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Topic ClosedField use of Spotting scopes

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Field use of Spotting scopes
    Posted: 02 July 2003 at 12:09

Ok, everyone once an a while they have great deals on spotting scopes at the outlet here so I figured I ask now in case I ran into another good deal.

   For hunting Elk, Antelope, and Mulies is there a "better" type of spotting scope?  I tend to like the straight ones, that are 60mm or so.  15-45x seems to be the range I like.  So if you've got field experience with them what kind, and brand have you had good luck with.  I would use it secondarily as a bench scope but I ain't shootin competition so that's no big deal.

Spot

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 13:04

Spot

 I think there is a better type of scope, that being binoculars. I don't even like bringing them along, I can't imagine hauling a spotting scope around. The less cargo the better, and a spotting scope is something most can do without. There are exceptions, but not many. For me anyway and the type of hunting I prefer. I have a cheap set of simmons binocs as I can't bring myself to buy a good pair but I can't say they've yet caused me any failure. I don't spend as much time glassing as I should, I know that, just can't sit still that long. The only time I've used my spotting scope is spring bear hunting where I sometimes spot from roads before taking off after the animal.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 14:53

Spot;

I'll put myself in Rob's camp.  My major use for a spotting scope is from the bench.  In the field, I finde binoc's are best for me.  If I buy another pair, it'll be something like a decent pair of roof prism 8 X 40's.

The only thing that's of real interest to me recently is the announcement of combined laser rangefinder/binocular units.  Bushnell & Leupold have both said that they have them.  The Bushnell price is $275.00 ABOVE the cost of their yardage pro 800 laser rangefinder.  I've yet to see any Bushnell binoc optics worh that amount alone.  Therefore, I'm much more interested in hearing some feedback on the Leupold unit, or hearing that Bushnell's marketing dept. pulled their collective head out & priced that unit in the real world.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 15:38

Guy's,

    The spotters I'm thinkin about are fer checkin out the game from far far away, i.e. Glassin a herd of lopes from a truck to see if there's any you want to stalk.  Same goes for Mule Deer.  Other than that I might use them fer glassin for elk beyound binocular distance glassin edges of woods, cut's, and semi open drainage, benches for animals layin down (to far to get resolution from binoc's).  Always can use them to confirm a hit, or watch an animal a friend happens to be shootin at (to confirm the location of the hit, and watch where they run) that is if your smart enough to get a ways away from them made that mistake once.

  Thing is a pair of binoc's aren't powerful enough to check out horns, or antlers at some distance, so what do you use to save you the time of walkin all that way to check it out.  I have what I call good optics for binoc's, Just wonderin what I don't know about big country huntin.  Last year in Western Kansas I had cheapo (under $100) binoc's, and couldn't make out the antlers on the mulies 700-1000 yards away in the tail water, drainages, .....  This year I have a really nice pair and they may fill the gap.  Still wonderin how many folks use spotters, and if so what types, and why.

Spot 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 16:00

Spot

 I can only offer what not to buy, that being the new model Bushnell space master. The new one is the 20x-60x. The older model being a 15x-45x, I think. The older model is praised as a good value and it is. I go thru a spotting scope about every two or three years (long story) I recently bought the new model space master and it truely sucks. It works for what I want, that being bullet holes at 300yds, but thats the only good thing I can say about it. I would reccomend the older model highly. As you probably know the sky is the limit with spotting scopes and you might want to list a price range.

 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 July 2003 at 18:18

I've got a Bushnell 20X that my wife bought for me for Xmas in 1980. I carry it around in a small tackle box( scope, short tri-pod and window mount). Just put it in the box, put the box in the back of the pickup till you need it. Been on 21 antelope hunts, some elk hunts, deer hunts, and spotting for prairie dog shooters. Has served me well. I've heard the same thing about some of the new ones, so I'll hang on to this one until it quits me. It may be useful longer than I am----Bronco

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 00:55

Folks,

   For price range I was thinking around $400, but not much more than $500.  You can't really get into good glass and coatings for $200, but I don't want to have a $1000+ unit either.  Basically, I'll save up / spend enough to get something that will last a good long while, and is close to a joy to use.  But, I don't have other purposes for the thing beside taking the wife and kid to watch deer at dusk.  (not a bird watcher, and there ain't no beaches around KS.)

I like some of the Nikon ED glass units, Bushell is always there, and I'm startin to wonder about leupold stuff.  The way I figuire it, the thing better be short enough for my backpack, and slim enough to not to take up to much room.  Pretty soon I'll head to Cabelas here in KC, to do a "day check," of the glass quality (side by side comparisions).  Then later on I'll take the 2-3 I like the most and take the outside cabelas to do a dusk check. 

Still would like to know things I don't bout carryin them, and the actual amount of good they do for ya.  I have a really nice pair of 8x42's, so anything up to nearly 400 yards is covered.  It's the long haul inspections / glassing thet I'm worried about.  I would also love something for the range.

Thanks for the info on the newer bushy's.

Spot

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 02:14

The cheaper ones like Bushnell, etc, are harder to focus. Seems to me like they have a very short depth of field, so focus has to be extremely fine.

I went the cheap route, and then bought a Nikon. I also have a window mount that clamps on the window when rolled down about half ways. Mostly I use it for wildlife viewing, and when I do sheep counts fr the DOW and you need to be able to accurately discern horn length.

the 15-45 are good ranges. Anything with higher magnification, usually gets lost in mirage.

I have carried mine a few times on sheep and goat hunts, It is  a lot less strain on the eye than  cheap pair of binoculars when you are glasing for hours and hours. 

It is also a great help when you want to decide if that pronghorn, sheep, or goat that is 2 miles way even warrants a closer look

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 02:18

For scoping herds on the tree line, from far below in a canyon, a spotter can be a good thing.  You gotta get into the right neighborhood afor you can hunt.  Also, what good is ridin' 3 miles and stalkin' 1 mile around the back side of a mountain if the bulls up in that far off meadow are just rags and spikes?  There's a use for spotters in the field.  One that fits in yer saddle bag would be ideal.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 02:51

Spot;

What 8 X 42's do you have & what did they run?  Thanks

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 10:00

CB,

  I waited and found a pair of Lieca BA's 8x42's (same as the new BN's except they don't have close focus fer lookin at butterflies & birds).

  Rest of the story - Anyhoo, these usually go fer $999 to $1200, I was checkin prices (do it often when lookin for somethin).   Here's where it gets wierd, I say a pair of Lieca BN's on BassPro's webpage for $747 - WOW, I printed out the webpage.  I didn't have the money fer them, so I wanted to think about it overnight.  Next day I went back and they had changed the webpage, and the price went up $300.  I figured it must have been a mistake.  I saw that page I printed out and noticed it had an item # on it.  So what the hey, I called them and asked to order them - they were still in the system at $747.  Bought 'em right there, an caught hell from the better half at the same time.  Anyhow I got them and opened the box - heck these were BA's, not BN's????  Called Basspro and they said they didn't have any in stock but I could return it fer a refund.  They looked fine so I called Lieca to see what was different about the BA's.  They told me nothin in the way of coating, only the focus.  Also told me that there was a unpublished $100 rebate on them.   Seems that they kept the rebate program open but didn't tell anybody.  The gal there gave me her name, I sent it in and got my $100 bucks.

  So all said and done I got these fer $647!  Happy camper.

Spot

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 10:21

Spot;

You'd fall in a cesspool & come up smellin' roses!  Think I'll turn green tonight run around in back yard nekkid & bay at the moon.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 11:47
Spot,

I have a Redfield 15x45x60mm it is straight and it works ok, a friend of mine bought a Leupold Golden Ring variable 12x40x60mm a few years ago, much better scope. It is small enough to carry in a day pack hiking up the side of a mountain, but still has a crisp clear view. It is not a straight scope and it is at the high end of your price range, maybe a little more than your limit, I can't recall , but well worth the price. I would give it a look anyway.
When hunting I carry both bino's and spotting scope, several others have already stated the reason, it is nice to be able to tell if that buck in the next drainage is worth a stalk or should be passed up for a better one. Good glass is worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. Good luck in your search.

Take care!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 July 2003 at 13:34

CB,

    I spend 6 months waiting fer a deal, so I'm pretty happy I found a good one, even watched ebay.  Doing the same for the spotter, heck I have near a year to use up if I want it.  Unfortunately, I went to the College after gettin out of the military.  Since I had a family in toe, and had to pay fer health insurance I racked up some serious student loans.  After thet, I put my wife through college with cash the last 4 years, and worked away from home fer a start up telecom company in Colorado while she was finishin up her last year in school.  So lets just say I didn't get too make to big of a dent in them loans.  I'll join ya howlin at the moon, the amount I sent to those loans would easily pay fer a new ford 250 superduty 4x4 deisel.  It'll take me a couple three to nail the last of them.  All this translates to havin a trickle of a cash flow fer hunting.  Guess I'm bein watched over, cause when I really what somethin somehow the money shows up (bonuses and such).  Some folks look at me funny fer payin good money but you get what ya pay fer.  For the next couple of years I jest have to go a bit slower then some when aquirin tools. 

Huntin1,   - I've noticed quite a few folks sayin they bought them gold ring's.  I might jest have to check them out.  When I first started lookin (last fall), everthing I read told me to go with a Lieca (OUCH!), over a grand - I'm still thinkin. 

MuleSkinner,  Sorry fer the dumb question but how big a scope can you fit in a saddle bag?  Seems like they'd be about 18" long?  I've always thought that I should get a 60, or 65mm unit so I could haul them around in my back pack.  Them 80mm units are huge, bulky, and heavy.    HEY, I almost furgot, my birthday's coming up, and I requested a pair of Danner elk hunters.  I'm bein  good so lets see what happens. 

Spot

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 July 2003 at 06:12

I will use what works in the type of hunting I'm doing. I always have both with me.

Dan

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 July 2003 at 13:09

Hi DFC,does the swarovski have the interchangeable magnification eye pieces? What do they retail at in the US.Here they hit $2500 oz.Nice glass though.I have had the pleasure of using them on the 500 fly shoots.They show bullet holes much better then anything else I have seen.

Spotshooter Long range shooters are coupling 2 sets of spotting scopes together to make what they call big eyes to glass hills etc.Seems to work well. A pair of navel binoculars does the same job at a lot less money.You glass, find the stag with the  trophy set and then start your stalk leaving the heavy geat behind.Works for me.Have a good one macca.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 July 2003 at 14:24

The eye piece in this scope is a 20-60, I don't know what the list price is, I paid somewhere around $1200.00 for it a few years ago, sorry I don't remember exactly.

I have a pair of big eyes made with bushnell scopes, they are not as good as I would like, they are with a potential buyer now. I'm thinking a pair of Kowa's would be more to my liking as they might be a little easier to get balanced.

 

Dan

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 July 2003 at 14:54

 Field optic's need to be straight, competition spotters need to be angled.  Snipers use straight, not angled.  Helps you find the target faster, but in competition your readin the wind, and you don't want to move much to look so long eye releifs are best. 

   Primary use here is fer field, if I was gettin a cometition set I know what do do, size doesn't matter as much durin competition.  Must be why all them guy's use mouse guns (AR's).  Anywhoo, I just started thinkin thet going with a 80mm front end may be the way to go.  If your not carry'n it all the time then you don't have to fret from the size and weight so much.  Still waitin fer one of these horsemen to tell me if a 80mm is too big. 

Spot

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 July 2003 at 08:07

Spot;

I don't know if that's too big for you or not.  What I can tell you is that an 80mm lens dia. is going to produce something very close to 4 inches in total dia. across the face of the objective.  In other words, including the housing.

While looking for other stuff, I happened to run across this Weaver spotting scope.  Seems to be what you've said is in your ballpark.  Straight tube, 12.5" long overall, 26 oz weight.  Wide angle eyepiece gives full field of view with glasses on. 15-40X magnification, 60mm objective lens.  $343 + S&H small tripod included at Natchezss.com  You can see it at www.weaveroptics.com but can't buy it there.

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