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Leupold 12-40x60 is what I pack and for it's size it works great!

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I use a Kowa Prominar 66mm angled with 20-60× eye piece and a Slik carbon fibre tripod for my backpack hunts. Its a great combination.

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Sirui Compact tripod with the Sirui T10 ballhead

It folds to under 13"

My new spotter is a Campfire aquired gem

Leupold Gold Ring non-HD 12-40x60

After this years use they both kick azz big time and I can see myself using this combo until I hang up my out west boots and retire from chasing elk, mule deer and pronghorn


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I have a Leupold 12-40 60mm that I've had forever, and that's what I use most of the time, since it is my only scope. It is not the best optical quality (non-HD version), but good enough for a lot of uses, reasonably compact, and free.

I borrowed a Vortex Razor HD 11-33X50, and it is a sweetheart of a little scope. Great quality, and the zoom range is well matched to the optics, so you don't end up with magnification that is useless. On the other hand, while using it I was wishing for the X's in my leupold. It just didn't have the reach at 33 power to do what I wanted (distinguish if a ram was full curl at a couple miles).

I am shopping for a 65mm Leica, just have trouble spending the money...

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my pack spotter Leupold 15-30x50 Compact.

I recently got the Swaro ATX with 65mm and 95mm objective housings, but even the 65mm ATX dwarfs the leupold in both size and weight so the Leupold usually stays in the pack, and the Swaro usually stays in the truck.


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So it seems folks are 50/50 split....

Sacrifice some magnification, size, light gathering etc. for size and weight while others in the camp if carrying more but saving walking. I can see using both options dependent on the hunt, terrain, openness of country, etc..


- Greg

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Originally Posted by GregW


I can see using both options dependent on the hunt, terrain, openness of country, etc..




Greg, great points.


I'm not exactly in great shape physically(or mentally) and am naturally a little lazy so the 1 or 2 days I actually 'pack' a 65 is better. That and 40x is enough for the country around here.

Unless you're one of those guys who is patient enough to sit and really dissect an area a mile away....


A big ass spotter would be the chit when you really need it.

Or better at last light? I don't know, never looked through the new uber versions.



I've been using a Minox 62 ED with the 21-42x eyepiece. Been thinking about selling it and upgrading to a Swaro 65.


Yesterday eyeballing a buck who was trotting in the wrong direction....

[Linked Image]











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I used 10x42 Leupold binoculars and my Sirui compact tripod topped with a 12-40x60 Leupold Gold Ring to watch this ol' guy a couple days at over a mile

But we later decided to get close up pix

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

This tired ol' 6x7 is taking a nap but showing off his left side.......cropped from the center of the spotter pic

[Linked Image]

His closeup shows him still a bit sleepy

The Three Amigos and ol' sleepy
[Linked Image]



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More close ups of his left

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


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One amazing 3rd season bull Ted, sorry I missed it.

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Originally Posted by taylorce1
One amazing 3rd season bull Ted, sorry I missed it.



You heal up then ol' Graybird and Snell will work their magic for you.

I will pack out for you


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Originally Posted by tedthorn
I used .... my Sirui compact tripod .....


Great bull Ted and good spotting.

Could you give a little more detail on your tripod and the head you are using to hold the scope?

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http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917558-REG/sirui_bsrt005xk_t_005x_aluminum_tripod_black.html

I looked at a lot of compact tripods before I found this gem

Removable center column
Removable ball head that uses a common dovetail plate
Folds to about 12" and has 3 usable leg positions
The legs use a very fast and strong twist lock

The Sirui ball head is smooth and strong but ultra compact

I will warn anyone looking at the Mephoto Backpacker tripod
It does not have a removable center column and it does not have the 3rd leg position
Both of these are needed to be able to get low

The Sirui tripod will also go up to the mid 50's but I am not interested in a tall tripod from a backpack


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Thanks Ted, I'll have a look at these.

I have a Slik and like the tripod but their heads are not real smooth and they work loose during normal use.

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A good buddy of mine has the Outdoorsman tripod with the pan and tilt head

There is no better hunting tripod but it is pricey


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Been very happy with my little Razor 50 and compact Sirui Carbon tripod. That said, I'd carry a 80mm+ for lots of hunts, if I had one. Some things are worth the weight penalty, sometimes.


Originally Posted by Llama_Bob
I've seen more well-shot game lost with TSXs than any other premium bullet.

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Regarding tripods, I've been happy with my medium outdoorsman with their PG head for BP/rough country hunts.


Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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You need to look at the Swarovski modular system. I sold my bulky Zeiss for the 65 STX (and prolly get the 85 mm lens this year). You can always switch out and go up to the 85 mm or 95 mm lenses whenever you want.

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I use my one and only spotter, a swaro 80 mm HD

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