Recommendations on spotting scopes

[Jonstone]

Hello besides leica or swaros...does anyone out there have recommendations for a backpacking scope for elk hunting..also what do you recommend as far as tripods for backpack hunting.

 

[utarchery]

vortex 100%!! vortex and manfrotto both make a nice light weight carbon fiber tripod

 

[mmwb]

I like the Nikon ED50. Not the light gathering power of some with bigger objectives, but worth the trade to me for the weight.

 

[Jonstone]

What vortex? The razor? Thank you

 

[rangerdye]

Any question like this should be prefaced with your budget. How much are you able to spend on a setup?

 

[Jonstone]

So depends on the fire season..If i make enough I'm going with swaro or leica...if not I'm looking at around 1200

 

[rangerdye]

At $1200 for the setup I'd be looking at the 65mm Razor with a good tripod/head combo, or possibly a 65mm Zeiss diascope. The razor can be had for around $950 new. A used zeiss maybe another $50-100. I have heard a lot of people like the compact Leupold GR 60mm as well, but I haven't used it. I'll be in the same boat next year as I try to upgrade my setup. I'll be looking at a Kowa 660 series as well.

 

[deadibob]

I have the Nikon ED50 and really love it for what it is.

 

[bowhunt]

If not Swarovski, I love my 60mm kowa. Outstanding for backpacking.

 

[Stubaby]

Nikon ed50 with the 13-40 zoom eyepiece. Then get the 16x fixed wide angle eyepiece to switch out. That scope with those eyepieces are a killer setup.

Another thing you can do is buy a vortex tripod adapter for your binos. I see so many more animals when my binos are on tripods and I'm not using my knees for rest.

Here is that little sweetheart with the 13-40 eyepiece.

Here she is with the 16x fixed wide angle. Talk about eye relief and field of view. Get it done then show all those vortex fanboys in the field what they are missing. If rather have this setup than anything vortex.


Or just go buy a swaro and be done......

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

 

[Jonstone]

Thanks for the Intel

 

[slamdunk]

I second the Nikon ED 50 for a small backpacker, I love mine and it's a great back up for my Leica 77 APO

 

[bowhunt]

I have the nikon and the kowa 600. I prefer the kowa...however both are great for back packing.

 

[kykiller]

I have always bought swaro's for my optics but couldnt justify spending that much on a spotting scope,so got the razor hd 99% as good as sworos and alot cheaper,with their high country light stand works great but i still spend 90% of the time using my 20x56 sworos glasses on that high country stand,you can cover alot more ground quickly without fumbling around with that spotting scope

 

[mtmuley]

I am still looking at spotters. Kowa sure keeps coming up a lot. I have been looking at them very hard. mtmuley