Post by: addicted2hunting on December 09, 2014, 06:34:45 PM
Post by: sirmissalot on December 09, 2014, 06:57:23 PM
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 09, 2014, 07:22:05 PM
I can't stand angled spotters. They have their place but not for me
whats the problems you don't like? more of a neck kink thing?
Post by: Miles on December 09, 2014, 07:22:44 PM
Post by: sirmissalot on December 09, 2014, 07:26:52 PM
Post by: Ccortez on December 09, 2014, 07:29:43 PM
Most glassing for me it is just awkward. In the right situation it crates less neck kinking but I don't usually stare through my spotter for hours at a time, generally it's lots of glassing with binos, then zoom in with the spotter or sometimes pick a hillside apart with a spotter but then I move on. It's tough to find stuff sometimes with an angled eye piece and really awkward to me when glassing out a truck window.
:yeah:
Post by: buckfvr on December 09, 2014, 07:32:13 PM
Post by: 7mag. on December 09, 2014, 07:34:19 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on December 09, 2014, 08:07:52 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 09, 2014, 08:27:33 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on December 09, 2014, 08:35:35 PM
Mine is angled because that was the one I was able to get for almost half off. I am used to it and though I spend countless hours behind it every year, I'm not about to buy a new one unless I could sell my current one and get into the new one on the cheap.
BTW, you're debating straight vs angled eyepiece, not lens.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 09, 2014, 08:38:28 PM
Post by: j_h_nimrod on December 09, 2014, 08:42:36 PM
That said a straight is much better for the truck window and if you have a well set up glassing spot where you can get the scope at the right height.
Post by: zwickeyman on December 09, 2014, 08:48:52 PM
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 09, 2014, 08:53:14 PM
Its good to be straight! Mainly for being up high and glassing downhill.Lol thanks bean... I meant eyepiece! Lol
Mine is angled because that was the one I was able to get for almost half off. I am used to it and though I spend countless hours behind it every year, I'm not about to buy a new one unless I could sell my current one and get into the new one on the cheap.
BTW, you're debating straight vs angled eyepiece, not lens.
I don't really need it for the truck as it will be used mostly in the backcountry. By the sounds of it angled is the most versatile as far as setup?
Post by: Bean Counter on December 09, 2014, 08:58:18 PM
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 09, 2014, 09:04:07 PM
If you're going to buy a spotter for basic glassing, consider whether 15s might be a better choice. Some of that depends on how far you are glassing - if your terrain dictates that you're normally looking miles away, you want a spotter. But if the size of your hills/drainages are usually a mile and under, 15s are the better choice. Neither is perfect all the time, but if you're only going to carry one (which is likely in the backcountry), figure out which is better most of the time.
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2014, 09:04:43 PM
Post by: X-Force on December 09, 2014, 09:14:19 PM
Post by: longwalker on December 09, 2014, 09:16:18 PM
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 09, 2014, 09:18:52 PM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2014, 09:20:06 PM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
+1
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 10, 2014, 03:48:54 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on December 10, 2014, 03:50:16 AM
Post by: longwalker on December 10, 2014, 05:06:24 AM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
Post by: MtnMuley on December 10, 2014, 07:25:13 AM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
Weird, because I think angled is a lot more comfortable off a window out of a truck. I just don't like time it takes to find the animal and it is probably because I didn't spend enough time getting used to it.
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 10, 2014, 08:52:46 AM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
I'm trying to think of where I could ever be glassing at spotter distances with a 40% uphill grade?
Regardless, I carry a full size tripod so I can raise it and still get in a comfortable uphill glassing position. But try sitting on that same 40% grade and glassing downhill with an angled spotter. I think straight does the full range better than angled.
As mentioned, I'm generally behind a pair of 15s (on a tripod) instead of a spotter. They are straight, of course. I have no problem with neck strain, moving the tripod, or anything else of that nature. And every person I know that has gone from a spotter (angled or straight) to 15s as their primary glassing tool has not gone back.
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 10, 2014, 10:17:16 AM
Thanks for the link also!
Post by: steeliedrew on December 10, 2014, 10:25:42 AM
I fully support your spotter purchase or some bigger binos. :tup: Funny story everyone...So this september, AD2H and I were on an open sage brush hill side. We had split up to glass more efficiently. He radios me and says he's got eyes on 2 bedded muley's. So off I go on a 2 hour blind stalk as he guides me via radio. I get to where the deer should be and it turns out that in his 8x42's, what he thought were bedded muley's were actually deery looking rocks! :chuckle:
I'll never forget that. Funny stuff.
Post by: bowhunterty on December 10, 2014, 10:56:19 AM
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 10, 2014, 02:02:05 PM
when you guys go with 15s is it like a 15x40 or 52?
Thanks for the link also!
15x56.
Post by: jjhunter on December 10, 2014, 02:32:25 PM
On backcountry hunts, I pack both. I'd rather live without something else than leave my beloved 15s behind.
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 10, 2014, 03:32:25 PM
ok excellent.when you guys go with 15s is it like a 15x40 or 52?
Thanks for the link also!
15x56.
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 10, 2014, 03:33:09 PM
Dude,dude those rocks would have been sooooo dead too! haha :dunno:
I fully support your spotter purchase or some bigger binos. :tup: Funny story everyone...So this september, AD2H and I were on an open sage brush hill side. We had split up to glass more efficiently. He radios me and says he's got eyes on 2 bedded muley's. So off I go on a 2 hour blind stalk as he guides me via radio. I get to where the deer should be and it turns out that in his 8x42's, what he thought were bedded muley's were actually deery looking rocks! :chuckle:
I'll never forget that. Funny stuff.
Post by: jackelope on December 10, 2014, 03:36:02 PM
Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
Wow...
Post by: kentrek on December 10, 2014, 03:56:28 PM
Only seriously serious hunters use an angle spotter :chuckle:Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
Wow...
I have too much fun to be that serious tho so I prefer straight
Post by: jackelope on December 10, 2014, 04:12:26 PM
Only seriously serious hunters use an angle spotter :chuckle:Seems you can always find a straight bodied spotter in the classifieds, there's a reason for that
...because 90% of spotters that are bought new from retailers are straight?
Strait bodied spotters are for bench rests and road hunters so your probably right and there probably pretty popular on this web site. The OP is asking about a " back country" spotter. Try sitting on a 40% grade and glassing up hill from hard right to hard left with out moving your tripod a dozen times. Even if you can after five minutes your neck will hurt so bad you'll hike out sell the thing and buy an angled one. If you just want something to throw on a window mount then yeah, buy a straight one
Wow...
I have too much fun to be that serious tho so I prefer straight
Only seriously serious hunters have elitist attitudes.
Try pulling off the same maneuver glassing downhill, maintaining a low enough profile to not spook game and without having to climb up on top of your spotter.
Different strokes for different folks. It's got nothing to do with whether or not someone is an awesome enough hunter to be a true "backcountry" expert.
Post by: 300rum on December 10, 2014, 04:16:45 PM
I've owned both models of Swaros and much prefer strait, I can line up and lock on critters quicker with it. :twocents:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 04:30:46 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 04:34:00 PM
Post by: longwalker on December 10, 2014, 04:48:51 PM
I think some are confused at what a 40 degree angle is :chuckle: If your cranking uphill 40 degrees and glassing, your doing it wrong :dunno: Also, if you invested in a good tripod and head then you should adjust it to do the work for you, not your neck. :twocents:
40% is different than 40 degree I guess that's confusing to some .And try looking real far to the left with your strait spotter from a sitting position and not move your body. Also looking down hill you just crank the angled eye piece over and your head is basicly staying strait. Pretty funny how offended some get on here. Kinda fun actually
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on December 10, 2014, 04:59:08 PM
Remember, move the spotter to your head not your head to your spotter (sound familiar :chuckle:)
Post by: cbond3318 on December 10, 2014, 04:59:41 PM
I think some are confused at what a 40 degree angle is :chuckle: If your cranking uphill 40 degrees and glassing, your doing it wrong :dunno: Also, if you invested in a good tripod and head then you should adjust it to do the work for you, not your neck. :twocents:
40% is different than 40 degree I guess that's confusing to some .And try looking real far to the left with your strait spotter from a sitting position and not move your body. Also looking down hill you just crank the angled eye piece over and your head is basicly staying strait. Pretty funny how offended some get on here. Kinda fun actually
I don't look left , I don't look right. I set up, look straight ahead and give a looksy, if there isn't a 185+ buck in my view I jog straight up hill to the next drainage. Repeat until sundown.
Straight for me. >:(
Post by: Woodchuck on December 10, 2014, 05:04:37 PM
Post by: cbond3318 on December 10, 2014, 05:10:55 PM
I sprint from drainage to drainage. If you aren't sprinting you don't want it bad enough and you are a low life road hunter with a straight eye piece spotter. Insert extreme sarcasm font here.
I used to sprint, but I accidently deleted my recording of Cam Hanes' book Backcountry Bowhunting: A guide to the wildside from my IPOD and just can't find the motivation. :'(
I just ordered the window mount for my straight spotter. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Woodchuck on December 10, 2014, 05:12:05 PM
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:I sprint from drainage to drainage. If you aren't sprinting you don't want it bad enough and you are a low life road hunter with a straight eye piece spotter. Insert extreme sarcasm font here.
I used to sprint, but I accidently deleted my recording of Cam Hanes' book Backcountry Bowhunting: A guide to the wildside from my IPOD and just can't find the motivation. :'(
I just ordered the window mount for my straight spotter. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2014, 05:22:32 PM
Saw that you used % and not degree. My mistake. I guess I'm an idiot because I've always just moved my tripod 6" and scooted my behind a little if I wanted to glass left or right. I'm not offended, just thought your comment about everyone on this sight being bench shooters and :hello:road hunters because of the use of straight spotters to be comical.I think some are confused at what a 40 degree angle is :chuckle: If your cranking uphill 40 degrees and glassing, your doing it wrong :dunno: Also, if you invested in a good tripod and head then you should adjust it to do the work for you, not your neck. :twocents:
40% is different than 40 degree I guess that's confusing to some .And try looking real far to the left with your strait spotter from a sitting position and not move your body. Also looking down hill you just crank the angled eye piece over and your head is basicly staying strait. Pretty funny how offended some get on here. Kinda fun actually
Post by: jackelope on December 10, 2014, 06:04:52 PM
Saw that you used % and not degree. My mistake. I guess I'm an idiot because I've always just moved my tripod 6" and scooted my behind a little if I wanted to glass left or right. I'm not offended, just thought your comment about everyone on this sight being bench shooters and :hello:road hunters because of the use of straight spotters to be comical.I think some are confused at what a 40 degree angle is :chuckle: If your cranking uphill 40 degrees and glassing, your doing it wrong :dunno: Also, if you invested in a good tripod and head then you should adjust it to do the work for you, not your neck. :twocents:
40% is different than 40 degree I guess that's confusing to some .And try looking real far to the left with your strait spotter from a sitting position and not move your body. Also looking down hill you just crank the angled eye piece over and your head is basicly staying strait. Pretty funny how offended some get on here. Kinda fun actually
Me too.
Post by: JWBINX on December 10, 2014, 08:16:12 PM
and it's made by the right people!!! They also make a HD model for a couple hundred dollars more. There is nothing in between
the Leupold HD and Swarovski worth spending your money on. A angle eyepiece cannot be used on a window mount and when in
the field you have to raise your head and body above the spotter to look through which will expose you to the quarry your hunting.
Go straight!! :tup:
Post by: MtnMuley on December 10, 2014, 08:19:50 PM
Straight for me - but I don't sit and glass with a spotter. I sit and glass with tripod mounted 15x's. When I've located something that requires a closer inspection, I can quick detach my 15s from my tripod and click in my spotter and be on the critter in seconds with no adjustment to my tripod.
On backcountry hunts, I pack both. I'd rather live without something else than leave my beloved 15s behind.
.........I continue to shake my head :chuckle:
Post by: longwalker on December 10, 2014, 08:23:34 PM
the field you have to raise your head and body above the spotter to look through which will expose you to the quarry your hunting.
Go straight!! :tup:
If your that close why would you be using a spotting scope? And nothing between Swarovski and Leopold? That's exactly where vortex razors sit. I kinda wonder if you know what's being talked about here
Post by: JWBINX on December 10, 2014, 08:33:30 PM
business for 30 years and I won't settle for Vortex when I can buy Leupold or Swarovski.
Post by: Bean Counter on December 11, 2014, 02:49:18 AM
If your that close why would you be using a spotting scope?
^ This. When I glass stuff with my spotter its often a country mile away (1,600+ yards). I can talk, jump, throw rocks and they wouldn't bat an eye.
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 11, 2014, 12:40:46 PM
I too have been less impressed with the Vortex stuff I have looked through. Everything I've looked at is midrange stuff. I sure hope their high end stuff is nicer.So would the vortex be a good start till I save for some Swarovski?If your that close why would you be using a spotting scope?
^ This. When I glass stuff with my spotter its often a country mile away (1,600+ yards). I can talk, jump, throw rocks and they wouldn't bat an eye.
Post by: huntnphool on December 11, 2014, 12:43:05 PM
I too have been less impressed with the Vortex stuff I have looked through. Everything I've looked at is midrange stuff. I sure hope their high end stuff is nicer.So would the vortex be a good start till I save for some Swarovski?If your that close why would you be using a spotting scope?
^ This. When I glass stuff with my spotter its often a country mile away (1,600+ yards). I can talk, jump, throw rocks and they wouldn't bat an eye.
I know a member on here that picked up a Swaro 65 yesterday for $1000, they are out there if you keep your eyes open.
Post by: Bean Counter on December 11, 2014, 01:45:59 PM
- Put your eyes up to it and focus and zoom. It should look smooth as it pulls in and out and focuses in and out
- Do the rings feel smooth to your fingers as you focus and zoom in and out?
- Look at the the objective LENS and the eyepiece glass. Coatings should be unscratched and smooth. lack of any coating or completely deformed coatings might mean some ammonia based cleaner was used ( :bdid: )
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 11, 2014, 03:44:49 PM
:yeah: Don't be afraid to buy used. If you get a good deal on one used, you should be able to sell it later with minimal loss in trading up. There is far more to be scared about buying a used camera lens and that is something I've done several times without problems.
- Put your eyes up to it and focus and zoom. It should look smooth as it pulls in and out and focuses in and out
- Do the rings feel smooth to your fingers as you focus and zoom in and out?
- Look at the the objective LENS and the eyepiece glass. Coatings should be unscratched and smooth. lack of any coating or completely deformed coatings might mean some ammonia based cleaner was used ( :bdid: )
ok good stuff... thanks a ton guys.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2014, 04:55:10 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2014, 05:02:51 PM
Post by: coachcw on December 11, 2014, 05:28:52 PM
Post by: addicted2hunting on December 11, 2014, 05:42:11 PM
Something I suggest for you to do, and this was what I did when I was trying to decide on a spotter was to buy them, use them for a day and return them. I bought almost every high end glass that Cabelas and Cameraland carried and ran them through a full day of glassing. Low light, heat of the day, all of it. You can't tell the quality of an optic by looking around the store. Cabelas has a no questions asked return policy so your not out anything. Finally landed on the big razor for several reasons. One was warranty. Literally cant top it. The swaro was def a better optic but not 1500 bucks better. Long story short, edge to edge clarity was great, I used it all day and never got a headache or achy eyeballs and it was second best I looked through. I suggest picking up a straight and an angled spotter and run them through some glassing and decide from there. They don't even have to be expensive ones. Figure out the straight/angle thing and then decide which brand/model you want.That's a damn fine idea! I will give that a go.
Post by: Bean Counter on December 11, 2014, 08:04:20 PM
One thing to remember, Swaro's warranty is not transferable, so used glass is not covered. If you buy new, the glass is covered for life but mechanical stuff like eye cups, focus wheel, etc are only covered for ten years.
:yike: The value of my HD Nikon just went way up in my book. Far better warranty than Swaro and still plenty of low light, crystal clear performance.
Post by: Benny on December 11, 2014, 08:09:47 PM
One thing to remember, Swaro's warranty is not transferable, so used glass is not covered. If you buy new, the glass is covered for life but mechanical stuff like eye cups, focus wheel, etc are only covered for ten years.
That isn't correct
Post by: MtnMuley on December 11, 2014, 09:09:38 PM
Post by: huntnphool on December 11, 2014, 09:42:28 PM
Swaro is lifetime regardless of the owner.
+1, that's what they told me.
Post by: Bob33 on December 11, 2014, 09:45:53 PM
residents from an authorized SWAROVSKI OPTIK North American dealer. Once examined, if it is determined that the optical system is defective we will repair or replace the instrument or defective part. SWAROVSKI OPTIK warrants all other parts of the instrument for ten years from date of purchase against defects in materials or workmanship, subject to normal use. All electronic components are warranted for two years against defects in materials and workmanship, subject to normal use, from date of purchase. All non-optical products (i.e. accessories, tripods etc.) are warranted for one year from date of purchase. This warranty is void if damage results from unauthorized repairs, accident, alteration, misuse, abuse, neglect, fire, flood or other acts of God."
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2014, 09:10:04 AM
. I'm just going off their warranty literature on their website. Original owner, purchased from an authorized dealer. :dunno: never had to deal with them so maybe they will fix used stuff regardless.One thing to remember, Swaro's warranty is not transferable, so used glass is not covered. If you buy new, the glass is covered for life but mechanical stuff like eye cups, focus wheel, etc are only covered for ten years.
That isn't correct
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 12, 2014, 03:29:06 PM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,112618.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,112618.0.html)