Most Recent Take on Spotters
So the Kamloops show has come and gone for another year. I was able to look at the Bushnell Elite 15-45x60, not bad glass for a cheaper spotting scope. I also looked at a Kowa TSN-661, very good glass at around $1000. Other than a couple of expensive Leupolds (which didn't interest me based on research and feedback for a lot of you nutters) and some used stuff, that was it.
So off we went to Powder Keg Shooters Supply. They had the Bushnell Elite 20-60x70 (around $650) , a Vortex Skyline ED 20-60x80 (around $850) and some less expensive models. It was great to check out the glass, 2 tripods in the window with a view of the mountains and buildings downtown.
Last stop, Wholesale Sports who had a Leupold Sequoia (thought I'd check it out anyway) and the Bushnell Elite 20-60x70.
So, I didn't buy anything. Reason, although the glass was clear on the Bushnells, the Vortex and the Kowa, as you increase the power, the exit pupil opening decreased substantially in size, hence the field of view became smaller, except on the Kowa (which didn't have the zoom feature).
So, I'm going to keep on looking, but at this point I'm definitely leaning towards the Kowa. I'll hold till Vortex comes out with their HD/ED scopes, hopefully we'll see them in Canada over the next 3-4 months and before hunting season. Unfortunately, I didn't get an opportunity to see a Pentax or Konus, doesn't seem to be many dealers carrying those product lines. For low dollars, either of the 2 Bushnell Elites appear to be good bang for the buck. Very bright and clear glass. I was disappointed in the Vortex, not as crisp an image as the Bushnell's and also surprised that it was made in China, not Japan as I had been lead to believe. Earlier this year at the Sportsman Show in Abbotsford, I purchased a pair of bino's and the Vortex was top of the list. A long range target shooter buddy came to the show with me, and on my list with the new Bushnell E2 bino's. He told me not to bother. However, the Vortex people were nice enough to lend me a pair of 10x42's and compare to the Bushnell. The Bushnell was clearer and brighter, and that was seconded by my shooter buddy who could hardly belief that the Bushnell was that much better.
So, I'm starting to lean further away from the Vortex models, although the glass is o.k. it's not as spectacular as one is lead to believe. Now this is only my opinion, I wear glasses when shooting or spotting, and for a spotting scope I was looking for a unit that gave me excellent clarity and a full "field of view" even when turned up and with me wearing glasses.
