Bushnell SpaceMaster: Still a Great Buy These Days!!
- Thread starter Hungry
- Start date
I still have one of their later armoured camo versions. Good scope, though I eventually bought a Nikon for higher power and compatibility with my camera. - dan
I still have my 15x - 45x Spacemaster II with the rubber woodlands cover, tripod stand, 60x fixed eye piece and backpack kit.
It has served my well over 25+ years.
It currently holds back up duty to my newer Bushnell Tactical spotter.
It has served my well over 25+ years.
It currently holds back up duty to my newer Bushnell Tactical spotter.
I have an elderly friend who shot TR in the ORA most of his life and he always longed for a Bushnell Spacemaster, because he cheaped out when they were new and bought the fixed 20x variant.
I bought both models used online in the $60 range and compared them to my 80 mm Vortex and found that for sharpness the Spacemaster was similar, but the 20x version was sharper.
I also compared them to a range of other spotting scopes and they held up well for resolution and sharpness, but the 20X variant is the sharper of the two.
If you shoot air rifle the 20X model also focusses well at 10 yards, but that is certainly too close for the Spacemaster.
As good as the Spacemaster is for the money, I would recommend the 20X version for those two reasons... sharper and closer focus.
Color with these two scopes is where they lack as newer coatings certainly make a difference there, but for the money, these old Bushnell scopes are a fantastic deal.
If you are interested in a new scope, I would recommend that you first buy one of these old scopes. You just might and probably will be happy enough with it that you wont feel the need to buy new.
These days I use a Kowa 554, which is fantastic, but I might not have bought it if I got the old 20X Bushnell first. Not that it can compare, but there's a $2500 difference in price.
I bought both models used online in the $60 range and compared them to my 80 mm Vortex and found that for sharpness the Spacemaster was similar, but the 20x version was sharper.
I also compared them to a range of other spotting scopes and they held up well for resolution and sharpness, but the 20X variant is the sharper of the two.
If you shoot air rifle the 20X model also focusses well at 10 yards, but that is certainly too close for the Spacemaster.
As good as the Spacemaster is for the money, I would recommend the 20X version for those two reasons... sharper and closer focus.
Color with these two scopes is where they lack as newer coatings certainly make a difference there, but for the money, these old Bushnell scopes are a fantastic deal.
If you are interested in a new scope, I would recommend that you first buy one of these old scopes. You just might and probably will be happy enough with it that you wont feel the need to buy new.
These days I use a Kowa 554, which is fantastic, but I might not have bought it if I got the old 20X Bushnell first. Not that it can compare, but there's a $2500 difference in price.
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
Always surprised at the quality of glass on these guys.
I picked up another Spacemaster 15-45-60mm for my Biathlon Level 5 progam parents on the firing line. I was playing with an improvised objective lens cover using a recycled / repurposed peanut butter jar by “Our Compliments”. It’s their 500g jar and the lid and bottom diameter measure a tad over 70mm across. A perfect candidate.
Trying to post pictures here….. Let’s try!!
I had a spare Butler Creek eyepiece #3 , I believe and it works well. Then I cut down the peanut butter jar with about 1/2” or 5/8” off the bottom to miraculously provide a sort of friction fit.
Here’s a photo of my attempt to locate/identify the brand /size/jar in the local grocery store…. I might do this with my backup Spacemaster sitting in the trunk of my TTR; Tactical Teacher Rolla!!
And finally….. the star of tonight’s show….
Well, I hope this helps you with the Bushnell Spacemaster addiction! Now each of my sons have a Spacemaster and I’ve got 2 of them, a back up scope to bring to the Nationals and then a loaner scope for my Biathlon Parents (soon to become coaches) so that I can bring their spotting skills up to speed!!
All the Best!!
Barney
Trying to post pictures here….. Let’s try!!
I had a spare Butler Creek eyepiece #3 , I believe and it works well. Then I cut down the peanut butter jar with about 1/2” or 5/8” off the bottom to miraculously provide a sort of friction fit.
Here’s a photo of my attempt to locate/identify the brand /size/jar in the local grocery store…. I might do this with my backup Spacemaster sitting in the trunk of my TTR; Tactical Teacher Rolla!!
And finally….. the star of tonight’s show….
Well, I hope this helps you with the Bushnell Spacemaster addiction! Now each of my sons have a Spacemaster and I’ve got 2 of them, a back up scope to bring to the Nationals and then a loaner scope for my Biathlon Parents (soon to become coaches) so that I can bring their spotting skills up to speed!!
All the Best!!
Barney
Attachments
Third Rail
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Have the same one. No complaints. Have even used it to watch an eclipse with my daughter one night!
