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.

 

[Skerhunter]

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.

65mm razor is a waste of money.

 

[nphunter]

65mm razor is a waste of money.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I had good luck with mine and a person can find a good used for around $500-$600 for that price they are great IMO. High end alpha spotters are much nicer but are also 4 times more expensive and out of the OP’s price range. It’s hard to beat a used razor spotter or bino for the price.

 

[Skerhunter]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I had good luck with mine and a person can find a good used for around $500-$600 for that price they are great IMO. High end alpha spotters are much nicer but are also 4 times more expensive and out of the OP’s price range. It’s hard to beat a used razor spotter or bino for the price.

My experience with one did not save me any money and was just extra weight in my pack. With perfect conditions it looks ok. Add in some clouds or the first/last hour of the day you’re better off with some nice 10x binos.

I used one for about a month - on my trip I was unable to determine if bulls were legal or not at 1,000 yards (could clearly through alpha 85 spotter). Brought it home and tested it. Beyond 200 yards (last 30 minutes of light) you are unable to determine if a deer is 120” vs 160”.

 

[nphunter]

My experience with one did not save me any money and was just extra weight in my pack. With perfect conditions it looks ok. Add in some clouds or the first/last hour of the day you’re better off with some nice 10x binos.

I used one for about a month - on my trip I was unable to determine if bulls were legal or not at 1,000 yards (could clearly through alpha 85 spotter). Brought it home and tested it. Beyond 200 yards (last 30 minutes of light) you are unable to determine if a deer is 120” vs 160”.

You must have gotten a lemon. I had one for several years and three buddies still use them. I have hours of video through one. I bought a Meopta S2 since, bought and sold an Swaro ATC and still feel like the 65mm Razor is a good piece and a great tool.

Here are a couple pics from the Razor, I had a first gen and these were taken by holding my old iPhones up to the spotter.

Buck at 300 yards, killed him with my bow


Group of bucks a little over 1/2 mile with a iPhone 6 (shitty camera) Pretty sure you can tell if there shooters or not.

Another pic of the big buck in the middle.


Here’s a group of bucks at 11am in August at 700 yards.



Bull elk at 800 yards


Here is another bull with the 65mm Razor at 700ish. He’s laying just above the key.

 

[nphunter]

Here is a buck out of a S2 this last fall for a reference also a newer phone. This is 400 yards at 11am.



Swaro ATC .9 miles,

 

[TaperPin]

I can’t even imagine not having a spotter at the range, even a cheap one.

At the 200 yard range it’s fun to ask my Swaro toting friends if they can dig out their binoculars and tell what the group size is, because my cheap 30x spotting scope can. “Yeah but . . .it’s better on actual animals. . . it’s more natural feeling. . . it’s less eye strain. . . it makes my tummy tickle. . . it’s this and it’s that.” Good binoculars are important, but I’m not convinced tripod mounting replaces a spotter. A cheap used Nikon Fieldscope 3 ED with fixed 30x or 40x eyepiece is what, about $350, and will see better at the range than any 10x binocular, not to mention you don’t have to worry about it - cram it under the seat and it’s always there. A good 20x60x eye piece is available, but will cost as much as the body. If someone breaks into your vehicle they’ll see the used Nikon and feel sorry for you - probably leave some gift cards on the dash to help through your rough patch. I hear the smaller ed 50mm Nikon is just as good at something like $700 new. Other brands are probably just as good of a value in these lower price ranges, I just don’t have first hand knowledge.