jhedg Report post Posted September 30, 2011 Ok this is driving me crazy!! I have spent days trying to figure out how much I want to spend on a spotter, and a set of binos. After reading articles online here seems like after 500yds if mother nature(mirage) steps in cost is pretty much irrelevent from $800-$2000 spotters. Glass is very subjective, and I have looked through 2000.00 binos, and 500.00, and my eyes just suck, while I can see a difference, I can not see 1500.00 difference. Now I know there are optic snobs out there that think the upper end $$$ stuff is the only way. I have a Burris Landmark spotter now, and the reviews are good out to 400yds, but I can not see crap over 300 with that thing, and on 60x forget it!!! so any help would be appriciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted October 1, 2011 The only thing spotters do for me is to save my time and boots. When I haul a spotter I spend 10-15 minutes a day using it. That is just to get a better look at a deer, to see if I want to go chase him. You would be better off buying some good 15x binos and a tripod, IMO. The Vortex Kaibabs are a less expensive way to get into good 15x glass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted October 1, 2011 There are a butt load of cheap spotters on the market and they ain't worth squat. I would not buy a spotter unless you already have a great pair of binoculars. Spent a year looking on Ebay and craigslist before I finally found a new pair of 15x Swarovski's in the box and full warranty for $1600. Now I'm on the search for a top o' the line rangefinder. Buy once, cry once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted October 1, 2011 There are a butt load of cheap spotters on the market and they ain't worth squat. I would not buy a spotter unless you already have a great pair of binoculars. Spent a year looking on Ebay and craigslist before I finally found a new pair of 15x Swarovski's in the box and full warranty for $1600. Now I'm on the search for a top o' the line rangefinder. Buy once, cry once. I'm hoping to get a demo crf1600 demo from CamerlandNY, I think they are 650. If you are lookin tip-top I think Vextronix just came out with a PLRF5. It is aroung 2k, but less then their PLRF10. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted October 1, 2011 $2000 is a little too many tears, even if it's only once. probably looking at a Leica 1200 or 1600 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kazpilot25 Report post Posted October 5, 2011 Like everyone else has said, a nice pair of binos on a tripod goes a long way. I love the entire line of vortex binos. I got a new pair of Vortex Diamondbacks in a 10x50 for $180 and their warranty is unreal. To me, the difference between $2-300 glass and $2000 glass is not worth the money. just my 2 cents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted October 5, 2011 Well with the cheaper line of binos your eyes will feel it TRUST me. Vortex are easy on the eyes. I have both swaro and vortex and of course the swaros are great but the vortex is good too. My eyes never tire and I dont get headaches anymore from staring through the swaros as they did with my nikon monarchs. If you are in the field all the time thoughout the year then the swaros or ziess or leicas, vortex are the way to go. Don't get the cheap Vortex though spend a little more heck you can still save big money with them just don't go with the lower line or you might as well get ready for the headache. I sold lots of photography equpt gaming equpt and other stuff just to get my swaros and I will NEVER sell them or trade them off because they are worth it. So go through ALL your stuff and see what you can do without. If you can do it then all the warrantied and everything are transferable so get them if you can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scoutm Report post Posted October 5, 2011 In my experience the subtle differences between good glass and great glass can’t be seen too much in a side by side comparison. Where the difference really shows up is after hours of looking through the glass. With the higher end glass you have less eye fatigue. When you glass through lower end glass your eyes can make up for the difference for short periods but over hours of glassing eyes fatigue and the true difference becomes a factor. So I would suggest get the best glass you can comfortably afford and put that money into binoculars at the expense of a spotting scope. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhedg Report post Posted October 6, 2011 Well I just scored on a almost new set of Vortex Kiababs for a steal of a price, if anyone is using them I would like to know how you like them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted October 6, 2011 between me and my boys we have every kind of decent glass there is. for the money, vortex is the way to go. easily 95% as good as the expensive stuff for 50% of the money. they make some great spotters too. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mthomas Report post Posted October 8, 2011 I have been fortunate enough to collect some good optics over the last few years. That is up until we went into full blown great depression. But anyways I got the 10x42 el's, 15x56 slc's, range finder and a 60 power spotting scope. Not the HD. The spotting scope hurt my eyes so bad I didn't use it anymore so I traded it for a pair of 15x56 vortex HD's. The vortex are pretty good when you look through them but side by side with the swarovskis there is a difference. I think you get maybe 10 more minutes of light in the morning and maybe 10 more at dusk. Outdoorsman tripods are really good to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
