Starter spotting scope

[Mikhail]

I got a nice set of binoculars 12x50s and now I need a spotting scope.for hunting out west and spotting a lot of country.

I’m on a budget so I can’t buy alpha glass or something crazy.

Budget 300-500ish

I want to get a 85mm but 65mm is ok, and I don’t mind buying used ones that are good.

What would you guys recommend for that budget. I hear alot about:

Ex: vortex diamondback hd

Athlon argos

Are this good ?

 

[Wetwork]

I use a Athlon Talos for my spotter works just fine for me, I didnt need or expect much and they do a fine job. Not a fan of Vortex but their warranty if they fog up or whatever seems pretty legit.-WW

 

[Mikhail]

I use a Athlon Talos for my spotter works just fine for me, I didnt need or expect much and they do a fine job. Not a fan of Vortex but their warranty if they fog up or whatever seems pretty legit.-WW

That’s what I heard about vortex is over hyped and the quality to price is not good.

I got some Midas 12x50 for $350 and they were much better than vipers 12x50 which are $500 plus

 

[Wetwork]

That’s what I heard about vortex is over hyped and the quality to price is not good.

I got some Midas 12x50 for $350 and they were much better than vipers 12x50 which are $500 plus

For hunting out west your probably going to be disappointed with cheaper glass if you are trying to see critters. You'll spot stuff sure, but trying to size stuff or even pick out antlers past 1000 yards is gonna suck. I'll be getting some hate for saying this but $1000 thermo monocular should be in every hunters pack and I'll just leave it at that. I completely get the "budget stuff". What I"ve learned in my 53 years on the planet is its better to save for quality than grab some cheaper stuff and try to get by. But needs must when the devil drives. I got by with cheap stuff, but looking back I should have just saved. You already have good binos?-WW

 

[Banded_spooney]

Skip the spotter, put your whole optics budget in your binos.

I made this mistake as a younger man.

Next year or in two years or whenever you can afford it, buy a spotter.

 

[Mikhail]

Skip the spotter, put your whole optics budget in your binos.

I made this mistake as a younger man.

Next year or in two years or whenever you can afford it, buy a spotter.

I did buy binoculars already though.

That’s why I want to get a spotter

 

[Banded_spooney]

I did buy binoculars already though.

That’s why I want to get a spotter

I understand that, either send them back and take the whole budget to buy better Binos. Or use the Binos you have, save your spotter money and add a bit more to it between now and next season to really upgrade your Binos.

You will be disappointed with a $400 spotting scope. 350 Binos are 20x better than $350 spotting scope. You are better going without.

I’ve been there and made that mistake. Twice actually

 

[WI in the west]

I went this route and bought a Cheap spotter 5 years ago. In my opinion its a huge wast of your time and money decent binos out perform a cheap spotter pretty easily. Mine got left behind a lot and when it did come woth me id always be dissapointed in it.

 

[Wapiti1]

I would agree that good binocs are the first step. I haven't used any Athlons, so I can't speak to their usability. I don't subscribe to the "if its not alpha its crap" mantra. There are a lot of perfectly fine options for $500 up. One thing to consider is tripod and head for the binocs and spotter. That is something you'll want with 12's.

If you really want a spotter. The only one I'd recommend is a Pentax PF-65EDAII with Pentax XF smc 6.5-19.5mm Zoom Eyepiece. This will run you about $800 total, new. It's a very good scope. Far better than anything cheaper, and as good as anything up to $1500 in the 65mm size. This is my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. It's a popular scope with birders.

Used is your other path. A Meopta Meopro, or Bushnell Elite. The Elite line was good when it was made in Japan. I picked up a Leica 77mm APO for $450 a couple of years ago on Ebay, so deals can be had if you are patient. That is an older scope, but its quality makes it still relevant. Their 65mm APO was excellent too, and can be found for a good price still.

Jeremy

 

[Team4LongGun]

I highly recommend avoiding a spotter in that price range. The quality is not there. You will be disappointed, and won’t recoup the money.
For most all western hunts a spotter doesn’t even come with me-and I relied on a spotter for many years in the military. I have 2, and they rarely get used outside of scouting pre season.

 

[Macintosh]

You have 12x bino's, put em on a tripod and you'll be set. I'd rather have 12 or 15x binos than a spotter 99% of the time.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

You can get quality in your price range. Take a look at the Hawke Endurance ED Spotting Scopes and give us a call to discuss what would be best for you

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Next best place to spend money is a tripod and head for those binos. Doug is a great resource. You'll want a good tripod anyways for the spotter and maybe that will need to come out of your stated budget? If you really really need a spotter this year, try to borrow or even rent to try some out. It's a big investment and it'll be good to try a few out for yourself to see what works for you.

 

[orhunter1]

I would agree that good binocs are the first step. I haven't used any Athlons, so I can't speak to their usability. I don't subscribe to the "if its not alpha its crap" mantra. There are a lot of perfectly fine options for $500 up. One thing to consider is tripod and head for the binocs and spotter. That is something you'll want with 12's.

If you really want a spotter. The only one I'd recommend is a Pentax PF-65EDAII with Pentax XF smc 6.5-19.5mm Zoom Eyepiece. This will run you about $800 total, new. It's a very good scope. Far better than anything cheaper, and as good as anything up to $1500 in the 65mm size. This is my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. It's a popular scope with birders.

Used is your other path. A Meopta Meopro, or Bushnell Elite. The Elite line was good when it was made in Japan. I picked up a Leica 77mm APO for $450 a couple of years ago on Ebay, so deals can be had if you are patient. That is an older scope, but its quality makes it still relevant. Their 65mm APO was excellent too, and can be found for a good price still.

Jeremy

^This - Pentax 65D is an amazing scope for the money. You can pair with LV Zoom for better clarity (not weather proof). I have had this scope which I gifted to my cousin and still own several Pentax eye pieces.

 

[Grassymike]

Third vote for the Pentax PF 65 ED A 2. I run mine with a fixed eyepiece. 32x. Amazing optics. Orhunter what eye pieces do you still have and are you interested in selling any of them ?

 

[southLA]

Maybe a used Maven CS.1 on the classifieds

 

[gr8fuldoug]

With our Year End Sale nows a great time to give a call to discuss what would be best for you

 

[orhunter1]

Third vote for the Pentax PF 65 ED A 2. I run mine with a fixed eyepiece. 32x. Amazing optics. Orhunter what eye pieces do you still have and are you interested in selling any of them ?

I have used Pentax XW 20 and XW 14 with the scope. But, I have a Vixen LV zoom as the EP of choice. I don't think the Vixen zoom is available anymore.

 

[Carrot Farmer]

My .02(from experience)…

The best Binos you can afford w/tripod, will outperform any starter spotter


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[khunter]

sounds like OP bought starter binos and now is in market for starter spotter.
Sell the binos, buy better ones, used, that cost 3x as much and wait till can afford a spotter you will enjoy using without eye strain.