Spotting scopes for budget hunters???

by **MidwestHunter** » 03 08, 2016 • [Post 1]

Are they any good spotting scopes under $300 worth using, or should I just forget a spotting scope for this year and just use binocs until I can save up $600 or so?

by **justinspicher** » 03 09, 2016 • [Post 2]

If you can keep up with the classifieds on most backcountry hunting forums you can find one cheap. Kifaru's trading post had a Vortex for $350 the other day. I don't personally care for them, as they are just heavy and I can accomplish what I want with my binos. That being said, a set of binos on a tripod is magnificent and has changed the game for me.

by **husky390** » 03 09, 2016 • [Post 3]

I agree with Justin about bino's on a tripod. But, keep an eye out for the Nikon Fieldscope III. I have a non ED version that I snagged used and it's pretty nice. Beats my Uncles Leupold Golden Ring.

by **lamrith** » 03 09, 2016 • [Post 4]

What terrain and distances are you needing to glass? As mentioned by a few people sometimes (completely dependant on terrain) a high power pair of binos on a tripod can do the job. Nice set of 12x or 15x binos might get you thru and save some $ I used a pair of 12x50 Diamondbacks in AZ for Coues deer and they did pretty well.

by **MidwestHunter** » 03 09, 2016 • [Post 5]

Planning on southwest Montana hunt. Pretty rugged from what I have heard, but has some open country as well. It's for an upcoming elk hunt. I looked at the Vortex Diamondback binoculars as well, very clear and crisp for the price. The ones I was looking at were 8.5x50, so they won't reach out very far, but they looked good. I'll see if I can find any higher power binocs at a reasonable price.

by **MidwestHunter** » 03 09, 2016 • [Post 6]

For the vortex Diamondbacks, I can get the 8.5x50 for $140, or the 12x50 for $180. Is the 12x going to be clear enough to see 1000 yards out on a tripod? Are the 8.5x going to be more clear, and let in more light during sunrise/sunset?

by **MidwestHunter** » 03 12, 2016 • [Post 7]

I went ahead and just bought the pair of 8.5x50 vortex diamondback binoculars. My dad has a pair of 12x42 Nikon Monarch binos so I think we will just try to get by with these.

by **justinspicher** » 03 13, 2016 • [Post 8]

I used my vortex 10x42's last year in SW Montana and had no issues. We had a spotter but rarely used it. Stuck to binos. I'm anxious to try them on a tripod looking at something other than people in my neighborhood.

by **MidwestHunter** » 04 02, 2016 • [Post 9]

I got the 12x50 vortex diamondback. They are sweet, with crisp lines for detail. Will get tripod adapter, thanks for input guys. Highly recommend anything vortex after this!

by **Indian Summer** » 04 03, 2016 • [Post 10]

Those 12 powers will shine in open country but not so much in timber. With those a tripod is a MUST.

I prefer 10 power binos for all around use. No matter what you hear you cannot accomplish the same thing with binos as with a spotter. I mean... 10 or 12 power vs 45 or 60? No brainer. BUT.... what is it that you want to accomplish? That's the question. Are you judging inches or just want to know if it's a bull or a cow? Or, just looking for elk in general. If it's ellk in general the binos are fine. There is definitely a line where you can see elk.... but can't tell bulls from cows unless they have a light background like yellow grass. This is a good place for a spotter. If you are actually judging inches at any substantial distance a spotter is priceless. So make sure you know what you really need AND if the area you are hunting is more geared toward one than the other.