Spotting Scope Recommendations

[WVmike]

Looking to get a spotting scope for not only hunting in WV with shots ranging from 100-400 yards at most in the majority of the areas that I hunt but also for hunting out west. Made my first trip to Colorado for elk this year and it is huge country that I feel like a decent spotting scope would help to pick out where the elk are especially during the day in the thick timber where they may have been bedding. Any recommendations on mag level? I would like to get a leupold SX-2 or something equivalent. How many of you out west hunters actually use a spotting scope based on the weight of the scope and the tripod? Any input is appreciated.

 

[rjthehunter]

Maven 15-45x65 CS1A

CS.1A - 15-45x65

The CS.1 is built using the same glass as our award-winning C Series Binoculars and is the perfect companion for those who need to see detail at extended distances. Because of it’s lightweight magnesium / aluminum frame, this compact scope gets the job done without taking up much space in your...

mavenbuilt.com

Here's a young bull moose at a mile through it.
It's small and packs nicely. Great size for carrying around all day!

 

[WVmike]

Maven 15-45x65 CS1A

CS.1A - 15-45x65

The CS.1 is built using the same glass as our award-winning C Series Binoculars and is the perfect companion for those who need to see detail at extended distances. Because of it’s lightweight magnesium / aluminum frame, this compact scope gets the job done without taking up much space in your...

mavenbuilt.com

Here's a young bull moose at a mile through it.
It's small and packs nicely. Great size for carrying around all day!

That's pretty clear especially at that range. I'll have to check it out.

 

[Borny1]

For your application, save your money and get a better solution, Sig Zulu 6's. They are no joke.

 

[Ought Six]

Kowa 664 is about 2.5lbs and Sirui tripod plus head is about another 3lbs for a total around 6lbs. It was the best I could afford at the time and gets the job done for the price.

I wasn’t going to buy one that I wouldn’t pack all the time (ie weight was a big factor for me), and I bring it with me on every trip for that reason.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

What price range are you looking at?


And yes the weight has anyways been worth it in the big countries. But I don't have a super heavy spotter or tripod.

 

[WVmike]

For your application, save your money and get a better solution, Sig Zulu 6's. They are no joke.

This is interesting. I have not heard of these.

 

[rjthehunter]

That's pretty clear especially at that range. I'll have to check it out.

I should make note that it includes the 3x zoom on my phone too for this!

Here it is without the phone zoom.

 

[Borny1]

Hands down the biggest spotter game changer since the tripod. Plus you will use them way more than a spotter. Plus when the wind blows you are still rock steady. They are a no-brainer solution for what you and nearly everyone are doing.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Maven 15-45x65 CS1A

CS.1A - 15-45x65

The CS.1 is built using the same glass as our award-winning C Series Binoculars and is the perfect companion for those who need to see detail at extended distances. Because of it’s lightweight magnesium / aluminum frame, this compact scope gets the job done without taking up much space in your...

mavenbuilt.com

Here's a young bull moose at a mile through it.
It's small and packs nicely. Great size for carrying around all day!

Have the same on and like it a lot. Im not quite sure how it measures up to something else in the same price range from other makers.

What are you using to digiskope? Never got mine to look that good.

 

[rjthehunter]

Have the same on and like it a lot. Im not quite sure how it measures up to something else in the same price range from other makers.

What are you using to digiskope? Never got mine to look that good.

Magview and a Galaxy S23

 

[Borny1]

I have an 80mm Swarovski spotter in mint condition and I use my 16x Zulu 6's. There's probably a $2.5k price difference between the two.

 

[mtmuley]

I'd buy that Kowa in the classifieds if it is still there. mtmuley

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Spotters are not for picking the country apart, binos are. If you can check out the Vanguard HD line.

 

[WVmike]

What price range are you looking at?


And yes the weight has anyways been worth it in the big countries. But I don't have a super heavy spotter or tripod.

If I could try to keep it under $800 that would be best. I'm looking into getting the night stalker tripod that weighs about 4 lbs not including the saddle. The whole setup would be around $1,000, probably less.

 

[WVmike]

Spotters are not for picking the country apart, binos are. If you can check out the Vanguard HD line.

A new set of binoculars are in my future plans as well. Currently have a vortex 10x42 that isn't bad but not overly great either.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

If I could try to keep it under $800 that would be best. I'm looking into getting the night stalker tripod that weighs about 4 lbs not including the saddle. The whole setup would be around $1,000, probably less.

I have the athlon ares spotter. I like it and find it to be a good entry level spotter. Not as good as the expensive brands but does the job decent.
Probably half a mile away

 

[terrytheluddite]

Just curious if anyone has used both average quality spotting scopes from 20 years ago vs modern spotters.

I got a clean nikon sky and earth from a friend which went for 550 back in the day. I definitely appreciate it but not maybe its because it's the only one I've used.

Is good glass always good or has technology advanced so much that these older spotters are inferior?

 

[champ198]

The Athalon Ares gets really good reviews for the price point

 

[Beignet]

Maven 15-45x65 CS1A

CS.1A - 15-45x65

The CS.1 is built using the same glass as our award-winning C Series Binoculars and is the perfect companion for those who need to see detail at extended distances. Because of it’s lightweight magnesium / aluminum frame, this compact scope gets the job done without taking up much space in your...

mavenbuilt.com

Here's a young bull moose at a mile through it.
It's small and packs nicely. Great size for carrying around all day!

Dunno if OP already pulled the trigger, but this thing is great for the money. Would’ve loved a light, compact Kowa, but that thing is a considerable bump in price.

Maven sells through Amazon and these scopes are like $650 on the Prime Day promotions they have.

Backwoods Pursuit has pretty detailed reviews of a ton of scopes. The Maven was #2 behind the Athlon Ares in sub $1000 spotters. The Ares a like 9oz heavier, but also looks nice.

I use mine with a Black Ovis Treeline sitting tripod that retails for $159 and weights ~30 oz. That puts my scope/tripod setup at about 70oz for just an hair over $800. Neither is the best at anything, but all in all it’s a good balance of portability, quality, and price.