what spotting scope

[TheFishBox]

I need someone to talk me out of getting the 85 mm zeiss spotter. With the 500 dollar rebate they offer and the free tripod it is a heck of a deal but I can't make my mind up as to whether the 85 is worth the extra cost and weight, even though its only a pound. Over the 65. Does anyone have a bigger spotter like that so they can give feedback as to whether it is worth it. This will be packed with me but I'm not worried about weight really. Last thing does it allow more viewing in hunting hours, like if I spot something with the 85 would I not have been able to spot it with a 65 and if I spot it can I see it and shoot with my nightforce. Sorry for the long winded post

 

[marinetowgunner]

I've been happy with my Swaro 65. If it's that late and I have to use my spotter to see it, it's probably to late to stalk it and shoot it. That's just the way I reason it.

 

[TheFishBox]

Does anyone else have an opinion on this subject I would like to hear from some people that have spotters of any kind just curios if the 85 give an advantage or if its just extra weight

 

[Sully2]

Does anyone else have an opinion on this subject I would like to hear from some people that have spotters of any kind just curios if the 85 give an advantage or if its just extra weight

Buy all the MM of objective lens you can afford. Same with "X" magnification....and dont buy low costs junk...go for top name brands IF you can afford it. You'll have and use it the rest of your life.

Yes...greater sized objective lenses allow more early morning and late evening viewing.

 

[trebark]

While the 85 might transmit more light, it's just cumbersome. A buddy of mine has a spotter with an 80 or 85mm objective. He's always wrestling with it whereas my spotter with the 65mm objective does the job just fine.

 

[kb07]

Have you tried the Zen-Ray ED2 20-60x82 spotting scope. I had it for almost a year. It is so impressive that I got 3 of my friends switched to them.

Zen-Ray ZEN ED2 20-60x82 Angled Spotting Scope

They have a $200 off coupon (BFLRH). so the net is about $1000.

Here is a review by the Outdoor life magazine.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5fdS_hfYUA]Optics Review: Zen-Ray ED2 20-60x82 Spotting Scope - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Zep]

"Buy once, cry once". I remind myself of that a lot any time I buy anything shooting related.

I have been using a pair of Zeiss binoculars my father bought for me about 15 years ago and I still love them. You will never be sorry buying quality glass. Nikon has some really nice binoculars now for less than 300. that's what I would do today.

Saving my lunch money for a basic 65mm Swaro spotter. Personally I think 65mm is enough. Swarovski makes some really nice glass, phenomenal depth of field with a good warranty. Heck you can always get more and more glass, astronomers call it "aperature envy".