G'day.
I just picked up a Meade Spotting Scope for range work only, 20-60X80 (although, if it didn't have to get lugged around for long distances it would also be good for field work), along with a Leupold spotting scope tripod.
I have a Meade Astronomical telescope which I use up at the cottage in clear skies, so I know their optics/lenses are pretty decent quality. I was a little surprised at the size of the thing, it is almost 20" long for the scope assembly off the tripod, but the weight is well balanced and it sets up quickly, holds focus when I zoom for spotting .223 holes in targets at 100 yds plus, and comes with a built-in/slide-out sunshade. Clarity is as good, it seems, as some of the Leupold spotters I've looked through with my shooting buddies. And, it was pretty well priced, through Optics Planet it priced in at slightly less than $190 USD, with the Leupold tripod kicking in another $75 USD or so. Even with USD exchange it works out to be relatively inexpensive for decent viewing.
Got it from Optics Planet (http://www.opticsplanet.com/meade-20-60x80mm-wilderness-spotting-scope.html) . It's not ITAR controlled so no problems getting it back across the border.
Frankly, the tripod (http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-compact-tripod.html) has been more of a disappointment so far, it is a ball mount (not a tilt-and-pan) head, which is a little more finicky to lock in to point of aim and seems to want to shift a bit with even the slightest touch. If I was going to order again, I think I'd spring for a spotter scope tripod with a tilt-and-pan head instead.
Just wanted to let fellow range shooters know about other options than the typical, high-cost spotting scopes normally found at the big box stores found in Canada
Thanks,
OldNewGuy
I just picked up a Meade Spotting Scope for range work only, 20-60X80 (although, if it didn't have to get lugged around for long distances it would also be good for field work), along with a Leupold spotting scope tripod.
I have a Meade Astronomical telescope which I use up at the cottage in clear skies, so I know their optics/lenses are pretty decent quality. I was a little surprised at the size of the thing, it is almost 20" long for the scope assembly off the tripod, but the weight is well balanced and it sets up quickly, holds focus when I zoom for spotting .223 holes in targets at 100 yds plus, and comes with a built-in/slide-out sunshade. Clarity is as good, it seems, as some of the Leupold spotters I've looked through with my shooting buddies. And, it was pretty well priced, through Optics Planet it priced in at slightly less than $190 USD, with the Leupold tripod kicking in another $75 USD or so. Even with USD exchange it works out to be relatively inexpensive for decent viewing.
Got it from Optics Planet (http://www.opticsplanet.com/meade-20-60x80mm-wilderness-spotting-scope.html) . It's not ITAR controlled so no problems getting it back across the border.
Frankly, the tripod (http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-compact-tripod.html) has been more of a disappointment so far, it is a ball mount (not a tilt-and-pan) head, which is a little more finicky to lock in to point of aim and seems to want to shift a bit with even the slightest touch. If I was going to order again, I think I'd spring for a spotter scope tripod with a tilt-and-pan head instead.
Just wanted to let fellow range shooters know about other options than the typical, high-cost spotting scopes normally found at the big box stores found in Canada
Thanks,
OldNewGuy
