Spotting Scope Preferences?

[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.