Rifle Scopes Spotter and Bino choice help!

[Ackley Improved]

Guys

For out in the field hunting, what magnification/size spotter and binos do you recommend?

I do not want the biggest units due to weight and size for packing, but still want quality. I have a Zeiss 85 spotter but it is big and heavy to even consider packing for walking.

I am looking at Liberty Optics Scotts thread with the Bushnell Excursion spotter, and the Vortex Viper binos. What magnification binos are good for scanning?

Is both spotter and binos needed?

CHeers

 

[jasonk]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

Unless you plan on shooting long range at game and/or doing a spot and stalk hunt where you get up high and glass for miles, then I don't think a spotter is all that needed.

Get a good pair of 10x42 binocs or 8x32 if you want them lighter and they'll do 95% of what you need them to.

What's your budget? Leica 10x42's rock if you can afford them.

J

 

[Phil1]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ackley Improved</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Guys
I have a Zeiss 85 spotter but it is big and heavy to even consider packing for walking.

Is both spotter and binos needed?

CHeers
</div></div>

Too heavy? Join a gym(just kidding)!

Yes, two eyes always better than one. 7x40 or 9x40(open country).

Binoculars as important as a scope,IMO.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

Best bet would be a Vortex Viper 8x42 Binocular and if you want a fantastic VERY portable spotter take a look at the Minox MD50 16-30x
<span style="font-weight: bold">It is:</span>
Magnification 16-30x
Objective Lens Diameter 2.0" (50mm)
Angle of View 16x: 2.7°, 30x: 1.9°
Field-of-View (@ 1000 Yds) 16x: 142' (47 m @ 1000 m), 30x: 100' (33 m @ 1000 m)
Minimum Focus Distance 16.4' (5.0 m)
Exit Pupil Diameter 16x: 3.1mm, 30x: 1.6mm
Eye Relief 11-15mm
Relative Brightness 16x: 9.6, 30x: 2.6
Twilight Factor 16x: 28.0, 30x: 38.0
Weatherproofing Waterproof & fogproof
Dimensions 8.4 x 2.5 x 4.8" (213 x 63 x 123mm)
Weight 1.30 lbs (615g)

Please feel free to call us to discuss this

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

Thanks guys.

Here is a little more information for you. The smallest game and longest shooting distance will be the following. Fox, and 1000yds.

Does this now warrant the need for both a Spotter and binos? At 1000yds, will a fox be able to be picked up easily with a 8X or 10X set of bino's?

Honestly I would rather just use a set of bino's as the Spotter will require me to carry along a bloody tripod, well two actually cause the video camera will be coming too.

Might need a donkey to carry the shit!

I have not had enough experience using a bino's at long range to judge if they are enough to spot a fox sized animal at 1000yds.

Just think, if I dont need a spotter, then thats just more $$$ I can spend on bino's.

Would it be worth stepping into a 10X set of binos then?

For $1000US (I'm Aussie), what binos would you purchase then if a spotter is not required!

Cheers

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

Anybody else have input???

I have questions that need answering!!!

Honestly, I would rather ask here and buy once, not having to sell crap and buy again.

I know many of you guys here use bino's and do have the input that I need.

Please share!

Cheers

 

[Phil1]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

LOOK IT'S NOT HARD. YOU NEED BOTH!!

If a fox is in cover(no snow) you will not see it at 1000 yards if its not moving. The idea of binoculars is that you use them almost continiously as you hunt or move. If the average range of encountering game is 100-300 meters a 6 or 7 power is best.

At 1000 meters a 10 power is best. FORGET WEIGHT, except you can comprimise on a field tripod(small). The idea of spotting and glassing(using optics) for game is to see them first. The more "glassing" you do the less walking you do, the less game you scare.

You have a good spotting scope already. Are you suggesting that you are going to spend $500 or more to save 1/2 kg(buying a second spotting scope)? If weight is a huge issue you can use your backpack as a field rest for the spotting scope, but a small field tripod is only 1/4 kg.

If you can afford a Premier Heritage you can afford a set of Zeiss or similar binoculars. If 1km. is in order then 10x40 is what likely meets your needs. If you are hunting you will spend 100 hours looking through binoculars for every minute looking through your scope(riflescope). Spotting scopes are great for finding targets(game) at long distances(over 800 meters). Binoculars cover the ranges from 100m to 1km for most game (foxes to deer). In most hunting situations you will find much more with binoculars than a spotting scope.

First because with binoculars you can scan the terrain rather quickly, somthing not possible with a spotting scope.Scanning- looking at terrain in 90-180 dergees arc.

Second, most targets(game) will be seen at under 1km, unless the terrain is as flat as a desert(without cover).

Third, because if you are moving slowly(walking) you can't use the spotting scope.If you are hunting good terrain you can walk 30 meters and glass(standing) for a couple minutes,again and again all day long.

Fourth, two eyes will see more than one and its less tireing on the brain to use binoculars. Try looking through a spotting scope for 1/2 hour then use the binoculars for 1/2 hour.

When you are hunting the binoculars are around your neck all the time except for when you are using the spotting scope or shooting. 90 percent of all game sees better than you do, especally if you move, binoculars level that physical deficency in humans.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Spotter and Bino choice help!

Phil1..

nice post, this is what I want to hear!

So, I tihnk you pretty much told me to stop being a sook and take the Zeiss spotter along. Really I should... I paid for it, I should use the bloody thing as much as possible.

I will go for a set of 10X42 bino's I think, most likely the Vortex Viper. I have been reading to much great stuff about them not to try them.

I have spent enough time looking through a spotter at BR comp's no know how much it sucks after a extended period of time....

Cheers, and thanks again!