[ricebasher302]

I'm going to be mule deer hunting this fall and don't have a spotting scope. What is the best spotter I could get for around $200? I'm kicking around the Burris Landmark 15x-45x ot the Burris High Country 15x-45x. Any poor experiences or good experiences with these or any others would be apreciated.

[dakotasin]

i'd reccomend you steer clear of the sub-200 spotters...

best way to hunt w/ glass is to use good binoculars to find your game, then use your spotting scope to judge trophy potential.

when you get good at spot-and-stalk hunting, a good spotter can help you find game that may have eluded you w/ the binoculars, but for the most part spot and stalk hunting breaks out at 75% binoculars, 10% spotter, 14% naked eye, and 1% rifle scope.

i hunted shirley basin for elk last year and never even used the spotting scope... anyway, i'd encourage you to spend your money on binoculars or upgrade your existing pair before buying a $200 spotting scope.

[ricebasher302]

That's fine advice, but it doesn't anwer my question. Mule Deer are different than elk. My area is different that Shirley Basin, and I hunt differently than you do.

If most of spot huntig is done with binoculars, than why would I not save a few bucks and buy a "cheapo" spotting scope?

What kind of glass do you hunt with Leica, Swarovski, Steiner, Leupold?

I'm looking for someone with experience with the optics I mentioned.

[dakotasin]

whatever... just trying to help you out. apparently you are bent on running a cheap spotter, so you should do so.

if you are insistent on a cheap spotter, why even ask about swarovski, leupold, or leica?

good luck.

[oneounceload]

With optics , IMO, you DO get what you pay for. The advantage of good glass is never more apparent than at dawn and dusk where you might get one last chance at that trophy

You asked for an opinion; apparently, you didn't get a reassuring answer that would support your love for cheap glass. My spotting scope came from LL Bean over 30 years ago - it was over 200 then. Even with cheap imports, etc. the quality and clarity is important. Try to find your choices at a store where you can actually look through them to see if they will work for you- and don't have such a nasty attitude next time or you'll probably not get any help

[ricebasher302]

I'm not sure why this became so nasty so quickly. My thread was simply inquiring if anyone had used the optics I mentioned. I do not have the money to purchase expensive glass and I do not hunt this way often enough to justify spending $700 on a new spotter. I uderstand that I will be making a compromise by purchasing a cheaper scope. Because I cannot buy one locally, I was hoping I could get some real life experiences. I was not asking if anyone thought if it was a good idea or not.

Why am I accused of having a "nasty attitude" when I am only trying to restate my question more clearly? Man it's like a bunch of women here sometimes!:banghead:

HAS ANYONE USED A BURRIS LANDMARK SPOTTING SCOPE BEFORE? DID YOU LIKE IT?

[blackops]

I haven't used that specific model, but I have put my eyes through some burris glass and they were better quality than I expected. I'm a Leupold guy, but that is irrelevant. You should be just fine with the High Country. I would go with this model over the landmark because the High Country is waterproof and the landmark isn't, also it's less expensive for ya. Not that I'm an expert and i know nothing of your hunting region or of your methods to taking game, but for me a really good pair of binoculars are a must! Below I listed the cheapest price I could find for the High Country. Good luck bud, because every hunter needs a little!

http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-15x-45x-50mm-high-country-spotting-scope-300111.html

[blackops]

I'm going to go ahead and stick up for rice here. Personally I'm Leupold and always will be. I spent over 1k on my last rifle scope and that's because hunting is my passion and I have the money. I’ve used many types of glass (lower end and higher) and find there are advantages, but knowing how to hunt and your surroundings are far more important. Some of you idiots fail to realize that not every hunter can afford to spend that kind of money! Hunting is already an expensive hobby and glass doesn't come cheap. You should be respecting these guys that spend what they can to hunt because most of them have more respect for the sport, and give more back than the guys with heavy wallets. Not to mention are far better hunters! If you’re going to criticize a guy for not buying high end glass it’s either because you don’t put into account he can’t afford it or you believe it’s mandatory. In either case it makes you an idiot!

[ricebasher302]

Thanks for the info, Blackops. I'd never been able to look through Burris glass before.

I guess I'd use a nice pair of binoculars, but I like the stability of a spotting scope on a small tripod, and I'll be hunting some big country, so I figured a little extra power would be useful. I think it'll be a learning experience. Big mulies are a whole different critter.

[oneounceload]

I use Burris scopes, mine were American made and the quality is very good; I do not know who made my scope for LL Bean, but I suspect it was Bushnell - decent quality, but not in the same vein as the good Austrian/German ones. You might consider looking at Nikon as well.

(Now isn't that better???)

[ricebasher302]

Thanks, Oneounce. Do you mean that Burris spotters are imported and their riflescopes are USA built? Maybe I misinterpreted that.

New question: What's the Leupold Sequoia line like? How do they differ from other Lepolds? I know the're more like $300-350, but that's still a pretty cheap Leupld. Do they possess the same qulality as the gold ring stuff from leupold?

[wyohome]

I have 2 friends that use the 'Yukon Firefall' spotting scopes. I have no idea about durability, but they both are clear, come with a small tripod and window mount, and only cost about $100. Probably not something to take on a costly safari, but are ok for what most of us do.

[wild willy]

Cameraland has a Vortex spotter for $200 that gets good reviews. I have the compact Burris that I got free with a scope don't spend your money on that one

[oneounceload]

RB - I have no knowledge of the current Burris products - that is all I meant. They may still be made here - I honestly don't know......the ones I have were - THAT I can attest to.....they work very well, they are clear, the rest you will need to research...sorry I don't have any more info on them made today

[blackops]

Rice, I was going to direct you to the exact spotting scope, but didn't want to up your price. I have not looked through that specific scope, but let me tell you...leupold is leupold. Even though the highend models are phenominal the lower end is still great. Very durable, fogproof and absolutely waterproof. I guarentee you that you will not regret going with a lower end leupold. Like I said before spend juuuust a little extra and get that leupold glass. Not to mention leupold has the best customer service hands down! Below I listed the website for the scope accordingly.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-wind-river-sequoia-15-45x60mm-angled-spotting-rifle-scope.html

[ricebasher302]

Good to know, Black. I found a very slightly used Sequoia 15-45 in fantastic condition that I should be able to get for around $250-$275, so maybe if I eat a few more beans 'n weenies, I can snag that one. It has a tripod with it as well. We'll see. Thanks for the info.

[JohnnyOrygun]

I have a Burris Landmark. It's my first spotting scope, so I have no experience to compare it to. But its a good scope, not great but good. I got it from cabela's because I had the points. The only downsides are limited eye relief and the gimicky tripod/window mount contraption that came with it... The tripod doesn't work well, but lucky for me I had a real window mount I had acquired in a previous deal and it works good. Burris offers a lifetime warranty to the original owner, so that is nice too.

I have a friend who is a passionate and dedicated hunter, spends almost as much time hunting as he does work, he popped for a swarovski (sp) and he likes it, but for me if I had that kind of money to spend it would be on more guns. To each his own
Good luck

[ricebasher302]

That's helpful info. Maybe if I went that route, I would just buy the scope and pick up a better tripod elsewhere. I'm kinda like you in that if I can round up extra cash, it usually goes toward my guns. Not because I need more gun stuff, but because I love them and it's my hobby. Anyway, Thanks for the input.

[JohnnyOrygun]

Just some more info, mine came with a nice hardcase and a smaller softside case that would be useful for backpacking or something where you didn't want lug around the hardcase. IMHO the burris is fine for the average hunter, it works and that is all I can ask. Are there better, yes. Could you do worse, yes.
Good Luck with your choice.

John