spotting scope vs ranging binos. which first?

C

cdndfs

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
So heavy gun-related spending has me pretty tapped-out budget-wise. Let's say I've got the cash for 1 more toy until next year. I'm debating between Vortex Fury HD 5000 Rangefinding binoculars and a Vortex Viper HD or Razor HD spotting scope.

I can't stand low-end optics so resist temptation to say go cheap and buy both.

1) I want to make this my first hunting year. I have no binoculars or range finder. Pretty sure I need both. I want to stalk and not sit in a stand. The Vortex Fury HD 5000s seem pretty awesome. I'm in Ontario FWIW.
2) I'd mostly been pistol until this year when I started spending a lot more at the rifle range. I find it a bit painful not having a spotting scope and I hate having to constantly spend money on the shoot'n'see targets. They add up.

What would you get first?
 
Definitely go for the binos. Imo a spotting scope isn't needed for hunting especially in Ontario. Having said that, neither is a rangefinder. I would out your budget into binos without a rangefinder and grab a rangefinder later on then a spotting scope after that.
 
I'm with you on not wasting my money on cheap optics. That said, you can perhaps get all three this year.

If it were me, I'd probably buy regular binoculars, a good spotting scope and a standalone rangefinder (in that order). You may be trying to kill two birds with one stone with the range finding binoculars, but you might be further ahead with separate pieces of gear.

For binos, consider a pair of Diamondback 8x42s that are (now) $225 on Amazon. I paid about $300 two years ago. They're fantastic, especially for the price point.

I have a Razor spotting scope and do not regret the purchase. I bought it NIB on the EE at a really good price. Great scopes come up for sale all the time.

I'm not sure where in Ontario you are, but I'd be hard pressed to get even a 200 yard shot while hunting. Certainly not ranges where I'd have to dial in elevation on a scope. Since we're not talking "other side of the valley" distances, maybe you can get away with something like the Vortex 850 for about $320 new. I've got a similar Nikon model that I picked up on a pretty good sale. With some practice with the rangefinder, you can get fairly good at estimating ranges within reasonable distances.

Binoculars first, then watch the EE and sales at retailers for the rest.
 
Depending on your budget I’d buy either binos and a rangefinder, or range finding binos first. Then down the road you’ll know if you need a spotting scope, I haven’t felt the need for a spotting scope for hunting yet. For target shooting one would be nice.

When hunting my binos and my rangefinder see a lot of use, a combo of the two would be nice. Will likely buy range finding binos whenever I replace my current binos.
 
I enjoy new gear as much as anyone, but you don’t “need” anything you listed. If you don’t have large clear swathes of land of significant distance a spotting scope is not required, though may be nice to have at the range. If you’re stalking up, and doing a reasonably sound job of it, you’ll get inside MPBR for your respective rifle....no ranging required. Point and shoot.

If you’re buying for ‘need’ a nice pair of standard binoculars should do nicely. If you’re buying for more, then I’d say the ranging binos are the more versatile choice.
 
I'd scour the EE and find some good deals on all three.
Leica range finders come up every so often in the $400-$500 range and they are a great unit.
There is an almost new set of Legend 10x42 binos in the EE for reasonable.
Only thing left would be the spotting scope and for around the $200 mark you should
be able to find a decent unit.
 
What distance are your shots? If they are all under PBR of your rifle, a rangefinder is of no value. Just get Binos

However, if you are shooting varied long distances, the range finding binos are a good option - I have and love them! I am using Sig Kilos, does what I want it to do.
They replaced a $500 minox binos and a Leica rangefinder.

Spotting scope is a useful tool, but again, depends on where and what you are shooting at
 
Binos only first, unless you anticipate shooting at distances which require hold over, then add in a rangefinder. Being a prairie and woodland deer hunter, I am not familiar with the use of a spotting scope for hunting, nor have I yet had to use a rangefinder, although I've brought one with me and practiced with it. The darn deer all popped up at less than 200 yards, and no range finding was needed whatsoever. Most shots were under 100 yards in fact, so didn't even need the binos, although they are good for relieving boredom at times.
 
I agree with those saying good quality binos first. I use 8x30's and find them ideal. 10x40's have too narrow a field of view for Ontario conditions, and don't show me anything I can't see with 8x.

I don't have a rangefinder. Thought about getting one, but it's way down on the priority list. There are two things I need to know about range: is it over 300 or under 300. Under 300 is point and shoot with a flat shooting calibre ( .270/.308/.30-06 etc). Over 300 means I need to find a way to get closer. Try picturing standing at the goal posts of a soccer/football field, and looking at the far goalposts... that's 100. Then learn to picture multiple soccer fields.
 
To clarify, the spotting scope would be for the range only so that I can easily see hits. No intention to pack that hunting. I agree with you guys on the rangefinder being low priority in Ontario but I do like the idea of having one piece of gear instead of two. I haven't shopped for binos before so I hadn't considered FOV. Makes sense to me I'd want wider for Ontario. Maybe I do with less expensive, regular binos + spotting scope for now. Ranging a couple hundred yards isn't that tough. I'm used to the distance because that's what the range is setup for.

So if I can go up to Razor HD for the spotting scope in terms of budget, is there anything else I should look at without getting into the ridiculously expensive stuff?
 
Get the range finding binos and a cheap spotting scope. I've got a set of the Kilo3000s and they're awesome, especially paired to my Kestrel 5700. Since I'm assuming that you'll be hunting inside 800 yards then the on board AB Ultralite in the Sigs will do you fine. A cheap spotting scope like a Bushy Trophy ($250 new) will be fine for range work and seeing bullet holes in paper inside 300 yards, sometimes farther (depending on weather). I used to have one and it was fine for that use, (I think I sold it on the ee for $150?). I upgraded because I needed something with a reticle for team matches but that's not relevant here.
 
rugbydave said:
Get the range finding binos and a cheap spotting scope. I've got a set of the Kilo3000s and they're awesome, especially paired to my Kestrel 5700. Since I'm assuming that you'll be hunting inside 800 yards then the on board AB Ultralite in the Sigs will do you fine. A cheap spotting scope like a Bushy Trophy ($250 new) will be fine for range work and seeing bullet holes in paper inside 300 yards, sometimes farther (depending on weather). I used to have one and it was fine for that use, (I think I sold it on the ee for $150?). I upgraded because I needed something with a reticle for team matches but that's not relevant here.
Click to expand...

How is the glass on the Sigs? And what basis for comparison do you have? I have Sig pistols but I've been a bit wary of their electro-optics division so far. Seems like they have some QC issues. They produce some cool stuff, but when I was shopping for red dots for my pistols I saw a lot of negativity around the Romeo1. Reliability was the issue. I went with Leupold DPPs. Not saying I wouldn't look at it, but just wondering. Build quality and reliability are top concern for me, equal in importance to glass quality.
 
Bino's first every time. And spend as much as you possibly can, then some. No need for a rangefinder, no need for a spotting scope, they are "want" items not need. After 35 years guiding, I've seen many clients turn up with the best glasses money can find, with a built in rangefinder. But they are much heavier than standard bino's, the rangefinder rarely gets used, and most hunters are not shooting beyond 300 metres any ways and a rangefinder aint necessary for 300 metres.
You cant shoot what you cant see, so bino's are the most important. If the animal is further than 300 metres, stalk in closer, cos if you shoot it you gotta go get it anyways. And then as you progress and want to take longer shots then it will be next year and your budget will be way back in the black.
 
cdndfs said:
How is the glass on the Sigs? And what basis for comparison do you have? I have Sig pistols but I've been a bit wary of their electro-optics division so far. Seems like they have some QC issues. They produce some cool stuff, but when I was shopping for red dots for my pistols I saw a lot of negativity around the Romeo1. Reliability was the issue. I went with Leupold DPPs. Not saying I wouldn't look at it, but just wondering. Build quality and reliability are top concern for me, equal in importance to glass quality.
Click to expand...
Well it's not Swaro glass but it's pretty decent. I haven't looked through the Furys but I assume it's pretty damn similar but the Fury's have no native ballistic solver or means of integrating with a standalone unit like a Kestrel. What you get with the K3000s is a great commercial laser (I've ranged rocks at 2500 yards), on board ballistics (if you choose to use it) or the ability to pair with a standalone ballistic solver (Kestrel). It's really the integration of all of that into the form factor of a pair of 10x binos that is really nice. Sure, you could glass with 10x binos then transition to your 7x LRF, range the target, check your dope for that range and get on your gun or you can scan with the Sigs, ping your target, have your dope pop up in the binos and then get on the gun. It's crazy how efficient it is. Lots of people also overlook how much easier/nicer it is to rate with 10x binos than it is with a 7x monocular.

I've had most of the Sig LRFs over the past few years and had to get a K2000 and K2200 replaced under warranty. No issues with the K2400BDX I had after nor the K3000 binos I now have.
 
cdndfs said:
To clarify, the spotting scope would be for the range only so that I can easily see hits. No intention to pack that hunting. I agree with you guys on the rangefinder being low priority in Ontario but I do like the idea of having one piece of gear instead of two. I haven't shopped for binos before so I hadn't considered FOV. Makes sense to me I'd want wider for Ontario. Maybe I do with less expensive, regular binos + spotting scope for now. Ranging a couple hundred yards isn't that tough. I'm used to the distance because that's what the range is setup for.

So if I can go up to Razor HD for the spotting scope in terms of budget, is there anything else I should look at without getting into the ridiculously expensive stuff?
Click to expand...

Which Razor? They run from $1k to roughly $2.5k....big spread. The Kowa 663/664 is a great choice. If you’re looking for smaller the Kowa 501 or Nikon Fieldscope are solid. Give PeleeWings a call, or if you’re nearby go visit and look through (literally) your options, and they’ll put you into something you’ll be happy with for very reasonable prices.
 
TT1900 said:
Which Razor? They run from $1k to roughly $2.5k....big spread. The Kowa 663/664 is a great choice. If you’re looking for smaller the Kowa 501 or Nikon Fieldscope are solid. Give PeleeWings a call, or if you’re nearby go visit and look through (literally) your options, and they’ll put you into something you’ll be happy with for very reasonable prices.
Click to expand...

I hadn’t really thought of the Kowa. I’ve seen the name occasionally but never really checked them out. Is it really comparable to a swaro? It seems inexpensive. Warranty? And can I use a reticle?

between kowa and razor for similar specs/magnification/objective which would you choose?

My immediate use is I want to see bullet holes at 200m. Then when I move I’d like to be able to work with it up to about 500 on my own land hopefully. And I want to do some 1000 yard stuff through Ora sometime soon.
 
Binos first...buy the best you can get...they will last you a lifetime. I have had my Swarovski 10x42 SLC's for over 20 years and have been extremely happy with them. Saw an ad on EE for a newer set for sale; you may want to check them out.
Even if you are not always glassing long range, the extra magnification comes in very handy when trying to count points on deer/moose/etc. even at closer distances. Yes the FOV is slightly less, but when focusing on a particular object this is not usually a concern. Use them on the range too when shooting checking targets shot with open sights or scopes with lower power ranges.

A range finder is a very useful tool, even when ranging shorter range objects. I use it a lot just for training and getting better at ranging objects within sight or shooting lanes in the thick timber and open meadows/cutblocks/across ravines as these can get tricky sometimes. This is a great training aid and helps in those instances when you may not have the extra time to range and then aim & shoot. A rangefinding binocular is a great item and is handy to have the two in one feature. Not always necessary, but definitely a bonus feature. Just more expensive for a higher end unit. Be prepared to spend on these. One make and model I came across recently was Kahles that I was unaware they made, that was reasonably priced ($1500 range) but have not seen. Kahles makes great glass. Might be worth trying to locate a set.

As for the spotting scope. If just using at the range, spending the dollars on a high end piece of glass probably isn't warranted. And you don'y really need high magnification if your range is only 200 yards. Spend this money on better binos and find a decent spotting scope for the range. The Kowas seem like good glass ( a friend has a set), but a set of Bushnells or Nikons may be just fine for your needs. There was an older Leupold 25x50 (IIRC as they also made a 20x50) spotting on EE recently. I have a 30x60 and have used it for 30 years both on the range and in the field hunting, and it has served me well; good glass. These are also rubber armoured, which is a nice feature.
 
Buy the best quality bino's you can afford, then get a seperate range finder, one that's compact like leica, it will fit in your pocket. You can get a middle of the road type spotting scope later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom