Packable spotter of choice??

[Ferrulewax]

Leupold 15-30x- 50mm Gold Ring is a great little scope. I sure like mine.
View attachment 772856

Any tips you have for using this thing? I have one but find the FOV extremely limited, granted I have mostly only used it at the range at shortish distances. Also, the arca plate being on the top (as pictured) bothers me so much

 

[TheHammer]

I enjoy my compact razor. Hard to beat the weight and pack ability. It has become a vital part of my success.

 

[Flyjunky]

I just got back from a hunt where I debated every single day if I wanted to pack my 85mm.

Now, I’m either going to go Kowa 66 or Swaro STC. Spotters only work well if you carry them.

 

[svivian]

I’d go with the swaro STC. Avoid the ATX 65… very good optically but the weight is as much as an ATS 80. After being out in the field with the ATX 65, ATS80 and the STC, no question I prefer the STC.

The only reason I would go different would be the ATX 85 on a sheep or goat hunt. All other hunts it stays at home now.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

Out of curiosity I looked at the kowa 774 vs the kowa 66s weight. The 774 is listed a 1330g (2.9lbs) and the 66s is 1530g (3.3lbs). Can anyone verify that?

My 774 with neoprene cover and arca plate is a bit over 3lbs. So it looks like the weight is pretty close.

I've considered moving to a 55mm or 66mm, but the 774 viewing experience is good enough to make me keep it. Especially for the 1700 I paid for it.

 

[FAAFO]

nut up and carry a full size spotter.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

This unit with the H-32 MIL reticle is all I really use anymore. Works excellent for verifying long range shots and using the built in ruler MIL reticle.

It's also a pretty darn good spotting scope when needed for hunts that require field judging animals like sheep and moose or if you like to shoot higher antler class deer and elk. I used it this year to verify moose legality and it was spot on.

I spot WAY more animals with my 15's on a tripod than anyone I've ever hunted or scouted with who is glassing with a spotter, as a side note.

MARK 4 12-40X60mm H-32

The Mark 4® 12-40x60mm tactical spotting scope with the H-32® reticle gives you the brightness and clarity necessary for positive target identification in any conditions. Built to survive shocks, blows, drops, and impacts, it's not only tough, it's also 100% waterproof and fogproof.

www.leupold.com

 

[hawgchaser]

Your price range seems MUCH higher than mine, so I'm not familiar with the high end spotter, but my Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x 65mm has worked out great for me in Colorado and Idaho. At 45 oz it's pretty packable to me.

I agree with the guys above that if you're looking for packable, I wouldn't go above 65mm size.

Those are a whole lot of scope for the money. I bought one for a truck spotter and have been thoroughly impressed with it.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

I spot WAY more animals with my 15's on a tripod than anyone I've ever hunted or scouted with who is glassing with a spotter

Really? I've never felt over gunned with the kowa 774....





But I sure have seen stuff at extended ranges...2600yd and 3ish miles..

 

[Sierra Hunter]

You can find a 773 or 4 for way cheaper than that.

I pack mine around a lot. I've considered going to a 55mm (a lot) but just can't give up the 77mm.

I loved my kowa 773, one of the greatest around. Went the btx, atx but I wouldn’t mind going back to that at some point. Great all around spotter

 

[jimh406]

I'd suggest you look at some reviews of the compact scopes compared and also some comparisons of what you give up, in glass as well as weight, as you go smaller. There is quite a bit of information out there.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Really? I've never felt over gunned with the kowa 774....

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But I sure have seen stuff at extended ranges...2600yd and 3ish miles..

That's a good unit, but FOV and shotgun glassing are king for killing.

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

That's a good unit, but FOV and shotgun glassing are king for killing.

Touche

 

[Hnthrdr]

Really need to know how what kind of glassing you are doing. For me I glass to scout in the summer. If I’m hunting elk with a bow I only carry 8x binos. Then glass a bunch mule deer hunting. That’s when the ATC comes along. It’s for verification after I find game with binos or midday sits looking into/ under trees and brush after everything has been looked over a bunch with binos. I will say much of my glassing spots are about 2k yards and in, can spot game a little further with the mini but probably not counting tines

 

[TheGDog]

I first bought a ZEISS Dailyt, which has an excellent image BTW! But for this area where the climb up sucks... I needed something lighter.

Around that time a Maven S.2 12-27 x 56mm popped up on Outdoorsman's Used Optics section, so I grabbed it.

Still getting used to it, depth of field slightly less than the ZEISS, but seems to be comparable image quality. The focus barrel has a very light touch to it! Very different from the Dialyt in that regard. Loving the lighter weight.

(actual pic of the hill I was climbing that prompted the purchase of the lighter spotter. It's slightly deceptive, it opens up a bit as you approach the timberline up top.)

 

[6scar9]

New mini razor is not bad for price point

 

[jb_358]

Out of curiosity I looked at the kowa 774 vs the kowa 66s weight. The 774 is listed a 1330g (2.9lbs) and the 66s is 1530g (3.3lbs). Can anyone verify that?

My 774 with neoprene cover and arca plate is a bit over 3lbs. So it looks like the weight is pretty close.

I've considered moving to a 55mm or 66mm, but the 774 viewing experience is good enough to make me keep it. Especially for the 1700 I paid for it.

I wonder if they included the weight of the eyepiece for the 66s but not for the 774?

 

[HingleMcCringleberry]

I wonder if they included the weight of the eyepiece for the 66s but not for the 774?

Probably. My 774 is right at 4lbs with a neoprene cover

 

[crowlja]

Depends on your hunting style and what your willing to pack or consider packable...
How much weight are you willing to carry and how much space are you willing to forfeit to your spotter?

I picked up the Kowa 773 in the used classified section here on Rokslide, eye piece and body for over $1000 less than a new Swaro ATS; and the value of glass I received for $1000 less than the Swaro ATS, I'd go with the Kowa again and again. I also feel like I can get focused on moving animals much faster and get crisper vision with it because of the dual focus (which I originally did not think I would like).

What would you call Packable? I packed the Kowa around with me all year this year, from scouting day-trips, and overnight trip and all through 3rd (which was all day hikes during this season). I don't have any issues packing this spotter, but its defiantly not small takes up almost a full pocket by itself, and I can for sure feel the weight difference when I don't have the spotter with me. I would pack this scope on deer hunts and currently its my only spotter, so yes, I'd likely backpack with it on my elk hunts, but I don't use spotters often for archery elk but I always pack one.

For the trips where I feel like I would not need a full sized spotter (such as for elk), I'm really looking at the Kowa 55, but I also keep seeing the Vortex Razor HD 56mm in the classified section for $600-800. Not going to lie, if I see one come up for $600 again I'm going to be jumping on it.

Combo deer & elk backpack hunt, I'd likely still carry the Kowa 77.

 

[6.5x284]

Another for the little STC/ATC. My Kowa 88S hasn’t left my safe in two seasons now. Only one scouting location where I ever wish I had more than the little STC.


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