Spotting Scope for the Truck

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Mar 21, 2012
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Just like the title says, I am looking for a reasonably cheap spotting scope that will be dedicated to the truck. I am sick and tired of trying to use my angled Swaro from inside a vehicle and sometimes the bino's just aren't enough so I have decided to pick up something cheap, with a straight eye-piece and something that offers decent quality. I don't spend too much time scouting from my truck other than for Pronghorn and for looking at deer during the winter/spring. When I am on foot, I will have my swaro in the pack.

I see on Cabelas now they have the Vortex Nomad for $199.99. I should be able to get it a little cheaper if I end up deciding on this one.

Have any of you used this one before? I have not...

Are there any other options out there for less than 300$ that will get the job done?

This spotter will be in the truck at all times with the window mount on and ready to use whenever I need it. Again, cheap is fine, but I'd like something that offers quality as well. I realize it will be nothing like the Swaro, but for the price is this a good choice?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts!
 

Slim Jim

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Nick I'm selling my leupold gold ring compact spotter 15-13x50 for $225 if interested. I paid $400 for it and it is in great shape. I'm buying a new spotter this spring when vortex releases their new line
 

Matt Palmquist

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I have had guys tell me to switch to the angled for the pickup because you can rotate the eyepiece and not have to turn sideways all of the time. I take it that is not your experience? I just sold my 80mm Pentax on EBAY....I would have rather sold it to someone I know for the price they paid:( Too late now.
 
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Nick Muche
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I have had guys tell me to switch to the angled for the pickup because you can rotate the eyepiece and not have to turn sideways all of the time. I take it that is not your experience? I just sold my 80mm Pentax on EBAY....I would have rather sold it to someone I know for the price they paid:( Too late now.

Matt, I cannot stand rotating my swaro to use from the truck. With the protective cover on it for protection it really makes it a PITA... I just want a straight one to leave in the truck so I don't have to dread trying to use the spotter when needed. The binos work just fine for spotting deer/pronghorn, but I wouldn't mind double the magnification if it was easy to accomplish. I also cannot stand switching out the mounts to make them useable between the tripod and the window mount. I like to be able to grab my pack and go, not mess around with a screw driver or penny to get the set screw out and swap them around. IMO, this purchase will be worth it and with any luck, I will have something to fit the bill by the end of the week so I can use it Saturday morning!

Slim Jim, I think I am looking for something with a bit more zoom, the Leupold looks nice though!

I will have to take a look at the other one mentioned too.

Pretty sure I can get a decent deal on the Nomad, is it worth it for $175ish?
 

Matt Palmquist

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I didn't think about a cover. That would make it a pita to rotate. If I get one I just won't use the cover. I use the same BOgen 3130 head on my window mount as I do on my tripod so I can switch back and forth with ease. I am sure you will find something that works!!
 

ElkNut1

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Nick, for your intended use the Nomad will work just fine, I used it for two years & had no issues looking deer over at 2 miles away, I could tell spike bucks from the doe's at that distance, it will be a very good truck spotter.

ElkNut1
 
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Nick Muche
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Thanks Paul. I appreciate the feedback! I just figured for the price it was being offered for, might as well give it a try. Worst case, the little lady will have her own spotter this summer when we go on our scouting trips. I just really wanted one for the truck :)
 

Craig4791

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I think you will be happy with it for truck use. I had one for a year and it was a great little spotter. 60X is not very useful though unless its nice and bright out but up to 40X it's good glass for the money.
 
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Nick Muche
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Will do dotman!

My thoughts were that most of the time my 10x42 SLC's are plenty to locate deer from the vehicle and most of the time I can tell what class of deer or elk they are. Most of the time, depending on distance that is about it. I figure if I could double that magnification, I'd be able to tell much much more, so if she don't work well on 60 that is fine but I am really hoping it works well out to 40 power.

I will let you know what I think after this weekend, heck maybe even this evening if I can get out of the office in time to go for a ride.
 

ElkNut1

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Nick, have fun with the unit, you'll see it's a pretty decent spotter for the money. It does not have HD/ED glass but you'll get out to 50X no problem & still see fine, over that & it will haze up a bit, it is a 200-300.00 spotter though. (grin) There are no spotters at full magnification that are as clear at 40X & 50X if they top out at 60X, this includes Swaro's & Razor HD models. I've looked through them & they are very close to one another, they're still OK at full X but not like 40X. Good luck!

ElkNut1
 
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Nick Muche
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After using this scope from my truck for the past 4 days, I am very happy with my purchase. It has allowed me just that little bit extra to see with great clarity the deer/elk that are just out of bino range. Very happy thus far. It's not my 80mm Swaro, but it will have a place in the vehicle and will work just fine!
 
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