Compact spotting scope recommendations

1899

1899

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
West
Looking at getting something portable and am considering:
1. Vortex Razor HD II 11-33x50 - about $1000
2. Kowa TSN-602 - about $1100
3. Pentax PF-65 EDA II - about $1000


Any of you have experience with these scopes? Pros and cons? Anything you don't like about it? I don't have the opportunity to compare them, or even look at the Pentax or Kowa.

Would be using it for hunting and at the range.

Thanks.
 
The Pentax is a nice little unit. It really depends how small you want the scope. I personally chose a Minox MD 50 as it was extremely small, probably one of the smallest on the market. It is a nice piece, just slightly bigger than a medium binocular. Clarity is Ok, but not the best obviously. I was willing to sacrifice a bit on clarity for the smaller size.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/minox-md-50-w-spotting-scope?a=719681

GST
 
Thanks - I'd trade some size for optical clarity. It seems size is based on two groups of objective diameter - 50-66mm and then ~80mm and up. I'd like to stay in the smaller size and max around the $1000 range.
 
I'm using a Brunton Eterna 9050ED-S 50mm. ED glass (extra-low dispersion fluorite) , 18-38X eyepiece w/ twist-up eye cup ,
BaK-4 prism glass , Emerald Fire full multi-coating , Multi-step eye relief system (eyeglass compatible) , Waterproof and fogproof ,
Nitrogen filled , Alloy frame w/ ergonomic body armor , Sight alignment tube , Tripod/monopod compatible , Extendable sunshade.

Not quite as short (10.5") as the Minox and it would be nice if the magnification was a little more than 38x. Clarity is very good,
so will be keeping it for a while. Current price is ~ $635 Can., plus shipping and maybe tax.
 
More hunting or more range use? If you're going to use it in low-light situations, the objective size matters more than the glass clarity in practice. If you're going to lug it around on a hunt, the weight matters more than the glass or size. Etc. At the 1000$ price point, the question is which characteristic you're willing to compromise about.

I got a Vortex Viper HD 20-60x80 a couple weeks ago ($1400 tax incl), and I can see Saturn's rings or Jupiter's moons with it. Oh, not with astronomical level of details, for sure (I couldn't distinguish Jupiter's cloud bands or see the Cassini division in Saturn's rings), but when pointed at the moon on a clear night, the view is fantastic. Get a good, solid tripod, it does make a big difference in ease of use.

It sees .223 holes at 200m quite handily, but it's way too large and heavy to be practical for hunting unless I purchase an ATV to carry it. :)
 
Grawfr said:
More hunting or more range use? If you're going to use it in low-light situations, the objective size matters more than the glass clarity in practice. If you're going to lug it around on a hunt, the weight matters more than the glass or size. Etc. At the 1000$ price point, the question is which characteristic you're willing to compromise about.

I got a Vortex Viper HD 20-60x80 a couple weeks ago ($1400 tax incl), and I can see Saturn's rings or Jupiter's moons with it. Oh, not with astronomical level of details, for sure (I couldn't distinguish Jupiter's cloud bands or see the Cassini division in Saturn's rings), but when pointed at the moon on a clear night, the view is fantastic. Get a good, solid tripod, it does make a big difference in ease of use.

It sees .223 holes at 200m quite handily, but it's way too large and heavy to be practical for hunting unless I purchase an ATV to carry it. :)
Click to expand...

The 80 just seems too big. I'd mostly use it for range and secondly for hunting, but not mountain hunting. I mostly still hunt and hunt from blinds. I did consider the KOWA TSN-82SV, but I just think the big ones will be too bulky.
 
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