Spotting scopes

45-70sapper · #1 02-08-2015, 10:11 PM

Thinking about trying a solo sheep hunt this fall and I'm starting to do all the planning required. One of the big pieces of kit that I need is a spotting scope and I'm looking for some opinions from you guys.

Looked at a vortex diamondback and the cabelas brand spotting scope just in store and I hated the diamondback ($659) but the cabelas brand ($2449) was far far better. So what do you guys recommend for a mid priced spotting scope, something that would fall between those kinds of prices?

I have recently been looking at the vortex vipers and zeiss dialyt compact field spotter, thoughts?

Opinions on angled vs straight eye pieces? Especially when it comes to sitting for hours staring through it.

B.Balon · #2 02-08-2015, 10:45 PM

The vipers are very nice glass. Also check out the vanguard line up, I was impressed with them. You can read suggestions until your eyes bleed though, the only way to know is to test them yourself. Make sure you can take the spotter outside the store and see what it can do.

Canuk77 · #3 02-08-2015, 11:33 PM

Meopta Meopro HD 80 Spotting scope
20-70 80 mm Lifetime warranty
Great glass
They make Cabelas top of the line spotter.
They also make a 82 mm spotter for around the same price as Cabelas brand.

45-70sapper · #4 02-08-2015, 11:40 PM

What about objective size? What do most of you like to carry around?

bchap22 · #5 02-09-2015, 01:06 AM

i have a swaro 20-60-x65mm hd the older model not the new one. Reason i went with it was because it was light and the glass is obviously great. I paid $2250 for mine a year and a half ago but it was right when swaro came out with their new models. Im sure you could still find one if you searched. Got mine from Jimbows.

wolf308 · #6 02-09-2015, 01:10 AM

funny you mention this ...just bought myself today ...a leupold 12-40x60 tactical mk 4 spotting scope ...... what our snipers utilize in the field

there on special right now in calgary ...from about 2400-2500 to 1500

so fricken cool ...you can see the swirl of the bullets ...guess the optics are that clear i was informed

doesnt seem really heavy or nothing ...so be good for mountains .....

other than that ...dont really know much bout them .... got the ss i wanted for a good deal ... maybe the reticle wouldnt suit a ram hunter ...maybe it would ...these scopes are FFP .... so not sure whats more desirable ..... think its my first FFP optics so need to do some evaluating

Zuludog · #7 02-09-2015, 01:33 AM

There was a Vortex Razor 11-33 x 50 for sale in the classifieds. I've heard that these our great scopes and barely weight any more than a st of binos. I have Razor binos and they're awesome so I'm sure the glass is great. I think the guy wanted around 750 for them? Could be worth checking out?

Saul Goode · #8 02-09-2015, 10:28 AM

I'm kinda in the same boat as OP. I was thinking of getting either the Vortex Razor in 18-48 X 65 or the Zeiss duralyt model 15-45 X 65.
I'm leaning toward the Vortex one in angled.
Depends on how often your gonna use it, but i dont think i would spend less than a grand.

north american hunter · #9 02-09-2015, 10:35 AM

I am also considering getting a spotting scope, looked at the vortex viper 20-60x85 and it was a very decent scope, thinking of going with the razor hd 16-48x 65 as well

waterhaulerhunter · #10 02-09-2015, 10:43 AM

I've went through lots of spotting scope in the under a grand price range in the last couple years. I was always to cheap to shell out the money for a good one. Everyone of them disappointed big time. They were vortex diamondback, viper ( not the hd model), and a vanguard. All of them weren't bad in good light at mid level zoom. When they all got bad was on a cloudy day or even on a sunny day at higher zoom. I've been looking at the razor hd now I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one soon or maybe save a little longer and get a swaro. Anyway good luck with the search!

bcpappy · #11 02-09-2015, 01:46 PM

Its better to save your money and buy a good quality spotter than a bunch of cheap ones that add up to the same cost. You will make sure to take care of a better one and you will be happier with it in the long run. I bought a vortex nomad because I was too cheap and impatient to save my money. On the first sheep trip it filled with water in the first rain storm, had to send it away for warranty. Being cheap glass it has the same lighting and zoom problems as mentioned in an earlier post. I gave the nomad to my boys and decided to bite the expensive bullet and picked up a used Zeiss diascope 85 T*FL. It's heavy, big and very clear at full zoom, best part is I walk a lot less than I used to when in the mountains. If your happy with your spotter as is, then don't look thru someone's high quality one. It will make you realize you need a better one.

NIKON · #12 02-09-2015, 02:05 PM

I just picked up an Nikon ED 82A. 25-75x

Bit bigger heavier then your 60 models but I wanted a scope for digiscoping.

My buddy has the 60 model and loves it. Spend the money once lol

I'm going to retire my old bushnell.

AB2506 · #13 02-10-2015, 09:59 PM

A decent scope that won't break the bank is the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60. Around $500? Compact, Rainguard, and light.

Faststeel · #14 02-10-2015, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB2506

A decent scope that won't break the bank is the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60. Around $500? Compact, Rainguard, and light.

For the longest period of time this scope was with every sheep hunter, made by B& L when I used to sell them. The best combination of quality and light weight. FS

Sheepcrazyguy · #15 02-10-2015, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcpappy

Its better to save your money and buy a good quality spotter than a bunch of cheap ones that add up to the same cost. You will make sure to take care of a better one and you will be happier with it in the long run. I bought a vortex nomad because I was too cheap and impatient to save my money. On the first sheep trip it filled with water in the first rain storm, had to send it away for warranty. Being cheap glass it has the same lighting and zoom problems as mentioned in an earlier post. I gave the nomad to my boys and decided to bite the expensive bullet and picked up a used Zeiss diascope 85 T*FL. It's heavy, big and very clear at full zoom, best part is I walk a lot less than I used to when in the mountains. If your happy with your spotter as is, then don't look thru someone's high quality one. It will make you realize you need a better one.

Zeiss X2