Spotting scope
- Thread starter Denka
- Start date
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Leica Trinovid. No more details except it has been the best spotter I have seen through while scoring in Kamloops.
Kowa is also not bad but there are so many models and varying age, I really don't know the specs.
The Pentax are one of the best values going. Their zoom is not good for eye glass wearers but then very few are. Their fix mag eye pieces are superb. I really don't think there is anything in this price range even close.
For comp work, the 80mm over the 65 for sure. For hunting, the 65 is a great piece of kit - how about texture of the bark on a pine tree at 2000yds in clear winter air?
Swarovski is horrid for eye glass users but maybe with a different eye piece????
Nikon, well let's just say they make great binos
Bushnell Elite - very surprised at how nice these can be. Very few angled eye pieces so not much use for comp shooting but for LR viewing, I was pleasantly surprised.
For me, a spotter is about seeing mirage as I cannot see bullet holes given the air conditions where I am. I am presently playing with a Vortex Skyline (I think thats the model).
Variable has good eye relief only at low mag (no surprise here), moderate optics for resolution BUT not bad for seeing mirage in a place like Kamloops. Didn't try it at Homestead but my scope was working.
For $$$ spent and clarity, colour, the Celestrons Ultima 80's are also worth a look. Variables are again a weak spot but the overall view is not bad at all. Certainly better at seeing stuff then the Vortex. Very little mirage info though.
One of the goofiest oddball spotters with actually very nice resolution, colour and clarity was a TASCO spotter I picked up at London Drugs (sale under $100). At low mag, the view was really really good. Now I don't think there is a piece of metal in this product so will likely not survive a bump with a fly but someone was having a good day when this scope was made.
Didn't give you any mirage info so returned it but you could read stuff a very long ways out.
Decide if you want to see object or see the mirage. In lower priced spotters, you get one of the other.
In much higher priced spotters, you can get both and more of each.
If you want to see bullet holes beyond 200yds, bring lots and lots of $$$$$
Or use a wireless set up and save so much headache.
Jerry
Kowa is also not bad but there are so many models and varying age, I really don't know the specs.
The Pentax are one of the best values going. Their zoom is not good for eye glass wearers but then very few are. Their fix mag eye pieces are superb. I really don't think there is anything in this price range even close.
For comp work, the 80mm over the 65 for sure. For hunting, the 65 is a great piece of kit - how about texture of the bark on a pine tree at 2000yds in clear winter air?
Swarovski is horrid for eye glass users but maybe with a different eye piece????
Nikon, well let's just say they make great binos
Bushnell Elite - very surprised at how nice these can be. Very few angled eye pieces so not much use for comp shooting but for LR viewing, I was pleasantly surprised.
For me, a spotter is about seeing mirage as I cannot see bullet holes given the air conditions where I am. I am presently playing with a Vortex Skyline (I think thats the model).
Variable has good eye relief only at low mag (no surprise here), moderate optics for resolution BUT not bad for seeing mirage in a place like Kamloops. Didn't try it at Homestead but my scope was working.
For $$$ spent and clarity, colour, the Celestrons Ultima 80's are also worth a look. Variables are again a weak spot but the overall view is not bad at all. Certainly better at seeing stuff then the Vortex. Very little mirage info though.
One of the goofiest oddball spotters with actually very nice resolution, colour and clarity was a TASCO spotter I picked up at London Drugs (sale under $100). At low mag, the view was really really good. Now I don't think there is a piece of metal in this product so will likely not survive a bump with a fly but someone was having a good day when this scope was made.
Didn't give you any mirage info so returned it but you could read stuff a very long ways out.
Decide if you want to see object or see the mirage. In lower priced spotters, you get one of the other.
In much higher priced spotters, you can get both and more of each.
If you want to see bullet holes beyond 200yds, bring lots and lots of $$$$$
Or use a wireless set up and save so much headache.
Jerry
X100!!!!!!
I have done lots of side by side comparison and the Pentax is the clear winner: (no pun intended) best scope and best value.
Check out site sponsor "Cameraland" in the dealer section. Best prices going and great to deal with.
Sightron makes a good product!
I just bought a Leupold Mark4 with a P4 reticle I like it but it’s pricey. In my opinion Leupold needs to improve there optics for what they charge, there name is not worth the premium to me anymore..
I wanted the reticle to practice, my neighbours were getting concerned with me practicing ranging in the back yard with my rifle scope.
MM
I just bought a Leupold Mark4 with a P4 reticle I like it but it’s pricey. In my opinion Leupold needs to improve there optics for what they charge, there name is not worth the premium to me anymore..
I wanted the reticle to practice, my neighbours were getting concerned with me practicing ranging in the back yard with my rifle scope.
MM
The Vortex Skyline series a discontinued product, it was a decent spotter but too big and bulky and no eye piece options either. The Vortex Razor HD is their top of the line scope and a very good one at that. It comes with a standard 20-60X eye piece, or a fixed 30X wide angle is available as an option. This year they came out with the Viper series, it is available as a 15-45X65 angled or straight, HD or XD, and as a 20-60X80 angled or straight, HD or XD. I have only looked through a couple of these so far indoors so I can not comment on them with any real experience but they look very promising.
I really like my Razor HD and would say it is among the best available for the price range, but I have not had the chance to do a serious side by side yet. Time will tell...
I really like my Razor HD and would say it is among the best available for the price range, but I have not had the chance to do a serious side by side yet. Time will tell...
Don't waste any more time on this topic unless you want to spend $2000++, buy the Pentax. Nobody is going to show Pentax how too make lenses except maybe Nikon but when I did my research they were a little more money and not as well suited for what we are doing with them. Vortex, Sightron etc. who makes their lenses???
Kowa makes a hell of a good spotter as does Leica, Swarvo etc, but you want their ED glass and the price will add years to your retirement plans
I have been very happy with the 77mm Kowa TSN-1 and 22X WA eyepiece that I have been using for over 10 years now. With the right conditions I can see bullet holes at 300 yards and the WA eyepiece allows me to see 10 targets at 900m.
For General use I'm very happy with my Pentax 65.
I swapped up for the 20-60x zoom eyepiece on the 80. Mystic Player had this setup and it sure does improve the base Pentax65 spotting scope. A bit more eye relief and better resolution. You actually lose some magnification since it's made for the larger model. I think 45X is the max now, but with the better resolution you can see more at 45X than you could at 60 with the stock zoom piece.
This is the best in my opinion before you get into the big league stuff that costs double the amount. It's also a general purpose setup. If you're planning on competition etc then your needs will be different.
I swapped up for the 20-60x zoom eyepiece on the 80. Mystic Player had this setup and it sure does improve the base Pentax65 spotting scope. A bit more eye relief and better resolution. You actually lose some magnification since it's made for the larger model. I think 45X is the max now, but with the better resolution you can see more at 45X than you could at 60 with the stock zoom piece.
This is the best in my opinion before you get into the big league stuff that costs double the amount. It's also a general purpose setup. If you're planning on competition etc then your needs will be different.
I am still trying to figure out if I need spotting scope as I can see a lot of guys do not use any, maybe only for mirage/flag reading. I am debating if to get pentax pf-80 or pf-65, or just leave. I am looking for max 500m and that I can read target better(closer) than from scope. Any thoughts?
Denka,
It sounds like you are using this for competitive shooting.
You do not necessarily NEED one but on those switchy mirage days they sure are nice to have on the line with you.
The PF80 is ED glass and in calm (very calm) conditions 6mm bullet holes have been seen at 600yds (approx 500M) with the Pentax 80.
It sounds like you are using this for competitive shooting.
You do not necessarily NEED one but on those switchy mirage days they sure are nice to have on the line with you.
The PF80 is ED glass and in calm (very calm) conditions 6mm bullet holes have been seen at 600yds (approx 500M) with the Pentax 80.
I am moving to long range shooting, but with limited access for long range, only 200-300 meters and hopefully to move longer range. Therefore, to make sure I do not waste money on something I will not use as much as my own scope, therefore, I am hoping to get feedback from professionals/advanced shooters.
For me the main purpose of a scope is to see the score values and read mirage. For mirage, you focus the scope a few hundred yards forward of the shooter. the target is out of focus, so seeing bullet holes is not an option.
I much prefer a fixed power eyepiece with lots of eye relief. A 15 to 20X is just fine. My Unertyl is perfect.
A real solid scope base/tripod is important. Something like a Freeland can work for prone and sitting/coaching.
The lens claority issue is more important in terms of lack of distortion. I have a small Kowa that will give me a headache if I look through ti very much.
I much prefer a fixed power eyepiece with lots of eye relief. A 15 to 20X is just fine. My Unertyl is perfect.
A real solid scope base/tripod is important. Something like a Freeland can work for prone and sitting/coaching.
The lens claority issue is more important in terms of lack of distortion. I have a small Kowa that will give me a headache if I look through ti very much.
