What high quality spotting scope for long range hunting?

[JLDavid]

I am looking to buy my first (and last) high quality spotting scope for long range big game hunting and spotting. I have researched the Swarovski STX and STS HD spotters that look very appealing. I have also been looking at the Zeiss Victory Diascopes and would consider purchasing one of them.

For those of you who have bought a high-end spotter, what model did you buy? If you had to do it again, would you buy the same model or a different brand/model/power/objective? Do you feel the scopes preform as advertised when daybreak/dusk spotting or looking into the shadows of trees or rims? I would like to look through some of these scopes but there is not a whole lot you can tell from peeking through one sitting on a store display case. Any information is helpful.

David

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Bart from barts bullets has a swarovski, well used and clear as they come for sale. He would make you a deal you cant refuse if youre serious about a swari.

 

[Scott Harris]

I own Nikon, Kowa, and Swaro and think swaro is hard to beat if you are willing to spend that amount. The bodies of the Kowa scopes scratch easily and there is no locking mechanism for the eye piece. But the high end Kowas are just as nice optically as swaro HDs. Now, I'm not sure how smart it is to carry a $3K optic in the back country hunting...probably a lot to be said for using a less expensive scope that is 98% as good.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The best glass I have seen is the Nightforce/Meopta

 

[Shooter264]

Can't beat Swarovski for the clarity and weight. Your STX will weigh more than the STS but the modular design is nice. I personally use the Swarovski ATM 65 and love it but will eventually upgrade to the ATX. I prefer an angled scope for hunting in the mountains, it is more comfortable to view in a sitting position for me than a straight scope is. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[searcher]

I too love the Swaro - but I would get a straight eyepiece next time. I am so used to finding varmints with high-powered rifle scopes, it takes me a lot linger to adjust to the angled optic when I am on the spotter.

 

[dreever]

I'm with Dave Berg. Kowa TSN884 with the new wide angle zoom.

Danny

 

[JLDavid]

Thanks for the input guys. I have been looking at and comparing all the brands mentioned but have not made a decision yet. I really would like to test some in the field. I have a friend who has a Swaro that I can look through. I would be a little nervous taking it on a hunt where we are going. Pretty rough treacherous terrain. I will have to see if I can find a Kowa to look through. Have a great weekend.

 

[FeMan]

I bought me Swaro 20-60x80mm scope years ago and love it! I have looked through a lot of scopes and there are other very good ones, but none I have looked through that I thought were better. I use mine primarily for glassing big game. I have been able to accurately judge trophy bucks at 2 miles in low-light conditions with it. I got the straight eye piece and kinda wish I had bought the angled to minimize neck fatigue and allow a lower and more stable tripod mount for long glassing sessions.

As far as taking it in the filed, mine has been places only sheep/goats go and has taken a few falls with me in the rocks. The scope is practically bomb-proof. I got the Swaro scope-coat for it and while it looks like it is over-priced, I can tell you it is worth every penny. It not only fits like a glove and really protects the scope, it also keeps the lenses super clean. I do not use the objective lens cover and rely solely on the scope cover. I estimate I have used the scope 300 days in the field with no lens cleaning and the objective is 100% spotless.

 

[Ringostar]

For hunting use, I would look at the Vortex Razor HD. The ones that I've looked through at rifle matches, are as clear and crisp as the Kowa.

 

[DennisH]

All above are good scopes.

My favorite hunting scope is a Swarovski.

HOWEVER, I love my NightForce Benchsource 12x42 with the red dot light, BR model NP-2DD. I competition shoot with it and hunt with it also. IMO it's hard to beat.

If you are hunting into the night, then Swarovski would edge the NF out.

I also have one Vortex I traded for. I have it mounted on a 338 Edge and love it. It takes the blast and holds accuracy, not quite as clear as the two above, but 300 yards any time of the day, it will do the job.

JMO, Dennis

 

[effendude]

I have the Swaro STX modular system and love it. The clarity is amazing. I do wish I would have bought the angled eyepiece for mountain hunting, looking up for sheep is a pain with a straight scope!

A couple features helped me decide on the modular system despite the small increase in weight. If you hunt with a buddy, typically you both don't need spotting scopes so the load can be shared between partners. We often do this with a third guy carrying the tripod. The scope, when broken down, easily fits in those smaller pockets of backpacks or saddle bags while larger scopes must be carried outside the pack and less protected. I store each half in a Crown Royal sack for added protection.

Scott

 

[jbell]

For hunting use, I would look at the Vortex Razor HD. The ones that I've looked through at rifle matches, are as clear and crisp as the Kowa.

Agreed, I don't hunt long range but I do shoot long range. I have a Razor HD 85mm with the 20-60 eyepiece and the 30X mil reticle eyepiece. The spotter preforms great, I have plenty of time behind both Swarovski and Zeiss and feel I am leaving nothing on the table with the Razor. If I were you I would look at the offerings from Vortex in the Razor HD line up.

 

[Jet]

David

Over the years I've had the opportunity to use many spotting scopes to include almost all the high end models. Earlier this year when I decided to upgrade my spotter I bough the NightForce TS-82. It has the best glass I've used. None of the other spotters used in the past were made within the past 10 years so there may be advancements in lense quality, coating, etc that I haven't been exposed to.

Nightforce recently came out with the TS-80, it is significantly cheaper than the 82 and if I were buying today I would compare the two against each other prior to making a decision.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[bsekf]

What about a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40x60mm Spotting Scope, light, small, great eye relief and good guarantee. As a HUNTING spotting scope, seems like they would be hard to beat. And $1K.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

David

Over the years I've had the opportunity to use many spotting scopes to include almost all the high end models. Earlier this year when I decided to upgrade my spotter I bough the NightForce TS-82. It has the best glass I've used. None of the other spotters used in the past were made within the past 10 years so there may be advancements in lense quality, coating, etc that I haven't been exposed to.

Nightforce recently came out with the TS-80, it is significantly cheaper than the 82 and if I were buying today I would compare the two against each other prior to making a decision.

Good Shooting

Rich

NightForce did not "come out" or even make the TS 82. They just dressed the Meopta S2 HD in their own clothing. They are literally the same exact scope all made by Meopta.

You can buy the Meopta S2 HD with a lifetime warranty against defects and craftsmanship from Meopta.
The NightForce edition of the Meopta for $300 more with a half-a** 18-20 year limited manufacturer defect warranty (warranty sucks cuz they dont want to cover something they didnt actually make).
Or you can get the Cabelas Euro Instinct HD (same price as actual Meopta S2) which is also the same Meopta scope in Cabelas clothing, but comes with Cabelas unlimited, no questions asked, lifetime warranty.

I opted for the Cabelas version of the Meopta simply because of the superior warranty. But all three are the same exact scope with the same exact glass and coatings. Just dressed differently.

OP,
I will agree that the Meopta S2 has some of the best glass I have ever had the pleasure to look thru. I actually walked in to Cabelas prepared to purchase a Swaro HD spotter, but when I compared it to the Meopta, the choice was clear. Not to mention the Meopta was $700 cheaper than the Swaro I intended to buy

Meopta is made in the Czech Republic and they have been producing high quality optics longer than Swarovski. They only recently began to dabble in the sporting world of optics and there's no doubt that their top of the line glass is right up there with the best of them, if not better...but they do it for a little less stress on the wallet.

Vortex Razor can't even compare to the Meopta in low light, especially low light long distance glassing, so dont waste your money there. Trust me, I had the Vortex Razor prior to owning the Meopta. The Meopta S2 really is some phenomenal glass and while at a price point of about $2300, none of the other high end optics companies can touch it.

If you have a Cabelas close by, go in there and compare the Euro Instinct HD spotter side by side with a Swaro HD, Zeiss Diascope, Vortex Razor, or Leica. You'll be amazed at the quality. And when you look at the price of the Swaro, Leica, or Zeiss against the price of the Meopta, your choice will be a no brainer.

The cheaper price of the Vortex Razor at about $1600 is very tempting because it is pretty good glass. But when you pit the Razor against other Alpha glass (Meopta, Swaro, Zeiss, Leica) in low light at long range, you'll see exactly why the Razor does not cost as much.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

What about a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40x60mm Spotting Scope, light, small, great eye relief and good guarantee. As a HUNTING spotting scope, seems like they would be hard to beat. And $1K.

Thats funny. Leupold should never even be mentioned in a thread discussing alpha glass spotters. Not even in the same ballpark. Lol.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

David

Over the years I've had the opportunity to use many spotting scopes to include almost all the high end models. Earlier this year when I decided to upgrade my spotter I bough the NightForce TS-82. It has the best glass I've used. None of the other spotters used in the past were made within the past 10 years so there may be advancements in lense quality, coating, etc that I haven't been exposed to.

Nightforce recently came out with the TS-80, it is significantly cheaper than the 82 and if I were buying today I would compare the two against each other prior to making a decision.

Good Shooting

Rich

NightForce did not "come out" or even make the TS 82. They just dressed the Meopta S2 HD in their own clothing. They are literally the same exact scope all made by Meopta.

You can buy the Meopta S2 HD with a lifetime warranty against defects and craftsmanship from Meopta.
The NightForce edition of the Meopta for $300 more with a half-a** 18-20 year limited manufacturer defect warranty (warranty sucks cuz they dont want to cover something they didnt actually make).
Or you can get the Cabelas Euro Instinct HD (same price as actual Meopta S2) which is also the same Meopta scope in Cabelas clothing, but comes with Cabelas unlimited, no questions asked, lifetime warranty.

I opted for the Cabelas version of the Meopta simply because of the superior warranty. But all three are the same exact scope with the same exact glass and coatings. Just dressed differently.

OP,
I will agree that the Meopta S2 has some of the best glass I have ever had the pleasure to look thru. I actually walked in to Cabelas prepared to purchase a Swaro HD spotter, but when I compared it to the Meopta, the choice was clear. Not to mention the Meopta was $700 cheaper than the Swaro I intended to buy

Meopta is made in the Czech Republic and they have been producing high quality optics longer than Swarovski. They only recently began to dabble in the sporting world of optics and there's no doubt that their top of the line glass is right up there with the best of them, if not better...but they do it for a little less stress on the wallet.

Vortex Razor can't even compare to the Meopta in low light, especially low light long distance glassing, so dont waste your money there. Trust me, I had the Vortex Razor prior to owning the Meopta. The Meopta S2 really is some phenomenal glass and while at a price point of about $2300, none of the other high end optics companies can touch it.

If you have a Cabelas close by, go in there and compare the Euro Instinct HD spotter side by side with a Swaro HD, Zeiss Diascope, Vortex Razor, or Leica. You'll be amazed at the quality. And when you look at the price of the Swaro, Leica, or Zeiss against the price of the Meopta, your choice will be a no brainer.

The cheaper price of the Vortex Razor at about $1600 is very tempting because it is pretty good glass. But when you pit the Razor against other Alpha glass (Meopta, Swaro, Zeiss, Leica) in low light at long range, you'll see exactly why the Razor does not cost as much.

I did some research on these spotters. No one I spoke with could tell me that everything including the coatings were the same between the Meopta, Cabalas, and NF. I know they appear to be the same, how did you determine they are exactly the same? Also, the Cabelas has a fixed eye piece from my research, while the NF and Meopta you can switch eye pieces out. Cabelas does have the warrenty though.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

David

Over the years I've had the opportunity to use many spotting scopes to include almost all the high end models. Earlier this year when I decided to upgrade my spotter I bough the NightForce TS-82. It has the best glass I've used. None of the other spotters used in the past were made within the past 10 years so there may be advancements in lense quality, coating, etc that I haven't been exposed to.

Nightforce recently came out with the TS-80, it is significantly cheaper than the 82 and if I were buying today I would compare the two against each other prior to making a decision.

Good Shooting

Rich

NightForce did not "come out" or even make the TS 82. They just dressed the Meopta S2 HD in their own clothing. They are literally the same exact scope all made by Meopta.

You can buy the Meopta S2 HD with a lifetime warranty against defects and craftsmanship from Meopta.
The NightForce edition of the Meopta for $300 more with a half-a** 18-20 year limited manufacturer defect warranty (warranty sucks cuz they dont want to cover something they didnt actually make).
Or you can get the Cabelas Euro Instinct HD (same price as actual Meopta S2) which is also the same Meopta scope in Cabelas clothing, but comes with Cabelas unlimited, no questions asked, lifetime warranty.

I opted for the Cabelas version of the Meopta simply because of the superior warranty. But all three are the same exact scope with the same exact glass and coatings. Just dressed differently.

OP,
I will agree that the Meopta S2 has some of the best glass I have ever had the pleasure to look thru. I actually walked in to Cabelas prepared to purchase a Swaro HD spotter, but when I compared it to the Meopta, the choice was clear. Not to mention the Meopta was $700 cheaper than the Swaro I intended to buy

Meopta is made in the Czech Republic and they have been producing high quality optics longer than Swarovski. They only recently began to dabble in the sporting world of optics and there's no doubt that their top of the line glass is right up there with the best of them, if not better...but they do it for a little less stress on the wallet.

Vortex Razor can't even compare to the Meopta in low light, especially low light long distance glassing, so dont waste your money there. Trust me, I had the Vortex Razor prior to owning the Meopta. The Meopta S2 really is some phenomenal glass and while at a price point of about $2300, none of the other high end optics companies can touch it.

If you have a Cabelas close by, go in there and compare the Euro Instinct HD spotter side by side with a Swaro HD, Zeiss Diascope, Vortex Razor, or Leica. You'll be amazed at the quality. And when you look at the price of the Swaro, Leica, or Zeiss against the price of the Meopta, your choice will be a no brainer.

The cheaper price of the Vortex Razor at about $1600 is very tempting because it is pretty good glass. But when you pit the Razor against other Alpha glass (Meopta, Swaro, Zeiss, Leica) in low light at long range, you'll see exactly why the Razor does not cost as much.

I did some research on these spotters. No one I spoke with could tell me that everything including the coatings were the same between the Meopta, Cabalas, and NF. I know they appear to be the same, how did you determine they are exactly the same? Also, the Cabelas has a fixed eye piece from my research, while the NF and Meopta you can switch eye pieces out. Cabelas does have the warrenty though.

Well thats true about the eyepieces. So i guess i was wrong there. But they are all Meopta S2 HD spotters. Im guessing Cabelas cut cost on the eyepiece construction with Meopta to counter the cost of the Cabelas warranty. But give Cabelas a call, they openly admit that it is the Meopta S2 HD. My spotter came with Meopta stickers and a Meopta lens cloth and wears a Meopta S2 view-thru scope cover.

Ive talked to a NightForce rep about why they charge $300 more for the same spotter than Meopta does and he told me that it was indeed the Meopta S2 HD in NF clothing, but "it had to live up to NightForce standards" was the only justification he could give for the price hike and wouldnt comment further. He didnt seem to like admitting that it was not made by NightForce. They try to keep that quiet. Cabelas will tell you that theirs is a Meopta S2 straight up.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

When I see $8,500 in nightforce product on our podunk little prize table, and some $25 gift certificates from cabelas, and nothing in my career from meopta. .... I'm supporting the nightforce

Tom

Thats fine. Nothing wrong with that. Im just pointing out that its the same scope. Buy it from NightForce, buy it from Cabelas, or buy it straight from Meopta. Doesn't matter, most of that money is supporting Meopta no matter how you want to look at it.

Difference is Cabelas has the best warranty, Meopta offers a solid lifetime warranty as well, and NF's warranty is a total joke. If you buy the NF, you better baby that thing in the field cuz they wont cover incidentals like Cabelas will.