Looking to upgrade my spotter?

[Steeleco]

This spring I've been using my low end Leup spotter and like how things play out, especially with the price of gas I can sit and view whole hillsides then if needed get going to close the gap. So I'm looking to upgrade to a better unit. Looking for good glass in or around $1k just getting feelers for what you all have and would suggest I test drive. I'm going to hit both big box stores and play with new and see what I can rule out, then look for quality used glass.

[albravo2]

I'm hard on gear. My binos sit in my truck console without lens caps. I sacrifice a bit of quality for the Vortex guarantee. It isn't Swarovski quality but their high end stuff is very good and the guarantee fits my lifestyle.

[decker9]

I get a lot of flack for saying this from the swarvo lovers, but my Pentax 65ED will do 99% of what my swarvo 65 HD will do, not to mention it’s a lighter unit if your backpacking with it. Iv never looked through the vortex razor line, but the Pentax was far ahead of the viper spotter I compared it with. Food for thought.

[Ron.C]

I used an original model vortex razor 65mm. Love it

[Sunzuki]

Find out the favorite of the bird watchers.
Kowa seems to ring a bell?

[Rayne]

How much do you want for your current one ?

[Steeleco]

How much do you want for your current one ? Keep your eyes on the for sale forum SOON!!

[RackStar]

I would save a bit more and grab yourself a razor.

Love mine

[todbartell]

For $1000 budget I'd look at the Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 or a used Viper HD 20-60x85

[wifigary]

For $1000 budget I'd look at the Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 or a used Viper HD 20-60x85

I've got the angled Viper HD 20-60x85 and it's beautiful in clarity and brightness. Downside is the weight. Needs a good tripod. Paid 850 for mine.

[weed782]

I have the same Pentax spotter as decker9. It has been on many mountain hunts with me. I'm super happy with it. Price point, weight/compactness and quality is very good IMO. Japanese manufactured. Lots of good options out there though.

[Frank grimes]

I’d be looking at kowa. Maybe the 66mm, and get the wide angle as well as the variable eyepiece. A 30x wide angle eyepiece is so much nicer to look through for extended periods.

[twoSevenO]

I’d be looking at kowa. Maybe the 66mm, and get the wide angle as well as the variable eyepiece. A 30x wide angle eyepiece is so much nicer to look through for extended periods.

A kowa with eyepiece for $1000? Which one? Where?

[Elkaddict]

I have the same Pentax spotter as decker9. It has been on many mountain hunts with me. I'm super happy with it. Price point, weight/compactness and quality is very good IMO. Japanese manufactured. Lots of good options out there though.

I’ve been told that one reason the PENTAX outperforms it’s price point is due to its ability to use astronomical eyepieces. The downfall of a lot of scopes isn’t the glass used but in the dinky little eyepiece. I would agree with decker9 and weed782, the PENTAX is worth a good hard look given your parameters m.

[Frank grimes]

A kowa with eyepiece for $1000? Which one? Where?
Forgot about budget, my bad. It’s probably because I can’t seem to save up for a
The Pentax May be one of the better choices. The eye relief on my vanguard isn’t the greatest. At max zoom my eyeball pretty much has to touch the lense.

[Buck]

Pentax here as well.I have the zoom and a XW fixed 14 excellent.