Spotter/tripod set up for occasional use?

[DmrbigEshotT]

I try not to take the easy way out on here and post questions that have been answered several times, several ways, over several years, but after a couple days of reading threads, figured I’d throw my situation and question out there for input.

Use: Occasional rife range, once every 5-7 years a mule deer rifle hunt, once every 3-5 years an antelope rifle hunt. Yearly glassing in MI for deer and turkey’s. May move to NM in a couple years and hunt western game more often. Ideally use it as a shooting rest as well.

I deer hunt (archery and rifle) quite a bit in MI and use my binos often, so maybe it’s worth just upgrading my them with a decent tripod?

Budget ~$1500

Whatcha think?


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[lundellhunting7]

Used Kowa spotter and a Tricer tripod and head.

 

[Grady.J]

56mm vortex razor and an Aziak front country tripod.

Plenty light for packing around the occasional backcountry trip, capable of standing height glassing, should be decent to shoot off, and it doesn't sound like you need bigger, pricier glass for counting rings.

What binos do you have now?

 

[realunlucky]

Are you going to use it standing? If your content with a shorter tripod, plenty of options will work while saving weight and money.

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[DmrbigEshotT]

56mm vortex razor and an Aziak front country tripod.

Plenty light for packing around the occasional backcountry trip, capable of standing height glassing, should be decent to shoot off, and it doesn't sound like you need bigger, pricier glass for counting rings.

What binos do you have now?

Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42


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[DmrbigEshotT]

Are you going to use it standing? If your content with a shorter tripod, plenty of options will work while saving weight and money.

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Mostly sitting and/or kneeling


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[Grady.J]

Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42


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I'd lean towards upgrading your binos and getting a tripod then. Something like the Zeiss conquests, nikon MHG, maven b series, and i think you'd be happy with them, with plenty leftover for a tripod. I'd still look hard at either the front or backcountry from Aziak. I have the backcountry and for a super light packable tripod I love it, theres no questioning whether it goes in the pack. If I planned to shoot off it often, I might think about the front country.

Then save for a spotter over time and keep an eye out for sales or used.

 

[Alpine4x4]

SLC 10x42s used and an Aziak Front Country tripod. Get a spotter down the road.

 

[Skerhunter]

I would suggest used 10x binos (alpha) and a good tripod! Cheap spotters for hunting are just frustrating and not worth the money. You won’t find more game with them over swaros on a tripod and making out details (points) won’t be easy either.

If you decide you need a spotter - wait until you have the money for a good one (kowa/swaro/zeiss/etc)!

 

[DmrbigEshotT]

I should be drawing a 5+ point deer tag in CO this year. Definitely don’t need to have the ability to count points, but a clear view of “is he a shooter” vs. “I see a buck” is important.

With cheaper 10x42’s, I’ve had issues with ID’ing elk (bull or cow) at 2/3 mile.

Will quality glass make that big of a difference even if it’s the same magnification?

Sorry for the noobie-type question.


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[flyfisher117]

I should be drawing a 5+ point deer tag in CO this year. Definitely don’t need to have the ability to count points, but a clear view of “is he a shooter” vs. “I see a buck” is important.

With cheaper 10x42’s, I’ve had issues with ID’ing elk (bull or cow) at 2/3 mile.

Will quality glass make that big of a difference even if it’s the same magnification?

Sorry for the noobie-type question.


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For what ever it is worth. This year was a proving point for me that yes glass matters.

I made a bad shot, deer ran to bottom of ravine and bedded in some quakies. We repositioned down the ridge to a nice rock out cropping that gave us an entire view of the ravine top to bottom.

Ended up locating my deer about 300 yards directly below us laying under some trees. My binos (bx4 proguide 10x42) I could see a gray blob under the tree that looked deer shaped. Due to lighting I couldn't positively ID what it was though. Early morning sun peaking over the opposite ridge but still deep shadows down below.
Buddy says hes "right there, you can see his tail flicking"
Me telling him I can't see anything other than gray blob.
Buddy hands me a well used pair of Razor HD 10x42.

Now I can see the tail flick, now I can see the deer, now I can see it's head, I can see everything. I didn't know what I was missing out on. Makes me question how many animals I have glassed over the past couple of years.

 

[Skerhunter]

I should be drawing a 5+ point deer tag in CO this year. Definitely don’t need to have the ability to count points, but a clear view of “is he a shooter” vs. “I see a buck” is important.

With cheaper 10x42’s, I’ve had issues with ID’ing elk (bull or cow) at 2/3 mile.

Will quality glass make that big of a difference even if it’s the same magnification?

Sorry for the noobie-type question.


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Yes - mid tier binos (~$1000) to alpha - mid tier you will be able to see the frame, with the higher end binos you can count points. FYI this is a simple dumbed down explanation.

Spotters are the same in my experience - cheaper ~$1000 spotters a pretty worthless in my opinion. You might be able to see the animal but can’t determine if it’s legal/one going after.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I should be drawing a 5+ point deer tag in CO this year. Definitely don’t need to have the ability to count points, but a clear view of “is he a shooter” vs. “I see a buck” is important.

With cheaper 10x42’s, I’ve had issues with ID’ing elk (bull or cow) at 2/3 mile.

Will quality glass make that big of a difference even if it’s the same magnification?

Sorry for the noobie-type question.


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Maybe rent a spotter and see if it is something you want. Or expand your budget and get it all. I'd still start with swaro 10s and a solid tripod. The Athlon Ares can be had for $500 and could get you the closer look you want without spending alpha money.

 

[nphunter]

The best alpha 10’s aren’t going to do much for you at a mile unless conditions are ideal. You will learn more watching animal behavior than seeing headgear.
If you’re looking for something to use at the range a scope is ideal for that.
A midrange bino will work great, if it were me I’d buy a set of used Meostar 10X or Vortex Razor 10X, a Sirui Sirui VA5 topped tripod. This one is hard to beat and on sale.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1828767-REG/sirui_t024sk_va5x_t_024sk_carbon_fiber_tripod.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh1zTty-M8bIwkZetVimhePgg&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg_mPvbbbiwMVPB6tBh2QzTemEAQYBSABEgJZjfD_BwE

For a spotter a used Razor 65mm is a good entry level spotter. It will work well at the range and does decent in the field. All together if buying used glass you will be under budget and have a pretty decent setup for most hunting situations.

I would take a Razor 65 and binos over a set of Alpah binos 100% of the time for a good all around setup. The Razor binos are pretty good glass if you can find them from around $5-600 they are very hard to beat. The Meostar / Cabela HD’s are similar priced, harder to find and have a pretty big size and weight penalty.