August 9, 2017, 07:40 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 29, 2011
Location: Cape Fear!
Posts: 1,683
|
Spotting Scope?
Hi all. I am looking for one and am one of those you get what you pay for guys, but it is usually a budget stretch for me to get better stuff. I am looking at spotting scopes and want to shy from the cheap stuff, but no way can I go high end. I am thinking this and looks like a good price. Will I be able to see .223 at 400 with a scope such as this? That is the goal.
What else should I be looking at? Thank you. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/s...6046/cat125957 |
August 9, 2017, 08:35 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 5, 2010
Location: McMurdo Sound Texas
Posts: 4,322
|
Look on Craigslist.org, or ebay.
If you're patient, you'll likely find a deal on a good name brand scope for 1/2 or less of a retail price. I use a Celestron 8" telescope to look at 1000 yard targets, which I found on ebay for a song, and erector parts on craigslist to make it a terrestrial scope.
__________________
Cave illos in guns et backhoes |
August 11, 2017, 07:14 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 30, 2015
Location: My back yard
Posts: 971
|
I bought an Orion spotting scope a number of years ago.. 20x60x100. I paid $350. It is fantastic. At about 400-500 yards I could see eye lashes on a deer. Watching fire fighters at over a mile away and could see their every movement.
|
August 25, 2017, 01:42 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 12, 2002
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 5,312
|
Quote:
Most every spotting scope I've ever used (but these were all sub $250 scopes) has been totally miserable when used to look at the moon or any other celestial object. Even sub $100 astronomical telescopes performed better. You've probably done it already but if you haven't go out some night and take a look at Jupiter (my favorite) or Saturn. Did you get an equatorial mount with it? |
|
October 16, 2017, 05:04 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: August 30, 2017
Posts: 4
|
Lucid Optics has a new one this year that is budget friendly. We've taken ours hiking, range, on 2 sheep hunts, 3 deer hunts ... lots of places and it's held up. Elk season is next, next week actually They have a great warranty so I think that helps. It's a compact size SC9 9x-27x.
|
October 16, 2017, 11:04 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Posts: 567
|
That 65mm Vortex you link to is priced at $6500 and may not have any better resolution than the Konus I am using to spot at 200 yds.
|
November 28, 2017, 08:56 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 6,164
|
I have retired my spotting scopes. The best ones can't hold a candle to remote video camera and laptop computer on the bench.
|
November 29, 2017, 09:46 AM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 29, 2011
Location: Cape Fear!
Posts: 1,683
|
Quote:
|
|
November 29, 2017, 01:13 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2014
Posts: 1,965
|
You can get a better price on it at Optics Planet.
Just a note: I also use a Celestron. |
November 29, 2017, 01:49 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
|
I am thinking of picking up another spotting scope. Currently have a Simmons that was around $150, and it works ok for 100-200 yards.
Now I have access to a 600yd range, and need something better. I am hoping a better scope will have better eye relief, eye box, and the focus be less twitchy. I also need to get a solid tripod. I have an ok one for cameras, but it is not the best for a spotting scope, it's fine for remote camera work though. I am thinking the $400-500 range is a good point to look. |
November 29, 2017, 09:45 PM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 6,164
|
Quote:
|
|
November 29, 2017, 10:52 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
|
What system do you use?
|
November 30, 2017, 12:36 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 3, 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,394
|
That is a lot of money for something that may not do the job . Please read the following article before you make a decision.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/h...-shooting.html
__________________
ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM. |
November 30, 2017, 01:15 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2014
Posts: 301
|
The answer to your question is yes. @ 48x you will be able to see .22 holes @ 400yds. Vortex makes a great high clarity spotting scope. I have an older 65mm Swarovski (that cost twice as much) and I think the Vortex is just as clear and crisp. I have the 20-60X80, and I regularly use it out to 1,200yds at matches. There are usually flashers at that distance, but occasionally not, and 6mm/6.5mm doesn’t ring steel very hard at that distance. On a windy day you won’t hear the impacts, so spotting is critical, and that scope will do it.
|
November 30, 2017, 11:03 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 10, 2012
Posts: 6,164
|
One of my nerd buddies built mine, but target vision seems to be the best for the money. 1 mile $700. 2 miles about $900. 300 yd systems are available from many manufacturers for low $300 range.
|
November 30, 2017, 03:06 PM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 29, 2011
Location: Cape Fear!
Posts: 1,683
|
Quote:
|
|
December 31, 2017, 11:23 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Posts: 567
|
The Konuspot 80 I am still using is working great and costs only $189 !! besides being much easier to handle than the complicated computer/camera system that was suggested.
Here is a link to the one I suggest: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1219547-REG/konus_7120b_konuspot_20_60x80_spotting_scope.html/?c3api=3679%2Cbing%2C2763659969%2C4585581963537995&msclkid=1059648313e11829b45f3ecaa5d54825 |
December 31, 2017, 11:36 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Posts: 567
|
|
January 1, 2018, 07:25 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 23, 2013
Location: Central Taxylvania..
Posts: 3,609
|
Personally after all my research i'm going to be buying the Celestron C70 this year.
|
January 1, 2018, 10:50 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 2, 2017
Posts: 1,868
|
Let us know if you can see a 22 cal hole at 400 yds!
|
January 1, 2018, 04:23 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 23, 2013
Location: Central Taxylvania..
Posts: 3,609
|
Ummm, ok....
Looking more for deer at 1,200 yards.. But ok.. |
January 4, 2018, 02:48 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 9, 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 105
|
It's not likely you will see a .223 hole at 400 yards no matter what you get, even with a $3000 Swarovski. Atmospheric conditions can get in the way, no matter how good the glass is.
Personally, I don't think the very high-end glass is worth it. I can't tell the optical difference between my neighbor's $3000 Swarovski and my much cheaper Leopold. I can tell that build quality is higher on the Swarovski, but can't see any better through it at long range. I think atmospheric conditions are the reason why. I actually think I do better with a Nikon P900 camera for less than $600, and I get to save a picture of the elk (or target) too. It's much smaller than a spotting scope and you can zoom in on the camera's LCD screen after taking the picture to examine the area of interest. This camera has the 35mm equivalent of a 2000 mm lens on it. |
February 6, 2018, 01:00 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 2, 2017
Posts: 1,868
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|