Spotting scope help

[Ernst]

Hi guys , I've decided that a spotting scope could be real handy for when my brother and I go shooting . I've found a few that seem ok in my price range ( 400-600 ) viper , Bushnell . I'm looking for 20/60 / ? As my eyes have aged a wee bit , the scope choices are massive were some go for super cheap $ and the other end goes for ridiculous $ , so my questions are am I budgeting enough $ or too little $ 400-600 ish , and do you guys have any spotting scope recommendations for brands and good places to buy ? The scope will be used primarily for bench shooting , and once in a while just looking at the scenery , thanks much Ernst

 

[TheTooner]

With careful shopping, I think $400-600 will get you a new scope that is good, not great, or a used scope that is better than good. If you can go up to $1k you will be able to find something that will probably keep you happy for the rest of your life. That sort doesn't come up used very often because if you have one you probably don't feel you need something better.

New spotting scopes under $300 probably aren't worth having. Do without while you save up.

At around $200 if you are lucky the EE or maybe kijiji will throw up something worth having for range work out to 200 and even 300 metres. That's how I got a Bausch&Lomb 20-45x60mm that does that for $250. I also have a compact 16-30x50mm Minox that was about $300 new and I'm quite pleased with it.

Go to the website of site sponsor CameralandNY to at least windowshop. They have good stuff at good prices and good service, and that will give you an idea of what's out there.

 

[Ernst]

With careful shopping, I think $400-600 will get you a new scope that is good, not great, or a used scope that is better than good. If you can go up to $1k you will be able to find something that will probably keep you happy for the rest of your life. That sort doesn't come up used very often because if you have one you probably don't feel you need something better.

New spotting scopes under $300 probably aren't worth having. Do without while you save up.
At around $200 if you are lucky the EE or maybe kijiji will throw up something worth having for range work out to 200 and even 300 metres. That's how I got a Bausch&Lomb 20-45x60mm that does that for $250. I also have a compact 16-30x50mm Minox that was about $300 new and I'm quite pleased with it.

Go to the website of site sponsor CameralandNY to at least windowshop. They have good stuff at good prices and good service, and that will give you an idea of what's out there.

Thanks tooner , I was wondering about the minox gear , it's good to hear you like it . Honestly guys , as much as I would like spend a lot on a quality scope ( 2-3000$ ) I'm afraid the budget just isn't there after my most recent purchases of a AICS rem 700 , viper scope , atlas bipod , so I think your right toner and I'll keep doing my homework while my pile o gold grows ! I would like a better quality glass as you say but I don't see myself spending more than 800 tops . Thanks guys keep them coming , i would like to hear about some of the less we'll known but "quality" brands and places you like to shop ! Ps. Tooner I love the picture of you on the old school gixer

 

[TheTooner]

It's a 1982 Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk.II with an aftermarket top fairing, (the original had a single rectangular headlamp,) and a custom paint job slightly modified from the standard pattern and with non-standard colours.

 

[Ernst]

It's a 1982 Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk.II with an aftermarket top fairing, (the original had a single rectangular headlamp,) and a custom paint job slightly modified from the standard pattern and with non-standard colours.

Even better , got to love the old guzzis , it was hard to tell from the small picture but with the white and red paint with the two head lamps , and old school leathers, it reminded me me of a 86 gsxr with the flat tank and slab sides , my buddy had one we called it " slabby " I've still got my 1990 zx11 I don't ride it often but I'll never sell it , I'm funny that way . Cheers Ernst

 

[Mr. Friendly]

if the spotting scope is going to be used for bench rest shooting, may I suggest the Celestron C90 90mm Maksutov-Casssegrain. this is what I use:
http://www.celestron.com/sports_outdoors/celestron-c90-mak-spotting-scope.html

scope runs you about $250 or so. I would recommend you get a decent 8mm - 24mm zoom eyepiece from a telescope shop (usually around $80...don't buy the cheap $40 or $50 one, you'll regret it later).

nice thing about this scope is it's got a very long focal length, so it's easy to get high power magnification to see your shots when you're reaching out to 300 yards. I use this at the Mission Range...and if you want to get one of these, just talk to Nick or Rodrigo at Vancouver Telescope on Burrard and 10th in Vancouver. they don't stock the item, so it may take a week or two to bring in for you, but it's awesome on the range.

that said, Nick will likely also recommend this scope:
http://ca.skywatcher.com/_english/04_spotting/02_detail.php?sid=27

it's the stores most selling spotting scope (I used to work there), extreme value for the performance it gives at it's price point. they'll even have a floor model for you to test. the tripod 4 you can get it with is not worth the $100 it costs. I would take the remainder of your budget and buy the best tripod you can. It may be more than the scope, in the end, but you don't want any wobble or shimmy. In my case, this is the mount/tripod I went with:
http://ca.skywatcher.com/_english/02_mounts/02_detail.php?sid=49

those knobs on the cables allow you slow motion control for side to side and up/down movement, so you can tweak what you're looking at with excellent accuracy.

bonus about that C90 Mak...it will perform amazingly on the moon and on the planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, for instance) from within the city. the planets are so bright, you don't need to be in a dark sky (though it helps!).

PM me if you have any questions

 

[maynard]

Double your price cap and buy a Kowa. Google Pelee Wings, they carry all kinds of spotting scopes and have the best prices in Canada. If I ever had to replace my Kowa, I would be tempted to look at a Vortex.

 

[Ernst]

Thanks guys , I appreciate all the great advice , it's a bit of a learning curve trying to figure out what everything means and how it pertains to my needs , but I think I've got it mostly figured out ( more or less ) . It's great to hear about these brands I'm not aware of , they are probably more well known in the camera / bird watching circles and those guys seem to be really into there gear ! Thanks mr. Friendly and Maynard I will definitely be checking out your recommendations . I live real close to Vancouver telescope so I'll be going there soon to " test drive " some new toys ! I have been checking out the viper / vortex line up and I've come across kowa before but wasn't sure about the quality , nice to hear there worth having . Thanks again everyone ! Much appreciated . Ernst ( Aaron )

 

[Mil Specs]

I have a Vortex nomad which gives great performance for the money , good light and crisp detail at the range .On 20x it can spot for my sons 20 and 50 m target smallbore quite adequately. it and a fairly robust tripod came to just a little over 500 bucks taxes in . It performs as well or better as some of the 1000 dollar scopes I have seen at the range. Plus the warranty is hard to beat (it might have changed by now ) but if it breaks they replace it regardless of whether it was an accident or sheer stupidity that caused it .

 

[TheTooner]

Even better , got to love the old guzzis , it was hard to tell from the small picture but with the white and red paint with the two head lamps , and old school leathers, it reminded me me of a 86 gsxr with the flat tank and slab sides , my buddy had one we called it " slabby " I've still got my 1990 zx11 I don't ride it often but I'll never sell it , I'm funny that way . Cheers Ernst

I thought I would never sell that one, having put so much into it and gone through so much with it, but I couldn't afford the shipping when I came home from England, so I have a K100RT now.

 

[nevanevan]

I have been dying to see a good review on the sightron S2 20-60 spotting scope for $600 on 4scopes. It looks similar to a viper but haven't seen the reviews.

 

[Ernst]

There's a few scopes out there with ranging reticles , I believe viper, leupold, barska make them . Does anyone have any experience with these and do you think it actually works for accurate distances or is it more of a could be around 350 yards ish kinda thing ? If they do work it could be kinda handy and save some $ on a laser range finder. http://www.snipercentral.com/leupoldmark4spot.htm

 

[davidhp]

A tabletop/compact spotting scope, is very good pal for bench rest shooting, I'd like to recommend this sightmark 6-100x100 spotter, it features a dual channel optical system, allowing for short and long distance viewing, integrated Concept of hunting, shooting, and tactical uses.
http://www.brandonoptics.com/Sightmark-6-100x100-Tactical-Spotting-Scope-Kit-SM21031K_p_758.html

Thanks guys , I appreciate all the great advice , it's a bit of a learning curve trying to figure out what everything means and how it pertains to my needs , but I think I've got it mostly figured out ( more or less ) . It's great to hear about these brands I'm not aware of , they are probably more well known in the camera / bird watching circles and those guys seem to be really into there gear ! Thanks mr. Friendly and Maynard I will definitely be checking out your recommendations . I live real close to Vancouver telescope so I'll be going there soon to " test drive " some new toys ! I have been checking out the viper / vortex line up and I've come across kowa before but wasn't sure about the quality , nice to hear there worth having . Thanks again everyone ! Much appreciated . Ernst ( Aaron )

 

[chalkriver]

Double your price cap and buy a Kowa. Google Pelee Wings, they carry all kinds of spotting scopes and have the best prices in Canada. If I ever had to replace my Kowa, I would be tempted to look at a Vortex.

X2...very good scopes and I just purchased a Kowa 663 for our club from Pelee as well . Great scope and dealer but as mentioned they are more $$ .
Then there is the price of the tripod on top of that.

 

[duncansuds]

got to compare a few at NSCC match, being Ziess, Kowa, Vortex. All were able to show me "swirl", all seemed clear, but the vortex kinda drew me in. It was around an 800.00 optic, seemed like excellent bang for the buck.