Advice on Which spotting scope to buy

III%

III%

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I'm in the market for a spotting scope. Looking for advice and suggestions on what to buy. I don't want to spend $3k on a Swarovski and don't want to cheap out buying garbage that I'll just have to replace in a few years.
Looking around the $500-$600 range. It's primary use would be for the shooting range around 400 yards and for hunting as well around the 600 yard range. There's so many choices out there, I'm confused. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
That's a tall order; 600 yard spotting and a $600 budget.
I hope other CGNers have suggestions; I don't, at that price point.
It's tough at any price point; what caliber?
 
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300 win mag. Ok. Wasn't sure if a $600 scope could do 600 yards. Realistically if I have to up my budget I can. Just hoping to not have to pay swaro prices if I don't have to. Would $1000 to $1500 be realistic? Thx.
 
III% said:
300 win mag. Ok. Wasn't sure if a $600 scope could do 600 yards. Realistically if I have to up my budget I can. Just hoping to not have to pay swaro prices if I don't have to. Would $1000 to $1500 be realistic? Thx.
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Google "Spotting scope for 600 yard range".
A lot of mixed opinions out there.
 
Have a look at Kowa spotting scopes. Google Pelee Wings, best prices in Canada on Kowa scopes. Another option would be a Pentex. For range use I would lean towards a spotting scope with a 45 degree body.
 
You don't want to spend a ton on a spotter! But believe me, you don't want to cheap out. Buy good glass and you won't regret it but you can't say the same about buying a cheap scope. You will regret that. Listen to Maynard...Kowa glass is second to none.
 
I use a Kowa 773 series. Pricey.
They do make models in your budget.
Pelee Wings is where I sourced as well.
Kowa is a top tier scope, revered in the birding community.
And you will see a ton of them at rifle matches.
And I also prefer the angled scope from a bench, though not all shooters do.
 
I bought a $600 spotter for hunting mule deer in open country and I regretted it. Used it about 3 years and wanted for better. I lucked out and picked up a Vortex 20-60 Razor for about $1500 on clearance when the new models came out. I'm very happy with it but then again I haven't looked through any Swaro's. Personally I prefer the angled eye piece over straight as well and I've had both.
 
I had a chance to have a look through an Athlon Ares 20-60 at a precision rifle match last year and ended up buying it after the match was over. Pretty good spotter for i think it was around $1200 from Scott at redstar target in Calgary. It's main use is at the range but it goes hunting with me as well.
 
I’ve had a diamond back,Viper HD and now a razor. And have spent some time behind Swaro’s glassing mulies, so that’s all I can speak too.

Bought the Diamondback because it was compact and cheap. Took it on a trip with a buddy who had a Viper HD, turfed the Diamond back immediately.

Had a Viper HD, then a steal on a Razor popped up on the EE. Now own a Razor HD 20-60 it’s good stuff. Plenty for me, as a swaro would be nice but I need money for gas, truck break downs and to take time off work.

But I would say the ticket for you is a Viper HD if you can find one. I’ve used them a fair bit and they are really quite good in my opinion. The come up used for good prices on the EE sometimes, like around 9-1000. No the glass is not the best, but the differences get smaller I find after a certain point. The step from diamond back to viper was big, from viper - Razor isn’t as big, and from razor to swaro isn’t that big either. The price scale just is!
 
Bushnell trophy xlt 20-60x65 Works really well to the 800 yard. At 1145 yard it's a real stretch, you have to have perfect alignment and Good sunlight but i Could see impact on orange painted steel. That's my experience.
 
I'm pretty happy with my Pentax ED.

Had the opportunity to play with a Celstron Regal M2... it was surprisingly nice, and it also accept 1.25'' astro. eyepiece.
They're probably the best value in spotting scope right now, and are getting excellent review on birding forum.
 
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