Best spotter for digiscoping?

[rageinthesage]

Just looking for your guys input on spotters? I plan on using it alot for pix and video. Is the vortex ultra HD any good and how does it compare to a non-HD swaro? Any and all input would be great. I've kinda been looking at everything but just don't know much about spotting scopes.

[SirRoyal]

Vortex is only a mid range optic at best!!

The very basic Swarovski will supercede the very best Vortex!

You need to look at the Nightforce spotting Scope! No I'm not a salesman for them . I just like the best!

[rageinthesage]

I'm thinking on the used HD swaro 65mm in the classifieds? ...

[WHT_MTNMAN]

If you want to maximize clarity go with HD if you are taking pictures and video for your own viewing and scoring animals, non hd works ok. I've taken lots of video and pictures through my 65mm swaro non hd and even though the quality suffers, I can see enough to know what I'm chasing. Someday I hope to upgrade to the 95mm swaro, Huge quality difference.

 

150 yards good light.

 

about 800 yards, overcast, fair lighting.

 

600-700 yards very early in AM

 

300 yards give or take, good light

 

A still shot from video on my phone about 400 yards

 

 

about a mile and a quarter, non hd suffers this far out.

 

All taken with my 65mm non hd swaro. As you can see depending on light and distance the non hd is ok. Again one of these days I'll get the 95mm.

[DesertBull]

I have a vortex HD spotting scope. I'll be upgrading to Swarovski as soon as possible. Just because a mfg puts the HD label in their product does not mean it is high quality.

[rageinthesage]

If you want to maximize clarity go with HD if you are taking pictures and video for your own viewing and scoring animals, non hd works ok. I've taken lots of video and pictures through my 65mm swaro non hd and even though the quality suffers, I can see enough to know what I'm chasing. Someday I hope to upgrade to the 95mm swaro, Huge quality difference.

 

150 yards good light.

 

about 800 yards, overcast, fair lighting.

 

600-700 yards very early in AM

 

300 yards give or take, good light

 

A still shot from video on my phone about 400 yards

 

 

about a mile and a quarter, non hd suffers this far out.

 

All taken with my 65mm non hd swaro. As you can see depending on light and distance the non hd is ok. Again one of these days I'll get the 95mm.

Exactly the info I'm looking for, pix definitely help alot! Great looking critters too!

[rageinthesage]

Since the swaro HD sold and doing some research it sounds like if I went with anything but high end it would be a waste of $$. So I found this deal, way pricey but every thing I'll need. Haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[OpticNerd]

Your getting some great results from your little 65mm WHT_MTNMAN.

 

That Nightforce is a sweet scope. Rumor has it that it is made by Meopta and is pretty much the same scope as the Meopta MeoStar which is a fine scope especially for the price. That being said if you want the very best scope for digiscoping IMO you'd be hard press to find a spotter better than Kowa's 88mm scope. If you got an extra $1500 laying around then the 95mm Swaro might top the Kowa but I'm pretty sure you won't be able to tell the difference between the two when comparing the pics and video shot through the both of them. If money is an issue you might want to consider looking for a used Nikon 82mm Fieldscope. You should be able to find a used one for under $1000 if you look long enough. If money is not an issue you'd be more than happy with the results you'd get from the Kowa. This of course is just my opinion nothing more nothing less.

[SirRoyal]

I compared the vortex Razor and the Swarovski HD and the Nightforce extreme Hd.

Nightforce beat them out!!!

Pull the trigger you won't be sorry!!!

[HuntHarder]

I also heard that the nightforce is made by meopta. Great scope, but most of the testers did not see a reason to get the nightforce over the Meopta. Swarovski HD is a great choice or any of the Nikon ED or EDG scopes. Nikon high end spotting scopes will compete with any of the 3 high end companies. ED or HD glass is a must if you are wanting high quality pictures. I know it sounds weird, but go on a birding forum and look at what the higher end photographers are using. Those birders do know their optics. haha

[Big or Bust]

The meopta S2 82 mm is about as good as it gets for sure. I'm a swaro man for sure but when something is better....