Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting scope...65mm vs. 85mm

Yes Jordan, your a stud, we understand that.

The average post on these forums is a guy looking to cut 4 oz by going with an aftermarket floor plate, fluting the barrel and skeletonizing the bolt.


The average 85mm scope and quality tripod(if used) can add total weights equal to or above the weight of the rifle your carrying, when it comes right down to it, the average person is not going to carry two rifles.

For the dedicated athletic Mountain Hunter wearing a backpack, feel free to go 85, but if your purpose is to buy 'lifetime" glass, just make sure your priorities are the same 5-10 years down the road.

YMMV.

My swaro weighs 47 oz, the 85 razor lists at 65+, so a little over a pound, plus additional length and girth. It all adds up,

enough to stop a hunt? hell no, but when it's time to minimize, I know the first thing the average guy will leave behind.

Again, YMMV.

LOL. If I'm on a hunt where a spotter is a major asset, I'd rather cut that pound somewhere else than in the glass I'm packing...

Prairie goat?

Dink

I've never really had a problem with 60-65 mm objectives; it seemed like a good compromise of optical quality to weight/bulk. That being said, I could certainly see how the guy looking to eke out every advantage would go with an 80mm. Especially someone who may, for example, guide hunters and need to make a good estimate on whether the ram 3/4 of a mile away will go 180 or just 175, as the client may not be interested in him if he's smaller.

It doesn't take but a time or two of having to traverse a bunch of extra terrain and waste a bunch of time, just to have someone turn down an animal that was "close but not quite what I'm looking for".......to go with the equipment that may save all that hassle.

The question is, whether that added weight, bulk, and expense will save any of these scenarios from happening, or whether this is something that's even an issue for your individual hunting. I think that's something for each of us to answer for ourselves, hopefully after trying them out in the field. One way a guy could try some different spotters out is with a rental service. I've not done it myself, but it seems like a good way to test some different products without dropping too much money. I'm fortunate in that I get to try out a decent number of optics brought by clients. Not many bring spotting scopes, but I've had the opportunity to field test a few high end (and some not so high end) spotters this way.

I think one area that is often overlooked for weight savings is the pack used. Many are boat anchors. For example, a friend uses a Horn Hunter pack which weighs 8 lbs, empty. My Kifaru is 5 lbs, with 7000 in^3.

Other than the cost, I'd rather carry the 80-85mm in a Kifaru than a 60-65mm in an average pack... and still be lighter. I guess its just different ways to skin the cat, but I wouldn't be surprised that many who complain about rifle and spotter weights are using packs that weight 8-9 lbs empty. Not saying this is you, but I know its overlooked by some.

Just hunt with Jordan and leave your spotter in the truck.

Then carry a flask of bourbon....

I carry, and really like, my Leupy 12-40x60GR

YMMV.

Maybe that is a unfair question.

Prairie Goat what 60-65mm spotter do you personally own?

Dink

Good point. I'm carrying a 4.5lbs Paradox pack, so that helps.

Ok, maybe that was a unfair question too.

Prairie Goat do you even own a spotting scope?

Dink

Haha, just toggled you off of ignore, figuring you might have something to add to the conversation. As usual, that is not the case.

Hell, I ain't never owned no spotting scope. Just crank ma' 6-24x50 Tasco rifle scope up to max power for spotting duties.

There is a lot of truth in that post.

It's a simple question.

What spotter did you actually buy?

No one is interested in what your clients bring for you to use.

Dink

Actually, no one is interested in your inane questions, or answering them....

and that's just some more 'truth'.....

www.betterviewdesired.com
www.cameralandny.com
Spend a whole evening in the first website, then call the second and listen to the salesperson's comments/recommendations.

It is a very personal question. I guess there is no one size that fits all. I always take my 20-60x82 ZEN ED2 spotter with me for most of the hunting trips

Oh he wants to answer but he can't. Old Goat is just a regurgitator. He has very little experience with quality optics or firearms but he sure likes to post about them.

Like I said it was a simple question.

Dink

and like I said.....

65 vs 85mm? Everyone's stitiation is different. Would I hike around with a tripod and a spotter-no. Too much weight for me. I carry a good pair of binoculars which I use a lot and leave the spotter in the truck. If you must have a spotter besides optics and price differences, there are weight differences between makes.