33x spotter magnification

[Smoke_Rutz]

Hello all

I’ve been lurking a while but look forward to being more active in here

I just got what seemed like a real good deal on a Vortex Razor 11-33x50. I’m really curious about trying a compact spotter since a lot of my hunting is out of a backpack.

I’m wondering what kind of value others see in magnification limited to 33x. I’ve heard some good arguments for these small spotting scopes so I figure I’ll give it a chance this coming season. I’m mostly using it to hunt mule deer in the mountains. (Idaho resident)

Any insights, experiences with a scope like this would be valuable to me

Cheers!

 

[hereinaz]

Often you’ll turn down below max power because spotters lose clarity and get darker. You’ll always want more clear magnification, but it’s a cost benefit and it’s about weight with that one.

That said, how far will you be looking and what will you be looking for?

I would get one of the Kowa 554 or 553. A bit lighter and better quality glsss.

I love those little spotters, but I buy and sell them depending on the season and hunt. I don’t really carry them backpacking. Never worth the squeeze.

When have you been backpack hunting and said, man I wish I had a spotter?

 

[willfrye027]

33x with a 50mm objective is very different than 33x on an 85mm objective.

A compact spotter like that will give you a lot more information than your binoculars, but it will suffer a bit in low light and farther distance. Everything is a trade off.

 

[hereinaz]

33x with a 50mm objective is very different than 33x on an 85mm objective.

A compact spotter like that will give you a lot more information than your binoculars, but it will suffer a bit in low light and farther distance. Everything is a trade off.

This. The top 15-20%of magnification is not usable in low light and heavy mirage with practically all spotters.

With the small spotter you’ll find yourself around 25x give or take.

 

[willfrye027]

This. The top 15-20%of magnification is not usable in low light and heavy mirage with practically all spotters.

With the small spotter you’ll find yourself around 25x give or take.

Especially with middle of the road options. The kowa/swaro bridges the gap quite a bit but there’s no getting around physics with a tiny little spotter, IMO

 

[Yung6ix]

I had a Kowa TSN-82SV for a few years. It is about $1100 and was pretty damned nice and the equal of anything near its price point.

I got to the point where a reticle was necessary though and I sold it and moved on but it is one you should consider as it doesn't really break the bank

 

[Smoke_Rutz]

When have you been backpack hunting and said, man I wish I had a spotter?

Pretty often. I run 10x binos and while they help me pick out “deer” pretty well. I often want to get a closer look. Happens frequently to be honest. Lugging the 20-60 is what I’m trying to avoid.

Sounds like I might like this middle ground. All I can do is try it! I figured vortex Razor would have the quality factor covered. Perhaps I’d like to upgrade one day. For $300 I’m pretty sure vortex will do


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[hereinaz]

I figured vortex Razor would have the quality factor covered. Perhaps I’d like to upgrade one day. For $300 I’m pretty sure vortex will do


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Absolutely, pick one up used and you can sell it when you upgrade or if you don't like it.

If you only have 10s, then adding the spotter makes sense. You may also find that another great use is to set it up to film shots. It is always nice to have a video for confirmation of what happened.