Cabela's Intensity HD Spotting Scope?

[Sleestack]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with the Cabela's Intensity HD Spotting Scope (20-60x80mm magnification)? Is it worth the $450? Not really wanting to put out what Vortex wants for a similar sized spotting scope, not just yet anyway. I've heard this one has a very short warranty these days, but like Canadian Tire, if you watch Cabela's sales, it'll end up on sale for a good chunk off. Yesterday was $50 off for Wild Wednesday, wondering if it ever gets lower? If it's worth it, I'd use it for now, then hand it down to my son when I upgrade down the road...

Hoping to see it on sale for at least $100 off, I think I'd chance it at that price range for sure, but wondering what others have thought of it.

Thanks!

 

[Epoxy7]

Looks like their Kronos HD . Just looking them up. But it looks the same just 80mm instead of 85. seems Athlon rebranded product.

Could be decent for the money. If it goes on sale I’d consider trying it.

 

[Buck1950]

JMO but I've got a 25-75x Celestron that CT sold for ca $150 around 10 years ago. Still works fine for me, I can see .22 holes in paper @ 180 yds. Celestron makes low to mid priced astronomical scopes, too. There's a similar one on Amazon now for about half the Cabelas' price - http s://www.amazon.ca/Celestron-52250-Ultima-Spotting-Scope/dp/B0002CTZ70/ref=sr_1_16?crid=3ZIUA23ASD3E&keywords=spotting%2Bscope&qid=1685063750&sprefix=spotting%2Bscope%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-16&th=1

 

[Epoxy7]

Looking into the intensity HD 20-60 80mm and it looks to be a Chinese product made by the same company pumping out spotting scopes for Vortex, Athlon etc. Also the Leupold SX-2 Alpine® HD Angled Spotting Scopes seems to be from the same Chinese manufacturer.

Not sure where exactly it fits Vs these lineups. Nor do I know what 1 ED element means. From initial looks on specs it could match up to a $600 to $800 spotting scope. However there is only a 90 day warranty. For $450 I think it’s worth a try. These Chinese products these days that aren’t made to a super cheap price point are very good. Delta Javelin, various Athlon products, Arken etc. The ED and HD glass have rated very well, with a number of the lenses actually being Japanese.

Might give one a try. I just wish there was more info.

 

[Sleestack]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The spotting scope is on sale again today, only $50 off like the last time I saw it on sale. Think I'm gonna pull the trigger though and give it a try. Would rather see a better sale price, but want/need the scope sooner than later. Yep, I agree, looks like so many others, just rebranded. Or at least made at the same facility as many others... The Celestron one is tempting too, I'm familiar with the brand but know that in the past they were kind of middle of the road at best. Not terrible, but no the highest end line up. That was a long time ago though, so hard to say now; so many farm out the lower end stuff to other manufacturers. I do lots of photography, and I know that I can be a snob when it comes to cheap/good glass... Lol. I don't like cheap glass for my photography, but for all I know the Cabela's scope could be made by Celestron, lol.

The ED glass thing is "extra-low dispersion" glass. All different types of glass are used in lenses and scopes. Many elements are used, with not all of them being the same type of glass. Cheap lenses versus high end lenses, different glass for sure. Good lenses use special glass to remove chromatic aberrations for instance, improving colour rendition etc. ED seems to be used everywhere nowadays, and is more of a catch phrase than anything I think. Same as they all call the higher end versions HD these days, lol. What qualifies that name? Lol. The marketing depts made it up and applied it here, worked well for the TV market, so why not? Lol.

Anyway, I think I'm going to break down and place an order this afternoon!

Thanks again!

 

[bearhunter]

What are you looking to see with this spotting scope?

Cheap is seldom a good thing when it comes to scopes.

A bit of really good advice was given to me many decades back and it's proven to be absolutely true, when applied to optics.

If you can't look through the optic before you purchase it, don't buy it. No matter how good the brand, optics can be flawed.

If you're looking for something to show your bullet impacts on target out to 200 yards or so, then the Cabela's scope is very likely just fine.

I don't particularly like their Ocular lenses because they're to small and require you to remove your glasses to focus and view. Just IMHO.

If you're looking to spot your dream buck or bull across a clearing on on a mountainside, then you don't want that scope and will be throwing your money away.

If you're a bird watcher, the HD might be OK.

This scope will usually only be HD at the center 65% of the lens. The rest will get less sharp and the outer 10% will be fuzzy, the small ocular lens will make that worse.

These days, $450 is low end for a spotting scope and with optics, you get what you pay for

I finally settled on Swarovski for the serious stuff, such as spotting game animals and seeing if it was worth climbing a steep hillside for an animal that wasn't legal or the size I wanted, because the definition and magnification, light gathering ability of the scope wasn't good enough.

Same for range finder, the Swaro will give me an accurate read out to 1500 meters.

My binos are Leitz, OK but not as good as the Swaro. My Swaro set got stolen so I ended up settling for second best. Not by much though.

Buy a really good spotting scope the first time and it's very likely it will be the last one you will ever buy.

 

[Epoxy7]

Good info from Bearhunter.

I actually did buy the Intensity spotting scope along with the 10x42 intensity binoculars and Intensity range finder. The last two were on sale.

Keep in mind I already have an old pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars, an older Pentax (pre ED) spotting scope but smaller and I think it was 40x maximum along with a Swarovski range finder.

My thoughts on the intensity products. They're decent for the price. The optics aren't bad. Clear, bright etc. Eye relief/eye box can be a bit more compromised. But they work well.

I compared the binoculars to a new Nikon HG 8-42 and I liked the Nikon better. But it's a $1200 optic vs $250. The Intensity held it's own fairly well. Now, low light, further ranges etc. it could be a different story. For hunting or serious long range shooting I would spend more and get the upper level stuff.

Update: I just compared the Intensity binoculars to my older Nikon Monarch 8-42x. Which isn't in the same category as the newest HG. I liked the Intensity better. It's 10x not 8x but seemed to gather as much or more light. I could see more details in the shadows (looking out near a street light at night). Don't get me wrong, those old Nikons are still good binoculars. But the intensity was better. Now those Nikon's were 13 years old. But still kind of cool how even the lower priced stuff is now getting that much better for the money.

The range finder is tiny. Worked quickly, easily and well. The optic was decent. But only 6x and it's small. Very small. The Swarovski is a very different animal. Much larger though and far better built. Better and bigger optics (8x as well) and you can mount it on a tripod. The Intensity is designed for hand held only. No ability to put on a tripod mount. So it's not going to work that well for true long range shooting. But for general use. ya, not bad. I have no complaints so far. For the price point, it is actually really good. As long as it doesn't fail on me. Which again for serious hunting etc, I would buy something higher end.

I think all three provide very good value and hit higher than their price point. No, you won't be beating out the top grade stuff or even the higher end mid grade. But they will do what I bought them for and very well. I would say bottom tier pricing with mid grade performance. Happy with the purchases so far.

One other suggestion. I have a kit with my range finder, binoculars and spotting scope. The princess auto black pelican knock off cases that come on sale work very well. Get the larger one. I just confirmed that the Intensity spotting scope will fit, along with binoculars and a range finder. Cheap and works very well. Comes with foam.

You want the Powerfist brand 22 in. Impact-Resistant Storage Case. Wait until it's on sale. I think I paid $45 years ago. They are $99 regular. Worth picking a few up on the sale.

 

[Sleestack]

So I've now had a chance to use the spotting scope at the range a few times. Had a busy summer, but got a chance to use the scope over the past weekend.

It does what I need it to do, lol. I can see my rimfire shots on paper at the range now without having to put a green light on and go safe, just to check groupings. Good for everyone that way. No, it's not a 2 thousand dollar scope, but after all what I've spent recently on this hobby recently (and other hobbies like photography, where I do spend serious money on glass), I'd be in the doghouse with my wife if I spent that much. I wear glasses and don't need to remove them to use it; it's not perfect, but it's more than I need for what I'm doing. Down the road I'll see what happens and cross that bridge then for something better. I've not hunted seriously for some years now, but my 12 year old son now has his PAL and has done his CORE as well, so we'll be doing some hunting soon. Probably just some chickens for now, maybe go after some deer next year if he still wants to do this. Maybe then we'll invest in better glass.

On a side note, I picked up the "Pursuit X1 Compact Spotting Scope" from Cabela's for my son. Regular price of $349.99, on sale for $149.98. Not as good as what I ended up with myself, but my son just loves it. It's cheap for sure, but does an ok job for $150. Not so great at max power, but he can use it at the range to check his targets and not borrow mine; sort of insurance on my scope this way, lol. He'll outgrow it before I do mine I'm sure, but we are making memories each time we go to the range, so money well invested.

Thanks for all of the input, much appreciated!

 

[Epoxy7]

In the vein of affordable but decent glass,.

If interested in binoculars that punch far above their price point.. check out the SVBony SV202 lineup. I paid $119 for the 8x32. ED glass, magnesium frame. Compared extremely well to $1200 Nikons. The 8x42 and 10x50 are nice as well. But the compact 8x32 are a smoking deal. Yes I bought all 3 after being amazed by the 8x32. Extremely happy with them.