Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Help needed with Compact spotter

I’m in the market for a compact spotter.
I’ve researched till my head hurts.
Here is what I’ve considered so far.

Kowa Tsn-501 Cheapest 1 I’ve considered, but supposed to be a lot of scope for the $.
Leupold Gold ring 12-40x60 FLP , would have to be used to fit my budget.
Vortex Razor 11-33x50
Athlon Cronus 12-36x50

Razor and Cronus are probably the most appealing right now..


Any suggestions or input is much needed.

I have the Razor, and within the limitations it’s pretty awesome.

I was looking at the same a few weeks ago and was leaning to the Razor. Then I found this Sightron, and for my intended uses (glassing up something found with Binos with decent light available), I think it will do just fine. Figured for $123 I couldn't lose.

https://rg4arms.net/sightron-sih134...UhLz33wIV4pJbCh1zfwqgEAQYASABEgIxjPD_BwE

The Kowa is an amazing little weights nothing scope. The Cronus is optically superior. It would be our pleasure to discuss this with you, please feel free to give us a call.

Any reason the Nikon is not on your list? It's a good little scope...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...BEgLqxPD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

Actually I have looked at it, just forgot to write it on the list 😩

I’ve got a Leupold GR 12-40x60 that I was fixing to list in the classifieds. It’s got the whole kit (minus the schitty tripod)... been hunted a little, but it’s still in great shape... shoot me a PM if you’re interested in it.

Kowa TSN-550 PROMINAR Series, either the 553 (angled) or the 554 (straight). Amazing little spotters.

These are the best of the best but a different price world

Yeah, I know. And budget is almost always a factor. Just couldn't help myself...

Funny, I've spent a fair bit of time behind the angled version, and I just don't find them up to their price point. Nice, but I'd sooner spend half on the NIkon and have nearly the scope. In fairness, no 50mm scope makes me happy (they're a tremendous compromise IMO), so I find it difficult justifying that price point for what for me is a limited use scope.

I owned the Razor and my friend has the Nikon. Have looked thru multiple Nikons, but only a sample of one Razor. Both are very good for what they are. As already mentioned, a bit of a niche item. I can’t see spending more than what those two go for on a 50mm spotter. I like the 50s and plan to have another soon. The 85mm is a bit much for some hunts.

I was very impressed with the new 55mm Kowa, but have not done a thorough test.

I have tested the 50mm Razor and 50mm Nikon. While the Razor had a small edge in image quality, the biggest difference was with ease of use. Razor has a much easier to use eyepiece.

Cronus promises to be very good, but I have not had much hands on time with it. It seemed a fair bit larger than Razor physically.

ILya

The Nikon can be found used at a very reasonable price and IMHO is a lot of glass for the money. If I was willing to compromise on the performance of a 50mm lense, I’d grab another one of these used.

I have one of the older (1980's) Leupold Golden ring 20X50's. Love that thing for the type of hunting that I do (lots of hiking in steep mountains).

The Nikon ED50 is very good, I say wow every time I use mine. Several Fieldscope eyepieces are available.

What a great view in such a small package.

I had a Nikon and had trouble with it and sold it.I now have the Razor. They are very similar in quality. Small is very important to me....we will see how the Razor stands up. I also briefly tried the the Redfield and it fell apart, and I never did find some of it. Y'know my heavy 60 year old Bushnell spotting scope is still better in quality- never has failed.

Another vote for the Kowa 55

I have used one for five years and would absolutely buy again.