Spotter recommendation for ~1K

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carbonrod

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I am looking for advice on a spotting scope that will let me see 30 cal holes at 1K. At 100m I can usually see them with a 6x rifle scope at 100m, at 200m, I can usually see them with my 10x.

What do I need to realistically see them at 1k? At least to be able to see the misses on the white. I am not as concerned with the price as I am with the portability, but ultimately just want something that works.
 
yea, you are likely not going to find a 'spotting scope' with that kind of magnification. you will probably have to check out telescopes like the ones that are for astronomy, but I have no idea how well they work land to land.
 
I have seen bullet holes, in the white, at 1000yds through a number of different scopes but none we're capable of always doing this. Only under perfect atmospheric conditions and good light. This situation seldoms occurs during a match! Regards, Bill.
 
No doubt a slightly daft idea, but has anyone ever tried using one of the remote wireless cameras like these: www.x10.com. If you could arrange a place where it wouldn't get shot, might do the trick. I had one once with a battery pack, so you could put it anywhere...
 
island said:
No doubt a slightly daft idea, but has anyone ever tried using one of the remote wireless cameras like these: www.x10.com. If you could arrange a place where it wouldn't get shot, might do the trick. I had one once with a battery pack, so you could put it anywhere...
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100ft range.
 
I have a digital video camera with 100X digital zoom. I plug it into my laptop and use that as a monitor. It works fairly well as long as you can keep the laptop screen dark. I admittedly have not tried it to 1000. I don't see why you couldn't do the same thing with digital still images provided you had sufficient magnification.

I had also thought about the wireless jobs, but alas range is always the restriction unless you want to spend mega bucks.
 
I know the new Pentax top of the line scopes are being well thought of by the TR guys but they want to see the target and the mirage. They are not trying to see holes at that distance.
 
i6s1 said:
100ft range.
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Of course, forgot about the range - like I said, slightly daft idea. I suppose the wired one might work (probably need a signal booster or something), but the 1km of wire would be a bit much, particularly if you couldn't leave it hooked up...

Hmm, there do seem to be some that do longer range, though (never tried 'em): http://www.pimall.com/nais/wvrange.html
http://www.vfmstore.com/ir6382wl.htm
http://www.spyville.com/cmos24ghzcol.html
http://rf-links.com/wireless_cameras.htm#4

But of course they get more expensive than x10 cams by far...
 
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Your hope for an optical device to see .30 calibre holes in paper at 1000yds is an impossibility. (How many of us haven't found .30 cal holes on paper when holding it in our hands?)

The biggest impediments to visual "acquisition" are the immutable effects of heat on light rays. Mirage is present on almost everyday of summer. Unless you plan to shoot in the early morning, you can't escape shimmer. Surveyors don't take long shots and quit by midday.
 
island said:
Of course, forgot about the range - like I said, slightly daft idea. I suppose the wired one might work (probably need a signal booster or something), but the 1km of wire would be a bit much, particularly if you couldn't leave it hooked up...

Hmm, there do seem to be some that do longer range, though (never tried 'em): http://www.pimall.com/nais/wvrange.html
http://www.vfmstore.com/ir6382wl.htm
http://www.spyville.com/cmos24ghzcol.html
http://rf-links.com/wireless_cameras.htm#4

But of course they get more expensive than x10 cams by far...
Click to expand...

I think you're on to something.

There is one transmitter/reciver for video you've found for 279US with a range of 5 miles, that could work. One could use it with a camcorder (Or digital camera w/TV-out) and a solar panel (Or a Canadian Tire power pack) at the target, and have a TV (or notebook computer) and an inverter in your truck. Total cost would probably be around the same price as a highend spotter, but you could use most of the parts in other applications. Most people have a camcorder and a TV, and an inverter and a car battery aren't that much money.

You'd need 10 watts to run the transmitter, the camcorder would have it's own battery. $160 get you a 15 watt solar panel. Or you could use a car battery, or a CT Eliminator. The Eliminator 800 ($190) would run the transmitter for 30+ hours.

If you didn't already have a camcorder, you can get 12V cameras from them for under $100US, these would be better on power. The 15 watt solar panel could run the camera (3.6 watts) and the transmitter (9.6 watts) with a little overhead. The Eliminator 600 is $150 and would run both for almost 20 hours between charges.

If you needed to buy everything: (This assumes you have a vehicle to run the TV and reciever from)
Camera: $90US
Transmitter/Reciever: $280US
CT Eliminator 600: $150CAD
7" LCD TV: $219US
2 High gain antennas: $260USD

The only question is if the camera and TV have enough resolution to show bullet holes. But if you wanted to, you could try it out before you bought the transmitter. Just point your camcorder at the target, hook it straight into your TV, and see if you can see the holes.

EDIT: you need the high gain antennas to get the 5 mile range, with the antennas that come with the transmitter and reciever you can only get 2000ft.
 
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Been there, done that and have the t shirt!
The wireless system works as long as you have a transmitter that produces at least 2watts output. Line of sight only out to 3000 feet. Everything including the batteries can be put together for under $500 cdn. PM me for details if you care.
 
Cheat, use reactive targets. Shoot'n'sees are visible a good long way, and if allowed at your range, use a flat black metal plate. We use one at 1 km and bullets make real nice (and easy to see) splashes. .338 Lapua does tend to expend the plate, but anything less just leaves surface marks.
 
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