Spotting scope recommendations

[rides bike to work]

I'm in the market for my first spotting scope. It will be use on pack in hunts for all kinds of critters. Of course budget is a factor the $600 area is where in looking.i really don't know much about spotting scopes so any experiences and info are welcome.

What power should I look for
offset or straight through
max weight
what brands are good for budget price
which brands to stay away from


if you got one for sale I would be interested as well

[tinhorse]

I have a bushnell elite 15-45 power that unfortunately has not been used much at all in the past 5 years. It is a good scope, there are many better ones but there are many worse ones out there. Clear views and packs well folded up with the small tripod I have for it. I am looking to sell it for $250 plus shipping or pick up if you are interested. If you want to spend the $600 the vortex line is decent to look through. Go to a store and see what fits your eye the best, you may find big differences in the way one person describes clarity and ease of use from one scope to another. Good luck

[tinhorse]

Oh scope is in like new condition with boxes, covers, papers and folding tripod.

[coach]

Have a look at this thread: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?103723-Vortex-Vipers-spotters

Although I had extremely poor "luck" with the low end Vortex Impact spotter, I upgraded to the 15-45x60 non HD Viper this year and find it to be very good for the money. The Nechako sale (if still on) is a hell of a good deal. I have the angled version and find it very easy to use. It didn't take long to get to the point where I can now set the spotter up on the tripod and almost instantly find what I'm looking for in the field of view.

My .02 cents..

[NorBC]

Think a vortex or leupold would keep you happy in that price range. I bought a leupold ventana for around 400 bucks. Worked perfect, and I abused the hell out of it. One day when money is not a issue I'm sure I'll own a Swarovski, but for now this scope easily meets my needs.

[coach]

From the link I posted above:

Vortex Viper 20-60x80 VPR-80A angled
Regular $999.99
HBC SALE $ $550 shipped taxes included
NIB







Vortex Viper 15-45x65 VPR-60a Angled
Regular $ 599.99
HBC special $375.00 shipped taxes included
NIB









To order please email Brenden@nechakooutdoors.ca or call the shop at 250-562-3597

[albravo2]

I've got the viper and really like it. The glass doesn't match my Swarovski binoculars, but neither did the price. You can't beat their warranty either.

[tinhorse]

This looks like a heck of a deal. I would again go to your closest hunting store and look through a couple and if it fits get it. Good price on those 2.


From the link I posted above:

Vortex Viper 20-60x80 VPR-80A angled
Regular $999.99
HBC SALE $ $550 shipped taxes included
NIB







Vortex Viper 15-45x65 VPR-60a Angled
Regular $ 599.99
HBC special $375.00 shipped taxes included
NIB









To order please email Brenden@nechakooutdoors.ca or call the shop at 250-562-3597

[pescado]

Nikon ed50, pentax 65ed and the Nikon fieldscope iii non-hd are 3 I would look at in your price range as well as the Vortex. Research your eyepieces and get the one you want.

[BCBRAD]

Have a look at this thread: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?103723-Vortex-Vipers-spotters

Although I had extremely poor "luck" with the low end Vortex Impact spotter, I upgraded to the 15-45x60 non HD Viper this year and find it to be very good for the money. The Nechako sale (if still on) is a hell of a good deal. I have the angled version and find it very easy to use. It didn't take long to get to the point where I can now set the spotter up on the tripod and almost instantly find what I'm looking for in the field of view.

My .02 cents..

I have a 15x45 non HD, good spotter for the money or should say its a good spotter. Not in the league of a Kowa though.

[GoatGuy]

Would save one more year or split a good one with a hunting buddy. Minimum recommend is a leupold gold ring.

Nothing more disappointing than packing a couple of extra pounds of milky optics around in your pack because 'it has a warranty'.

[GoatGuy]

And by the way picked up an hd 65 mm swaro with 20-60 and case in great shape last fall for $1000 - the deals are out there.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

And by the way picked up an hd 65 mm swaro with 20-60 and case in great shape last fall for $1000 - the deals are out there.

You catch somone in bed with someone that they should not have been in bed with???:-D

[boxhitch]

Something about goats and rubber boots ........

[GoatGuy]

OSW got one brand new about 8 years ago for $2000 IIRC.

Rather be lucky than good any day.

[~T-BONE~]

Spend the money! Do it right once! Trust me..

[BiG Boar]

Don't waste your $600. Sell a rifle or a quad and do it right the first time. The most important tools to me are boots, binos, and spotting scope. The rest is gravy. If you really need one this year and can't come up with the money, buy a toilet paper roll, put some Syran wrap over each end and look through it. I would sell my $2000 rifle and buy a savage package before I went hunting without a good spotting scope. Look in the states or eBay or Craigslist for a used Swaro or Zeiss. Good deals are out there. I think I paid $1300 for mine.

[rides bike to work]

Any preference on straight thru or angled

[frenchbar]

if your not a hard core sheep hunter thats always hunting the high country ..tinhorses elite will serve you well for 250.00..you dont need 2000 dollar optics to kill things ..trust me .

[NorBC]

Angled for me, just my preference. Straight might be nice if your above, and looking down on your game, but that's not usually the case for me.. I find angled comfy for seating well glassing.

[xfactor]

Don't waste your $600. Sell a rifle or a quad and do it right the first time. The most important tools to me are boots, binos, and spotting scope. The rest is gravy. If you really need one this year and can't come up with the money, buy a toilet paper roll, put some Syran wrap over each end and look through it. I would sell my $2000 rifle and buy a savage package before I went hunting without a good spotting scope. Look in the states or eBay or Craigslist for a used Swaro or Zeiss. Good deals are out there. I think I paid $1300 for mine.


Toilet paper roll with Saran wrap!! Lol. That's awesome!!

[RiverOtter]

Actually, paper towel rolls work better, but if all you can afford is a toilet paper roll, it'll work too..........:mrgreen:

Someday I'd like to try out one of those fancy Christmas wrap tubes.....

[ElectricDyck]

I used a bushnell elite for a while, sold it to a buddy for 200 bucks, they are ok and better than nothing. I got fed up when I couldn't judge a goat at 600 yards and when another guy could count points on a muley with his swaro binos on a tripod and I couldn't with my spotter. I got a swarovski stm 65 with a 20-60 eye piece, now I can see details with edges where before it was colours that faded together.

[GoatGuy]

That says it all - when someone can see better through their binos than you can with your spotter..... well you know.

[hunter1993ap]

Don't waste your $600. Sell a rifle or a quad and do it right the first time. The most important tools to me are boots, binos, and spotting scope. The rest is gravy. If you really need one this year and can't come up with the money, buy a toilet paper roll, put some Syran wrap over each end and look through it. I would sell my $2000 rifle and buy a savage package before I went hunting without a good spotting scope. Look in the states or eBay or Craigslist for a used Swaro or Zeiss. Good deals are out there. I think I paid $1300 for mine.

x2, I am young and am hopefully only going to have to buy once, I think its a good plan. I found a swaro 20-60 x 65 for 1000, so the deals are out there. bino's and boots are top of the list for me and the spotter is close behind.

[BiG Boar]

Angled for me, just my preference. Straight might be nice if your above, and looking down on your game, but that's not usually the case for me.. I find angled comfy for seating well glassing.

x2
go angled.

[paw325]

ive said this many times.. things you do not cheap out on are...boots...optics....tent....pack....

buy nice or buy twice....the items listed above are some of the very few things in this world that the higher the price the better the quality....

Swarovski spotters are tougher, Zeiss spotters have better glass, those are your 2 choices and yes ive abused them all...

[Dutch]

Have a look at this thread: http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?103723-Vortex-Vipers-spotters

Although I had extremely poor "luck" with the low end Vortex Impact spotter, I upgraded to the 15-45x60 non HD Viper this year and find it to be very good for the money. The Nechako sale (if still on) is a hell of a good deal. I have the angled version and find it very easy to use. It didn't take long to get to the point where I can now set the spotter up on the tripod and almost instantly find what I'm looking for in the field of view.

My .02 cents..
Bought one through Nechako really a sweet piece compared to my ww1 vintage bushnell

[GoatGuy]

Bought one through Nechako really a sweet piece compared to my ww1 vintage bushnell

3s always look great......... when you compare them to a 1 :-D

[358mag]

Make sure you have enuff $$ let over to buy a good quality tripod, a $1000.00 spotting scope mounted on a $75.00 tripod is going to be a $75.00 spotting scope once the wind starts to blow .

[hunter1993ap]

Make sure you have enuff $$ let over to buy a good quality tripod, a $1000.00 spotting scope mounted on a $75.00 tripod is going to be a $75.00 spotting scope once the wind starts to blow .

I hate the wind, even with a good tripod it sucks. paying for this hobbie is starting to sound like a second job is needed!!

[358mag]

I hate the wind, even with a good tripod it sucks. paying for this hobbie is starting to sound like a second job is needed!!

Your just going to have to work smarter not harder ... ..:wink:

[hunter1993ap]

Your just going to have to work smarter not harder ... ..:wink:
I hear you!!

[Dutch]

3s always look great......... when you compare them to a 1

Yeah it was a huge step ,have a great pair of Zeiss bino's and really could not justify that much on a spotting scope ,this seems to be pretty nicely finished and was out at looking at Brant today, great optics ,and did get a good tripod although not the 999.99 one they had ,my goat hunting days are behind me ,now just gotta make sure that 6th tine is there....:confused:

[OutWest]

And by the way picked up an hd 65 mm swaro with 20-60 and case in great shape last fall for $1000 - the deals are out there.

Where the heck did you find that. In the market for one myself. A lot of the reviews in the bird watching and long range forums are saying the Gold Ring 12-40x60 HD stacks up pretty well against Swaro/Zeiss/Leica. Tempted to pull the trigger soon but I've got a few months before it's really necessary.

[GoatGuy]

Where the heck did you find that. In the market for one myself. A lot of the reviews in the bird watching and long range forums are saying the Gold Ring 12-40x60 HD stacks up pretty well against Swaro/Zeiss/Leica. Tempted to pull the trigger soon but I've got a few months before it's really necessary.

IIRC the leupold's usually go on sale in the spring. It is very good glass for the price.

Will keep my eyes out for a deal on one of the 'big three'. They're always out there - local guy who had upgraded to the new swaro.

Kowa stuff is not to be over-looked. Buddy bought one from Hermit and it worked well - FOV wasn't as large but definitely good glass. No problems picking out three legals in the band of five.

[OutWest]

IIRC the leupold's usually go on sale in the spring. It is very good glass for the price.

Will keep my eyes out for a deal on one of the 'big three'. They're always out there - local guy who had upgraded to the new swaro.

Kowa stuff is not to be over-looked. Buddy bought one from Hermit and it worked well - FOV wasn't as large but definitely good glass. No problems picking out three legals in the band of five.

More or less the objective for me. Have seen some good reviews about Kowa. Tough to beat the size of the GR and the more I read the more I'm impressed.

[pescado]

More or less the objective for me. Have seen some good reviews about Kowa. Tough to beat the size of the GR and the more I read the more I'm impressed.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/276117-REG/Kowa_TSN_664_TSN_664_2_6_66mm_Spotting_Scope.htmlh ttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/327058-REG/Leupold_53756_Mark_4_2_4_60mm_Spotting.html

I see the Kowa as having a 66mm objective compared to the 60mm of the Leupold and still being lighter and they say smaller but I find that hard to believe. The TSN-664 with the 30WA eye piece is a good bang for the buck. Is that the price for the 12-40x60mm HD Leupold?? Seems expensive.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/327058-REG/Leupold_53756_Mark_4_2_4_60mm_Spotting.html

[Hunters Luck]

I just bought a Vortex Razor HD and I'm extremely impressed. For the price I could hardly pass it up. I compared them with both Zeiss and Swarovski scopes, and they held their own! I am definitely one of those that would buy good the first time and not cheap out, all of the rest of my optics are Swarovski and I feel this new spotter is right there. I'm extremely impressed I have to say.