Best spotting scope

O

outoftowner

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Ok, so me and my dad have gotten into shooting and the binoculars are just not working for us, not a big enough power. So we need a good spotting scope, one that is easy to use with glasses, and had an adjustable power so that you can have an 8 1/2x11 target in view so you can see where your punching holes at 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 yards. It would also need a tripod but I think all of them come with that right? And an eyepiece that is straight and not angled would be best because this is for just range shooting.
 
Spotting Scope

OK so, here's the problem, most of the mid priced spotting scopes are good to 200m, but when you're talking 300m, you are looking at the high end spotting scopes.
The saying (you get what you pay for) in this field, is very true. I suggest you check some out at your local sports shop. NIKON are good for the dollar paid.
Bill
 
I thought Angled was supposed to be better. For example when shooting prone, you look down or to the side.

So for 300MM or beyond, how much do you really need to spend?

I was looking at the Nikon as well but can't seem to find anyone with one to look.
 
The Pentax 65ED is likely the best compact spotting scope on the market today. A bunch are used in F class matches here in BC because they work, reasonably priced and small/light enough to be packed arounded. Same considerations make them wonderful as hunting spotting scopes. Supposed to be weatherproof too.

The zoom that comes with the spotter is not good for eye glass wearers. Consider a fixed power eyepiece of around 16X. At 300m, you will be impressed with what you can see.

The Pentax 80ED is superb and if weight is not a concern, worth the extra money. The zoom that comes with these DOES work with eyeglasses and is one of the best zooms on the market today. I put one of these zooms on my 65ED and it worked wonders.

If money is no object, the Leica Trinovid is THE BEST spotter I have ever had the pleasure of looking through. Eyepiece is super Eyeglass friendly and the view is sublime.

Sorry, but the SWARO eyepiece was not eye glass friendly. AT least the ones I have use. Were newer version too.

KOWA/HOWA are also great. Don't know the models but the ones at the matches do work well. The Leica is still better. The Pentax less money. But used one could be a great buy.

The Nikon Field scopes are not as good as the Pentax optically and not weatherproof (at least they weren't). They are making a super duper high end ED product but this one will make a Leica 'reasonably' priced.

Check out the birder forums. They know glass.
Jerry
 
US Optics make a spotting scope made specifically for shooters. I is long eye relief, so you don't have to worry about angles or straight ocular AND they come with either a MOA or Milrad reticle that is extremely useful for ranging and calling come ups or wind correction in measured increments. Being FFP scopes you can range at any power setting.
Just about every other spotting scope on the market is designed for observation not shooting.
 
Ok well money is kindof an object, we were looking at no more than 200 bucks but really the main reason were using it for is a spotter and a shooter. At our range we just bench shoot so what we usually do is one person shoots and the other sits at the bench beside and spots for them. So here are the things that come most important for me:
1. Good eyepiece for glasses.
2. Needs to be adjustable for 25, 50, 100, and sometimes 300m shooting.
3. needs a tripod.
4. Should have a straight eyepiece since its for bench shooting.
5. under 200 bucks.
 
Tuff to get great optics in that price range. You may be able to get a used bushnell for around that amount, check the exchange portion of this site. As far as a tripod is concerned, you are only shooting bench and should be able to pick up a cheap one at any store. Or go find one at a garage sale.
 
You've had some pretty good advice on the good stuff.

A good source for spotting scopes is the site sponsor Camera Land. When they have demo deals they are often excellent. Keep in mind they are a US company so the difference in the dollar will play a factor, also any duties etc.

In your price range you aren't going to get anything fantastic. So you'll have to settle for usable. Hopefully.

I don't have any experience with this line but you may want to consider one of these:

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexspecial20-60x80

It's a votex special order. That being said the specs seem to be lower than the Skyline model with the same magnification etc. I don't know if these are any good or not. But you really can't expect much at the price point you've set out. The eyepieces alone cost more than your budget with many of the higher end scopes. The above is only one suggestion, and if nothing else it should lead you to a good seller with more options.

Mysticplayer has provided some excellent advice. I went the Pentax route when the 65ED was on sale. I upgraded the eyepiece from the 20-60x XF that comes with the scope to the 20-60x SMC that comes with the 80Ed. You lose 12x in magnification when putting it on the 65ED, but you more than make up for that with resolution, brightness and eye relief. It's the old, quality over magnification. You can see more at less with the higher end product. It was a worthwhile upgrade. Looks big on the scope but works great.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341784&highlight=Pentax+65ed&page=3 Some more info here.
 
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The thread posted above by Epoxy7 is a great read.

Also, take a look at this comparison (also posted in above thread)

http://www.livingbird.org/netcommunity/bbimages/lb/pdf/ScopeChart2008.pdf


You might also consider getting a mirror spotter, Celestron C90 MAK or similar. You can get a reasonable image at a much lower cost than a similar image quality refracting scope, but they are bulkier.
 
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