Some spotting scope advice please.

[Reflex_84]

Hello all. I am currently in the market for my first spotting scope. Usage would be mainly target (out to 300 yds) and general viewing with my kids and wife. Maybe a hunt down the road as well.

The big thing I am stuck on is the magnification range. I can't figure if a lower magnification like a 11-33 would be better or a higher one like a 20-60. Or for that matter even one in between like a 15-45. I am more lost with spotting scopes than I was purchasing my first rifle scope. I don't think portability is a huge deal at this time, but I don't want to be carrying around the Hubble Telescope either. Remember, might hunt with it down the road too.

Anyway, I am thinking I could take $500 from the bank and not have her put up too much of a fuss. Was looking at the Redfield Rampage 20-60x80 as well as the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 15-45x60, among many others. Not opposed to used from the EE as well.

Like I said, just lost at the moment. What are your thoughts? Oh, I have no major brand loyalty either.

 

[yodave]

there is a bushnell space saver that goes on sale at Canadian tire all the time, many people here agree that it is hard to go wrong with this one, and for the money it's a lot of bang for the buck. with your budget and family you may want to spring for 2 of them, stops the kids from fighting over who gets to see what.

 

[Snapshot]

It is hard to express in words or even show in photos, but in person there is a big difference in quality between low, medium and premium priced spotting scopes. This is particularly true under challenging conditions such as dawn / twilight, and in prolonged use.

I have no experience with the models you mentioned but going from a low priced Bausch & Lomb 15-45/60mm to a medium priced Pentax 65mm the difference was very noticeable.

If you search for "better view desired" they have a lot of reviews on mostly better quality spotting scopes and binoculars.

 

[Reflex_84]

I do understand the quality aspect of it, well, with rifle scopes at lease, my MK4 is much better than my Bushnell 4200. Budgets prevail though. What about a quality low powered spotter like a Vortex Razor, I know a bit out of the price range but it gives me something to go on.

One thing with rifle scopes I have learned is that quality is better than magnification. Is it the same with spotters, or do you typically want more magnification?

 

[stubblejumper]

If you expect to see smaller caliber bullet holes in a black bullseye at 300 yards, you need a decent quality spotting scope.

 

[Ih8sks]

I own the rampage redfield and I really like it, for the value, I shoot at 300 yards and I can see .30 cal holes in paper at that distance, but that is with "shoot and see" style targets mind you. The one thing with all these scopes is that the tripods that they come with are junk. invest in a nice camera style tripod and it will make all the difference. For hunting it is a bit big i'll admit but it's pretty tough mine just rattles around in my trunk and it's been doing that for a few years. I haven't played with the legend scope, but I did try to buy the Crappy tire special and ended up selling it at the range for $5 it was so bad.