Looking to get an all around spotting scope
 

I am in the market for an all around spotting scope that I can use for spotting from the truck as well as hiking the coulees and mountains.

I have been eyeing up either the new vortex viper hd straight eye piece in 15-45x 65 or the vortex razor hd in the 11-33x50. I can get both for the same price brand new. They would both be $800 canadian shipped with the vortex high mountain tripod.

I am open to other options as well. Other brands and models to look at. My buddy suggested a leupold gold ring which i can get for about $900 Canadian shipped.

I am also looking into a decent tripod to use while hiking with my new spotting scope and my binos.


Let me know what you think a good option is and why. I will be using it mostly for mule deer. Whitetails. And elk.

Do you do much hunting on foot or mostly from the truck?

I’m a mule deer outfitter, and hunt sheep for myself... i use a Leupold Golden Ring... the magnification (12-40x) isn’t quite as great as some of the other scopes out there, but it’s small, lightweight and compact... i have a client that brings up a Swarovski, and it’s so big, heavy and long that any movement in the truck when it’s on a window mount, or a windy day when it’s on the tripod, it shakes so much that it’s useless. I don’t have experience with the vortex spotters, so can’t really comment on them.
If i ever was in the market for another spotter, i wouldn’t hesitate to go with another Leupold - but would probably get the 20-60 instead.
I use a composite manfrotto tripod, and it’s without a doubt the best one I’ve ever had. The aluminum ones are loud if they bang on anything, and the steel ones are too heavy.
Just my $0.02

I scout from the truck and walk in mostly for mule deer but this year I plan on hitting the mountains for more elk hunts.

I will be doing a lot more hiking this season to get away from roads and other hunters.

I am currently going over my gear to make sure my I have everything I will need as well as a light and organized pack. A decent spotting scope and tripod is one of the major things I am currently lacking.

I have about $800 or so to spend on a spotter. Tripod. And bino/ tripod adapter.

If you're going into the mountains for spot and stalk I would say your going to want to spend most of your time behind binos rather than your spotter. Vortex has nice spotter but alittle heavy Im not familiar with a good budget scope but I have used the amazon basics tripod they run about $100 and work really well you just need to get a pan head for it. If I were you I would make sure I set aside enough money for good binos over a scope. I use zeiss sf which are pricey but fantastic If I had to buy a pair of 10x42s right now I would get the nikon monarch HG they are FANTASTIC they will cost you about 1400 but compare to binos twice that price. You will use them far more than the spotter

Just bought some Vanguard Endeavor binos a few months ago and I'm really impressed.

Not sure where you can get your hands on a spotting scope to check it out but I'd recommend some research on them.

45X over the 33X........and I would take a 45X over a 60X. 60X is subject to a lot of mirage at that power and it's bigger/heavier in your pack, on a mountain.

If buying a vortex buy a razor, I had a viper and it was crap

http://blog.sandsarchery.com/kowa-ts...-scope-review/

robinsons camera center in inglewood downtown calgary, ask for Darryl and get a price...this is where the buck stops on a do all spotter and kowa is japanese so you don't get raked like the euro scopes

kowa 550 series....drool

get the zoom eye piece, i think it does 15-45x in that body. I have the 664 and it easily competes with the swarovski and actually found it beats it in resolution and distortion etc. so the kowa line overall is where i would suggest everyone starts looking

i'm drooling over that little 55 though, could sell you my 664 body if you'd like a true 20-60x? I'll go get the 554 body ;)

i don't think vortex can play in this league of optics fyi

Looks like a nice set up. Unfortunately it is quite a bit more expensive than my budget will allow.

Nate, you can purchase the Razor from Camofire every once in a while for a half of what they are retail. sign up for their fliers I typically see them for sale every 2-3 weeks

I have been eyeing it up the last couple of times it has showed up on there. Infortunately it will be over a grand by the time I get it here. I will habe to try and save some more money if I go that route.

Nate I used to guide for migratory and spent hours in the truck with a spotting scope (Leuopold) I finally bought a pair of Swarofski 10X42 bino's and they were way better for me than the spotting scope. No issue carrying them around as well and you will be very surprised at the quality of the lens. Especially at low light. They carry a lifetime warranty which also includes free cleaning and maintenance. Just something you might want to consider. Kinda kills 2 birds with one stone. Keep your eyes open you should be able to find a good pair of Swarofski, Leica bino's in your price range.

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up. I may have to look at going that route with a tripod and bino/tripod adapter.

prolly don't have to say it but buy once cry once holds especially true for optics...bino's first, spotter second

i've found more game on mounted 10x quality bino's than anything else. Window mount them, tripod mount them and get to work, so good point above, my bino's have been leica ultravid hd 10x32's and they will ride with me till i'm done i'm sure, that's how you should invest in optics

stereo vision rules of thumb are like this i understand...

15x bino's is equivelant to about 22x through a spotter if you were curious about the difference of one eye vs two for finding game through glass

get the best image quality you can afford

if you got the bino's sorted already then save for spotter, its less critical than binos

I just have a pair of bushnell bone collector binos that I have been using. Nothing special at all.

I’ve had the vortex razor hd spotters, the 11-33x50 and the 15-45x60 and both were ok but very underwhelming compared to people’s reviews. I lost money on both of them and now have a Swarovski 20-60x65 spotter coming in the mail. I have no doubt that this scope will far out perform the vortex razors in everyway. For what I lost trying the cheaper option and having to sell I could’ve been half way to a new set of range finding Swarovski binos. Like the previous poster said, buy once cry once. I didn’t and wish I had. If you can’t afford it now than save up some pennies and a little more time. You won’t regret it.

I know everyone's eyes are different and its out of your present price range but to my eyes Meopta glass is pretty sweet.

http://www.workwearcanada.com/produc...m?category=135

I found good deals on a set of vortex viper binos in 10x50 with a vortex ss summit tripod and the quick release adapter.

I also found a pair of zeiss conquest in 10x42 for the same price.

Would it be wise to go with the pair of zeiss binos if they are in great shape?

I can get either set up for around $700 used.

Good binos without a good spotter is a serious handicap in the mountains.

The Razor HD 18-45 would be the minimum of get and call it a good spotter.

You'll pay in boot leather and heartbreak.

Sadly, Robinson's Camera closed up in late 2017. Doesn't take away from your point that Kowa make some seriously good glass and product. Amazon is full of it too, just don't get to get your hands on it first.

I agree on kowa scopes. I've got the 664.
For the money great scopes.
Also I have a manfrotto tripod with steel legs.
If your planning on hiking with it do not get steel legs. Lol