Post by: fillthefreezer on October 21, 2011, 08:59:50 AM
budget is $1k for all, lets hear what you guys would get...
Post by: thinkingman on October 21, 2011, 09:29:36 AM
Spotter will be the highest magnification, meaning quality of glass and coatings is more critical.
I'd bet the binos would be most important and rangefinder least.....that's how I would allocate my resources.
Post by: fillthefreezer on October 21, 2011, 09:43:07 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 22, 2011, 08:29:27 AM
Buying all three for a grand would lead you to the tasco, bushnell brands. OK glass, but not the best and after a couple of years you might not be happy.
I would start with good Bino's and see how much you have left. Optics are just as important as anything else, so dont go cheap...
Post by: Steve C on October 22, 2011, 05:42:03 PM
In Spotters, I have owned and used the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's and they are really good. However a spotter recommendation is sort of dependent on how much you are going to be packing it. That usually tops you out at a 65 mm glass, while the 80-85's are better if you don't pack so much. The Vortex Viper HD is a possibility, but I have only looked at those in store and have no use in the field.
I personally have zero use for a rangefinder, so I will not comment.
Post by: fair-chase on October 22, 2011, 05:50:53 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 22, 2011, 05:52:20 PM
Post by: deerslyr on October 23, 2011, 06:51:39 PM
range finder-leoupold-300
Not sure if you want a compact spotter or full size but for a compact-Minox MD50-200+ decent tripod-100
that puts you at 1100
Not sure what kind of hunting you do but I do mostly back country style hunts so I only use a compact spotter. Thats my set up and it flat out works.
You can also get a different range finder for the 200 range as well
Post by: fillthefreezer on October 24, 2011, 07:59:38 AM
i know to get high end stuff my budget would only maybe buy one item, but thats how budgets are i guess...
i have a couple tripods from my photography days, would those be sufficient?
Post by: Steve C on October 28, 2011, 12:11:57 PM
i have a couple tripods from my photography days, would those be sufficient?
Probably not. One thing you can't skimp on is the tripod. If you set up on a not stiff enough tripod, you will find the spotter atop it is pretty useless, regardless of what brand it is and how much it cost you.
Post by: Griz231 on October 28, 2011, 12:50:02 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on November 17, 2011, 08:40:06 AM
Post by: The Weazle on November 17, 2011, 08:53:05 AM
Post by: Jason on November 17, 2011, 09:01:27 AM
so some fog on my old binos forced my hand a little right before elk camp, picked up vortex diamondback 10x42. really like them so far. now ive got like $750 left.Now take a good look at the Vortex Viper HD spotter, Great scope for the price.
Optics Planet has the Viper HD spotter 15-45x65 for $549, you can get tri-pods for under $100.
I have both an expensive $250 tri-pod with a pistol grip head and have an inexpensive $70 ball head tri-pod, and I use the $70 dollar Vortex High Country tri-pod 99% of the time, mainly because its very light weight and does the job just fine.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-viper-hd-15-45x65-spotting-scopes.html
Post by: fillthefreezer on November 17, 2011, 02:54:54 PM
i looked at the non-hd vortex spotters while at the store last time, so far im very impressed with vortex glass as far as dollar for dollar with ANY other brand...so some fog on my old binos forced my hand a little right before elk camp, picked up vortex diamondback 10x42. really like them so far. now ive got like $750 left.Now take a good look at the Vortex Viper HD spotter, Great scope for the price.
Optics Planet has the Viper HD spotter 15-45x65 for $549, you can get tri-pods for under $100.
I have both an expensive $250 tri-pod with a pistol grip head and have an inexpensive $70 ball head tri-pod, and I use the $70 dollar Vortex High Country tri-pod 99% of the time, mainly because its very light weight and does the job just fine.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/vortex-viper-hd-15-45x65-spotting-scopes.html