Best Lightweight/Compact Spotter?

[arri1942]

I already have a 20-70x82 euro instinct (meopta S2) which I love but is a bit bulky. Looking for a good compact/lightweight spotter to save some weight in pack.

Was looking at the Leupold 12-40x60 Golden Ring spotter. Only weighs 37 oz. Anybody used one before. I know the Nikon ED 13-30x50 is superlight but want a big more mag.

 

[CarlysleBond]

If you can wait Kowa is coming out with a new compact spotter

From my understanding it's going to be under 1,000 street price as well

 

[dotman]

Yup I would wait for the new Kowa, 55mm at around 28oz with what should be the best optics in the 50-55mm selections.

 

[arri1942]

If you can wait Kowa is coming out with a new compact spotter

From my understanding it's going to be under 1,000 street price as well

Do you know more or less when it is coming out?

 

[Bwana]

The new Opticron MM4 60mm 15-45x is 25oz, it's being released now...Specs are the same as the previous MM3 model, but now Nitrogen filled/waterproof....they also have a 50mm version 12-36x 21oz

Edit: By the way the new MM4 is being made in Japan, the reviews on the MM3 were stellar.

 

[Jimbob]

Opticron MM4 15-45x60 - 34.5 ozs with eye piece, ED glass

Kowa 601 20-60x60 - 34.7 ozs with eye piece, not ED glass

Forgot to add, I am only sharing specs I have no experience with these spotters.

 

[dotman]

Do you know more or less when it is coming out?

April or May

 

[6.5x284]

Tagging In. Curious myself. Was interested in some of the smaller Athlon spotters. Now definitely curious abou the Kowa and Opticron.

 

[Bwana]

The Kowa is outstanding glass, but definitely has low eye relief...Opticron(MM3)is a nice scope and glass for the money, and small/light. The FOV should be larger/brighter on the MM4, but the spec release on the TSN601 will tell a lot more info.

Eye relief on scopes doesn't just effect eye glass wearers, if you like to use a winged eyecup(to block sun/stray light)...it will probably then cause issues with non-glass users also.

 

[mtwarden]

I would take a peek through a Razor 11-33 if you have the chance- 25 oz of pretty darn good glass

 

[left hunter]

You can also run a mc2 eyepieces on the Nikon ed50 and you get 13-40 magnification. That is the eyepiece I typically use

 

[GKPrice]

LOL .... Leupold may be a pariah in this crowd and I really don't use spotters anyway but they used to own the lightweight market on optics and have some "new for 2017" products on their website (interesting also to look at their 10 minute video profile of this AMERICAN company) - I read mention of a "new" model that is "nitrogen purged" ?? Leupold pioneered that in the 60's ... "argon" is the new gas of choice and that's not brand new by any means - Leupold makes things "lightweight" as well as anyone else IMO ....

 

[Bwana]

I read mention of a "new" model that is "nitrogen purged" ?? Leupold pioneered that in the 60's ... "argon" is the new gas of choice and that's not brand new by any means - Leupold makes things "lightweight" as well as anyone else IMO ....

True, but nitogen purging only sweeps the optic's body of remaining moisture, before final assembly is completed...it doesn't guarantee a "sealed chamber" or "waterproof"...many scopes aren't "waterproof", and only "rainproof" including at least 1 Alpha mfg. The manufacturers that devote R&D to true weatherproof optics always quote the tested specs, and a waterproof body coupled with a waterproof eyepiece doesn't mean the unit is waterproof in any way...the coupling/union of the 2 parts must withstand the outside pressures of true waterproof.

Many other mfg's face the same dilemma, but from military flashlights to wrist watches they provide the data and testing to prove a depth rating and duration period....somehow the optic world is still screwing the consumer around with words like weatherproof, rain proof, waterproof, water resistant, etc...

 

[mtwarden]

although with Leupold- if (if) you were to ever have a moisture issue, you can be guaranteed it will be resolved or a new optic sent to you- as good as a warranty on optics that I'm aware of

 

[Bwana]

Oh not disputing that at all, just saying the nitrogen/waterproof conversation is a little complicated on the surface...No problem with Leupold's products what so ever.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

RE: Kowa 553/554.....I've only been able to Google one image of this spotter. Posted from the Seek Outside guys.

Is there ANY information available on this scope out there? Anyone been to a Show and had their hands on it?

 

[GKPrice]

excuse my ignorance as I've never researched spotters due to not using them - what happens to "waterproof" with interchangeable eye pieces ? Also, and I'm not necessarily defending Leupold, has anyone ever had a failure with a Leupold that actually rendered the optic unusable on a hunt or was the cause of a lost opportunity on an animal ? I'm only curious, not looking to start an argument .... They have a new binocular that I'm very interested in as well ....