Anyone have any recommendations based on experience. Looking for a spotting scope\tripod combination that's compact enough to fit into my day pack and lite enough to carry around all day.
This would be used for California Blacktail and possible Wyoming Mule Deer.
Some of my buddies got Vortex and Zeiss spotting scopes when they hunted elk, muleys, and speed goats out west and they really liked them. I have been sticking with Nikon lately for my optics lately, great product at a fair price.
I just love using the opticsplanet filter. I did a $300-600 search of spotting scopes that were rated 4 stars or better and that left me with 35, only 1 of them was a "top pick". looks like a heck of a scope if you don't mind its size and like a "straight" glass. it does come with a nice gold ring and a lifetime warranty http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-20-60x80mm-straight-sx-1-ventana-spotting-scope.html
do you want a small packing scope or do you want the best you can get? are you ok with a straight glass or do you prefer angled for more comfort? I know I would be absolutely terrible on a scope but all the stuff ive read says get something with good eye relief and a angled glass on a tripod for comfort. the guy who can keep his eye to the glass the longest and has the most patience usually finds the most animals.
Vortex would be my vote but I haven't personally checked out there line of spotting scopes. Far more impressed with there products than I have been with Nikon for the money. And there warranty is top notch with no questions asked from what I've heard.
I don't have a price range, I'll spend what's necessary Rambo, however I'm looking for something fairly compact. I prefer the angled, the topography of our mountains dictates I may be glassing up the hill and that angle may pay dividends.
I just purchased a Vortex Viper for my new .270, I really like Vortex stuff and that iron clad warranty is hard to beat. I don't want my own bias opinon keeping me from looking at other companies products.
I use a Nikon monarch. Nice glass! Not to bad on price. But I know the vortex is getting big fast. My next will be nightforce. Expensive!!!! But after using nightforce scopes it's hard to look back.
Weight is an issue, I may need to stick with a compact. Since I'm just getting into this stuff I'm trying to be careful with weight, it's not uncommon for my buddies to hike 30 or more miles in a weekend.
The vortex razor hd scopes are hard to beat for the money. They are a little on the heavy side but the glass is awesome. What magnification range are you looking for Gary?
X2 with biggest objective within reason,the rule I've always heard is you need at least 5mm pupil diameter for max lowlight transmission,most the avg eyes dialate max open is 5mm. So 100mm objective at 20x you should still get max light thru scope to eye as to what your eye will let thru. If 20x and 50mm objective will be 2.5 mm and will loose optics and still be able to see with naked eye...
That 16x30 with 50mm objective will be good mid day but suck for early and late low lite conditions,even at 16x leaves 3mm of lite to pass thru objective,a 20x60 with 100 mm objective will have good low lite capability on 20x but have magnification to count points on a deer at distance on 60x.
Have a pair of nikons like these , different model and 20 years earlier that use and love them, use a bino buddy type strap to keep close and in front on chest. When went west outfitter was impressed, had zoom binos and higher magnification spotting scope for further and detail
For Sale Burris 25-75x70mm XTS-2575 spotting scope. Used only a couple times, so basically new in the box. No tripod.
Clear and crisp compact at 10" long weighing 33 oz.
Comes with forever warranty.
Retails right at $400 will sell for $300 including shipping.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
BowFishing Country
833.8K posts
20.8K members
Since 2011
A forum community dedicated to bowfishers, anglers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, boats, bows, tackle, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!