Matt W.
WKR
I'm always one for quality gear, but I think today's optic market leaves a guy when some pretty solid choices for optics. I have been through a few different options and finally settled on some optics that are a great value for the budget hunter, IMO.
Binos:
Cabela's XT Binoculars 12x50 - I got mine on sale for $279. These have become my go to binos. I have had 8x and 10xs, but have just found these binos to be excellent in all ways.
They make 8x and 10x if you just can't fathom 12x. : ) In the open high country I run around in these have been more than excellent!
Spotter:
Vortex Nomad 20-60x60. I pair this with a $30 light weight tripod by Slik and have a great spotter setup for less than $350 bucks!
Complaints?
1) I bought straight, wish it was angled.
2) I struggle sometimes with getting my eye aligned just perfectly. The field of view is good, just not always easy to get aligned quickly.
3) The tripod is not ideal, but cost vs. performance is no brainer to me.
Range Finder
Nikon Rifle Hunter 550, it works and I don't shoot farther than 500 so good to go. Would like to try the new Vortex Ranger, but not because I need to... : ) It might be nice to have the extra distance and if I was looking for my 1st or get an itch I may give one of these a whirl.
So, this gets a guy all the "optics" one needs for around a $1,000.
There is probably even cheaper options out there, but these work and have stood the test for me.
With that said, what changes would I make?
Binos, none.
Spotter, I'd love to have angled vs. straight
Ranger Finder: My Nikon 550 works, but that Vortex Ranger intrigues me.
Anyway.. enough of my ramblings, hope someone finds it helpful.
Binos:
Cabela's XT Binoculars 12x50 - I got mine on sale for $279. These have become my go to binos. I have had 8x and 10xs, but have just found these binos to be excellent in all ways.
They make 8x and 10x if you just can't fathom 12x. : ) In the open high country I run around in these have been more than excellent!
Spotter:
Vortex Nomad 20-60x60. I pair this with a $30 light weight tripod by Slik and have a great spotter setup for less than $350 bucks!
Complaints?
1) I bought straight, wish it was angled.
2) I struggle sometimes with getting my eye aligned just perfectly. The field of view is good, just not always easy to get aligned quickly.
3) The tripod is not ideal, but cost vs. performance is no brainer to me.
Range Finder
Nikon Rifle Hunter 550, it works and I don't shoot farther than 500 so good to go. Would like to try the new Vortex Ranger, but not because I need to... : ) It might be nice to have the extra distance and if I was looking for my 1st or get an itch I may give one of these a whirl.
So, this gets a guy all the "optics" one needs for around a $1,000.
There is probably even cheaper options out there, but these work and have stood the test for me.
With that said, what changes would I make?
Binos, none.
Spotter, I'd love to have angled vs. straight
Ranger Finder: My Nikon 550 works, but that Vortex Ranger intrigues me.
Anyway.. enough of my ramblings, hope someone finds it helpful.
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