Spotting scope recommendations

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unofficialguide

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Montana
I'm looking to purchase a new, middle to higher end spotting scope for this season.

Im running a vortex DB HD right now and I'm curious if any of you have experience with the maven, tract, or other recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

I'm assisting a friend on a 380 Montana bull elk hunt and need to upgrade my own equipment to " see the big bulls" (or at least that is what I told the wife)
 
Kowa TSN55 or the TSN553. Great light weight spotters. Packing into back country is easy with either of these. I run the 553 which is the older version of the newer 55. The 55 has a slightly improved eye piece. You can find some good deals on the 553 angled or straight if you look around. @gr8fuldoug can hook you up on one of these, I bought mine from him!!!
 
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I run with the Kowa 554 and love it! I've got the canvas cover case which helps for protection and handling. Leave off if counting ounces.

Just spent 6 days on a pronghorn hunt and the scope worked flawless. Very good glass and lightweight. Throw it in a pack and go. Great magnification range (15-45). Check the reviews and see if you like the specs and comparisons.

I like the straight body for how I use the scope. I use it more like binocs as a hand held optic. My wife had our Leica 15x RF while I ran with the spotter. Just as good of glass as the Leica and I could start at 15x for field of view and dial up to 45x. At 45x you start to need a tripod. The prominar series with the flourite crystal glass is a big upgrade over the older 501/502. Also, the 15x-45x is a very nice range and upgrade over the 20x-40x of the older 501. You can always throw it on a tripod for better control, but for the most part I just used it freehand.

You might find a demo or on sale. I picked mine up in Japan for a song with the exchange rate, so not helpful for a source here.

Good luck with the hunt.
 
Kpknifemaker said:
I run with the Kowa 554 and love it! I've got the canvas cover case which helps for protection and handling. Leave off if counting ounces.

Just spent 6 days on a pronghorn hunt and the scope worked flawless. Very good glass and lightweight. Throw it in a pack and go. Great magnification range (15-45). Check the reviews and see if you like the specs and comparisons.

I like the straight body for how I use the scope. I use it more like binocs as a hand held optic. My wife had our Leica 15x RF while I ran with the spotter. Just as good of glass as the Leica and I could start at 15x for field of view and dial up to 45x. At 45x you start to need a tripod. The prominar series with the flourite crystal glass is a big upgrade over the older 501/502. Also, the 15x-45x is a very nice range and upgrade over the 20x-40x of the older 501. You can always throw it on a tripod for better control, but for the most part I just used it freehand.

You might find a demo or on sale. I picked mine up in Japan for a song with the exchange rate, so not helpful for a source here.

Good luck with the hunt.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed info! I'll take a look into this option!
 
JAYgs8163 said:
Kowa TSN55 or the TSN553. Great light weight spotters. Packing into back country is easy with either of these. I run the 553 which is the older version of the newer 55. The 55 has a slightly improved eye piece. You can find some good deals on the 553 angled or straight if you look around. @gr8fuldoug can hook you up on one of these, I bought mine from him!!!
Click to expand...
I'll give @gr8fuldoug a buzz for sure!
 
I had a Revic Acura (made by Maven) - glass was "ok", but wasn't super sharp. I ended up selling and going with a Swaro ATC (which I believe are still on sale right now). Extremely happy with it.

If you can swing it, definitely worth the look!
 
waspocrew said:
I had a Revic Acura (made by Maven) - glass was "ok", but wasn't super sharp. I ended up selling and going with a Swaro ATC (which I believe are still on sale right now). Extremely happy with it.

If you can swing it, definitely worth the look!
Click to expand...
I've read nothing but good things about the ATC. I love the orange color too. I'll take a look, I do remember the price as well, that's for sure!
 

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