In the market for a Spotter, what should I consider?

bronco_mudder

bronco_mudder

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I'm in the market for a spotting scope, but have never had much experience with them, other than the odd cheapo that buddies have had. It will be used in hunting scenarios for glassing at distance in search of game, including dawn and dusk applications. I'll call myself quite ignorant of spotting scopes, so help me with some details I should consider before making a purchase.

I'm open to recommendations of brands, and particular models. Certainly cost is a factor in any purchase, but I know that quality glass also comes at a higher price. As an example I feel that the best bang for the buck on the market for a scope is likely an Elite 3200, but I know that a Leup. VXIII is nicer and has better features than the Elite. Prices in the $1000-$3000 range or more, won't surprise, or deter me. I want to buy a quality piece of glass that will last me for a long time.

Tell me your thoughts.
 
Pentax PF-65ED from Camera land. About $550 and includes a 20-60x zoom lens. Also it's a 65mm objective so it's not too big for taking hunting. Mystic player recommended this to me, and for my needs it's been perfect. It's considered just below the big name (read expensive) brands.

I'm happy with it.
 
Epoxy7 said:
Pentax PF-65ED from Camera land. About $550 and includes a 20-60x zoom lens. Also it's a 65mm objective so it's not too big for taking hunting. Mystic player recommended this to me, and for my needs it's been perfect. It's considered just below the big name (read expensive) brands.

I'm happy with it.
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What do you find separates it from others in its price range?
 
The optics. The glass is better than the others in it's price range. You can find reviews of it on Bird watching forums. Just type in Pentax FP-65ED forum in your search engine.

The only thing is the eye relief is very close. If you wear glasses it may be an issue. Frankly there's nothing really even close in it's price range. At least nothing that is quality. The price includes the eyepiece which most don't.
 
The important scope things are waterproof, 45 degree eyepiece and extended eye releif. The last is very important if anyone wears glasses.

It only has to be 50mm. You are not shooting under very poor light. Power can be fixed. If you had a zoom it would spend most of its time on 20X anyway.
 
At the $1000 to $3000 range you can look at the big name stuff. Zeiss and Swarovski are the two big players. The best prices I've seen are from Camera Land in New York.

As for the 45 degree angled lens. The straight lens was recommended to me. I do target shooting though so it's not uncomfortable and I'm not looking through it all the time. The benefit of the angled piece is comfort if you're looking through it a lot. The disadvantage is the fact that you're adding one more variable which may very slightly downgrade your optic clarity. I don't know the specifics but I believe it involves another set of prism or mirrors for the angled piece? You'd have to look it up.

I still think the Pentax has the best price/performance ratio.
 
I am very happy with my Ziess Spotting scope. My buddies Swarovski is also nice.

I've looked through almost all of them, and these 2 (and the Leica) are still top choices.

If you are looking for something for long term, don't bother with the $500-$800 scopes- You will end up looking through someone elses $$$ scope nd wishign you had purchased the good gear the first time out...
 
Leupold Wind River Sequoia

I'm pretty much in the same boat, I've been looking at the Leupold Wind River Sequoia (spelling?) 20-60X80mm. I like it because the price is pretty reasonable ($500.00ish) it has a range of magnification that I think is ideal for a spotting scope, and it has an 80mm objective, so it should be better in low light. Not to mention it's from Leupold, and even though it's obviously a "budget" scope, they do have a reputation to protect.

Size & weight aren't an issue for me either, but this is a pretty big piece so that might turn some off.

Anyone have an opinion on this scope, or it's little brother, the 15-45X60mm? I'd love to hear input.

By the way, sorry for the hijack, but I think it's relevant :p

Cheers.

Tim
 
Another thing to consider is a decent tripod or other mount....most of the ones which come with scopes can be rather unstable....
 
Gatehouse said:
If you are looking for something for long term, don't bother with the $500-$800 scopes- You will end up looking through someone elses $$$ scope nd wishign you had purchased the good gear the first time out...
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That's a rather pessimistic attitude don't you think? A lot of don't have $2000-3000 to spend on a rifle, let alone a spotting scope.

I wholeheartedly agree that people shouldn't cheap out and buy the best that they can afford. However what people can afford is very subjective. I need a spotting scope soon if I plan to compete in service rifle as a civie, no way in hell can I afford the big guys (Zeiss, Swarovski, etc..). I can afford something like the Leupold Sequoia and while I have no doubt that it isn't anywhere near the quality of those others it isn't exactly a piece of gargabe either.
 
]
Leg said:
That's a rather pessimistic attitude don't you think? A lot of don't have $2000-3000 to spend on a rifle, let alone a spotting scope.
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No, I dont' think it's pessimistic at all. It's the truth- But more importantly- I was answering the question as asked by the thread starter:

Prices in the $1000-$3000 range or more, won't surprise, or deter me. I want to buy a quality piece of glass that will last me for a long time.

Tell me your thoughts.



I wholeheartedly agree that people shouldn't cheap out and buy the best that they can afford. However what people can afford is very subjective. I need a spotting scope soon if I plan to compete in service rifle as a civie, no way in hell can I afford the big guys (Zeiss, Swarovski, etc..). I can afford something like the Leupold Sequoia and while I have no doubt that it isn't anywhere near the quality of those others it isn't exactly a piece of gargabe either.]
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With optics, decide what you an afford, and then test everything in the price range. Sometimes slightly less expensive models out perform more expensive ones in that price range.

And- Don't look through some other guys Swarovski...:p
 
Gatehouse said:
I am very happy with my Ziess Spotting scope. My buddies Swarovski is also nice.

I've looked through almost all of them, and these 2 (and the Leica) are still top choices.

If you are looking for something for long term, don't bother with the $500-$800 scopes- You will end up looking through someone elses $$$ scope nd wishign you had purchased the good gear the first time out...
Click to expand...

What model of Ziess did you buy? Power, objective size, straight or angled? Did you prefer the Zeiss to the Swarovski product?
 
US Optics recently came out with a spotter. The optics are fantastic, and they cna be had with a reticle in moa or milrad, so ranging and calling comeups is a no brainer.
They have 4" eye relief, so you wont be touching the ocular making the scope move and they are about the same size as a big rifle scope.
15 to 40 power 58mm objective and rugged as hell.
All that for $1190.00 includeing flip up caps on both ends
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
US Optics recently came out with a spotter. The optics are fantastic, and they cna be had with a reticle in moa or milrad, so ranging and calling comeups is a no brainer.
They have 4" eye relief, so you wont be touching the ocular making the scope move and they are about the same size as a big rifle scope.
15 to 40 power 58mm objective and rugged as hell.
All that for $1190.00 includeing flip up caps on both ends
Click to expand...
Do you find the reticle gets in the way or interfere with the spotting at all? thx
 
Gatehouse said:
]

No, I dont' think it's pessimistic at all. It's the truth- But more importantly- I was answering the question as asked by the thread starter:

Prices in the $1000-$3000 range or more, won't surprise, or deter me. I want to buy a quality piece of glass that will last me for a long time.

Tell me your thoughts.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry your right he did ask about more expensive options. I guess if you have the dough to begin with why mess around.

I will try and avoid looking through a Swarovski, shouldn't be too hard in the crowd I run with.
 
mightyhunter said:
Do you find the reticle gets in the way or interfere with the spotting at all? thx
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I don't, but it certainly could to some. I would not want to use any spotting scope for bird watching or the like that had a reticle in it.
USO makes them without reticle as well.
I use mine for spotting game and range estimation as well as just shooting and am not bothered by the reticle, any more than the reticle in my rifle scope, but for strictly observation use would consider a non reticled model.
 
Cummins4x4 said:
I took all the ones available at work out for a comparison test, Leupold HD, Zeiss, Bushnell Elite and the Swaroski HD and non HD models, the Swaro HD blew them all out of the water, so theats whats in my kit:p
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Some day :D.
I did however take the plunge and bought a "Demo" Swarovski laser range finder when the dollar was at par :D. I'm glad I did.
 
bronco_mudder said:
What model of Ziess did you buy? Power, objective size, straight or angled? Did you prefer the Zeiss to the Swarovski product?
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I bought the Ziess Straight Diascope 15-45X 65mm Obj

I can't say that I prefer the Ziess over the Swaro or vice versa, they are both good optics. My buddies Swaro 20-60x HD has the extra power advantage in the same size scope. The HD wasn't available when I bought my Ziess, though..

Keep in mind that n warm days, thermals make using high power difficult, though.

To make up my mind between the 2, I'd have to see both companies brand new models, side by side.:)
 
Cummins4x4 said:
I took all the ones available at work out for a comparison test, Leupold HD, Zeiss, Bushnell Elite and the Swaroski HD and non HD models, the Swaro HD blew them all out of the water, so theats whats in my kit:p
Click to expand...

Thats your opinion through your eyes. Some will say the Zeiss or whatever is better thats their opinion. You can ask 5 different opinions and get 7 answers. I will say though that you get what you pay for and get the best you can afford. When it comes to the high end products, Zeiss, Swarovski, Leica etc, it all comes down to options and personal preference.
 
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