Spotting scope Recommendations

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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Meopta

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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Well over the years I have owned as well as cussed at a variety of spotting scopes from a variety of different manufacturers. To my way of thinking spotting scopes all have their own different issues that will try a persons soul. Without getting into any name calling or mud slinging I am going to simply go to my current spotting scope which I have not thrown across the hillside, yet!

Scopes come in all shapes and sizes from small and compact to those you need a pack horse to take along with you. For me, they all seemed to big and clumsy and not something that you wanted to haul around when out trudging through the hills, valleys and wilderness. For those of you who have seen me hanging around here for many years now all know that I am a big fan of Vortex Optics. Last year when I was there and they were mounting a new scope on my 6.8 Western I was wandering around the showroom looking at different rifle scopes, binoculars, pistol red dots and finally spotting scopes. My scope at that time was a 20 -60 x 60mm which was large, it would take up a lot of space no matter where you carried it weighed in at 3.5 pounds and would take up a good chunk of the back of my Jeep. Carrying it while hunting was out of the question. While I was wandering I spotted a nice compact scope on the demo shelf and took a peek through it. The clarity was outstanding, it was lightweight, angled and looked perfect. A sales rep came over to me and we discussed the scope, which was new to their lineup. He mounted it on a tripod and pointed it across the long field to the south, focused it on, little did I know at that time, a Farmyard at the far end of the field. When I looked through the scope I could see people walking around the barnyard, trucks parked out by the barn and cows in a corral doing their cow things. When I looked away from the scope, the farm was not even visible to the naked eye. He told me that the farmyard was a little over a mile away. The scope, a Razor HD 13-39 x 56 is only 10.4 inches long, and weighs 27.8 ounces, less than two pounds.

Add a Mountain Pass tripod, 3.1 lbs, (Retail $224.99) 9.0 in to 56.0 in and you have a combination that weighs less that 5 pounds and easily fits into a backpack


The scope retails for $1499.99 which is a bit over your $1000.00 price range, but I'm going to tell you a secret. They offer a 40% discount to military and first responders. That brings the price down to $899.00, under your budget. All you have to do it prove your status and they put the discount on your customer file so you will always get the discount on anything you order.

yukonal said:

Are you just trying to just spot game, or also determine trophy caliber. Two different requirements when determining quality of spotters.

If you will be using it for at least 10 seasons, spend $2,000 or more, and get quality. And a good tripod to go with it.

20 years ago, I started cheap, like you are describing. I never kept them around for more than 2 years. Kept working my way up the ladder. What a bunch of dinking around. I finally bought a very nice Konus spotter (over $2,000), and am amazed at the quality. Bullet holes at 600 yards, and sticker points and kickers at 1200+ yards.

Like you said...buy once, cry once. You'll be glad you did.

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That is how I purchase tools, power and hand types. Get a tool that will last your lifetime, will never break, and you can give to your children when you pass.

You must decide how, and when you will use it.
I use mine during the year, and especially preseason. If I know where the food is, a pair of binoculars should, (hopefully), do me during the season.
My family enjoys looking thru my spotting scope when we go on picnics or walks. Deserts or the mountains.

RockyRandy said:

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!

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That mindset makes sense if hunting is your only passion. There are a lot of people who don't take it that seriously and hunting is just a hobby. There's no reason to spend $2K on a spotter if I'm really just a casual hunter.

I bought a Swarovski spotter back when I was shooting at 1500-2500 yards weekly, and it made sense because I took it pretty seriously. I rarely take it out of my pack when hunting though because it just isn't necessary. A decent pair of binoculars is probably a more valuable tool and worthwhile investment for the average hunter.

I've had cheaper spotting scopes. I bit the bullet and bought the Swarovski ATX 65mm. Now need to get an 95mm objective for that too. I don't use my spotting scope to look for animals, I use my binoculars for that, I do use it to get a better look at animals though. I also do a lot of digiscoping with it too and some of the pictures I take with it turn out amazing, just using my phone camera and an adapter. Now I don't think everyone needs to spend that kind of money on optics but, I'm over buying stuff and thinking I should sell it and upgrade.

Swaro ATX owner here. I've had my 85mm for 2 seasons now, absolutely love it and well worth the price.

I had a Gen 1 Vortex Razor 16-48x, for the size and price, it was a great spotter. I've not been that impressed with the current Razor.

Before I bought my ATX, I picked up a Revic Acura (made my Maven). I wasn't impressed after taking it on an antelope hunt. Super grainy image and just never looked clear. Took it to do a side by side comparison with the ATX at Scheels. Looking through both at dusk, the Swaro was notably brighter and had better detail. I packed the Revic away and bought the Swaro.

Take your time, look through different scopes and see what looks best to your eye and what fits best within your budget.

waspocrew said:

Swaro ATX owner here. I've had my 85mm for 2 seasons now, absolutely love it and well worth the price.

I had a Gen 1 Vortex Razor 16-48x, for the size and price, it was a great spotter. I've not been that impressed with the current Razor.

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How radical is the difference in the Swaro vs the gen 1 razor? What are the most notable differences

I once bought a Bushnell spotting scope for sevral hundred dollars that was 15- 40x or so & couldn't take it much past 20x & get good enough resolution to be able to identify what kind of animal i was spotting. Taught me to spend more than I could afford to get acceptable quality! Now I don't want less than Swarovski qualiy!

dfanonymous said:

Get the best you can, even if you have to save a little longer.

It's because 1k and below don't do well at higher magnifications. The color and overall image isn't as good either.

I don't know if you'd even be using it as much as you might think. I personally hate bringing spotters, because they always weight a ton to pack in as far and steep as I often find myself.

Once I find elk, I really only use larger optics for confirming legalities really. Inside 1000y it's really not even necessary unless counting tines is your thing.

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This is great advice right here. I know others may be different, but for me it's like 95% bino's and 5% spotter. It's part of the reason I'm contemplating selling my current rangfinding bino's and going with some 10x42 Swaro's.

Here you go. Taken with a cell phone through a Swaro BTX/95mm (36X mag).

1100+ yards, right at sunset behind my back

About 700 yards away, 15 minutes AFTER sunset (look how cute that little yearling spike is compared to the mature bucks)


About 1200 yards, hot midday with some mirage.


3.1 miles away according to Google Earth and OnX


880 yards

68formalGT said:

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.

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That is what a tripod is for.
How is the glass? I have been none too impressed with Sig riflescopes.

You will find more game with a quality 15x binocular (Zeiss, Leica, Swaro) on a tripod than with a 30x spotting scope. Spotting scopes are named correctly... they are great at looking at a spot. They didn't name them "Finding Scopes" ! Spotting scopes do have their place... judging antlers or horns. Good luck on your hunts this season! DD62

KsKevin said:

How radical is the difference in the Swaro vs the gen 1 razor? What are the most notable differences

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I sold the Vortex a number of years before buying the Swaro, so I don't have direct side to side comparison.

The Razor was great for my budget and amount of hunting I was able to do at the time. Now that I have more flexibility with my schedule and budget, the swaro is a more enjoyable glassing experience.

Best advice is to look through several scopes and see what looks best to your eyes.