Schmitty

This is my first post here on CouesWhitetail.com I'm slowly beginning to see the light when it comes to good optics. I bought a pair of used Leica's a couple of years ago and thought that I had arrived. This past week I finally hunted with a pair of borrowed 15's and saw the light. I immediately ordered a pair when I returned. I'm now looking to purchase a decent spotter to help w/ field evaluation and have a bit of fun digiscoping with. I can't afford the very top of the line right now, but I'm looking to get something decent mid range. I've been mulling over used Swaro, Zeiss, Leica (non APO/HD) models, along with the Pentax and Nikon ED models. Budget is in the 1K area. As most of you hunt in similar terrain as I do, I 'm curious as to your preferences. I know that everybody has opinions on what works best for them. I want to hear all that you have to say good, bad or ugly. This scope will be packed along in rough country along w/ all of the other goodies, used sunup to sundown. I also want to fool around with taking pictures w/ a digital pint and shoot on scouting trips as well of various local critters as well. So, 65 or 80 mm? Straight or Angled? Do you even really need to pack along a spotter or will a doubler/tripler work? Do any particular scopes lend themselves better for picture taking? Zoom or fixed eyepieces? Warranty/customer service considerations. etc. Thanks in advance for your help. Schmitty

Thanks to all for your replies. With the angled eyepiece do you find that you have to readjust your tripod when swapping from your bino's to your scope. I typically have to spend a few minutes getting my tripod set up just right for maximum comfort before I begin to glass. Which setup (angled/straight) sould more easily allow me to keep the tripod legs in the same position? Adjusting the stem up or down is no big deal. A critter can disappear out of my bino's FOV in a matter of seconds, I'm just worried that if I have to fool around w/ the tripod much, I'll have a difficult time reaquiring the critter. thanks again for all your help. Schmitty