Spotting scope recommendations?

[sp6x6]

I have a Kowa 774 w/20x60 eye,snug fit case ,padded case it came with ,but cant find box.Great shape $1500

 

[peaceje]

Depends on your use. When trying to judge antler or horn size you need really good glass. Stick with swaro or kowa and you'll be happy.

 

[Mike300wby]

What is recommended in the way of tripods?

 

[Recon$$]

I run a carbon Manfrotto, no complaints.

 

[CF96]

Meopta is also worth a look. I have their 15x56 and have been very happy with the quality. Vortex tripods are good for price.

 

[chindits]

Dunno what your glassing for, but backpacking use I always leave my big spotters at home and take my 11-33 and a cheap light weight tripod. If you're looking for good size animals, you really need to see that little 1 inch point. Mirage is going to kill your high magnification a lot of times YMMV

 

[chindits]

I meant to say you "don't" really need to see that 1 inch point.

 

[chindits]

So what do those 4 photos say. The absolute worst photo the longest distance was still good enough to tell me that was an awesome whale tail 5, so it's got my attention. The clearest photo, the ram, I didn't really even need a scope to know he was a foraying ram checking on a ewe herd. His bigger brothers don't need to leave the ram band to foray. No interest.

The two 6s are a similar story. The big one is a typical 6 with a larger right third. The little one is going to be little no matter what your top magnification is, but that's what OTC will get you.

Now I'm not looking at bullet holes or little forkers. I'm just packing a scope all the time in the mountains and I'm not getting any younger.

 

[Blacktailer]

Call Doug. He fixed me up when I had the same question.

 

[jebel]

I have looked and handled lots I just cant get past the weight of the spotter and tri-pod maybe I'm just getting old and finicky about it.

On the weight of a spotter, I own a powerful, high-quality spotter that is expensive and heavy and I'm invested in a top tripod for it as well. There are times I'm absolutely delighted I have them, but the spotter + tripod is close to 8 lbs (like carrying an additional rifle). So I also have a lightweight set. For me that's a Kowa TSN 501 20-40x and a cheap tabletop carbon fiber tripod with an extender. Each unit is 1 lb, so 2 lbs total. The tripod is good enough to use when seated on the ground. This is the setup I take when I'm not certain I'll need the top/heavy gear due to terrain. Saves me six pounds and still works well.

BTW, the lightweight setup I mention above will only cost you about $450 total (~$350 spotter and ~$100 tripod).

 

[Mike300wby]

I run a carbon Manfrotto, no complaints.

Which model tripod from them ? I see from $300 to $1700.

 

[dfanonymous]

Which model tripod from them ? I see from $300 to $1700.

055CXPRO3 is the common model in the military and shooting world. But you still need a ball head. Which will be somewhere around $150 or more for one with a good weight rating.


190CXPRO3 is the other one.

 

[sp6x6]

My baby kowa w/Sig on outdoorsman

 

[Dozer83]

I'll reach out to you tomorrow

They're great to deal with. Was nice to talk to someone and get recommendations as I had never owned a nice spotter. I went with the kowa 883 and 554, after talking to them and reading what others had to say here. Just got the 883 a few weeks ago, and what little I've got to play with it I'm very impressed. Still waiting on the 554.