Just curious what you guys/girls are liking for a decently priced (not gonna completely break the bank) spotting scope that would be used to "probably" a maximum of about 500yd/m? My buddies 10 year old, $200 Bushnell just ain't cutting it anymore.
What are you liking for a spotting scope to 500?
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- Start date
Are you shooting paper or steel? And how big is your bank that you don't want to break?
This Celestron Trailseeker 20-60x80 would probably do the trick for 500yrds on steel and is quite inexpensive at $355. It may not have good enough glass quality and coatings to resolve bullet holes at 500 on paper at high zoom ranges. It takes a standard size eyepiece so aftermarket ones are available like milrad reticles or better focal lenses.
Amazon may not be the best deal so check around.
Cheers
Paper. And mostly reactive targets, making things slightly easier. But, that old Bushnell just doesn't do well beyond about 250. It's really mostly going to be used for zero'ing hunting rifles.
As for the bank.... Maybe $1K? But if a $1000 spotter isn't really gonna be "that" much better than a $400 or $500 one, then obviously I'll put the extra towards rifle glass.
Currently using a nikon. Have no complaints. Check on a couple of the birding sites, those people know their glass. - dan
based on years of asking myself the same question - I have concluded that for 'money in the bank' and excellent performance (ie you wont lose if you sell it later) look for a Kowa at a decent price. OR for decent performance at an inexpensive price point - Nikon is worth looking at (also note that Nikon makes high end stuff - 'ED' - as well but pricier) but that opinion is just from personal experience and I am sure there are lots of other good mid-priced spotters.
You can also spend a whole LOT more for top of the line stuff such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Leitz etc and no one will debate their optical superiority but the incremental gain is not as huge as it once was with current optics/mass production methods.
I have an old Unertl 24x63 spotter which is probably close to 60 years old and while the contrast is not up to the latest optical standards the resolution is extremely high and very impressive. One of the qualities to check for other than the usual (eye relief, weight, optical quality etc) is: waterproof/fogproof qualities since outdoor activities and shooting often occur in unpleasant weather. Sadly the old Unertl is not 'waterproof' so it tends to be a 'fair weather' optic
You can also spend a whole LOT more for top of the line stuff such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Leitz etc and no one will debate their optical superiority but the incremental gain is not as huge as it once was with current optics/mass production methods.
I have an old Unertl 24x63 spotter which is probably close to 60 years old and while the contrast is not up to the latest optical standards the resolution is extremely high and very impressive. One of the qualities to check for other than the usual (eye relief, weight, optical quality etc) is: waterproof/fogproof qualities since outdoor activities and shooting often occur in unpleasant weather. Sadly the old Unertl is not 'waterproof' so it tends to be a 'fair weather' optic
For under $1000 you aren't going to see holes on paper at 500, at 300 it's possible... Your best bet for a spotter in that price range that I have looked through would be a used Nikon or the Sighttron 85mm, (I've owned bushnell, Nikon, Sightron, Vortex, and looked through loads of them at the range and PRS matches)
As stated above, check out the reviews on the birding sites, Peelee wings sometimes has some good deals too
As stated above, check out the reviews on the birding sites, Peelee wings sometimes has some good deals too
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
+1 on Peelee wings. Nice fellow to deal with.
Currently running a Pentax PF80ED for shooting and birding
- I like that it takes 1.25" astro eyepiece (So you are not locked in to one specific supplier)
- Eyepiece that is seeing the most use is a Celestron Regal LER eyepiece (27x with a 80mm scope)
- For less $, the Celestron Regal ED is pretty darn close
As far as seeing bullet holes @ 500m... the condition would have to be darn near perfect, as in mirage/humidity in the air will affect visibility.
Currently running a Pentax PF80ED for shooting and birding
- I like that it takes 1.25" astro eyepiece (So you are not locked in to one specific supplier)
- Eyepiece that is seeing the most use is a Celestron Regal LER eyepiece (27x with a 80mm scope)
- For less $, the Celestron Regal ED is pretty darn close
As far as seeing bullet holes @ 500m... the condition would have to be darn near perfect, as in mirage/humidity in the air will affect visibility.
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
Pentax 65ED with whatever fixed eye piece floats your boat. I love my Pentax fixed eyepiece but it will wreck your $500 limit but not terribly. I snagged an angled demo for 375 or something like that then pushed the boat out with a Pentax’s XW. I believe I was around 750 all in. Amazing view for the $$
Not a $500 limit. Was talking about 500m/yds.
Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
Doh, my bad!!
I still stand by the Pentax for under 1k, 65mm or 80, but my 65 is truly impressive for the price, and that’s coming from a guy that ran a Kowa 774. The Kowa is better no question, but will be triple the price. I have a Minox with reticle as well and definitely prefer the Pentax ED with their fixed eyepiece for resolution.
