best spotting scope in the $1000-1500 range

[scott_r]

What would you recommend for a range/ hunting spotting scope for the open prairies of SK in the 1k-1500 range? Straight or angled?

Cheers!!

 

[KND]

Would you like a plain spotting scope or the one with reticle ? The reticle one is very useful to call out the shot if you have a good spotter especially when miss the first shot.

The plain one would be Vortex version and reticle one would be Leupold Mark4 spotting scope.

 

[scott_r]

Would you like a plain spotting scope or the one with reticle ? The reticle one is very useful to call out the shot if you have a good spotter especially when miss the first shot.

The plain one would be Vortex version and reticle one would be Leupold Mark4 spotting scope.

I'm thinking it will be more used for spotting animals wile hunting.

 

[maynard]

Kowa, google Pelee Wings. Best prices on Kowa scopes and plenty of other brands as well.

 

[Geoman]

Happy with larger vortex razor but on sale it is around $1900 (bought one for that price Christmas last year). Smaller one is less expensive. Agree about Pelee wings as a source and pretty good prices. Many Vortex vendors had sales around Christmas that were authorized by Vortex otherwise price you see is what you pay. Have been very happy with it for birding and animal spotting. Throw in another $200 or so for a decent tripod and video pan head (Henry’s often sells together as a package at cheaper price than buying separately). Would suggest angled scope as tripod doesn’t have to be put up as high and is easier if used by multiple people.
Makes a world of difference seeing something at 60 x in scope vs 10 in binoculars!

 

[156821]

I picked up a used Zeiss for 1200 off the EE. Sometimes deals like that come up. Kowa is also a good choice.

 

[KND]

I'm thinking it will be more used for spotting animals wile hunting.

Hmmm ! As for hunting then a binocular would be a better choice, isn't it ? A spotting scope is too heavy to bring along unless you are planing for a long range hunting at stationary spot.

Anything less than 300 m, a binocular would be a better choice.

A Swaroski binocular is awesome for that purpose.

By the way, if you are dead set on a spotting scope, get an angle version. That would save a lots of hassle and very relaxing when spotting by yourself.

 

[scott_r]

Hmmm ! As for hunting then a binocular would be a better choice, isn't it ? A spotting scope is too heavy to bring along unless you are planing for a long range hunting at stationary spot.

Anything less than 300 m, a binocular would be a better choice.

A Swaroski binocular is awesome for that purpose.

By the way, if you are dead set on a spotting scope, get an angle version. That would save a lots of hassle and very relaxing when spotting by yourself.

I hunt open prairie, most guys glass coulees and open hills for game then put the spotting scope away and pursue. I have 12x50 Zeiss binos but they just dont have the power to glass animals out past 1000 yards.

 

[Cpt.Flan]

Check out SIGHTMARK.

I own one of the their top shelf spotting scope... it's awesome.

But BINOCS would be better suited for you.

www.brandonoptics.com/search_adv.asp?keyword=sightmark&sort=relevance&page=1&pageSize=24

 

[sillymike]

Kowa, google Pelee Wings. Best prices on Kowa scopes and plenty of other brands as well.

+1 on Pelee Wings. Nice folks to deal with.

I was in a similar situation a while back. Ended with up with a Pentax PF80. I'm happy with it. The next best option would have been a Kowa/Swaro/Zeiss, but I couldn't justify the $$.

Another nice spotter (and less expensive), is the Celestron Regal M2. Had the opportunity to play with on while out birding. And honestly (with the same eyepiece) I couldn't see much difference. Other than the colours with the celeston seemed a little different then what I'm used to with the Pentax.

They're both pretty bulky scopes, the celestron being somewhat bigger.
They're both available in 65mm objective if you need to pack it, or 100mm if you really want more light and be able to push the magnification for longer distances.
They both use 1.25" astronomy eyepieces

 

[Hand Skills]

Used Meopta on the EE. Or possibly Leupold gold ring.

I prefer straight vs angled myself, but that's personal preference. Try to stick with ~60mm objective if it's your first spotter.