Spotting scope or binos for hunting?

retoxtony

retoxtony

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Just wondering what you all prefer for hunting and spotting game at longer distances. I was planning on spending around $4-500 (I know that's not a lot but it's what I have) on a spotter for hunting but after talking to a few people, some of them thought I might be better off just buying a decent set of binos instead. I was hoping for some decent magnification so I can look at deer at longer distances to see if they are worth pursuing or not. I think binos would be much easier to carry around but the spotting scope will give me more distance. Any thoughts?
 
A nice set binoculars is the way to go. I use a pair a Pentax 8x43 which works good for me. Some people like a 7 power or maybe a 10 depending on where you hunt.
 
I have a older set of Bushnell 8x that I use but the glass isn't great so for longer distances they kinda suck. Considering I hunt in one of the flattest areas of Canada I was hoping for something with some reach. I do quite a bit of walking out on the prairies, but there is usually a bit of driving involved. Not really road hunting, but we definitely do some spotting while in the truck. With sask grid roads it's pretty much unavoidable. So is it even possible to get decent 10 power or higher binos for a decent price and not be huge?
 
sheephunter said:
Binos first...then spotting scope.
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Definitely.

I don't like binos above 7 or 8 power (the ones I carry most are 6.5x32 Minox, fairly compact, but I can't recommend them because they are a discontinued model.) High magnification wants a steady rest, and you need bigger objective lenses to keep the image bright. IF the terrain warrants higher magnification I have a compact spotting scope I can take (also Minox, the straight variant of their MD50) which gives me 16-30x in a compact package. You can get this open box/demo from CameraLand NY (a site sponsor) for US$220 and I think Cabela's carries it for C$300.
 
Depends where you hunt. In the woods, binos 8x or 10x power. For field, mountain or any other open range situation spotting scope.

Best advice, buy the best you can buy. I used a lot of cheap $100 binos but when I got a set of Meopta HD I was spoiled, no more eyes crying after 2 minutes....
 
I'd say I use my binos 95% of the time and my spotter 5% but in the mountains and open prairies it's definitely worth having for the 5%. Unless you spend your entire time hunting out of a treestand or blind....binos are a must for all hunters.
 
Binos are used to spot game. Less eye fatigue when used for extended periods. Once you've spotted something you switch to the spotter and give it a thorough examination before you make the decision to hump over there for a shot. Optics save you punishing your legs.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Binos are used to spot game. Less eye fatigue when used for extended periods. Once you've spotted something you switch to the spotter and give it a thorough examination before you make the decision to hump over there for a shot. Optics save you punishing your legs.
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I'd agree with that for the most part but in sheep hunting and open-country mule deer hunting for example, a spotter is often used to first spot game as well.
 
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