Best Backpacking Spotter under 1k

[HuntNTag]

I am sure this is beaten to death and with constant updates to scopes, there might be updated feedback.


Question: What scope would you take in the backcountry but also use close to truck that would be under 1k. Considering light gathering, weight and size.
No right or wrong here whether that is a straight/angled or a 50,65 or 80+mm



Go!

 

[Researcher]

I would find a gen1 razor 65mm for under $600 and call it good.

 

[Bull_n_heat]

agreed. Find something used that someone is peddling on this'a here site and you'll be off and running. Lots of good options. No need to over complicate it.

 

[LionHead]

Me and my buddy did a 7 day mountain hunt last year. He brought a razor 50mm, I had a razor 65mm ($700), both gen 1 bought used.

Both scopes were adequate for spotting. And he probably enjoyed carrying his more.
My 65mm fits in a kifaru med or large side pocket on the side of my pack.

At 1.5miles out I could tell a buck from a doe but it was getting hard to see if we were looking at spikes or legal bucks

Pics below show some bedded does and the ridge we spotted them from with the 65mm

Hope that helps

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[Ram94]

Athlon Ares 65mm
Cheaper than a used first gen Razor and smaller/lighter and performs identical to the Razor. Check out some reviews, there are very few, if any bad reviews on them. I had a buddy just sell his Razor for an Ares and I had compared them side by side and picked the Ares as well.


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[HuntNTag]

Me and my buddy did a 7 day mountain hunt last year. He brought a razor 50mm, I had a razor 65mm ($700), both gen 1 bought used.

Both scopes were adequate for spotting. And he probably enjoyed carrying his more.
My 65mm fits in a kifaru med or large side pocket on the side of my pack.

At 1.5miles out I could tell a buck from a doe but it was getting hard to see if we were looking at spikes or legal bucks

Pics below show some bedded does and the ridge we spotted them from with the 65mm

Hope that helps

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the pics here! Great pics to see there!

 

[Steve O]

I would save $2-500 more and buy a used Zeiss diascope in 65mm. Been using one for 20 years and it’s awesome.

 

[Bull_n_heat]

I would save $2-500 more and buy a used Zeiss diascope in 65mm. Been using one for 20 years and it’s awesome.

Diascope or Dialyt? I've got a dialyt that I really like - pretty crisp, pretty good in low light. You could probably dig one up used for under that $1k mark if you got lucky.

 

[Steve O]

Diascope was precursor to the current Harpia. They are discontinued. Levels above the Dialyt.

 

[Mike Islander]

+1 on Athlon Ares 65. $500. ED glass. Extremely compact, closer to a regular 50 mm in size and weight. 43 oz. Excellent reviews. Lifetime warranty.

 

[zeroforhire]

The Nikon ediii are really hard to beat for the price.

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[Extrapale]

Used Leica 62.



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[menhaden_man]

+1 on Athlon Ares 65. $500. ED glass. Extremely compact, closer to a regular 50 mm in size and weight. 43 oz. Excellent reviews. Lifetime warranty.

Add me to the Athlon love fest. My Ares 65 is great. Search for the review by @idahohikker, the guy covered it pretty thoroughly.

 

[TravisIN]

Very satisfied with my Athlon ares also


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[HuntNTag]

Well, I was already eyeing the Ares due to the positive feedback I’ve read and the size of them for backcountry hunting. I decided to pull the trigger after seeing they were $429 brand new at cameraland.

Thanks for the feedback all!

 

[cornfedkiller]

Add me to the list of satisfied Athlon Ares users.

 

[sickles107]

Also in the same search for a backpacking scope.

Angled Athlon Ares 65mm are $500 on amazon... just wish i could find a straight!

 

[HuntNTag]

Also in the same search for a backpacking scope.

Angled Athlon Ares 65mm are $500 on amazon... just wish i could find a straight!

I haven’t seen a straight one on a discount online. I see the new UHD in the 65mm is offered in a straight online at cameraland for $599. This one does offer a removable eyepiece.

Might also want to put up a WTB in the classifieds or start enjoying an angled spotter

I started off with a straight and then began working with an angled and now I just can’t go back.