Another spotting scope ?

[Darrindlh]

@menhaden_man , how far is that? That’s an incredible image!! Wow

 

[menhaden_man]

It was pretty far, not sure distance tho! Definitely on 65x

 

[menhaden_man]

On the optics discussion, I’m all for the buy once cry once approach... although I can definitely tell the difference between a $100 and $500 set of spectacles, my eyeballs ain’t good enough to tell the difference between $500 and $2000. I’ll be using my Monarch 7 10x42 and Ares 65 mm for many years without the slightest curiosity of what a pair of Swaros would do for me.

 

[Researcher]

Kowa is absolutley on par with Swaro.

I cant speak to any of the others specifically, but I quit looking thru inexpensive spotting scopes as I constantly ran into more eye strain issues. So I just quit comparing them.

Try to keep both eyes open, even if you have to cover one.

I used a pirate eyepatch this year felt ridiculous but it worked

 

[Jimss]

Quality optics may not be that important to some but better optics really help out in low light conditions when critters are more active. Glass and coatings will also likely hold up better over time in extreme conditions. I try to stack everything in my favor on hunts. 10 to 15 years from now you may be regretting it when you possibly have to buy another pair of binos and/or spotter? There's nothing like having a company like Swaro or Leica that is willing to back up their products for a lifetime of hard use!

It isn't getting any cheaper for tags, gas, etc. Nonres tag/fees and pref pts costs are a larger chunk of cash over years and years than purchasing quality optics. You may find that the price difference between good and excellent optics really isn't that much when you look at total costs associated with hunting Western US big game.....especially if you buy slightly used top-end optics.

 

[Darrindlh]

First off I want to wish all a happy thanksgiving!!
I totally agree about the quality of optics and being able to glass and judge game at distance!

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

Meopta makes the nightforce spotters the 80&82. Of your military/first responder/law enforcement they give a great discount and the 82 would be sub 2,000. I’m extremely impressed the the 82 with the wide angle

 

[tdhanses]

Under $1,000.00 I would suggest the Athlon Ares Spotters over $1,000.00 and under $2,000.00 we have the Meopta MeoStar 20-70x82 S2 on sale for only $1,799.99
I'm back in the store 1st thing tomorrow, and everyday till Christmas. if you'd like to give a call to discuss what would be best for you Have a great Thanksgiving.
OH, and don't eat too much at dinner, save room for dessert

Hard to beat this at the price!!! So tempted, if only I wasn’t building a new house.

 

[tdhanses]

Do yourself a favor....beg and borrow but buy a Swaro! You'll never need another scope! You can get a lightly used one for close to the same price as other brands....and it will still have a lifetime warrantee. I got mine around the price of several of the scopes prices listed above and it was barely used. It may take time and work to find the right deal but they are out there. I bought mine on the classified section of this website and also kept an eagle eye on Ebay, craigslist, and several other hunting classified sites.

When I was updating my hunting stuff several years ago I sold a bunch of stuff I didn't need so I could afford the more expensive items. If you plan on hunting the West a bunch you'll find it is well worth investing in the best!

I don’t agree, I’ve had swaro from binos to spotters. Beg barrow or steal to get swaro, Kowa or Leica and Meopta after owning all these. Personally I prefer Leica binos and Kowa spotters.

But... Doug’s S2 deal would get my first choice if you want a big heavy 800 class spotter, it’s better then swaro till you go atx which is way more spendy but it is better then the Swaro ATS/STS HD I had. Next would be the Kowa 77 before the 80 swaro.

But that said, I run the Kowa 55 now, I use a spotter to get a better look after finding game with binos. You’ll find that hauling a big heavy spotter and tripod that can stabilize it gets old and doesn’t go with as much in your pack as you expected. My little 55mm Kowa is always in my pack and was super close to my 80mm HD swaro other then field of view but again I don’t use a spotter to look for game. Personally call Doug at cameralandny, unless you are hunting sheep I’d get the 55mm Kowa but if you have to go big get that S2 deal he has.

 

[tdhanses]

Meopta makes the nightforce spotters the 80&82. Of your military/first responder/law enforcement they give a great discount and the 82 would be sub 2,000. I’m extremely impressed the the 82 with the wide angle

But would it be sub $1799 Doug is selling it for? Also the nightforce option is super heavy.

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

But would it be sub $1799 Doug is selling it for? Also the nightforce option is super heavy.

Yea I think it’s a couple hundred cheaper and you can get the wide angle piece which Doug won’t sell his package with

 

[tdhanses]

Yea I think it’s a couple hundred cheaper and you can get the wide angle piece which Doug won’t sell his package with

Not that he won’t just not the deal he is getting. Let us know how your deal works out and final price. I know what the mil discount is and it isn’t penciling out.

 

[Unkept]

I have been looking at the Leupold GR 12-40x60mm (used) or the Athlon ares

everyone here seems to mention the ares and not the leupy and I'm wondering why that is

 

[outdoorguyBP]

I have an Ares 20-6-x85 that is a great spotter for the money for sure. Not too familiar with that Leupold model. For the price point the Ares is a great buy.

 

[Unkept]

ended up going with a used leupold gold ring HD like it so far and chose it because of the folded design

GR 12-40x60mm HD Impact

Proven performance, outstanding HD image quality, a wide field of view, and a compact 12-40x60mm size; our Gold Ring® HD spotting scopes have it all. High-definition performance provide sharper details at maximum magnification, while Leupold's unique Folded Light Path System uses lighter mirrors...

www.leupold.com