Looking to get a new spotter... Need pointers

[kazpilot25]

So I've decided I finally need a spotting scope, and am having a hard time choosing which to get. To this point, I've only used cheap old bushnell spotters that I feel have been terrible. I could see stuff better and clearer through my 15x50 Vipers than through the spotter. Also, the field of view on that thing was awful, and it had some serious black area around the tiny dot of image (which was hard to even find).

 

That being said, if all spotting scopes have a tiny field of view where you can barely see anything, maybe I'll look into some 20x or 25x binoculars. But I haven't made that choice yet.

 

I'm currently debating if there is going to be a huge difference between the Vortex Nomad 20-60x60 and the new Vortex Diamondback spotter? They price on the Diamondback is much higher, and I can get a Nomad with Vortex tripod for $299 right now. Also, I'm considering the Minox MD50, but need some direction here.

 

I currently have Vortex Viper 15x50 HD binos and I want something to really get in there and make antler determinations out to 800-1000 yards. Last season I glassed up a couple bedded dear at those ranges, and wasn't able to tell if it was a buck or doe.

 

Thanks in advance.

[rcdinaz]

It may help to give an idea what your price range is. A lot of difference between a +$2K euro spotter and a $500 spotter.

 

I have had the Minox spotter with the HD glass and it is a good spotter for the money. I have the big Swaro with HD glass now and it is great as expected but it weighs a bunch and costs a bunch. Vortex makes great stuff in all the price ranges. Now that the seasons are mostly over I would come up with a short list and watch the classifieds. everything I have bought from this community has been well taken care of.

[JMP]

think about how often you'll use it... weigh that against how important its task is, then spend accordingly. I sold my swaro 80 because I felt like I had too much $$ sunk into big heavy glass that I used a very small percentage of the time. The Vortex stuff gets the job done with much less damage to the bank account.

[rcdinaz]

I pretty much agree, i use my 15x56 all the time and he spotter only occasionally.

[Apatkelley]

I agree with what's been said so far. I don't skimp on my binos, because I'm glued to them all day. I get my spotter out when I need to evaluate something and look thru it long enough to determine if It's a shooter or not. Although I love the Swarovski and Leica spotters, I ended up buying a 60mm Nikon ED fieldscope 3. It may not be quite as good as the others, but it's not far behind and about half the price. It's not too big to pack and I've been super happy with it. I wouldn't try to replace the spotter with the super high power binos. I would suggest a top quality 10, 12 or 15 bino and a nice spotter. Good luck!!

[kazpilot25]

I'm looking to stay under $500 on the spotter since I'm not sure I'll even use it very often. I'm pretty happy with my binoculars I have right now, but I always wonder if there's a huge difference in the 56mm objective in the Kaibabs.

 

I went by Cabela's last night to check out some spotters. It seems like the 80mm objective makes a huge difference! I'm pretty much looking at the Vortex Diamondback ($499), Nikon Prostaff ($399), or the Vortex Nomad ($199).

 

The Prostaff is the previous model, not the 5. The Nomad is a 60mm objective, not 80mm.

 

Hmmm...

[Viper]

I started with a Nikon Prostaff. It was useless, especially with heat waves or low light. I found a Zeiss 65mm on Craigslist in the west valley for $950. It is much much better. Resonable weight/size too. Sometimes I just carry a doubler for my Leica 12's. It works well if conditions are right (clear, decent light, little heat waves). With glass, you get what you pay for. With the $500+ scopes you may not be able to count points, but you can at least tell if it's a buck and whether it has a decent size frame....move closer for a good look.

[6ANut]

I got the minox md50 I wanted to be able to put it in my backpack and not be to heavy or to large. I used it on two hunting trips and looking at elk in the middle of morman lake during the summer. No problems at all. I am happy with this purchase.

[azslim]

don't be in a hurry, save a little more and step up in grade. You don't, or at least I don't, use the spotter very often, but when you do you want the best image possible.

[firstcoueswas80]

don't be in a hurry, save a little more and step up in grade. You don't, or at least I don't, use the spotter very often, but when you do you want the best image possible.

 

 

Agreed with the above. The spotter is for checking "is that eye guard 3" or 5"? Is that a drop tine or a branch? Is that split g2 or not? All the small stuff that can not be seen with 15x and on the cheaper spotters, those small details can not be seen on the higher magnifacation of the cheaper models.

 

Save about $1000 and buy a used Leica. I paid ~$900 for my Leica Televid APO 77