Spotting scope that doesnt break bank!

Jetjock

Jetjock

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Super GunNutz
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I know that good glass is expensive but the industry has made some great strides in the last decade. Anyone recommend a 20-40-60 spotter with 60mm objective? As they range from $150 to $ 3500, I was hoping below $500 but goog enough to check range targets at 100 to 200 yards. Have several excellent camera tripods so not a consideration
 
There are pretty decent spotters available in that price range. You may not get long eye relief which is nice when wearing shooting glasses (as you should when firing any rifle) but they can be very good optically. To get maximum optical bang for your buck..look for a fixed power ocular (25-30X is fine) and select a spotter that uses a porroprism rather than a roof prism in the design..the spotters to be avoided will have a straight smooth tube....not that they are bad but you are paying a little more than necessary to get optimal light transmission and clarity. I picked up a 'like new' Nikon 'Sky and Earth' spotter about 9 years ago for $250 that has been a pretty good compromise. It isnt a Leitz, Swarovski or Zeiss, Kowa etc etc but works fine. Of course Nikon have also some very high end scopes that are terrific..but a 'little' more pricey!
 
The Celestron C90 MAK gets quite a few nods as an inexpensive spotting scope. Probably more suited to range use than (hunting) field use. $165US at B&H, or about $295CAD at KW Telescope or All-Star Telescope. Free shipping from any of their web sites.
 
Celestrons are decent for the money... if getting a lower priced version, get the largest objective lense. Unfortunately, most variable eyepieces suck and that can really hurt the performance of a spotter.

But then good eyepieces can cost more then many spotters .

If you can test drive, that would be ideal... there are plenty of lower priced optics that you can view from ... but very few will let you SEE small details at distance.

If not shooting several rifles, consider upgrading your scope to a better higher mag variable scope... problem solved.
Jerry
 
Thanks for the replies. I have been offered a used Bushnell spotting scope but it is 12-35X45mm and I am not sure if that is enough power to see holes at the range out to 200 yards. What say you?
 
That's not a very large objective lens. The light gathering ability is proportional to the square of the diameter so a 45mm lens has only 56% of the light gathering ability of the 60mm lens. I would get the biggest lens that fits the budget. I have a Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60x80mm and I'm very happy with it for paper to 200 (very often 300 if mirage is not too bad), and long range competition.

Chris.
 
Jetjock said:
Thanks for the replies. I have been offered a used Bushnell spotting scope but it is 12-35X45mm and I am not sure if that is enough power to see holes at the range out to 200 yards. What say you?
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I'm sure you will not be happy with that one. 45mm obj is to small to gather enough light with low end lenses. You have rifle scope with bigger obj!
 
Mystic Precision said:
If not shooting several rifles, consider upgrading your scope to a better higher mag variable scope... problem solved.
Jerry
Click to expand...

One could even bring their one rifle that has a really nice scope on it, leave it on the next bench over with a chamber flag in the chamber, and periodically scoot over to look through the better scope. Not as convenient as a spotting scope right next to you, mind you.
 
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