Spoting Scopes

borntohunt · Jun 11, 2004

Hey guys, just looking for a few suggestions on what you guys have and like. I am looking to possibly bite the bullet and make a nice sized purchase for this next season. I know quite a bit about quality optics and know and agree that you get what you pay for. So I am just wondering what you guys have and whether you would recommend it to someone else. I am looking to possibly spend somewhere in the $1000-$500 range. I am just thinking that the old scope has possibly made its last trip to the high country.

borntohunt

BuckSnort · Jun 11, 2004

For packing the Nikon spotter XL is hard to beat.It's lightweight and packs easy.

huntnphool · Jun 11, 2004

I have a Nikon XL as well and have used it quite a bit, however my Swarovski is by far a better unit. It is a bit heavier but has much better optics than my Nikon spotter. Most of my rifles are mounted with Nikon optics as well and they have proven to be excellent quality scopes. Do I think that the Swarovski is worth twice as much money as Nikon, yes but if you are on a budget and find the extra $600-$700 too much, the Nikon is going to be hard to beat. It really is a nice spotter for the money.........................rf

RACKMASTER · Jun 11, 2004

NIKON XL SPOTTER!

RANGERCON · Jun 11, 2004

I agree with the others. Nikon XL is a very nice spotter.

But, so is Kowa and Meopta. I might go with a Kowa over the others. It's probably the least expensive as well....

five_point_buck · Jun 12, 2004

I guess there are a few other questions to be asked... are you packing it in? Do you have room in your pack? Whats the main purpose, picking apart shadows or getting greater detail on a a buck 500 yards, 1000 yards,1500 yards out? I made the mistake of buying a nikon xl. It was an awesome scope and I got a great deal, but it spent more time in the truck or in my bag because it needed a tripod to be very functional over 20x. So, I sold it and bought an older Leupold fixed 20x spotter...its roughly the size of my scope on my rifle. My bino's are 10x40, so this allows me to bring the animal twice as close to see if he warrants a stock. True is the point that you won't get all the detail you would with an adj. power rig, but I see it this way. If it's a buck I want, I'm gonna have to start closing the distance anyway, so why not start with the 20x, see if he has the basic size that jumps in any optics (width, height, etc) if he does, I knock off 50 yards at a time. This gets me in position and increases detail through the 20x. Most of the time after two 50 yard creeps, I can make out eyeguards or mass. It would depend greatlky on the country you hunt. In the PJ's and sage it works great.

If your gonna be glassing open plains for antelope or scouting deer in the offseason (covering mile upon mile), the larger spotter is abetter choice (IMO). But I'll take the 20x fixed anyday while hunting and use it mor ethan the other set-up..

Either way, You can't go wrong. Good Luck.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

30_378shtr · Jun 12, 2004

Pentax has some awesome scopes! I am going to buy the 20-80x by 60mm. They also have one in 100mm that is cool two, but its obviously bigger to carry. The clarity on them is unbelievable. They give the Swarovski ones a run for their money.

DeerKing · Jun 12, 2004

Scope you need depends on what type of hunting you are doing. In timberline/backpack country where I do most of my hunting a 20X isn't close to enough power. 30X is borderline in my opinion. I'm looking at purchasing a Nikon Fieldscope III. Less than 12 inches and is 45X and has 60mm lens. Kind of heavy but doesn't take up much space.

Daxter · Jun 13, 2004

I like the Zeiss diascope 15-45x65. It is pretty light weight, not quite so big as the 80 mm scopes, and has great quality optics. I think they run about $1300.
Dax

couesbitten · Jun 13, 2004

Have a look at the new 15-30x50 scope from Leupold. You can't beat their warranty or price on a great scope. Go to the Leupold website so you know what you're looking for, and then try somebody like Bearbasin.com. I know that I'm hoping to have one of these scopes soon. They go for about $350 I believe.
Scott

ridgetop · Jun 14, 2004

I have a Nikon Fieldscope III and it is a great little unit. The thing that sets it apart from all the others is the MUCH wider field of view (which I find very important when using it for a general search for game) than most of the others in its compact to mid size class. The 20-45x power is a great range of useable magnification. I give it my stamp of approval for sure.

ICMDEER · Jun 14, 2004

I have a couple of spotting scopes. For pack trips, I take a fixed power scope. It is a 20X Leupold. For times whne weight is not a factor, I use my 12-40 Leupold. All 5 of us that guide together looked at Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss and Leupold. We all own Leupolds. They are not as good optically in the periphery of the scopoe, but they do give as good of resolution as the higher-dollar scopes.

As the others have said, decide your primary use and get the scope that works for you.

Good hunting.

borntohunt · Jun 14, 2004

Thanks for all of the valuable information.

JT · Jun 14, 2004

I went through the same process of choosing a spotter last year. The best compromise between price and quality came down to two -- the Nikon Spotter XL and the Nikon Fieldscope III. Although the XL was great for packing, I picked the Fieldscope because of the changable eyepieces and the better (to me) optical clarity. I have been very happy with it.

Drake · Jun 14, 2004

For the money nikon can't be beat!
I bought a leopuld windriver and took it back after just 1 hunt, looking through that scope compared to the nikon there was no way i was keeping it.

five_point_buck · Jun 14, 2004

Had no idea leupold came out with a new scope (15x30x50mm), very exciting for us leupold die hards.

Has anyone get their grubby little mitts on one of these yet??

Interested to know how it compares to the nikon xl...it appears they are trying to take away some of that market share....

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

Ridge_Runner · Jun 15, 2004

I too would like to hear more on this Leupold vs the Nikon XL. the Leupold comes in a bit lighter also by about 10 oz. 15X30X50 against the Nikon 16x48x60 Hmmmm.

Happy trails
Ridge Runner
"Now Pilgrim,you sure you can skin grizz"

borntohunt · Jun 15, 2004

Anyone know what the differances are between the Nikon spotter XL and the Nikon spotter XL II. I understand that it is the new model and everthing I can find states that it sales at a price listed as less than the original.

Any info would be great. I want to make a purchase soon but just need to make sure.

thanks,

borntohunt