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to buy a quality spotting scope or binoculars

dantheman
I'm planning a caribou hunt next year. I have a cheap pair of wal-mart binocs and no spotting scope. I can only afford to buy one or the other (quality), but don't know which one. I would love to have a good pair of binocs as I also do alot of groundhog hunting, but I have wanted a spotting scope for awhile also to help with my time at the range. Where would my money be best spent??
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Kdub
    Go with the binocular - you'll spend much more time using them than you will a spotting scope.

    Keep off the Ridgeline
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  • He Dog
    I agree with Kdub, the binos will get more use. That said you can buy ones that are very serviceable, and have each for the price of the top of the line in either. Take a look at Eagle Optics Ranger series, binos. At just under $400 they compare favorably with Leica's (I have done extensive comparisons, having both) and they are really rugged. The Bushnell SpaceMaster scopes have good optics for the price (under $200 I think) and work well at the range or for the occasional caribou or pronghorn hunt. I have used one for over 25 years in hunting. If my budget extended that far, that is what I would do. Either way consider the Eagle Optics Rangers. www.eagleoptics.com
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  • scott
    I have been diddleing with optics the last 7 years and i too, agree, go binoculars...the best I have found for the money( strictly from a hunting stand point ) in a porro are the older leupold with the individual focus...the best in a roof are the water proof , phase coated pentax...you can spend way more, as I have had zeiss, docter, swarovski, leica etc., but in my opion, there is no need to...have had well over 100 in this time period from $8 at the pawn shop to $700 used ( $1200 new retail )..i will keep searching for the perfect binocular of course and will likely have tried another 200 before it is said and done ! with that said, I have yet to try the el swarovski series or the superior e series from nikon..
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  • deadeye46
    dantheman,slip me an email if you're looking for a good pair of binocs,Bob rreeves46@hotmail.com
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  • Snellstrom
    I've hunted the West my entire life and in some situations I don't know how I'd make a choice of spotting scope OR binoculars. I don't think I could get by without either one. If I had to choose it would have to be a GOOD set of binoculars, full size, 8x40 or 10x40. If you buy cheap you'll regret it, if you spend hours glassing like I do your eyes would be fatigued as well as having a bad headache. I have some Nikon 10x40's that have served me well for several years, I don't leave home without them, ever. Spend the money on Binoculars, find a deal on a spotting scope to use at the range and the occasional evaluation of an animal a long way off.
    Good luck and have fun on those Caribooos!
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  • beachmaster73
    I'm going to be a bit of a contrarian on this one. I've had good experience with inexpensive binoculars hunting but bought expensive binoculars for use at sea(where I made my living). I spend a LOT more time at the range now and put my money into a 24X-80 Steiner spotting scope. I'd really have to say that if you are a casual range shooter prepping for hunting season buy the better binocs, but if you spend far more time at the range I'd put the money into the spotting scope. Beach
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  • bigt7mm
    Go with a GOOD pair of binoculars,for now. After your hunt,and when money permits,you can buy a spotting scope.


    Or,do what I did. Buy a Burris scope and get a FREE spotting scope![;)]

    "Keep your friends close,your enemies closer!"
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  • Salvage33
    I guess my old Bausch & Lomb 10X I got while in the Navy aren't any good?

    John


    A friend will post your bail. A good friend will be sitting next to you in the cell saying, "man that was fun!"
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  • beachmaster73
    Salvage...you bagged an OOD's long glass? Beach

    P.S. To keep this more in "ask the experts" you really should have bagged the Quartermaster's 16 power signals glass. Much much wider field of view and far more power. Beach
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  • steve45
    A good pair of binoculars would be used be to find the Caribou. A spotting scope would be used to count the points or see detail on the horns. Which of these is more important to your hunt? If you are hunting in open country your cheaper binoculars will work OK there, so I would buy the spotting scope. If your hunting in heavy brush or timber Id get a good pair of binoculars. That way you can pick out the parts of animals you can see. Just my .02
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  • Ray Boone
    You might check Cabela's- They have a close-out of Zeiss Classic (same as Dialyt)10x40mm; they were about $1100 & are now $600 or $700. I compared a pair of them recently & they're at least as good as my magnesium framed, Rochester made, Bausch & Lomb Zephyrs.
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  • Geri
    I agree. I have the zeiss from cabelas. Years ago, 1968 I worked as a packer for an outfitter. He told me that if I had a thousand dollars to spend, spend $500 on the binocs. $250 on the rifle, and $250 on the rifle scope. It was good sound advice.
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