Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Compact Spotters - Any worth carrying?

Not a chance. No more than a pound and a half in JB's *grin* It's the little things in life...

Might not be enough magnification for you, but I use a pair Swarovski SLC 10x binos and carry a doubler with a small tripod. Small package and pretty light to carry.

This x10

Remember, these are the conditions that the OP is asking about.

I think the ED50 is great for 1500 yards but in big country its just not enough scope.

I've used the ED50 in the area shown in the pic below on a few hunts for mule deer. This is near the Snake River and I see fellas from Idaho hunting here too.

Its over 2 miles to the opposing timbered draw. With 30x you can see critters but its tough to evaluate them. And the opposing draw is "close" compared to much of it!

Luckily I shot my buck at 50 yards.

While this can be true, most of that kind of spotting is done from the truck or close to it. There is no shortage of hunters doing just that. I'm talking about a 3-4mile hike with a 1000 to 2000' of vertical mixed in. The type of hikes that most guys consider stupid then start hunting - spot and stalk style. This is what it takes to shoot a decent buck on 'open' hunts with any regularity. Every ounce counts when you put 3 or 4 days of that together. I have tried bigger spotters and from the truck they are awesome, but after the first day they get left in the truck. What I want is something compact yet good enough to be a useful piece of equipment. I don't expect any 50mm spotter to be brighter/better than an 80mm but the 80mm is useless because I will not carry it. I think the Nikon and Vortex 50mm spotters may be just right. Thanks for the opinions thus far.

my Leupold 15-30x50 never leaves my pack (unless I'm using it)

Your decision may be influenced by your physical capability. In the mountains I may be limited to one good stalk/day. I carry a 60 mm spotter w/ a light tripod because it increases the chance that I will expend my limited resources on good cause. You increase your chances of success w/ a good spotter.

mike r

The Nikon ED50 with the best Nikon 13-40 FS eyepiece weighs
only 23oz. I just checked it on my scale. That is less than most all 42mm. binoculars.

So for toting with a light tripod, this is a great high-end choice.

Centershot,

It sounds like you've got your needs figured out well. I've done plenty of those 3-4 mile hikes with 2000' elevation change and more. Not sure that would stop me from carrying an 80mm in a good pack, but if those extra ounces break the camel's back then a 50mm sounds like a good option.

J

Mule deer, sheep, elk, chukar, blue grouse and lots of miles... Great pics.

Agreed. If your heart is set on a 50, that little 50mm Razor is amazing for such a small scope.

Centershot: The older and no longer in production Leupold 20, 25 & 30 power fixed spotting scopes are what I prefer for my back pack/long trek Hunts.
Very clear and very light of weight for the money (have to buy them used nowadays but there are lots of them around).
I have a mini-tripod that weighs just a couple ounces but mostly use it from the prone position over my pack.
I have used these spotters when Hunting spring Bear, Antelope, Mt. Goat, Elk and Mule Deer.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Ever look over there and hope you don't see a big buck? HaHa, That may have just convinced me that I don't need a Hubble telescope.

I see Bushnell has a similar offering the Legend Ultra HD 12-36x50, anyone seen one of these in person? Thanks.