Best Value in A Spotting Scope

juanvaldez

juanvaldez

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Sudbury, Ontario
I have a friend who is is having problems with diabetes. He is an avid shooter with failing eyesight. He can no longer spot with his old bushnell spotting scope and the trip back and forth to the berm is a little hard on him in the winter. He is looking for the best combination of brightness and clarity for a descent price in a spotting scope. I'd say taxes and shipping in he would be capped at around 400$ but of course cheaper is better. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
 
Konus scopes are a big bang for the buck. I don't know if anyone sells them in Canada but some places in the US will ship to Canada. Make sure you request they ship US Postal Service. Google Champions Shooter Supply or try w ww.champchoice.com
 
I would refer him to Camera Land Inc., of New York, one of our site sponsors. They have very good prices on a good range of equipment, so even if he ends up going elsewhere, it's a good place to start shopping.
 
I checked out a couple of the really cheap options that were in one of the gun store the other day. I was shocked at the narrow field of view of the eyepiece and how it closed in even from there when zoomed in. I used some Bushnell scopes years ago and they sure didn't suffer from this sort of "keyhole" view. If his eyesight is getting rough I'm sure he wouldn't like this aspect either. So I'd have to suggest that you try before you buy. "Test drive" the really high end stuff first and then look at the lower end items and see where the best bang for the buck puts you. $400 may well be just fine but it may be that the good stuff starts a bit higher. I sure hope not though. I'm in the market for one as well and don't want to go overboard on it.
 
In this situation I would recommend a good pair of 10X or better binoculars mounted on a tripod. It is amazing what even 10X ones will pick up and you can use BOTH eyes.
Many times the higher power binocs show up at yard sales..have seen them in 12X. They are not easy to use handheld but work well off a tripod. Used my 10x to sport marked shots on a 700 metre target at Connaught Ranges..if shooter is working off bemnch a friend could spot for him. Failing eyesight is coming for all of us sooner or later.
 
I'd get him to wait a bit longer and up the budget for the spotting scope.

I went with an all around Pentax PF65 ED spotter which included a 20-60x eyepiece. But... this was also meant to be a bit compact for taking off the range.

For range only use and with failing eyesight, I would consider the Pentax PF80 ED. Mysticplayer recommended the PF65 to me a while back. I was very happy with it. I've since upgraded to the 20-60x zoom eyepiece that comes with the PF80 model. The original eyepiece was decent but this eyepiece is noticeably better. Better resolution, better field of view and much better eye relief. For someone wearing glasses this will be even more important.

The Pentax spotting scopes really are good quality at a reasonable price.

Camera land site sponsor, PF80 ED.
Demo Unit Price: $999.99 (US dollars)
Straight Unit - With Zoom Eyepiece

Unfortunately they don't have the regular PF65 anymore. Instead they have the more expensive PF65 ED II. I'd recommend for your friend's needs considering the PF80 ED.

Good luck, I hope he finds something that works well and helps him out.
 
I really like the Konus 20-60x100mm. I know a couple of guys that use them and they are excellent. I can't give you an exact price but I think they are less than $600. If your friend is willing to part with a few hundred extra over the $400 mark... he's going to get a great spotter for that price.
 
I am about to sell my Pentax 65ED spotting scope w/zoom eyepiece. As has been said, this is likely the best compact spotting scope on the market today under $1500.

The scope body and zoom retail for $850 plus the ship/tax. I will be selling mine for a lot less ($625 shipped)

For viewing holes inside 300m, it works almost as well as the mega dollar Leica, Swaro's and Howas.

I used to have a Nikon XL spotter and this worked well too but the Pentax blows it away.

Let me know.
Jerry
 
armorman said:
I really like the Konus 20-60x100mm. I know a couple of guys that use them and they are excellent. I can't give you an exact price but I think they are less than $600. If your friend is willing to part with a few hundred extra over the $400 mark... he's going to get a great spotter for that price.
Click to expand...


100mm should be pretty bright. Where's the best place to buy one?
 
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