First spotting scope

[Blue72]

The best solution is for each individual to buy multiple optics from a reputable dealer with a good return policy and judge for themselves

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yes but 10x42 are small objectives if your looking to glass in low light, even if they are alpha glass. Especially when comparing to spotting scopes that have 80mm or higher objectives

There are others on here that can vouch that a set a 15x56 or similar is a way brighter image then a spotting scope

Better than what spotting scope? Have you personally tested this? I fully understand objective sizes and exit pupils for light transmission to the human eye and theres no way 15x56 binos are brighter than 10x42 with all glass qualities and coatings being equal. The 56mm objective light gathering ability is diminished by the increased magnification. Most guys are probably comparing to their little 65mm pack spotters which are pretty bad for low light.

 

[Tohopko]

Sometimes you get lucky. While I would love to own an "alpha" spotter to match my 13yr old leica binoculars, the budget wouldn't allow it. I bought a Cabela's Krotos 20-60 x 86 on closeout, and could not be happier. It easily hangs with the Meopro a friend had, and is perfectly fine for what I needed at the time. That said, if I were doing it again, I'd opt for a 60-65. The bigger scopes are just a pain to pack, a pain to handle, and get in the way of mobility and speed.

 

[Shrek]

Sometimes you get lucky. While I would love to own an "alpha" spotter to match my 13yr old leica binoculars, the budget wouldn't allow it. I bought a Cabela's Krotos 20-60 x 86 on closeout, and could not be happier. It easily hangs with the Meopro a friend had, and is perfectly fine for what I needed at the time. That said, if I were doing it again, I'd opt for a 60-65. The bigger scopes are just a pain to pack, a pain to handle, and get in the way of mobility and speed.

Meopro is Meopta’s mid line brand and is nothing special. Don’t confuse the Meopro and Meostar lines. Meostar is alpha quality glass at very reasonable prices.

 

[Tohopko]

Meopro is Meopta’s mid line brand and is nothing special. Don’t confuse the Meopro and Meostar lines. Meostar is alpha quality glass at very reasonable prices.

No confusion at all, wasn't comparing it to the Meostar, or to any Alpha--just saying that it was better than expected glass for the price I paid.

 

[Mcmacsten]

The best solution is for each individual to buy multiple optics from a reputable dealer with a good return policy and judge for themselves

Agreed

 

[Ledd Slinger]

No confusion at all, wasn't comparing it to the Meostar, or to any Alpha--just saying that it was better than expected glass for the price I paid.

I purchased the small 15-45x65 Krotos for my son a couple years ago. Surprisingly heavy for its compact size, but i agree that the glass was quite nice for the money.

 

[Blue72]

Better than what spotting scope? Have you personally tested this? I fully understand objective sizes and exit pupils for light transmission to the human eye and theres no way 15x56 binos are brighter than 10x42 with all glass qualities and coatings being equal. The 56mm objective light gathering ability is diminished by the increased magnification. Most guys are probably comparing to their little 65mm pack spotters which are pretty bad for low light.

Not necessarily. The old Zeiss twilight study shows that magnification can sometimes help in the dark. In addition to the fact that the “effective aperture” of of the binoculars two lenses can sometimes match or exceed larger scopes.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s best for people to buy multiple optics and see what works best for them.

In the past I spent countless hours searching the forums and bought a scope based on popular recommendations, only later to find out that high powered binoculars fit my needs much better

 

[duckhunterrr]

At a $1000 your used options become well worth it, should be able to find a vortex razor or Kowa for that or less. If you are looking for new in that price range Leupold just released the SX-4 proguide spotters at 949.99 I believe, don’t have a ton of experience through that glass yet but the SX-5 really impresses me so far. And through personal experience beats any of the razor spotters.

I do have the new sx-4 and will be selling my on here in the next few days if your interested and haven’t bought optic yet.

 

[rickerb24]

My 15x binos do not compare to a spotter. Get a large spotter for mule deer and antelope. Sure a bigger scope weighs more but you can see more. I leave my spotter when I go on a stock anyways. I like my Leupold. I also like that Leupold is 30 minutes from where I live.

 

[beason_us]

I'd also recommend upgrading the binoculars+tripod before investing in a spotter. Maybe others are more tolerant to this, but I can only look one-eyed for ~15mins before needing a break. My swaro 8x30 habicht, and optolyth 15x63's I can spend hours looking through.

All good options but it depends on hunting application. I'm looking for big mulies in sage and timber draws on the other side of a valley. I have 10x32 EL's and a buddy has 12x50 razors. Even with 15x many of those deer wouldn't be spotted. I have to run my spotter very slowly with a 30x lense just to pick them out. An I have very good eyes. Binoculars on a tripod are a great choice. When you want to know whether it's worth destroying your legs though I want to know. An I'd hate to miss a giant buck

 

[Rail505]

Was debating this mysef