Spotting scope suggestions ?

Murray 3-D

Murray 3-D

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Looking to get a spotting scope. Budget up to $1500ish Cad. (Would prefer closer to $1000 Cad honestly)

I bought a bushnell Trophy xlt package 2 weeks ago, although it may be good for the price point. Its pretty much useless. At 60x the image degrades so much, u can barely make out .22cal holes at 100m

I want a spotting scope that can clearly display .22cal holes at 100m .... and allows me to see a steel plate swing at 1000m

I also intend to mount my gopro to the optic using a phone skope mount, so an optic that stands out for having generous eye relief gets major bonus points.

Weight and size does not matter! Must be rain proof tho.

Currently eyeing up:

Vortex Viper HD 20-60x80mm

Celestron Regal M2 100ED

Athlon optics Ares 20-60x85ED

Meopta Meopro 80 HD possibly
 
Make sure you go 80mm minimum on the objective lens.

You might be able to scour up a Vortex Razor 20-60x85 on the EE in your price range in you look around. I came across a new one from Wholesale sports a few years ago for $1500 so they can be had for good deals. It's not Swarovski glass but it also was only 1/3 the price.
 
Done a sh!t load of research now.. and read ur suggestions (thanks BTW) ....

The kowa definitely is what id want, since i could easily attach my GH4 mirco four thirds camera to it! But by the time i purchase a body and eyepiece, im probably looking at 2500 to 3000 cad. Which is simply out of my price range.

Im going to go to cabelas today and return the bushnell. While im there, i will look through a Votex Viper HD 85mm if they have one, but judging by reviews, it seems like the glass may not be to my satisfaction.

Ive looked at the pentax ed80 and have read some positive reviews about it, but judging by the limited number of reviews it doesnt seem to be a popular choice, which concerns me. Still a consideration tho.

If think im leaning towards the Meopta Meopro 80. It seems to score nothing but praise for its price point. People are often comparing them to swaros and razors.
Only problem being is it will cost me 1700 cad before tax. Which is moderately over budget.

My final consideration is older gen Vortex Razor HDs i see i can score them new off Amazon.com for 1000usd, and theres no prompt for shipping restrictions?
Judging by reviews, the glass wont be quite as good as the Meopro 80, BUT it might still be good enough for my needs. And 1000usd is right in my budget! Only limitation is whether or not it would ship to Canada?
 
I really like my Kowa TSN82SV. It is not compact or light though. I bought the extender for it so I have up to 96X magnification. I bought it online from Pelee Wings. They are primarily a birding shop but carry lots of spotting scopes.
 
I think im set on the Meopta Meopro 80 HD, negative reviews for this spotter are non existent! I just need to save up a little more now.
 
Clocked92 said:
Make sure you go 80mm minimum on the objective lens.

You might be able to scour up a Vortex Razor 20-60x85 on the EE in your price range in you look around. I came across a new one from Wholesale sports a few years ago for $1500 so they can be had for good deals. It's not Swarovski glass but it also was only 1/3 the price.
Click to expand...

I picked up a used Razor 20-60x85 from the EE awhile ago(maybe 5-7 years?) for around $1k with some extra eyepieces(30x MRAD and MOA ranging) and other accessories. While it's not a swaro it will easily fill the role that you have described. I'm kinda a glass whore and haven't been motivated to upgrade it.
 
Save your money and get a good one.
Look through the scope and change the magnification and see how the view is at all magnification levels. Some are difficult to look through in the middle.
If you think that it is good enough and there are some complaints, hold off on your purchase and continue to save.
You throw a lot more money away upgrading than buying a good one first.
 
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