Do you carry a spotter? Why? When do you use it? For what?

[WBT]

I recently moved to a Swaro STC. It's small and light enough that I don't mind packing it around. My older STS 80 is simply too big for most hunts.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Absolutely not. But then again, I hunt for meat and not antlers. And I usually hike 10+ miles/day. Weight matters to me.

I do own two spotting scopes and will use them from roads to zero in on a location for the next morning. But that’s about it.

I recently bought some 10X Swaro EL Range binos. I’m amazed how much I can see with these binos. After buying these Swaros, I think I’ll buy some 14x NL Pures and sell the spotters.

Overall, I think it depends on what your end goal is. If you’re chasing antlers for you or a client, they’re useful. Like any optic, you get what you pay for.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

I have a spotter now and I debating whether I should return it or not?
I have a pair of good binos already.
Are spotters worth carrying?

Use to carry one. Minimal use. Just became dead weight in my pack. My 15s do all I need.

 

[mgacf]

To each their own, I guess...

I used to carry 8x bino on chest, 15x bino in pack, and a spotter as well.

With the new 14X NL Pure, I have the 14x on my chest and a spotter to verify animal size and get pics/video. I carried the TSN99 in my pack this year. I struggle to notice the 1.5lb difference between a small spotter and a large one. Too often, I had hunting partners asking to look through my spotter to verify game size.

I guess perfect scenario is having a partner that carries a good spotter ;-)

 

[elsb0048]

I'm generally looking for 3 pt or better blacktails and mule deer.

I bought one for this reason: 3 point minimum in WA and wanted to determine legality.

I've found I pack it on most hunts now just for digiscoping unless I'm being very weight conscious.

 

[Fritz D]

Used to have a Swaro 65mm spotter(pre HD version) and didn’t use it as much elk hunting as I liked so I sold it.
Recently picked up some 14x52 NL Pures and now I don’t think I will ever need another spotter.