Spotting Scope or Binoculars?

[cliffrouse11baseball]

Can somebody give me a good word of advice. I am about to purchase either some binoculars or a spotting scope. Can someone give me the advantages or the disadvantages or each, and also give me some good ones to choose from I am trying to stay under $300. I am looking at the Nikon Monarch line of binoculars, and the leupold line of spotting scopes. Thanks for everyones help.

[stubblejumper]

Binoculars are a necessity while a spotting scope is a nice to have.You glass with binoculars and then use a spotting scope to make out more detail.

[trailer]

S.J. has the right idea but I would say get the best set of binoculars you can afford and don"™t worry about the spotting scope. Good binoculars are allot more useful then a spotting scope especially when hunting.

[bullcan]

I would go for the binoculars. I also have the nikon monarch and have been very happy with them, think I paid around 300 for them. You use the binoculars to locate game, then you can use a spotting scope to judge trophy quality precisely. I just have binoculars.

[rick_reno]

I use my spotting scope (Leica) at the range - I take binoculars (also Lecia) hunting. I did carry the scope with me once hunting - once was enough to know I don't want to do it again.

[cliffrouse11baseball]

Is there any other brands of binoculars that would fit in my price range. Also, does Nikon have a lifetime warranty or is it a 25 year warranty.

[trailer]

You can check www.cabelas.com or www.theopticzone.com just to get an idea of price range and it looks like Nikon has the 25 year warranty from what I"™ve seen in the catalogue.

[huntnmuleys]

the pentax dcf line is in that price range, and they are some really great binos. i have never used the nikons myself, but have heard good things about them too.

i really liked the pentax.

[PABowhntr]

Definitely binos. I have both and cannot imagine totin' around a spotting scope with a full sized tripod into the woods. Binoculars, on the other hand, can be utilized equally well while in a stand or in a car.

As for choices, under $300 I would definitely opt for either the Nikon Monarchs or Bushnell Legends. Both offer excellent optics for the price. I have seen several reputable optics critics rate them in the 8-8.5 range when considering the $1000+ optics as 10s.

Check out the following links for more info....

www.birdforum.net

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/sports_and_leisure/binoculars/reviews.html

http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Birding/Optics/

[CalHunter]

I agree that binos are far more useful for locating game and if you're only going to buy one, binos would be a smart buy. I have friends who have Nikon binos and spotting scopes and I've been very impressed with their optical quality. If possible when you buy your binos, go to a store that has several models so you can make sure you get the right power and size. It's hard to recommend a specific size bino without knowing what type of hunting you plan on doing.