Best spotter around 2k

[TradLife406]

Time for me to buy a spotter. I really don't want to drop 3-4k on one.

When Maven first came out I demoed one of their spotters. It seemed pretty good.

Doesn't Swaro sell a spotter with the eye piece for about two grand?

Any suggestions?


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[gr8fuldoug]

We have open box, same as new, Swarovski Spotters available. We have all the major brands and we are here to discuss what might be best for your use. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have a few minutes to discuss it.
Doug

 

[TheViking]

Kowa for the win!

 

[AkMtnRunner]

An used Kowa 77. You may find used 88's not much more. Inflation has fit the new market hard.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Kowa 77, swaro 65, or you may find a good deal on a Kowa 66 for close to $2k.

All will be awesome. focus mechanism is biggest difference.

 

[mlevimadden]

^^This.

Kowa 77 or Swaro 65. I've owned both and the Kowa is superior optically. If weight is a big factor for you, go with the Swaro.

 

[huntnful]

Used Kowa for sure.

 

[eaglemountainman]

My vote would also be for a gently used Kowa 773/774. Or a an 883/884, if the extra weight is not an issue.
I paid $1,750 for an 884 in immaculate condition, with 20-60 wide angle eyepiece, a little over a year ago.

 

[Wyo_hntr]

Threads like these have me keeping my kowa 774. Even though it is 4lbs 2oz with a neoprene cover, and sometimes I start thinking about chasing lighter weight, there's a reason people recommend it.

 

[huntnful]

Threads like these have me keeping my kowa 774. Even though it is 4lbs 2oz with a neoprene cover, and sometimes I start thinking about chasing lighter weight, there's a reason people recommend it.

I just spent a week hunting MT. Packed in 6 miles and hiked 6+ miles every day. I never once wished I had a smaller spotter than my 884. I only ever wished I had a bigger one to make out the farther bucks better lol

 

[AkMtnRunner]

I just spent a week hunting MT. Packed in 6 miles and hiked 6+ miles every day. I never once wished I had a smaller spotter than my 884. I only ever wished I had a bigger one to make out the farther bucks better lol

I feel the same about my 883 and 3-series RRS tripod. No substitute for being able to find more animals

 

[mlevimadden]

Threads like these have me keeping my kowa 774. Even though it is 4lbs 2oz with a neoprene cover, and sometimes I start thinking about chasing lighter weight, there's a reason people recommend it.

Agreed. Even the Kowa 66 only saves 7 oz compared to the 774 and comes at a much higher price tag. I don't think there's a better spotting scope for a do-it-all use at the trade-off of extra pack weight for backpack hunts.

The other option I could see if someone is wanting a strictly backpacking spotter is the Swaro STC, but you're giving up 20x zoom on the top end and a lot of objective for the weight tradeoff.

 

[ThorM465]

I'm currently running the Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85. I'm extremely happy with it other than its mass, which is my typical complaint with vortex optics. My future upgrade/wish list is either the Vortex Razor HD 13-39x56 or the Kowa Prominar Pure FL 553 15-45x55 as a lightweight options for the deeper pack ins and eventually replacing my current Razor with the Swarovski ATS-65 HD. However, I only just started looking at this upgrade plan the other day. I'd be curious as to what the experienced hunters opinions are on my suggestion.

 

[Brian Fahs]

Kowa 774 or 884.