Glass upgrade recommendation

[Ben]

For the past two years I've been hunting big country and spend a lot of time glassing. I currently have vanguard spirit ed 10x40s and minox md50 spotter. I've haven't ever looked through the expensive stuff but I do know that it seems my spotter get hard see through as the sun goes down before my binos and that my eyes hurt after a day of glassing. So, I'm willing to put $500 into my system. This puts me in the range of a mid level bino (vortex viper hd, zeiss terra, etc) or a vanguard endeavor he spotting scope (which is the only spotting spot at that price range With great reviews).

Any recommendations or insight?

A few other variables:
I prefer to buy once method and warranties.
I bow hunt higher elevations (looking into buying a rifle too).
I'll be buying a new tripod this year as well.
I only backpack hunt and put everything on the scale.

 

[dotman]

Vanguard spotting scope is equal to the Vortex Razor, this would be a huge upgrade. With only $500 to spend I would get this spotter and save up for better binos.

 

[TheCougar]

Just save for better binos, even if it takes another year. For $1000 range you can get meopta or razors. Better to stick it out a little while longer and make a permanent upgrade and not decide you want to upgrade again in another few years. Upgrading the spotter should be a lower priority and only happen once you have excellent binos.

 

[AGPank]

I would save up and focus on binoculars first. There are several articles in here about binos in that range you can review too. I think if you can push your budget slightly and watch classifieds you can get something that can last for years and meet all your needs.

 

[Bwana]

If you're going to spend $500 on a scope or bino, I'd hold off and save more cash,,,there's no marked improvement over your current equipment.

But make that $750- $1000 and the field changes drastically.

I'd look at the best bang for the buck : Opticron MM4 60 spotter and a Zeiss Conquest HD binos...you'll be happy.



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[mmw194287]

If you're interested, I've got an Endeavor 65A angled that I'll be listing on the classifieds shortly. Tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full.

 

[Ben]

Inbox emptied. Interested in your spotting scope.

 

[Ben]

I have no issues with used equipment and can wait for sales if needed. Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[Bwana]

There are a lot of great options available in scopes...I'd massively upgrade quality if it was my money, buy once cry once....Celestron, Opticron, Nikon, etc...

Especially if buying used.

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[Ben]

I got my hands on vortex razor, zeiss conquest, and Leica trinovid all 10x42. I really like the zeiss and Leica. I'll be watching for sales over the next few months and would be happy either. Does anyone have experience with both the conquest and trinovids that can offer any insight?

 

[CorbLand]

The Conquests and Trinovids are going to be similar as far as glass quality goes. They are similar in build and quality. Look through them and determine which one looks better to you and pick that one. They are both ice cream, its all up to you on what flavor you want.

 

[AGPank]

I have the 2012-2015 model Trinovids. I really like these. I think they have alpha level build quality. I read some reviews where they had performance equal to the same year Ultravid. I will compare them to some 10x42 ELs in a few weeks. I've had them with SLC 8x42 and EL8x32 SVs. They run right with them. The ELs are sharper to the edge, but again that's another price league.

 

[excaliber]

I have the Zeiss HD Conquests. They have been nothing short of exceptional so far. I put them up against other binos in their class and they were clearer and brighter when it counted(Dusk) and have the most natural color in that group.
The only thing which is a slight negative is the narrow focus band which you get used to quickly. It's either out of focus or dead on.
The Cabelas Euro HD made by Meopta were a very close second.

I'd buy the Conquests again without hesitation. Look for a demo sale or a slightly used pair. I've seen some going for around 700.00 lately

 

[Rizzy]

I replaced my 10x conquests with meopta 15x last year. I carried the 15x instead of a spotter for rifle season, the quality of those 15x outperforms the mid range 65 spotters for my purposes and it was a major weight savings too. FYI, I was using a 65 razor and then switched to the endeavor.
My conquests have been boxed up for a year now.....

 

[GKPrice]

watch ebay - there was a Zeiss Classic B, 10 x 40 last week for hardly a bit more than $500 and you'll not find glass anywhere near their quality for that