What Spotting Scope and Why?

The Kurgan

The Kurgan

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I need a spotting scope. Lebaron has quite a few in a variety of price ranges. I know you get what you pay for, but are there any value packed ones?

I want a scope that will take me out to as far as 300 yards. It needs to come in a case. It does not have to be micro small.

I am leaning towards this one, on for $225 (no tax this week):

http://www.adorama.com/VGVSH66.html
 
What I've learned about spotting scopes, which I use almost entirely from the window of my pick up...

First had a Bushnell Spacemaster, 15x45x60. Not bad, but above 25x to 30x, not terribly much to brag about in the sharpness/clarity dept.

So, thought I'd step up and snagged a decent priced Leupold Sequoia 15x45x60 off of EBay. Thinking, being a "Leupold", should be better.

Ummm...nope. Pretty much the same...meaning lack thereof...sharpness and clarity at about the same power range.

*sigh*

Yep, you'll get what you pay for, no doubt about it.

That said, researching since, I've learned that degree of sharpness at higher powers generally is relative to the objective size. Meaning that an 80mm objective is going to outperform a 60mm or 50mm relatively.

FWIW.
 
Just tried out a Redfield Ramage....pretty impressive for the money. Not sure you could do better in that price range.
 
try out whatever is in your price range, outside (may have to leave your driver license at the counter) and whichever is clearer to your eyes buy it. All our eyes are different which is why the optometry profession exists. What works for my eyes will not work for yours. Try them out for yourself, really there is no better way to find out.
 
The Kurgan said:
I need a spotting scope. Lebaron has quite a few in a variety of price ranges. I know you get what you pay for, but are there any value packed ones?

I want a scope that will take me out to as far as 300 yards. It needs to come in a case. It does not have to be micro small.

I am leaning towards this one, on for $225 (no tax this week):

http://www.adorama.com/VGVSH66.html
Click to expand...

You might be able see 30 cal. bullet holes at 300 yards with this scope. Seems well made for the money. FS
 
If you are up for a drive go to Pelee Wings near Leamington, Ont. They have a great selection of scopes and different eyepieces that you can try out. They also have a web page.
 
I am shooting a .22LR pistol and have just started to get serious about hitting the target. Yesterday I picked up a pair of 10X50 Nikon binoculars at a pawn shop for about 1/3 the new cost with no H.S.T....:D
I can see .22 holes at 50 yards but I doubt that they would be much good at 300 yards. The point is there are lots of optics at most pawn shops and you might get a good deal on something if you negotiate. At 300 yards atmospheric conditions might limit sharpness more than the glass in a scope........:cool:
 
The Kurgan said:
I need a spotting scope. Lebaron has quite a few in a variety of price ranges. I know you get what you pay for, but are there any value packed ones?

I want a scope that will take me out to as far as 300 yards. It needs to come in a case. It does not have to be micro small.

I am leaning towards this one, on for $225 (no tax this week):

http://www.adorama.com/VGVSH66.html
Click to expand...

One of the supporting dealers in the banner had a great deal on Minox spotting scopes around the end of July. Minox is German, owned by Leica I believe, and the scope is IMHO great for the money. No case or tripod but you get what you pay for and that's good glass. I use Minox binos while hunting and have been very satisfied with the glass and build quality. Only thing I'm not sold on is that its an angled eyepiece - good for range work but not so much for field spotting.

BTW I use a small Sony cam tripod and plan to save up for a proper range scope stand like a Freeland, etc.

https://www.championshooters.com/tripodA.JPG

Check out the stickies and other threads. Mysticplayer offers good advice if you plan to shoot long and go hi end. ;)
 
I've been thinking about getting one of those from Doug @ Cameraland (site sponsor)

62225-2.jpg

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62225

His 'demo' are half the price of Cabela's
 
A member at my range has the following scope for sale:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508992

I got a chance to look downrange with it and I could see my .224 holes at 300 yards and read text on the target with amazing clarity. I'd bet you could probably see holes out to 600 yards but 300 is our max distance. It was a night/day difference from the $150 spotting scope I have with the same magnification level.

I was going to buy it myself but opted for the high-mag Sightron instead.
 
i have a vortex, it was cheep with high magnification. cranked up it is very blurry except for a small area down and near the edge of the picture. This spot is amazingly clear! lol. so at 200 meter + I just try to look through that spot and I'm good.
 
Camera land!!

The dollar is very strong right now. Get a demo model of the best you can afford. Your dollar just went a lot further.

I went with the Pentax 65. A very good spotting scope for the money. I've since upgraded it with a better eyepiece (the one from the pentax 80mm ). It's worth the upgrade. You'll have to spend big bucks to go the next level in spotting scopes.
 
I have a US Optics Spotting scope for a sweet deal in the EE right now with an MOA reticle - perfect for spotting your shots and making corrections. It's clear and sharp at long distances.
 
dannyair said:
I have a US Optics Spotting scope for a sweet deal in the EE right now with an MOA reticle - perfect for spotting your shots and making corrections. It's clear and sharp at long distances.
Click to expand...

My friends and I do long range shooting and use spotting scopes with reticles for second shot placements. I have a Leupold Mark 4 with the TMR reticle, my friend has a Bushnell Excursion FLP with a mil dot reticle and my other friend HAD the US Optics spotting scope with the MOA reticle.

We tested them all head to head using the same powers, same light conditions and same target. The Leupold is the best hands down. The Bushnell second and the US Optics was so bad that my friend sent it back that week. We all couldn't believe that a $450 Bushnell would kill a $1600 US Optics. The US Optics was dark with a very small field of view.

If you want a spotting scope with a reticle the Leupold will cost you but is the best out there. If your on a budget get the Bushnell.

Sorry to everyone that already has a US Optics spotting scope. I'm just telling it how it is.
 
I bought the Cantire $99 special on sale for $49. That is exactly what that scope is worth. I can just see .22LR at 100yds. The zoom feature is useless at the higher magnifications. I want to buy a better spotting scope but when I have the $ to blow, A new rifle or pistol (or both) for the same money just seems like a much better investment...:D
 
Thanks for the boost Mmilne.
I saw the scope on Le Barons site going for $869, I reduced my price to $700.
And you are right, if you want clarity at 300 yards you need to spend some money.

The Kurgan, if you really want it, pm me and we will make a deal.
 
AWOL said:
I bought the Cantire $99 special on sale for $49. That is exactly what that scope is worth. I can just see .22LR at 100yds. The zoom feature is useless at the higher magnifications. I want to buy a better spotting scope but when I have the $ to blow, A new rifle or pistol (or both) for the same money just seems like a much better investment...:D
Click to expand...

I bought the same scope and agree with your assessment. It would be useful for watching elephants at 300 metres but not for spotting bullet holes, I have a thirty year old pair of 8x30 binoculars which resolve better .
When buying optics go big or don't bother.
 
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