Spotting scopes.
- Thread starter Sean17
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Get a half decent one. The $99 ($50 on sale) unit from Cantire is plain junk. Redfield makes a usable optic in the $250 range.
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Look at the stuff at site sponsor Camera Land NY (banner ad at top of page), they carry a lot of different makes and models at good prices and they know how to ship to Canada. You don't have to buy from them, you'll at least see a good range of what's out there and hopefully realise you don't have to throw away $1k to get something useful. But, AWOL's right, cheap names and unknown names at C.Tire and Wal-Mart aren't a good bargain when it comes to optics in general and spotting scopes in particular. With spotting scopes we use much higher magnification than riflescopes and binoculars, and that magnifies poor quality.
I have had my Tasco a few years now and use it out to 200 yards spotting holes no problem it came with a nice case and small tripod, but as I said earlier first hunting trip and we were talking warranty. I think something was loose inside because it was riding in my Suzuki Sidekick and a lens inside came off probably from gravel road vibration. I have taken the replacement hunting but I seldom use it, if I was going on a sheep or goat hunt I would not trust it.
gunrunner8
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
E-E is full of used excelent quality spotting scopes in $200-$350 range. New spotting scopes in that price bracket made in China are not in the same class. Try to stick to brand name scopes like; Baush&Lomb, Burris, Redfield, Leupold, Nikon, Pentax, etc made in Japan, older clasics. Aim for min 60mm objective and most usefull magnification in the 20x to 45x power or so.
I had a Bushnell Sentry that was o.k. for 100m at the range. The Spacemaster is at the point in the Bushnell range of spotting scope models where I think the optical quality starts to be worthwhile. A used one in good serviceable condition is probably good value.
My Sentry got stolen (fell asleep?) and I have a Minox MD50 now, which I think is very good quality for the price, but it is designed to be light and compact and that costs. Something just for the range can give the same optical quality for less money because it can be bigger and heavier. There are always trade-offs. Think about what you want if for most, and what it's worth to you to have some versatility for other roles.
My Sentry got stolen (fell asleep?) and I have a Minox MD50 now, which I think is very good quality for the price, but it is designed to be light and compact and that costs. Something just for the range can give the same optical quality for less money because it can be bigger and heavier. There are always trade-offs. Think about what you want if for most, and what it's worth to you to have some versatility for other roles.
