Spotting scope Recommendations

Glass is something I don't skimp on. I have $2k+ VX-6's on $400 rifles. I get $2k performance out of them.

You can put $400 glass on $5k rifles and you should expect $400 performance.

If you are trying to save $. It's worth selling a gun or two that you don't use to get the additional $ if budget is tight.

Poor_choices said:

Midway has some good sales on optics right now, that might be worth checking out. I'd also watch for used spotters to pop up. I'm sure the Leupold you mentioned would be a great option.

I'm not on board with the idea that everyone needs to own the absolute best glass available, no matter the cost. A good mid-range optic from a reputable company like Kowa, Vortex, Bushnell, Leupold, or many others will work just fine.

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I use to think the same thing until I finally bought a Swary. 6 spotting scopes later I finally have what I wanted from the beginning but you can only buy what you can afford!

Leolpold has a great starter around that $600 mark, and like it or not we all have to start some where.
6 spotting scopes later I finally have what I wanted from the beginning, Swarovski BTX & ATX with a 85 objective lens, and yes it was very expensive but well worth it.

While it's not a spotting scope, look through the Sig Zulu 6 image stabilizing binoculars in 20x. A coworker bought a pair and they are amazing.

Johnnypaycheck said:

Hello all new here and I am looking for spotting scope recommendations? have never had one before, was always a bino on a tripod guy but recently thinking i may want to have a spotter. My buddy has a swaro and its bad *** but im not looking to spend 2k. I know they say buy once cry once but looking to spend under $1k, currently looking at a leupold SX-4 pro Guide 20-60x85 angled ? thoughts? any other recommendations? thanks all

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I've had the old Leupold straight model, 12-40x60 Gold Ring. It's served me well for over 35 years. I would recommend one with the eyepiece at an angle though. If you're mountain hunting and going to pack it, you may not want one too big. It's a lifetime investment so consider your uses and spend as much as you can.

I looked at Kowa and Swaro about 6-8 years ago and decided on the top of the line Kowa ($~2500 at the time). My old eyes couldn't really see any difference between the two and I was able to get a discount on the Kowa.

For really good glass either buy used zeiss, kowa, swaro or Leica if you're trying to nit spend a bunch. Or look at Meopta as well. Its also labeled as Cableas Euro. Meopta made that for Cabelas for a time but not sure if they still do. Its really good stuff and hits higher than it's price point

kpacker said:

For really good glass either buy used zeiss, kowa, swaro or Leica if you're trying to nit spend a bunch. Or look at Meopta as well. Its also labeled as Cableas Euro. Meopta made that for Cabelas for a time but not sure if they still do. Its really good stuff and hits higher than it's price point

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I believe they also made the NF line of spotting scopes as well.

If you are going to be "Using it to spot western big game"...you better get good glass.
Not just for the clarity and color, but for the quality of the glass. Trust me, you won't be looking through a cheap spotter for very long before your eye pops out of your head and your skull splits in half from eye fatigue and strain.

I can't glass through any spotter for long. Using one eye SUCKS for LOOKING for big game. Use your binos to find game, then break out the spotter to get a better look at them.

Or...

Spend the big bucks and get a Swaro BTX or a dual spotter set up. I can glass for HOURS with the BTX set up.
REalize this, though. 35-36X will get blown out by mirage just as much as a 10X bino, even worse in my opinion.

Or...

Get a GOOD set of 15x56s. I use my 15s more than my BTX while hunting and glassing for game. Out to a couple miles, they work great. When I find them is when I break out the BTXs.

My next purchase will actually be a small spotter to carry in my pack. Either the Swaro ATC17-40x56 or Kowa TSN 55 17-40x55.

I was in Arizona one year hunting Havalina. I had my Optolyth 30X spotter and saw what I thought were a group sleeping under a bush...at about 1/2 a mile away! The guide was about to say "ah Sh&*!" until he looked thru it and confirmed it was them! We got off the hillside and stalked to bow range ad I have one of them on my trophy wall.
I still have that scope and it's for sale as I don't get to do those hunts anymore. It has the 30X and a 70X eye piece. That 30 is amazing! I wish someone would take a liking to it and buy it. It's in excellent condition with a soft carry case. Let me know if you, are someone is interested in it. I think it would do you well for what you will do . It can be had at a very reasonable price. PM me,ok?

I am running the smallest version of the vortex razor. While the image is okay, and the size and weight make it a great bit easier to pack, it can be finicky and leaves a bit to be desired. If I could go back I would go with a greater magnification range and would opt for a straight spotter, non angled, for the ease of pointing it.

I will say, that i believe a solid tripod with a smooth panning head is every bit as important as a clear spotter. I went with the vortex summit for weight and absolutely despise it. The action is sticky at best, so it's very difficult to center up on an animal without having it pop around.

Where i hunt is very steep, but a few ounces would make all the difference in usability

I prefer Zeiss glass, which is used by most other high end companies. The Zeiss Gavia is awesome at a 2k price. I'm currently running the top of the line Harpia 95, and it's incredible! It's 2.5x more though!

lancetkenyon said:

If you are going to be "Using it to spot western big game"...you better get good glass.
Not just for the clarity and color, but for the quality of the glass. Trust me, you won't be looking through a cheap spotter for very long before your eye pops out of your head and your skull splits in half from eye fatigue.

I can't glass through any spotter for long. Using one eye SUCKS for LOOKING for big game. Use your binos to find game, then break out the spotter to get a better look at them.

Or...

Spend the big bucks and get a Swaro BTX or a dual spotter set up. I can glass for HOURS with the BTX set up.
REalize this, though. 35-36X will get blown out by mirage just as much as a 10X bino, even worse in my opinion.

Or...

Get a GOOD set of 15x56s. I use my 15s more than my BTX while hunting for glassing for game. Out to a couple miles, they work great. When I find them is when I break out the BTXs.

My next purchase will actually be a small spotter to carry in my pack. Either the Swaro ATC17-40x56 or Kowa TSN 55 17-40x55.

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^^^^^ THIS!

I use my Swaro 14x56 NL's for most everything and break out my Kowa TSN553 for judging quality of the animal. What Lance says about mirage is a fact. You can have the best glass but when it's hot, or your getting a warming mirage in the morning hours, the fact is your just magnifying a poor environmental condition. My 60 year old legs are liking less weight, so compact and weight, as well as high end glass for my 60 year old eyes was critical in my decision making.

Buy the best you can and go look through a few if you can. What looks good to me may not to you. Good luck!!

Kowa 55. Great size / weight combo and very good glass. Almost in your range. This is the route if you can.
Kowa 88 great for near transport. Its large but again good glass at an affordable price compared to others. Over your budget though.
Would be worth finding a place to hold them in hand.