck on the otherside of that wilderness drainage is legal or not."

I pack a Leupold 12-40x60 HD while antelope hunting, and it has served me well.

[colockumelk]

I am looking at the NIKON , Minox and Leupold compacts but like the NIKON the best. Admittedly I Havnt been able to look through a minox yet.

Colockumelk...
Miles put a great review of the little Minox here a while back. I have the same scope as whats in the pics.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=72861.msg984191#msg984191

Thanks for the tip. I think I will be getting this scope someday.

[pianoman9701]

ZenRay has some nice deals right now. http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/spottingscopes.html

If you also need binos, Kill two birds and get nice binos with a tripod attachment.

[colockumelk]

They have nice glass and I will probate ly pick up their prime HD but they dont have a compact spotted which is what I am after.

[SemperFidelis97]

I would personally look for a leupold 12-40x60 on ebay they go for that price range used, and they are one of the best spotters for your money especially if you are looking for something you can pack around with you.  I hunt very open county, and mine has always performed superbly.  Another company to check out as has been said is Zen Ray they produce fantastic optics at an affordable price my wife, and I both use Zen Ray ED2 binoculars they have never dissapointed us even when compared to their much more expensive counterparts.

[rosscrazyelk]

the vortex nomad 20x60x60  under $400. Great scope.

[huntnphool]

It would be nice if you could give us a price range. That'd narrow it down. It is very important to spend the most you can afford on good glass if you plan on hunting big country. If it takes a couple years to save up, do it. Buy the right glass once, and you won't ever have to buy it again.

+1 Save for Swaro's and never worry about it again.

[Cascade_fisher]

I like my Nikon Prostaff 16-48x65 but don't have much experience with anything other than Swarovski which I wish I could afford.

[huntnphool]

don't have much experience with anything other than Swarovski which I wish I could afford.

 I have a lot of friends that hunt and most tell me the same thing. The funny thing about it is they have gone years wishing they "could afford" quality optics and yet I see them daily with their cup of Starbucks, or pack of cigarettes, or couple beers at the local watering hole.

 I would venture to guess that most people on these sites really could afford a $2000 scope if they diverted their priorities for a year. Most will try to justify why they "can't" rather than why they "can". 
 

[elkaholic123]

I was in the same boat,not wanting to spend the money on a top dollar spotter but  I am sure glad I finally got my Swaro spotter 2 years ago,I love it.....next to my EL'S probably my best investment,I would never go back to anything less....thanks jj   

[bobcat]

don't have much experience with anything other than Swarovski which I wish I could afford.

 I have a lot of friends that hunt and most tell me the same thing. The funny thing about it is they have gone years wishing they "could afford" quality optics and yet I see them daily with their cup of Starbucks, or pack of cigarettes, or couple beers at the local watering hole.

 I would venture to guess that most people on these sites really could afford a $2000 scope if they diverted their priorities for a year. Most will try to justify why they "can't" rather than why they "can". 

Supporting a wife and two kids on only one income- nope, I can't justify a Swarovski no matter what I cut back on. If I bought one I'd be sitting out hunting season for a couple years, as I'd have no money for gas. 

Yes, I should have bought a good spotting scope 10 years ago, I could have done it then. Instead I spent about $600 and got a Kowa. I guess it'll have to get me by for at least the next 15 years or so.   

[huntnphool]

don't have much experience with anything other than Swarovski which I wish I could afford.

 I have a lot of friends that hunt and most tell me the same thing. The funny thing about it is they have gone years wishing they "could afford" quality optics and yet I see them daily with their cup of Starbucks, or pack of cigarettes, or couple beers at the local watering hole.

 I would venture to guess that most people on these sites really could afford a $2000 scope if they diverted their priorities for a year. Most will try to justify why they "can't" rather than why they "can". 

Supporting a wife and two kids on only one income- nope, I can't justify a Swarovski no matter what I cut back on. If I bought one I'd be sitting out hunting season for a couple years, as I'd have no money for gas. 

Yes, I should have bought a good spotting scope 10 years ago, I could have done it then. Instead I spent about $600 and got a Kowa. I guess it'll have to get me by for at least the next 15 years or so.   

 I hear ya Bob, and that's why I said "most" on the sites fall into this category. I still believe that even you with two kids could prioritize your output, if you really had your goals set on a particular piece.

[Miles]

Then there's the whole do you really need a $2,000 spotting scope argument.  I know of MANY successful hunters that have taken above average animals without even using a spotter.  I think it's more of a "status" thing with the whole SWARO crowd, but that's just my opinion.  I also think in todays world of "hunting"
 more emphasis is put on the latest "whizemagadgets", and less and less on actual hunting skills.   

[huntnphool]

Then there's the whole do you really need a $2,000 spotting scope argument.  I know of MANY successful hunters that have taken above average animals without even using a spotter.  I think it's more of a "status" thing with the whole SWARO crowd, but that's just my opinion.  I also think in todays world of "hunting"
 more emphasis is put on the latest "whizemagadgets", and less and less on actual hunting skills.

 Its always a matter of opinion Russ, thats why we each give our . Whats funny is when hiking in with friends and setting up on a critter, they never fail to be amazed at the difference looking through my Swaro and their spotter.

 I will be the first to tell you that any spotter is better than no spotter, but lets get it twisted, looking through a Swaro spotter is completely different than looking through a $500 spotter of any make!

[bobcat]

looking through a Swaro spotter is completely different than looking through a $500 spotter of any make!

I wouldn't know, since I've never once looked through one.

I have looked through a 12-40x Leupold and I can't imagine it would be much better than that.

[huntnphool]

looking through a Swaro spotter is completely different than looking through a $500 spotter of any make!

I wouldn't know, since I've never once looked through one.

I have looked through a 12-40x Leupold and I can't imagine it would be much better than that.

 You know me Bob, all you have to do is ask and you can take mine out whenever you want.

 Miles, you PM box is full, call me or send me a text.

[Miles]

Try it now, I just deleted a bunch.

[huntnphool]

Try it now, I just deleted a bunch.

 You popular guy you!

[Miles]

Try it now, I just deleted a bunch.

 You popular guy you!

   Someone must have changed the allowable number of PM's since I was at 338%.

[huntnphool]

Someone must have changed the allowable number of PM's since I was at 338%.

 LMAO

[MtnMuley]

Then there's the whole do you really need a $2,000 spotting scope argument.  I know of MANY successful hunters that have taken above average animals without even using a spotter.  I think it's more of a "status" thing with the whole SWARO crowd, but that's just my opinion.  I also think in todays world of "hunting"
 more emphasis is put on the latest "whizemagadgets", and less and less on actual hunting skills.

I know it's your opinion, but that isn't the case with me or many of my friends.  Hell, I had the Zeiss HD and the Swaro HD side by side when I made my decision.  I personally thought the Zeiss was superior, so I went with that.  Same with the binos.  After budgeting a small amount every month and selling cord wood after work, I finally threw up every superior glass available, and chose the EL's after they dominated the rest --  in my opinion.  Funny thing is, most friends forget I even have the Zeiss spotter, because my 12-40x60 Leupy is always with me and can NOT be beat for what I use it for.  Again, my opinion.  Lastly, I do enjoying seeing all the truckloads of "hunters" with all their "whizemagadgets" still on in the bars in the evenings.  

[Snopczynski]

So, I'm in the market for a spotting scope - either new or used. But I don't have thousands of dollars to spend.

What are your thoughts on makes, models, brands? Price ranges? I'll be hunting with long distances in mind and plan to carry it with me in my hunting pack as well as use at the shooting range.

Suggestions for someone who knows very little on this topic?   

I hate to say it, but the guy at Sportco at the optics counter with glasses, and always wearing his hat knows his stuff. Go see him, he will let you look through them out the window, and give you his opinion on them.