Spotting scope issues/recommendations

[eperro]

Folks,

I currently have a Leupold SX-4 pro guide spotting scope and I am unimpressed to say the least. So much that this past year I didn't even bother packing it in. For me on higher mags the glass is terrible and you only get a clear picture in the very center of the glass. I don't have other spotters to compare this to. So I am wondering if this is normal and just a result of buying a low end spotter and also looking for recommendations on other spotters. I am willing to pay more if I can expect a lot more from the glass and it will be worth packing it in.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Take a look at the new GPO Passion APO Spotters

 

[eperro]

Would these be noticeably better? They are at the same price point.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

What is your budget? The little Kowa 554/553 can be found used for a great deal. The glass is phenomenal.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Would these be noticeably better? They are at the same price point.

Yes, these GPO's are on par, if not slightly superior to the Athlon Cronus series

 

[Fizzo]

+1 for the Kowa. I have an 884 and the glass is top notch.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

+1 for the Kowa. I have an 884 and the glass is top notch.

I had the 553 and then went to the 66a. IMO they are better than swaros.

 

[TradLife406]

I used a baby Kowa a lot this year. It was my first spotter.
I was hunting a spot in Montana that was pretty open with pockets of timber. I liked it at first. Especially going from no spotter to the 553.
But found I was under gunned for what I needed. I ended up getting a 85mm Zeiss Conquest. Found an open box deal for $1600.
She's a big female dog. But got dang it's so much easier to use. I could actually scan with it. The field of view is so much bigger. A lot better tool for my needs. Packing it did suck. No cap. But for glassing all day it was worth it.

I'd be curious to try a bigger Kowa. The fine focus is pretty nice. Or the baby Swaro would be fun to play with.

Though I love the big focus wheel on the Zeiss. Super easy to use with my Kuiu oven mittens when it's cold.


I'd definitely suck it up and carry the weight of a bigger scope. Cut weight else where if you're main play is glassing. Especially in open country.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

I used a baby Kowa a lot this year. It was my first spotter.
I was hunting a spot in Montana that was pretty open with pockets of timber. I liked it at first. Especially going from no spotter to the 553.
But found I was under gunned for what I needed. I ended up getting a 85mm Zeiss Conquest. Found an open box deal for $1600.
She's a big female dog. But got dang it's so much easier to use. I could actually scan with it. The field of view is so much bigger. A lot better tool for my needs. Packing it did suck. No cap. But for glassing all day it was worth it.

I'd be curious to try a bigger Kowa. The fine focus is pretty nice. Or the baby Swaro would be fun to play with.

Though I love the big focus wheel on the Zeiss. Super easy to use with my Kuiu oven mittens when it's cold.


I'd definitely suck it up and carry the weight of a bigger scope. Cut weight else where if you're main play is glassing. Especially in open country.

The Kowa 66a is only 53 ounces.

 

[eperro]

Kowa looks to be a little out of my price point. I am looking for 1000-1500. I get deals on liecas stuff or zeiss but have never used either brand

 

[BadDogPSD]

Kowa looks to be a little out of my price point. I am looking for 1000-1500. I get deals on liecas stuff or zeiss but have never used either brand

If a Kowa 553 will work for you, I have a like new anniversary edition I'm not using. Lease message me if you're interested.

 

[Grassymike]

I just bought a Swarovski ATC . I also own a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40 HD. The Leupy is not going anywhere, I love the eye relief and optical quality. Yes the Swaro is better but I plan to use the Leupy as my everyday when hunting deer and glassing from my truck. Nothing is going to beat Swaro/Kowa/Leica, but there is definitely some real good glass at half the cost that is in the 90% as good as range.

 

[PathFinder]

Look for a used Swarovski STS. I hated spotters until I tried one. The 20-60 eyepiece has a pretty narrow FOV, but has good clarity. The fixed power eyepieces are great for glassing for longer periods. 25-50x are ideal if you can find one. They pop up in the classifieds in that range pretty frequently.

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