Optic set ups!?

[kwp]

Another question that needs answered, what do you currently have?

[DesertBull]

IMO, mid priced spotting scopes are just extra weight. Once you get them up past 20x it's like looking through a coke bottle. I've tried several Vortex, Nikon and others. Sold them all.

You have spend more on a spotter than binos to get quality for some reason.

[ForkHorn]

Anyone use the smaller 50mm objective spotters to get a better look at something you've already spotted with 15's?

 

Example: Glass up what looks to be a decent buck at 1300 yards with 15's and are debating a stalk so you pull out something like the vortex razor 11-33 50mm and get a better look?

 

Everyone says get at least 65mm but almost no one has actually tried a decent 50mm.

[AZbowhntr]

Don't waste your time on the 50mm objective spotter. I looked through the razor 11-33X50mm and thought it was horrible. My 15s were way better.

[firstcoueswas80]

If I've said it once I've said not a billion times.....

 

Leica Duovids.

[Viper]

I love my Leica 12x50's. The Duovids would be sweet! I've always been a fan of 12's. Good all around magnification, IMO. I found a used Zeiss 65 spotter for $1000 several years ago. I don't like carrying it on long hikes though. I too was wondering about the 50mm spotters.

[hamboneaz]

I just sold my budget spotter, kaibabs 15x56, viper 10x42s, cheap vortex tripod and upgraded to viper 12x50's paired with the straight razor 27-60x85 spotter with the outdoorsmans tripod and head. Love my new set up! I normally backpack in and stay 2-3 days it's much lighter and I don't notice much of a difference from the 12's vs 15's. And with the real wide eye piece on the razor spotter it's not to bad to glass through for short periods of time. With a Straight spotter you can quickly change from your binos to spotter without adjusting your tripod and your spotter will be pointing in the same general area your binos were.

[PseAZ]

We've used 10's on the chest and 15's on a tripod for years and its proven to be a deadly combo. I kinda like the idea of some 12's and a spotter tho especially for Digascoping.

[trufletch]

I use Swarovski's 10's in the chest harness, pack a leupold Kenai spotter to get up close and personal. Had some Zeiss 15's but sold them to go to a spotter- just my personal preference. My brother and I have found that using an eye patch with the spotter reduces spotter fatigue-remarkable how much this helps.

[borntohunt]

I am thinking on selling my Swarovski 15x56 with a doubler if your interested.

[PseAZ]

Side note, how good is the Doubler? Was thinking at looking into one down the road? seems like a light and simple way to get a little better look at stuff? I have a spotter but its not the greatest and pretty old I would imagine the Doubler would be a little better than that ?

[borntohunt]

Its works pretty good. And a heck of a lot lighter then a spotter.

[Red Rabbit]

For coues and desert muleys, I have used Leica Duovids 10+15x50 (less weight and space than 2 binos). On my last December hunt, I was always wanting to use my friend's spotting scope for those far away deer, so have since picked up a 65mm Razor.

 

For elk and mule deer in the pines, I would suggest a nice 8x42 for the wider field of view over 10x.

[DesertBull]

I am thinking on selling my Swarovski 15x56 with a doubler if your interested.

Dont do it.

[cw4192]

If You can't tell its a shooter with Swaro 15s then it aint a shooter period. Don't waste weight and money on others.