Spotter Suggestion, budget $3000

[Esox]

If you were looking to upgrade spotters from a vortex viper and you had a $2500-3000 budget, what would you get? Keep in mind, this is mainly for prairie mule deer and Sheep hunting. Looking for a higher end type thing and not a mid/lower range, buy once cry once.

[MountainTi]

Swaro is most likely over that a bit but I'd aim for that personally.
For sheep hunting I far prefer the angled eye piece but they don't work very well if you are using it out a truck window looking at mule deer.

[Esox]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Swaro is most likely over that a bit but I'd aim for that personally.
For sheep hunting I far prefer the angled eye piece but they don't work very well if you are using it out a truck window looking at mule deer.

I would really love the NL pure's that swaro has now but that definetley isn't in the budget lol. I do also prefer an angled scope, especially being 6'4"

[bcpappy]

I bought a used Zeiss from a guy on another forum (CGN), I paid $1500 for it and its great except its heavy. I use it sheep hunting and has saved me from hiking farther than needed to check if a ram is legal. So its worth the extra weight. To replace it new would be over $3000.

[Dean2]

With that much budget I would look for Leica, Swaro, or Kowa. If you do a little reading you will find Kowa is an excellent scope, not well known, and on par with the other two, some rate it number 1. I list Leica as number 1 because their glass suits my eyes better than Swaro. If you can find any of the three of them used, you can easily save 40% off new. If you want to use them on a window mount then a straight is the only real option, if it is always off a tripod the angled is more comfortable. If you need to pack them into places, pay attention to weight, there is a big difference in all three makers, even within a single maker, among their various models.

[Esox]

Originally Posted by Dean2

With that much budget I would look for Leica, Swaro, or Kowa. If you do a little reading you will find Kowa is an excellent scope, not well known, and on par with the other two, some rate it number 1. I list Leica as number 1 because their glass suits my eyes better than Swaro. If you can find any of the three of them used, you can easily save 40% off new. If you want to use them on a window mount then a straight is the only real option, if it is always off a tripod the angled is more comfortable. If you need to pack them into places, pay attention to weight, there is a big difference in all three makers, even within a single maker, among their various models.

Is there a kowa model specifically? I have heard they are ok. I have also heard maven is ok.

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by MountainTi

Swaro is most likely over that a bit but I'd aim for that personally.

For sheep hunting I far prefer the angled eye piece but they don't work very well if you are using it out a truck window looking at mule deer.

I found the angled works great from the truck, turn it sideways and you can look almost straight ahead and behind the truck plus out the sides.

Even for looking perpendicular to the truck it works good.




There was a learning curve figuring out where it was pointed but after I had that sorted it was never a problem again. Going back to the straight I feel it’s a disadvantage all the time.

[mstefoniuk]

or new Meopta...probably the most underrated optic on the Market.

[Crabby cat]

Agree with the Meopta comment. They get a lot of love on the USA forums, not well known up here but very good glass.

Paul at Bushcraft Canada carries this brand, he would be the guy to contact for info. Very good fella to converse with!!

[jdog0]

Vortex razors... cant beat that type of warranty! Thats a lot of $$$ to risk braking it, losing it, etc... vortex has your back no matter what! And the quality is great... my 2 cents

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[Dean2]

Originally Posted by jdog0

Vortex razors... cant beat that type of warranty! Thats a lot of $$$ to risk braking it, losing it, etc... vortex has your back no matter what! And the quality is great... my 2 cents

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I won't use Vortex rfile scopes because they break far too often, but a spotter is one place the no fault warranty might be real useful. I have had to have a few spotters repaired due to user induced failures and those aren't covered, though Leica did fix the last one for free. Would be worth comparing Vortex's top end glass to Kowa, Swaro and see how it looks.

[bobtodrick]

Bob from McBain Camera here...I've sent you a PM.

[Dean2]

Bob is a great guy to deal with. Knows a ton about glass and cameras. Also has done some great deals for a ton of AO members. First rate guy to buy from and get quality advice.

[bobtodrick]

Geez Dean, now I'm blushing

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Bob is a great guy to deal with. Knows a ton about glass and cameras. Also has done some great deals for a ton of AO members. First rate guy to buy from and get quality advice.

Agreed. Last year I wanted to send my binos into swaro for some maintenance (both objective lenses were changed due to scratches from barb wire, rocks, ect..).
I posted on here looking for contact info/address for swaro and Bob sent me a PM almost immediately. He had me drop them off in Red Deer at McBains and he had them delivered to him up in Edmonton. A month later my binos were back in Red Deer pretty much brand new. Bob took care of all shipping and contact with Swaro.
Superb service by Bob (and swaro as well)

Got my 15 year old EL's (that's 15 years of abuse) back looking and performing like brand new and they charged me $150ish for the new lenses. Everything else they did was free of charge. Doesn't get any better than that

[Off in the Bushes]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Bob is a great guy to deal with. Knows a ton about glass and cameras. Also has done some great deals for a ton of AO members. First rate guy to buy from and get quality advice.

I can second that, set me up with some great binos that I am more then pleased with, at a cost that was even more pleasing. Wish there were more business people like that. I know who I’m calling when it’s time for a spotting scope.

[jdog0]

Originally Posted by Dean2

I won't use Vortex rfile scopes because they break far too often, but a spotter is one place the no fault warranty might be real useful. I have had to have a few spotters repaired due to user induced failures and those aren't covered, though Leica did fix the last one for free. Would be worth comparing Vortex's top end glass to Kowa, Swaro and see how it looks.

With all due respect, makes no sense anything you just said... but you are entitled to buy whatever you want...

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[Dean2]

Originally Posted by jdog0

With all due respect, makes no sense anything you just said... but you are entitled to buy whatever you want...

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If my rifle scope craps out on a hunt I have a real problem and I have had more than one Vortex lose its ability to hold zero. If the spotting scope craps out, it isn't the only one we have with us, not to mention binoculars we always have along. On top of that, spotting scope isn't getting recoil pounded. Not sure what doesn't make sense about that but you are free to think what you like.

P.S. By the way, saying with all due respect and then telling someone they make no sense, doesn't really make it respectful. I am fine with you thinking I am full of it, just leave out the condescending faux politeness in future.

[jdog0]

Originally Posted by Dean2

If my rifle scope craps out on a hunt I have a real problem and I have had more than one Vortex lose its ability to hold zero. If the spotting scope craps out, it isn't the only one we have with us, not to mention binoculars we always have along. On top of that, spotting scope isn't getting recoil pounded. Not sure what doesn't make sense about that but you are free to think what you like.

P.S. By the way, saying with all due respect and then telling someone they make no sense, doesn't really make it respectful. I am fine with you thinking I am full of it, just leave out the condescending faux politeness in future.

Im just saying that there is no sense in what you say. Not being rude at all, it just doesnt make sense. "Nothing" craps out just like that out of the blue. I've had vortex for over 10 years and havent had one issue. They've gotten wet, muddy, duaty, i have taken them on quads, mountains, etc... still like new. If i say all due respect is so that you dont take it personal. But lets just stop arguing and hopefully they guy gets his question, answered! Cheers!

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[lucky_magic_stick]

I got lucky and got my swaro spotter and binos from great members off of this forum I past couple years. I upgraded from my viper spotter and viper binos to swaros and have been very happy.

There is a nice swaro spotter for sale in the optics buy and sell right now. Very reasonably priced as well.

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[Coiloil37]

I had a razor HD for about six years. The price was right (I got it for $950 USD brand new when the dollar was at par) and the reviews online made it sound like it was nearly as good as swaro for a fraction of the price. Compared to the viper I had previously it was very good.
In 2017 I went hunting with a buddy who had a swaro and we used them side by side. With mine I could count points, with his I could see the texture on the antlers. The difference was significant to say the least.
I went home and sold the razor then bought a couple month old swaro off kijiji for $2300 with the eye piece, box, neoprene cover and original receipt that was indistinguishable from brand new.

If you’ve got the budget for alpha glass you can knock vortex off the list because they don’t compare.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

I had a razor HD for about six years. The price was right (I got it for $950 USD brand new when the dollar was at par) and the reviews online made it sound like it was nearly as good as swaro for a fraction of the price. Compared to the viper I had previously it was very good.
In 2017 I went hunting with a buddy who had a swaro and we used them side by side. With mine I could count points, with his I could see the texture on the antlers. The difference was significant to say the least.
I went home and sold the razor then bought a couple month old swaro off kijiji for $2300 with the eye piece, box, neoprene cover and original receipt that was indistinguishable from brand new.

If you’ve got the budget for alpha glass you can knock vortex off the list because they don’t compare.

This right here is worth $$$ to the OP.

Coiloil knows his feces. Trust me. And, this is firsthand, real-life experience doing exactly what you want the spotter to do.

[elkhunter11]

If you like reading reviews on optics, look at the reviews on bird watching sites, they tend to be even fussier about optics than most hunters.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you like reading reviews on optics, look at the reviews on bird watching sites, they tend to be even fussier about optics than most hunters.

They sure do. Best place to look for optics reviews including binos. All the $ in that hobby goes into optics, and they take is as serious as we do hunting.

[freeride]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

I had a razor HD for about six years. The price was right (I got it for $950 USD brand new when the dollar was at par) and the reviews online made it sound like it was nearly as good as swaro for a fraction of the price. Compared to the viper I had previously it was very good.
In 2017 I went hunting with a buddy who had a swaro and we used them side by side. With mine I could count points, with his I could see the texture on the antlers. The difference was significant to say the least.
I went home and sold the razor then bought a couple month old swaro off kijiji for $2300 with the eye piece, box, neoprene cover and original receipt that was indistinguishable from brand new.

If you’ve got the budget for alpha glass you can knock vortex off the list because they don’t compare.

Which Swarovski did you get?

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by freeride

Which Swarovski did you get?

I bought the STS 65mm HD with the 20-60x eyepiece. Personally I would of preferred the angled but that’s not what I found.