Spotting Scope Recommendations???

[in 'em]

I'm looking at getting a spotting scope with the following criteria...the last one being the most important at this point.

-High power (60?)
-Light weight
-inexpensive

What got me looking is the rebate I saw in the Sportsman's news for $10 off an Alpen spotting scope purchase. I don't know anything about Alpen, but I have great binocs and really only want a spotting scope to use for closer inspecting deer I see with my binocs and to use just for fun in the off season while scouting...so I'm not looking at spending several hundred on one. I have a small 20x spotting scope, but need something more powerful. Out of the cheaper scopes, what ones would you use and/or stay away from? Oh, and where would you buy it from? ie. Online, a store, etc? THANKS!!!

Merry Christmas!

[Don Fischer]

If your anything like me your gonna get a spotting scope. But don't spend a lot on it because you always end up leaving it home. Wher the reality set's in that you have to carry that thing, leaving it is a good thing to do. I don't even carry mine to the range but I got one boy!

[4th_Point]

You can read my comments on the Sandpiper and Alpen 742 here (same username as iFish... 4th_Point):

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...rue#Post880915

[wapiteaser]

I think Ifish sponsor ZenRay has some pretty nice spotting scopes. It looked like a pic of one in their ad. I may be wrong, but have heard good things about their binos. Check them out.

[flipperdog]

Having used different scopes in open country I would hands down recommend the pollock scopes with HD and 85mm objectives. WOW!! That being said if cost were not an issue and you could spend 2800 on glass. Now being realistic, Nikon and Leupold are very good with large objectives and I like Oregon products best!!! The Gemans do a great job and worth the money as well. Use as many as you can and don't leave them at home. Mature big game animals that have lived thru 7-10 seasons know that most of us don't use our glass.. Start and you will be amazed at what you see.
God Bless!!

[ZRS-8x42]

Originally Posted by in 'em

I'm looking at getting a spotting scope with the following criteria...the last one being the most important at this point.

-High power (60?)
-Light weight
-inexpensive

What got me looking is the rebate I saw in the Sportsman's news for $10 off an Alpen spotting scope purchase. I don't know anything about Alpen, but I have great binocs and really only want a spotting scope to use for closer inspecting deer I see with my binocs and to use just for fun in the off season while scouting...so I'm not looking at spending several hundred on one. I have a small 20x spotting scope, but need something more powerful. Out of the cheaper scopes, what ones would you use and/or stay away from? Oh, and where would you buy it from? ie. Online, a store, etc? THANKS!!!

Merry Christmas!

Like binoculars, when purchasing high power spotting scope (like up to 60x), you need to step up object lens diameter as well. The SEDONA we carry has variable power of 20x-60x with 80mm lens. It weighs only 49oz, the lightest in its 80mm glass class. Please let me know or PM me if you have need help with spotting scope.

Charles

[Tvfowlhunter]

What do you guys like better, straight or angled eye piece?

[mbklmann]

Vortex

[okie man]

if you don't want to spend alot of money then don't look at high power glass. you'll be better off spending the same amount on less power. best thing you can do is go somewere that will let you go outside and look through them in natural light and compare the image in low light conditions just like hunting.you'll see what i mean.

[Bobberman]

Originally Posted by TVFOWLHUNTER

What do you guys like better, straight or angled eye piece?

Straight all the way. The angled is harder for me to get lined up.

[RJS34]

You can get a Leupold Gold Ring 12-40x60 SS (non HD version) for $600 or less if you know where to look. It is semi compact and doesn't weigh a lot. I have been using one for a few years and have no complaints.

[Hawk]

Thought I'd resurect this one as I'm in the market for a spotting scope to take out to the range at TCGC. I want to be able to see .223/7mm/300WM out to the 300 yard range (if I can).

Settled on a 20-60 power, but do you guys recommend? Alpen (about $200), Konus (still about $200), Leupold Green Ring (mid-$400), or step up to the Nikon Prostaff (about $600) or a Kowa. I'd like to keep it under $600 if at all possible.

What do you guys recommend?

[majcl5]

Save your money and buy quility. Nikon makes a great scope for around $750 The Fieldscope III 0-60 power great glass.

[Teeb]

Originally Posted by ZRS-8x42

Like binoculars, when purchasing high power spotting scope (like up to 60x), you need to step up object lens diameter as well.

+1 Larger objectives are the way to go when power is increased.

Originally Posted by Bobberman

Straight all the way. The angled is harder for me to get lined up.

+2 I've used both, and the angled head is fine for me on a bench rest. But in the field I can get "on target" a lot quicker with a straight scope.

Originally Posted by majcl5

Save your money and buy quility. .

+3 Buy the very best you can afford. You won't be sorry.

I sold some stuff in order to buy one of those spendy ones. I spend lots of hours using mine, and don't leave it home. Quality optics results in less eye fatigue. Mine is a variable power, but I find I use it mostly on 20X. Heat waves, even in cold weather are magnified as the power increases. The downside to mine - it is not very packable.

You would be wise to get to a store that will let you take them outside to look through them. Spend some time looking through the prospects. And remember to save some $$$$ for a good tripod and/or a window mount.

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by Hawk

Thought I'd resurect this one as I'm in the market for a spotting scope to take out to the range at TCGC. I want to be able to see .223/7mm/300WM out to the 300 yard range (if I can).

Settled on a 20-60 power, but do you guys recommend? Alpen (about $200), Konus (still about $200), Leupold Green Ring (mid-$400), or step up to the Nikon Prostaff (about $600) or a Kowa. I'd like to keep it under $600 if at all possible.

What do you guys recommend?

Hawk,

Apparently MANY match shooters use the big Kowas.

Check out Jim Owens' Jarheadtop dot com website. I think he has some specials on some closeout 82mms!

[Hawk]

Has anybody used the Celestron 22-60x80ED or the Celestron 22-66x100ED? They're both near that $500-$600 price point, but how do they compare to the Nikon Prostaff (about $600) or the Kowa TSN-821 (more in the $800 range)?

[DAB]

Angled or straight eye piece ???? Depends on where you are going to use it. A straight eye Piece will work better in the field and it will work OK on the range.:two cents:
On the range shooting from Prone, Kneeling, sitting, and offhand is where the angled eye piece works the very best.

I have both and I use the angled head on the range and from the bench.

If I were to use one in the field it would be the straight eye piece with a tripod of good quality. For field use it needs to be sturdy and move very smoooothly with no sticking and jerking.

Get a quality scope and you will thank your self later. Why spend $200 now for a cheap one and then buy a high quality one later.

The old adage of that you get what you pay for, is so true.

Have fun with what ever you get.


DAB

[adobe wall]

I've got a Kowa and even though I don't compete anymore, I have no plans to sell it. It's a great piece of gear. It's also pretty cool that they hold their value very well, keep one just a couple years and you can sell it for more than it's worth. Premium scopes do hold their value, while cheap scopes are an expense.

Resolving .223 holes at 300 yards is more a result of atmospheric conditions than anything else. You can buy the finest scope money can buy but that still won't let you see .223 holes at 300 yards if there is any degree of mirage. That being said, a good scope in good conditions will let you see bullet holes farther than a cheap scope. There were times at Camp Perry when we could see .223 holes at 600 yards, but that was more due to the fact that the targets were up in the air in front of Lake Erie, and if the light hit the lake just right it would shine like a star through the bullet hole.

The upper end scopes have the advantage of being able to change the eyepiece to suit your needs. That's a big one as you'll want extended eye relief if you shoot with glasses. Most competitive HP shooters just use 27x EER scopes anyways as they're using the scope to see the air, not bullet holes. The spotter can usually be seen with the naked eye so scope quality doesn't factor there.

I bought a $250 scope the first year I shot competitively, and sold it for $75 when I upgraded to the Kowa. All I gained by doing that was making the second scope cost more. Maybe do an internet search on some of the auction sites for real life (sold) prices on some of the brands you are considering. You'll at least get an idea of the residual value of the scope if you decide to resell it.

hth, aw

[Jimfisher]

check out zen-ray's 80mm spotting scope

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.p...roducts_id=191

It is on sale for $185. They are ifish sponsor. I bought binoculars from them and very happy with the service and product.

[Mr. BrownTrout]

I also own a Kowa and love it, I got to check out lots of different ones when I was in yellowstone and by far loved the Kowa and just so happened one came up for sale at a local cameral shop and I bought it.

[flipperdog]

Having used alot of scopes in open country hunting, I would recommend that u look at the Pollock scopes. Swarovski- Price ouch, but when you need to make antler or horn estimates, they are awesome.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by flipperdog

Having used alot of scopes in open country hunting, I would recommend that u look at the Pollock scopes. Swarovski- Price ouch, but when you need to make antler or horn estimates, they are awesome.

FD, never heard of Pollock spotting scopes and can't find anything Goggle about them. Is there somewhere locally that carries them?

[xXx Archery]

Take a look at Vortex I use there Bino's ,Spotting Scope and there Rifle Scope. good stuff
Vortex Skyline 20-60x80 (Angled) Spotting Scope

When small details count the most, you'll want a Skyline spotting scope. With an awesome 20-60x range of magnification, a mammoth 80mm objective lens to assure the brightest image at the highest power, and a new dual focus wheel with coarse and fine adjustments, the Skyline's optical system delivers a consistently-sharp, high-contrast image at the kind of distances that defeat lesser optic

• Complete waterproofing against the effects of dust, rain, sleet, and snow on the optics is certain due to tight O-ring seals.
• Clear fog proof viewing in sudden temperature changes is a reality because nitrogen purging prevents internal fogging of the lenses.

Objective Lens Diameter The diameter of the light-gathering lens expressed in millimeters. The larger the number the better the resolution and the more light the optic lets in.80mmClose Focus The minimum distance the spotting scope can focus to.26.0 feetLength17.4 inchesWeight60.4 ouncesSKU Stock Keeping UnitSKL-80AMSRP (USD) Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (US Dollars)$519.00Included Zoom Eyepiece

Eyepiece Magnification How many times larger an object is magnified versus the naked eye.20-60xExit Pupil Exit Pupil indicates available light that can enter through your pupils. The larger the number the brighter the spotting scope will be in low light.4.00-1.33mmEye Relief Eye relief in a spotting scope refers to the distance images are projected from the ocular lens to their focal point. Note: without proper eye relief, the eyeglass wearer will not see the full field of view.19-18mmLinear FOV at 1000 Yards The linear field of view at the widest dimension of the circular viewing area at 1000 Yards away.113-55 feetAngular Field of View In degrees the field of view at the widest dimension of the circular viewing area at 1000 Yards away.2.2-1.0 degrees
Vortex Skyline 20-60x80 (Angled) Spotting Scope

When small details count the most, you'll want a Skyline spotting scope. With an awesome 20-60x range of magnification, a mammoth 80mm objective lens to assure the brightest image at the highest power, and a new dual focus wheel with coarse and fine adjustments, the Skyline's optical system delivers a consistently-sharp, high-contrast image at the kind of distances that defeat lesser optics.

• Distinctive Broadband coatings reduce surface reflections for the most impressive images at high magnifications.
• Fully multi-coated optics increase the amount of light passing through the scope for even brighter, more detailed views.

This versatile 20-60x eyepiece (locking ring keeps bayonet-mount eyepiece in place) lets you take in whole scenes, or zoom in for antler counts. Designed for comfort, all you do is twist back the eyecup for pleasing, wide-field viewing.
Rugged construction you can count on

State-of-the art technology works smoothly to deliver