sheep spotting scope

[ruustah]

Hi guys, I've lurked enough. I'm hoping for some advice on a spotting scope primarily for sheep hunting. I'd prefer to stay well under $1k and obviously weight is a significant consideration. I'm currently looking at Bushnell Elite 15-45 X 60 and Nikon Spotter XL II 16-48 X 60. Any comments regarding the quality of this glass and the amount of magnfication I'll need would be appreciated.

Thanks

PS I wasn't sure if this was a post for gear or hunting forum.

 

[stid2677]

Glass

Glass

Ask your self this??? Do you have more money or back. Buy as good a spotting scope as you can. I have sheep hunted knowing that the Ram you are looking at 2 miles away and straight up is legal is worth more than you will pay for the glass. Can mean the differance between bringing back a Ram or going home without one.

 

[cory100]

leopold compact

leopold compact

This year we used a leopold gold ring compact 15x30/ 40mm? Not sure on the size but it was only 30 power. There is a trade off with magnification but it was worth it given its weight, size, and clarity. Used to use a 45 power and this was way better. I think there about $450 new

 

[ruustah]

I'm now looking at a new Nikon Fieldscope 50 mm ED with eyepiece that'll give it 13-40 magnification. What's most attractive about the scope is it'll weigh probably no more than 20 oz. All the really good stuff is quite a bit heavier. Weight is actually more important to me price. If there was a Swaro, Zeiss ets that was so light I'd surely consider it. The glass on the Nikon is supposedly real good. Can anyone who's sheep/goat hunted comment on that amount of magnfication?

Thx

 

[northway]

nikon

nikon

I have use the Nikon XL Spotter for over 10 years now. Never failed us yet. I am sure that the more expensive glass is better, but for the price and weight, the Nikon XL gets a thumb up. It has accounted for 15+ rams!

 

[Snyd]

I have a Burris for sale in the swap and sell. Same category as the Nikon Spotter and Bushnell Elie.

 

[fullkurl]

+1 Northway

+1 Northway

I have use the Nikon XL Spotter for over 10 years now. Never failed us yet. I am sure that the more expensive glass is better, but for the price and weight, the Nikon XL gets a thumb up. It has accounted for 15+ rams!

I gotta agree with you, Northway. I used the XLII this year and it was very good, especially considering I paid $250 for it on Ebay. I got rid of the heavy scope and went light and was impressed. The Pedco 4 oz. tripod worked great with the Nikon too.
The other change I made this year was the Leica Geovids. The glass is phenomenal and the built in 1300 yard rangerfinder is awesome. The geovids are one of those products that you get and keep a lifetime--they are that good. My optics are now light, compact and dependable.
Ruushta, the mag is about 15-45 on the XL-XLII although I never use much more than 30X. I counted rings on these guys easily this year...The far left and middle left rams were legal. The middle left ram was broomed and mine.
Frank

 

[BucknRut]

Nikon users...

Nikon users...

What's the eye relief like on the XL?

 

[AlaskaCub]

Before you buy anything and this goes for the other guys too , you should get in touch with this guy , he is the one I have been buying all my optics from and I guarantee you that his prices cannot be beat! Snyd he has the best price on the Pentax spotters too.It doesn't matter if your looking for Pentax, Minox, Nikon, Leica, Zeiss, Swaro or anything else, he's usually got it. Th eonly thing he doesn't sell is Leupold.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=771728&an=0&page=0#771728

He updates this page every couple weeks and the guy is the bomb. He will take good care of you in every way. His name is Doug

 

[Snyd]

Cool. Thanks AlaskaCub.

 

[BucknRut]

Cub...

Cub...

Thanks. Now how can I get in contact with this guy? I looked up and down his post on 24 hcf, didn't see it. Maybe I missed it??
Joshua

 

[AlaskaCub]

Here is his contact info, those prices you see in his advertisement are Campfire member pricing. So you might want to mention that for the better pricing.

Doug
[email protected]
Camera Land
212-753-5128
www.cameralandny.com

 

[ruustah]

Yup, it was he who recommended the Nikon 50 and I think it's just what I was looking for. His lightest tripod was still 2# though. Any suggestions there?

 

[AlaskaCub]

Doug and I discussed the the Velbon Ultra MAXi SF. It closes to 12.9", opens to 4', will go as low as 6.2" and is only 1.63 pounds. Thats pretty light for a 48" max height tripod and its nota cheapo , its a quality tripod. Obviouslt there are lighter ones in shorter versions. Just go to a Sportsmans Warehouse they have a whole variety of cheap lightweight short tripods.

 

[coues32]

Maxi SF

Maxi SF

I bought two of these tripods from Doug.They are a great tripod,it worked great even in the wind,with my Leica 77 APO on my sheep hunt.