Spotting scope, best bang for the buck, your opinion?

Evil_Dark

Evil_Dark

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I am slowly looking for a spotting scope, but I have hard times to convince me to pay 1000$ and more... What are options available below 500$? I know that we have what we pay for, no doubt that options at 1000$ will be better.

I've tried 70$ Junk, I don't use them, waste of time/money. But is there middle price options?

Thanks for your inputs.

Dark
 
Don't waste your money. My spotting scope is so crappy I don't even use it anymore. I just use my scope on the gun for spotting.

I'm planning to get either the Trijicon or Bushnell Elite spotting scope.
 
I didnt wanna be the first to say it, but I agree - save up for a little longer and get to the 1000$ range. A Pentax ED-65 or ED-80 can be had in that range. Nothing wrong with a good Isted's one too. I grabbed a nice Leupold gold ring for 600$.

GGG
 
Gotta agree here. Optics are one of the things where you definitely get what you pay for. What power range are you looking for?

I recently found a Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 on sale for $1500 because the newer model was just released. If I were you, I'd be looking for the Vortex Razor HD 16-48x65 on sale which should be around that $1000 range.

I suppose another question is what are you going to be using it for? Glassing targets inside 200 yards? or searching for a big buck at 2 miles+? I had the 15-45 Viper HD spotting scope before I bought my 20-60 Razor and the difference is night and day when looking past 600 yards even at big game. I can count points on deer well over a mile away with the Razor.
 
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minox is what I ended up buying on the EE, looked at spending a fortune on other brands Vortex, etc.. But for under $600 you can get a decent german glass. Don't buy anything at Canadian Tire, no matter what the clearance price is.
 
Ok, I think I lacked of information about the use I plan to do with the Spotting scope.

I shoot Long range, actually every week at 500Y because i'm Lucky to have that far in the familly lands. I hope to find access to somewhere that I can shoot up to 1km soon. I want to spot other shooters, and have a bullet impact reading (see bullet holes at these distances is near impossible...) on gongs.
When I shoot alone, I don't know if having a spotting scope is very revellant, I will let others tell their opinions on that. That is why put a 1000$ on a spotting scope seems akward for me, as I would rather upgrade my rifle scope for one that worth 1000$ more instead...

Dark
 
Save up a bit more. I recommend the Pentax 80ED, around $1500. It is a great scope for the money and their eye pieces are billed as some of the best you can buy (XW series). You can also use astronomy lenses.

Their eye pieces are the size of a can of pop!



I use mine at matches to spot trace and when mirage is not horrible i can see bullet holes in paper at 500 yds. Seeing hits on steel is a cakewalk
 
Evil_Dark said:
Ok, I think I lacked of information about the use I plan to do with the Spotting scope.

I shoot Long range, actually every week at 500Y because i'm Lucky to have that far in the familly lands. I hope to find access to somewhere that I can shoot up to 1km soon. I want to spot other shooters, and have a bullet impact reading (see bullet holes at these distances is near impossible...) on gongs.
When I shoot alone, I don't know if having a spotting scope is very revellant, I will let others tell their opinions on that. That is why put a 1000$ on a spotting scope seems akward for me, as I would rather upgrade my rifle scope for one that worth 1000$ more instead...

Dark
Click to expand...

What rifle scope do you have now? If you were to upgrade to a quality 5-25 optic it will show you hits on steel much better than a cheap spotter.
 
Evil_Dark said:
Ok, I think I lacked of information about the use I plan to do with the Spotting scope.

I shoot Long range, actually every week at 500Y because i'm Lucky to have that far in the familly lands. I hope to find access to somewhere that I can shoot up to 1km soon. I want to spot other shooters, and have a bullet impact reading (see bullet holes at these distances is near impossible...) on gongs.
When I shoot alone, I don't know if having a spotting scope is very revellant, I will let others tell their opinions on that. That is why put a 1000$ on a spotting scope seems akward for me, as I would rather upgrade my rifle scope for one that worth 1000$ more instead...

Dark
Click to expand...

I don't think you're gonna see bullet holes past about 5-600 yards, even with an insane Pentax 100, like I have.

If all you do is target work, then a great rifle scope is a good idea. If you're gonna hunt, then glassing around with your muzzle will make you unpopular.

Amazon shows the Pentax 65 for 549$, and the 80 for 850$. Then you gotta buy an eyepiece, which'll be about 300$. I'd suggest the angled eyepiece, and NOT the variable power eyepiece.

Now, hate to be a jerk, but next on your list will be a GOOD bipod.... look for a used manfrotto.

GGG
 
....and I guarantee that you'll be glad you spent the money once you get a good scope. The world somehow honestly looks brighter through the scope!!
 
Over the years and F class, you get to look through ALOT of spotters in all brands, all price points and all features. The following very short list are the ones that fit into the $1k'ish range that will work superbly for SPOTTING for another shooter, view objects/animals, see mirage... if you are going to spot for another, you may as well help with the wind call.

There are better spotters if money is no object but you get the point... THERE IS NO SPOTTER that will let you reliably see bullet holes beyond 300m in all light and weather conditions. With the right light, we can see 30cal holes out to 800m in the white with quality scopes and spotters BUT that is under "perfect" air.. and that is very rare indeed.

If you want to see the target for every shot, get a wireless camera system. There are now off the shelf stuff that works, weather resistant and simple to operate.... that don't cost a fortune (stuff that cost a fortune actually is not all that exciting in my opinion). If the goal is scoring the target, camera over better optics.

If you want to see and not use your scope...

Pentax ED65 and 80.... please, please, please do not get the pentax variables. Their fixed mag eyepieces are some of the best in the business.... 20-24X is all that you need

Kowa TSN82SV - this is what I personally own with the LER 20'ish X eye piece.

Sightron SIIB 20-60X85 HD... finally Sightron is offering a spotter worth buying and it is a GOOD one. The variable eyepiece is one of the best I have seen (at any price) and the best in its price range. It actually works all the way to 55'ish X. The eye relief will shortern at full mag but I am still able to see through with glasses. LR resolution and clarity is pretty darn amazing at this price point.... and I am looking at stuff well over 1 mile out.

If you want a no brainer out of the box, go play... the Sightron is now my goto choice.

if you want/need the option of top tier eye pieces for specific needs, then toss up between KOWA/HOWA and Pentax.

If you have an unlimited budget, the options will obviously change but any of these will make you very happy vs anything else in their respective price range.

Jerry
 
Thanks Jerry for your input, always on point.

My shooting routine is to spot everything myself with the riflescope, and I have a good numeric camera with a 20x optic zoom that goes up to 80x numerical, It was useful to trace the bullet flight and see impacts up to 500Y. I just have to playback the movie... It help at letting the barrel cool down :)

Is there any good thing to have a spotting scope when you are shooting alone? I use to call the Wind with my riflescope, I just lower the zoom to have a larger field of view. I have to practice with the mirage more.

Dark
 
J996 said:
What rifle scope do you have now? If you were to upgrade to a quality 5-25 optic it will show you hits on steel much better than a cheap spotter.
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I have just a Vortex Viper PST 6-24. So there is place for upgrade here! I'm satisfied now, the turrets and the reticle works fine, and I learn a lot. As I shoot more and more, I will eventually upgrade for sure. Nightforce or Shmid & Bender, something like that. I just shoot 308WIN, and I want to extend as far as I can go with that caliber for now. Lot of people have reasonable results at past 1000 yards, so I want to try it too. Thats where this scope may lack of, as the glass is not that good on Vortex Viper.

Thanks

Dark
 
Evil_Dark said:
I have just a Vortex Viper PST 6-24. So there is place for upgrade here! I'm satisfied now, the turrets and the reticle works fine, and I learn a lot. As I shoot more and more, I will eventually upgrade for sure. Nightforce or Shmid & Bender, something like that. I just shoot 308WIN, and I want to extend as far as I can go with that caliber for now. Lot of people have reasonable results at past 1000 yards, so I want to try it too. Thats where this scope may lack of, as the glass is not that good on Vortex Viper.

Thanks

Dark
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Ok. from what you've said your needs are and that you shoot alone most of the time, I would skip the spotter and get a good 5-25X56 rifle scope and a good muzzle brake. Something like a Nightforce 5-25x56 or a GenII razor (4.5-27X56). S&B's are very nice but now the price goes up for just a smidge more pop (only worth it if you won't miss the money and this is coming from an S&B fan).

With a premium rifle scope and a good brake, you can self spot the shot and the impact.
 
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I have a Redfield 20-60x that works for me but then I am not looking for bullet holes at 500 metres, it cost me $200 5 years ago
 
About 10 years ago I bought a $500 spotting scope at the easter the gun show, is was clear as a bell inside the building so I went for it. The first day I took it out to the range I regretted my purchase. The clarity combined with the mirage effect from heat made it pretty much useless past 75 yards. Few years back I purchased a Swarovski STS 80 HD with the 20-60x eye piece and Swarovski/Manfrotto tripod. I have counted sheep on the top of mountains with that thing. By far the best piece of shooting related gear I have every purchased. We even take it out camping or day trips to the mountains. I know it's over your limit you suggested but especially with glass you get what you pay for.... Oh and the moon shots are insane :)
 
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