Spotting scope purchase advice

[WKR]

Well I drew a New Mexico pronghorn tag so I'm looking at buying a new spotting scope to better field judge a big buck.
I want something under $2000
65 to 85mm objective lense
Would like a no fault warranty but not a deal breaker
Prefer a straight spotter not angled
The lighter the better
Any suggestions?
I can get the vortex razor hd 85mm for $1400 New but I'm not sure about the quality compared to something like a zeiss

 

[CApighunter]

Definitely keep an eye on the classifieds and eBay. $2k can get you into the Swaros and higher end Kowas. That’s what my used 883 cost me after tax and shipping. I’d be looking for the Swaro STS HD 65 or 80, Kowa 774 or 884, or maybe the Meopta S2.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Sub $2K buys a Swarovski or Kowa.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Definitely keep an eye on the classifieds and eBay. $2k can get you into the Swaros and higher end Kowas. That’s what my used 883 cost me after tax and shipping. I’d be looking for the Swaro STS HD 65 or 80, Kowa 774 or 884, or maybe the Meopta S2.

+1, I would get a used/demo swaro or Kowa....

 

[MuleyFever]

...or a Meopta S2.

 

[SquirrelyDan]

Kowa 774. There is a brand new kowa 774 in the classifieds for 2k. You won’t be disappointed with the Kowa.

 

[WKR]

Looking real hard at the swarovski sts 65.
Which eye piece is better and why?

 

[idcuda]

773.

Kowa TSN 773 Review | Best of All Worlds - Backwoods Pursuit

We love optics here at Backwoods Pursuit, so naturally doing this Kowa TSN 773 review was an absolute privilege. When you are trying to decide what the best

backwoodspursuit.com

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It would be our pleasure to work with you on this, discuss what would be best and work with your budget. Please give us a call, 516-217-1000

 

[cronsman]

Another vote for the Kowa 774. You can call cameraland and get it at about $2000 brand new

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Looking real hard at the swarovski sts 65.
Which eye piece is better and why?

That’s what I was going to say. I bet if you called Doug at cameraland you’d be closer to the 2k mark than you realize.

 

[Lionhound1975]

Another vote for Meopta Meostar S2, incredible glass. They sometimes go on sale under $2000.

 

[bigmooi]

Gen1 Razor HD for $750

Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - Angled

Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 Spotting Scope - Angled - Simply one of the finest spotting scopes you can buy, the top-tier Razor HD spotting scope competes at the highest level of performance. The sophisticated triplet apochromatic lens system delivers high-definition views across the entire field of...

www.sportsmans.com

 

[JNDEER]

IF you want the scope for field judging- than you need to buy top tier glass new or used- period. I own both the razor and stm hd. The razor, IMO, is nicer than most will suggest/say on here- but not what you want for field judging inches.

 

[antlerz]

Whatever you go with you will push it to its limit once you start evaluating animals at a decent distance.

 

[Firestone]

65mm Swarovski for sure

 

[WKR]

25-50x or 20-60x eyepiece?

 

[antlerz]

25-50 is superb. Slightly less eye relief for digiscoping so generic swaro adapter is not so good. Phonescope or make your own.