Range finder or spotting scope??

[kloosterboer]

For my next major hunting purchase i can't decide between a spotting scope and a Rangefiner what do you think?

Thanks Ryan

[Gateholio]

How far do you intend to shoot on game?

[bigwhiteys]

Spotting Scope

[kloosterboer]

When I hunt with a rifle i don't plan on any shots futher than 225-250 yards. For the next couple years until i'm done school i will mostly be hunting locally in fairly dense bush with either a Bow or shotgun.

[Gateholio]

Spotter, for sure...

[BlacktailStalker]

I echo spotter.
I just finished building my set up today.
I feel you will SEE more game and be able to use more time stalking instead of searching.

Eye candy :)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/DSC01022.jpg

[todbartell]

well if you're looking to spend $400-700 on either, I would suggest the LRF as you'd be able to get high end stuff that will work very well. A $400-700 spotting scope may not satisfy your needs very well. FOod for thought. Saving up for a high end spotter may be the best bet

[Stone Sheep Steve]

You can't shoot'em if you don't find'em.

Logic says spotter first, then rangefinder somewhere in the future.

SSS

[Brambles]

Depends on your budget, if you just have a few hundred to spend then get a rangefinder but if your wanting to spend more then consider a quality spotting scope.

Rangefinders are reasonably priced if you don't go too haywire.
Spotting scopes can get down right nasty in prices but its good money spent when you can actually produce more game because you can actually see them.

[Brambles]

I echo spotter.
I just finished building my set up today.
I feel you will SEE more game and be able to use more time stalking instead of searching.

Eye candy :)
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/DSC01022.jpg



Blacktail, what did they charge you for the CF Slik, I had the aluminum version that the head broke on last year, I'm using my backup tripod now but it doesn't hold the Zeiss very steady in a breeze. I find I don't like the weight of the bigger spotters, CF seems to be the way to go if you don't mind paying for it.

[kloosterboer]

well if you're looking to spend $400-700 on either, I would suggest the LRF as you'd be able to get high end stuff that will work very well. A $400-700 spotting scope may not satisfy your needs very well. FOod for thought. Saving up for a high end spotter may be the best bet


Thats kinda what i was thinking because i hate buying SH!T and then having to save up again to buy the good stuff.

What spotter or RF would you reccomend?

Thanks Ryan

[Ambush]

If you mostly rifle hunt in the open, spotter for sure.

If you mostly bowhunt in the thick stuff, range finder.

If you are shotgunnning in the thick stuff, neither for now. Keep saving up and buy the best.

Our motto is " buy nice or buy twice"

[bigwhiteys]

Thats kinda what i was thinking because i hate buying SH!T and then having to save up again to buy the good stuff. What spotter or RF would you reccomend?


A $700 spotter would likely do you just fine... A $500 spotter would probably be good. I've spotted a ton of game with my old bushnell spacemaster II (old style) and it was only a $350 scope. I've seen the same scope in quite a few hunters packs over the years. I upgraded to the Zeiss but still grab the spacemaster for some situations.
http://www.bchuntingblog.com/mypics/scope2.jpg


Range Finders...? I think it's a cool toy, definitely not a requirement to kill something. Spotter on the other hand will be something you use often. Just my opinion.

Carl

[wolverine]

Spotting scope will be more useful all round.

[Avalanche123]

I would go with a spotting scope too. The "eye candy" that Blacktailspotter provided is significantly more than $700 though....

Maybe its because I wear glasses but I do not like crappy optics. However go with what you can afford.

[bigwhiteys]

The "eye candy" that Blacktailspotter provided is significantly more than $700 though....

Yep... About $2000-$3000 new. If a guy has some patience and is so inclined to shop around the "used" market they do pop up every now and then in the $1000 range.

Carl

[todbartell]

What spotter or RF would you reccomend?

I would suggest a Leica 900 CRF, which is around $600

[huntcoop]

I just bought a 15-45 x 50mm Bausch and Lomb spotter off eBay for $150 CDN. The clarity is awesome. Seems to be a good bang for the buck. Opinions? Definatley recommend a spotter over a range finder.

What size and kind of tripod's do you guys use? Like what are the closed and fully extended measurements?

[oldtimer]

If you are Bow Hunting a range finder is a necessity unless you are in a tree stand with marked yardage points. Any other application--spotter. Mike

[Avalanche123]

If you are Bow Hunting a range finder is a necessity unless you are in a tree stand with marked yardage points. Any other application--spotter. Mike

Hmmm not if you shoot instinctively there is no need for a range finder at all.

I saved my $$$$ and purchased a swaroski. No regrets what so ever.
I have a Vanguard tripod that packs down to 11cm and opens to 18cm. I used it almost exclusively for sheep hunting. I am sure there are better tripods out there, this is what I went with and it works well. I am on the lookout for something lighter though even though this one does not weigh that much.

[kloosterboer]

What are your thoughts on the Bushnell elite compact spotters??

[kloosterboer]

I still haven't decided but what spotting scopes would you recomend i look into for around $700 or less?

[Spitzer]

I still haven't decided but what spotting scopes would you recomend i look into for around $700 or less?



Bushnell Elite 15-45x60mm