Spotting scope recommendations for long distance mirage reading

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GSoD

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I'm looking to upgrade my spotting scope for the upcoming FTR shooting season.

I want one that can sit beside me on the line allowing me to observe mirage midway downrange in between shots.

I know you largely get what you pay for. So while I'm not looking for the basement I can't afford the penthouse.

I'll be prone and not looking to move much from my rifle once I get settled in so an angled eye piece is necessary.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

ST
 
Sean, are you only willing to buy new or will you consider a used one in excellent condition?

If used is an option, look for a used KOWA or Zeiss. Both are probably out of your price range if purchased new but a used one might fit within your budget.

by the way, what's your budget / ceiling? That will play a big factor in the receommendations you get.

I've seen several Nikon spotting scopes on the line at some of our matches. They might be something to consider as well.
 
You've seen me in the wind, I go every which way ;)

New / used / I'm not picky. My initial gut instinct has me around $5-700. But I want it to do the job. So I don't know if that gets me there.
 
Sean,

I would suggest the Pentax PF80ED but is a few hundred out of your price range. Not sure what the PF60 sells for but check Cameraland website for a demo model which are generally cheaper than NIB.
 
This would be in your price range; comes with some nice features.

781570ED

Features

Folded Lightpath System
Fully multi-coated optics for maximum brightness
Excellent eye relief
ED Prime Glass
1st Focal plane Mil Hash reticle
Eyepiece diopter ring
"Black Out" exterior
Waterproof
Includes soft case




Excursion FLP
Spotting Scope

15-45x 60mm, Tactical
781570ED
 
prairieguy said:
Sean, are you only willing to buy new or will you consider a used one in excellent condition?

If used is an option, look for a used KOWA or Zeiss. Both are probably out of your price range if purchased new but a used one might fit within your budget.

by the way, what's your budget / ceiling? That will play a big factor in the receommendations you get.

I've seen several Nikon spotting scopes on the line at some of our matches. They might be something to consider as well.
Click to expand...

Vancouver Telescope has the TSN 660 series listed for 625.00 plus another 235.00 for a 25X LER eyepiece. The 600 series are probably closer to the top end of your budget. You could try Vantage Point Outfitters (web based off of Vancouver Island,... reputable) or Pelee Wings. They both deal in Kowa.

I bought a demo Nikon Fieldscope lll ED off Ebay a couple years ago for 750.00 U.S. If you can find one in your price range, it was a great little scope. I think they are over a thousand now (new) with an eyepiece.

A good tripod useable for prone shooting is going to set you back a little more too.
 
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Going off Jim Owens site I decided to grab a KONUS scope. Not as beautiful as the ridiculous top end, but still an awesome clear scope for the money. Look for Jim Owens jarhead on google, you should be able to find it. Grabbed a manfrotto carbon fiber tripod, pistol grip head, and it does everything I could ask for, from standing to face in the dirt prone.
 
GSod, this has been a problem I have been investigating for a few years now.

So far, I have tried a Celestron 80 reg lense. Very clear image, surprisingly better then the money suggested. Bright, good colour and resolution BUT the mirage was not as clear as I wanted.

Mechanicals and eye relief worked very nicely. For a range spotter, great value. Plastic eye piece so care needed to avoid damage. Sold it.

Recently, Vortex Skyline. Not as clear as the Celestron but a bit better at seeing mirage. Worked well and smaller then the Celestron. More money but seemed to be a bit more robust in construction. Very good eye relief.

I used it in Alberta for a relay and found the mag too high. For a spotter at low mag, the field of view is what you expect BUT I found it hard to see as much of the range as I wanted. So I decided I wanted LOWER mag and wider field of view. Sold it.

Of all things, I got a Tasco cheapie from London drugs on a sale. The image was better then alot of more expensive spotters at low mag. Stunned BUT it was all plastic so would probably implode the first time it went into a range box. For S&G's, this was a surprise.

A few years back, I had a Pentax ED65 and stupid me, only stuck variables on it so wasn't as happy as I am sure the spotter could be. The image on this thing was really good and the smaller size desireable. If I had half a brain and just got better eyepieces, I would likely still have it. Sold it and the new owner reported being extremely happy.

Might go back to that...

The Pentax 80's are a great spotter no doubt but I am looking to spend way less money and maybe have a smaller unit.

This unit doesn't have to have the clearest image, I only want to be able to see the mirage.

I also think I want to have very low mag. I have a set of Nikon 12X50 binos that work really nicely for field spotting and mirage work. It sees the mirage really nicely. Huge field of view which would be fantastic to see as many flags as possible.

If I can rig up a mount to use it, I think I would be happy with something like this.

So I think I am on a quest for LOW mag, wide field of view that excells at seeing the air. Clarity not that important as I spot the scoring dot and value with my scope. Also, smaller size is a good thing as I already have enough stuff to cart around.

For a stand, I got a really nice unit from the US. RayVin - now retired I think. Robust, heavy so it can support a decent spotter without falling over. Easy to adjust. A very nice unit.

Love to hear your experiences on other units.

Jerry
 
I would buy 2 PF80ED Pentax spotters with fixed eyepiece (EW14) before I would spend $2000+ on a Kowa.

Your not giving anything up other than having the Kowa name splashed across the side of your scope and an extra $1000 or so.
 
Was on their site and all were "call for quote" I think...
Click to expand...

Obviously you didn't try copying and pasting the link that I posted, or you would have seen some prices.

I would buy 2 PF80ED Pentax spotters with fixed eyepiece (EW14) before I would spend $2000+ on a Kowa.

Your not giving anything up other than having the Kowa name splashed across the side of your scope and an extra $1000 or so.
Click to expand...

And a lot of people that have used both, myself included would disagree. I looked at several spotting scopes before choosing the Kowa TSN883.
 
Following your link Stubblejumper, worked.

Was on their site yesterday and all were call for quote/price.
Click to expand...

It took me a few attempts to find the pricing, but it has been there for several months if you look in the right place"Featured Spotting Scopes".
 
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