spotter for backpack hunts ?

HUNT · Feb 28, 2005

LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-05 AT 12:18PM (MST)[p]I need a little help. I am going to get a spotter. I have only $700.00 to spend. I would like a good quality spotter and tripod. It will be used for backpack deer and elk hunts. I am looking for your thoughts and opinions on. Brand, power, size, brand of tripod. Thank you much Dave

Deerlove · Feb 28, 2005

leupold gold ring series, small and compact. I love mine.

caryo15 · Mar 8, 2005

The Minox 62ED is an excellent glass. I have the 20-45x and 22x wide angle eyepieces. Have not packed it yet, but it is small, light weight. Add soft case and a slik tripod you have a very nice package for around $650. I plan on packing it elk hunting next year.
Cary

Canyonroad · Mar 9, 2005

I've been asking myself this question for years. Recently, I've used a Bausch & Lomb Elite 15x45 60mm. It was 26 ounces, fairly compact and pretty good quality optics. This year I'm going to try Leupold new 15x30 50mm Gold Ring scope. Its 21 ounces and a couple inches shorter that my previous. I've also toyed with the idea of a doubler for my Swarovskis. Most of the scopes mentioned will put you in the 2+ pound catagory.

cpugsie · Mar 11, 2005

Don't waste your time with the Swarovski doubler. It's terrible! Not very clear and reduced light transmission. I tried one on my 10x42's and my 15x56's. Thought I could get away without having a spotting scope. Didn't work!!! I could have purchased one for half price from a friend that payed full price and no one he knows wanted it after trying it. I have the Leupold 12x40x60 spotter at 32 onces and love it. Especailly for eyeglass wearers. Good eye relief and compact. I would look for a good used scope and purchase a Slik Pro 713 carbon fiber tripod with a Bogen 3160 fluid head. If you purchase the scope and fluid head used you might be able to stay within your budget. The tripod will cost about 250 from B&H photo on the internet and you can get the pan head and probably the scope on ebay. Here ya go!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30091&item=3880281405&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31715&item=7140295087&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31715&item=7140485258&rd=1

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=278491&is=REG

bittersweetmuleymeat · Mar 12, 2005

Yes I have had a Leupold fixed 30x for years, very compact. Dont worry about getting an extremely high power variable. You can hardly ever use them effectively on the highest powers (heat waves, particles in the air, too dark)