Why do they make spotters above 40x?

[Newtosavage]

Maybe you've had better experiences than I have, or maybe you tote a 6 lb. tripod with you into the mountains and maybe your air is always cleaner and brighter with fewer heatwaves, but for the life of me, I don't understand why spotting scope makers insist on offering variable mag. eyepieces that go beyond 30-35x. They could save us all time and money and weight by just making eyepieces that go no further than 35x.

Who here ever uses more than 35-40x and I'm curious in what conditions with what support?

 

[Felix40]

I use it all the time. The main thing I need the magnification for is counting points on a point restricted hunt every year. Being able to see a little 2” sticker could be the deal maker on that hunt.

I also use high magnification at the gun range.

I have a pretty standard carbon tripod with a va-5 head.

 

[9.1]

For the same reason any manufacturer makes anything; because someone is willing to buy them.

 

[SDHNTR]

You need better glass and a more stable platform if you want to go higher. I regularly glass at 60X+ with my big Swaro ATX 85 and Outdoorsmans tripod. Not a backpacking set up, thats for sure.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I regularly use the full magnification range of all my spotting scopes: Kowa 554 and Swaro STX 65/95.

Not all animals are large. Not all animals are close. Not all animals stand in the open.

But maybe things are different where others hunt.

 

[Wrench]

My spotter used a fixed 30wa on a 82ed nikon to call hits on a 1500yd bowling pin. That's plenty for the girls we go with. The fov it brings is awesome.

 

[Blockcaver]

I had an early Leupold Gold Ring 12-40x60. It was good in CO under good atmospheric conditions and no wind buffering to about 30X for my eyes. I upgraded to the subsequent HD version and it was "good" to the full 40X assuming good conditions.

I moved to BC where I deal with antler point restrictions on most antlered game plus curl and/or age restrictions on Stone and Bighorns. I upgraded to a Swaro ATM HD 20-60x65 and use the whole range of power when conditions (mirage, wind, etc) allow. Also use a phone scope with it which really ups the ability to tell if rams, bucks and bulls are legal (or not).

I backpack hunt with a 2# Slik tripod that I’ve cut down with a ball head. Minimize the extension and widen the base of the legs for max stability…and the angled scope keeps the tripod shorter too. Set up with my legs under the tripod and only use it sitting.

For glassing from the truck or quad I use a heavy old Bogen/Manfratto system that works well standing.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I use 60x quite often, actually.

 

[rackcity24]

Never been a sheep hunter, but im sure it comes in handy counting the rings in some cases.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Geewhiz]

I use 60x quite often, actually.

Same. I have a razor hd 85mm which I realize is not the very best but i use 60x fairly often if the conditions are right. I also rarely ever stand behind my tripod. I am sitting in a chair or in the ground which helps the stability of things.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I also rarely ever stand behind my tripod. I am sitting in a chair or in the ground which helps the stability of things.

Precisely.

 

[wyojdubya]

I regularly run my ATS 65 up to 60x while deer hunting in big country on clear days. But I also have a 30x lens that gets the nod when visibility is more limited, whether due to weather or terrain. Mostly October hunting, and definitely not a six-pound tripod. (Slik 624cf and VA-5.)

 

[aftriathlete]

Range use makes higher magnification worth it. I just have a 15-45x, but use the 45x at the range frequently.

 

[SwiftShot]

Trying to judge a Ram is hard. I have used the hell out of 60x. Then added the phone scope and zoomed in more.

Judging elk, deer and bears all the time. My eyes cover the ground not my feet.

 

[5MilesBack]

Why do they make spotters above 40x?​

The short answer........because in many cases 40x just isn't enough.

But I've always said, "when you go to higher powers, you better have the highest quality glass if you want it clear". Some of the junk on the market isn't even good at 20x.

 

[Dos Perros]

There are times, doesn't matter what spotter you have, the mirage screws it all up.

 

[dreamingWest]

I spent a lot of time at 60X on my sheep hunt.

 

[StopMakingSense]

30-70 on my 95 Swaro ... I'd go insane if I couldn't use 60-70x to figure out if a 16-hour hike is worth it for a sheep. I would agree if you took top-tier spotters out, most are useless for the last 20%.

 

[tater]

Critical for goats and sheep to be able to go above 45X. My Leica APO 82 spends about 40% of the time at 50X, and i am waiting for the 1.8 extender to go on sale so i can stretch it out further.

 

[4th_point]

I owned 45x scopes, then upgraded to 60x, and now have 75x capability. I prefer the option to use 70+ magnification for certain uses. I would not want to be limited to 30-35x or even 60x for certain situations.