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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,131
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,131 |
Leupold 12-40x60 is what I pack and for it's size it works great!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 957
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 957 |
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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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
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
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
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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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,767 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,767 Likes: 1 |
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.
Guns don't kill people, drivers with cell phones kill people.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,652 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,652 Likes: 3 |
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
Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44,022 Likes: 28
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44,022 Likes: 28 |
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....
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
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 This tired ol' 6x7 is taking a nap but showing off his left side.......cropped from the center of the spotter pic His closeup shows him still a bit sleepy The Three Amigos and ol' sleepy
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,198 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,198 Likes: 1 |
One amazing 3rd season bull Ted, sorry I missed it.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
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
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,611
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,611 |
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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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917558-REG/sirui_bsrt005xk_t_005x_aluminum_tripod_black.htmlI 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
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,611
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,611 |
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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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,861 Likes: 1 |
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
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,125
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,125 |
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.
I've seen more well-shot game lost with TSXs than any other premium bullet.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,285 Likes: 10
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,285 Likes: 10 |
Regarding tripods, I've been happy with my medium outdoorsman with their PG head for BP/rough country hunts.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 357
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 357 |
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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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,405 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,405 Likes: 2 |
I use my one and only spotter, a swaro 80 mm HD
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