chp5 Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 I know - you can't get a spotting scope worth mounting on a tripod for $200. But if you WERE going to buy one for $200 or less, which one? I used a friend's 18x36 Bushnell today. I could see .223 holes at 100 yards with no problem. I used an 8x8 shoot-n-see target on top of an IPSC target @ 200 yards and I could see the holes pretty well. Thanks for your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriss Grube Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Over on Sniper country they have an article on some of the lower end Spotting scopes. Might help you out some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chp5 Posted January 3, 2004 Author Share Posted January 3, 2004 Thanks Chriss - where/what's Sniper country? Update - found it - thanks Chriss. Here the link for anyone that's interested: www.snipercountry.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayonaise Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 Thanks Chriss - where/what's Sniper country?Update - found it - thanks Chriss. Here the link for anyone that's interested: www.snipercountry.com For my URL challenged friend. www.snipercountry.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 Or you could do what all the schleps do when I'm at the range....use mine. Every time I go to a rifle range, There's a goddamned line behind my scope. ================================================ I'm going to retract some of what I said about the cheaper optics, you may very well get something that's workable at that price now. I bought one of Bushnell's low-end (about $185) riflescopes and am simply stunned at the quality. No, it isn't multi-coated ED glass, but it does exactly the job it's intended for. I've been pretty sour about cheap optics because 20 years ago, they were usually just absolute, worthless garbage. For occasional use, a cheap scope is probably the ticket. If you're going to spend hours and hours behind a scope, you'll want to spend a little more so you don't have a headache at the end of the day. www.riflescopes.com seems to have the best prices generally, btw. If you decide you are going to use the scope more, check out: www.buytelescopes.com and look at the Fujinons and Kowas. Frequently there are package deals on 50-60mm scopes that are waterproof, with case, eyepiece and tripod in the $300-400 range. That type of scope will last a lifetime and it will always have some resale value. Consider something like these: 50 mm Kowa with 20-40X zoom for $219 Same scope as above with tripod and case for $270 If you do a web search you may find some Fujinon packages in that price range, which will be equivalent in price and features to the Kowa. Most of the service rifle shooters I saw at the range were generally running Kowa scopes. Either scope will probably be better than anything with "Bushnell" or "Tasco" printed on the side of it. Make sure that you buy from someone with a decent return policy. To me the two most important features in a scope are: resolution and exit pupil (the diameter of the light beam coming out of the eyepiece). Notice that I didn't mention magnification - more is not better. A nice, big exit pupil is really convenient because you spend a lot less time hunting for the image when you in a contorted position like when you're prone. My 6 1/2 pesos..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chp5 Posted January 7, 2004 Author Share Posted January 7, 2004 Thanks guys. I've purchased something off eBay. After I get it and use it I'll post a review on this string. If it's no good, it'll go right back on eBay Eric - I'm less scared of buying a cheap spotting scope than a rifle scope because the spotter doesn't absorb recoil - but I may eat my words later. BTW - I bum my smith's spotting scope all the time. He's probably getting tired of it . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsaxdog Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 i got this russian one a little while ago. "lomo astele", from this optics planet website. they're not $150, and pretty high qualilty. comes with a variable power eyepiece, and it ain't too good. sent it back for 20mm fixed eyepiece(@60 power), and it's pretty sharp. seen a $600 valdada that really didn't have much on this one. i betcha i can see my 6mm holes at 300 on white paper, maybe more...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chp5 Posted January 7, 2004 Author Share Posted January 7, 2004 i betcha i can see my 6mm holes at 300 on white paper, maybe more...... That's plenty of scope for my use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_aos Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 What about something like a Meade ETX90RA telescope? Sportsmans Guide has them for $320... 90mm objective. 50x & 139x eyepieces. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakal Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 Leupold Wind River Sequoia Spotting Scope 15-45x60mm...Leupold's low-end spotting scopes are very nice for the money. You can find 'em around $150 all over the internet with some peeking (comes with a tripod, soft case, and a hard case). Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 Ditto on the Leupold scopes. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve223 Posted July 7, 2004 Share Posted July 7, 2004 I will 3rd Leupold Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Heres my take on spoting scopes.( and most everything else for that matter) Figure out how often you will use it, how accurate & precise it needs to be and spend accordingly. I drag my scope out 3 - 4 time a year to zero something at 100 - 200 yds. I think I spent $ 70 on ebay. It works great. Would I pack it to Alaska for a sheep hunt? Hell no. But it works just fine. Currently, or in the forseeable near future, there are no Alaska hunts planned so I saw no reason to drop $$$$ on something that will see light and infrequent use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_aos Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I just wonder how a Burris 20-60x80mm compares to a Kowa 20-40x50mm.....? And then there's the Leupold 14-45x. I want to see .223 holes as far out as I possibly can.... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Wow. I'm in the minority. I thought the Leupolds were lousy scopes. The ones I tried had extremely poor eye relief and had no better quality optics than a Fujinon for half the price. FWIW, Every serious highpower guy I saw at the range was using a Kowa. That just can't be an accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_aos Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 The Kowa 20-40x50mm, angled, grey, kit is $270. The Leupold Wind River, angled, 14-45x60mm, kit, is $330. I'm inclined to return my Burris 20-60x80mm ($260) and purchase one of the above. Which one? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I've been using a Leupold Gold Ring fixed power (20x) for A long time and still love it. You can get a bullet trace when spotting long range and watch the bullet into the target. Actually tell if its going to hit before it does. I don't think they make a fixed power any more but if you can find one used they have a lifetime warranty, they are also a compact scope if you want to carry them along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_aos Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 There is a Leupold 10-20x40mm Compact for $360. Starting to get a little pricey and 20x doesn't sound like much compared to 40x, 60x, 80x, etc. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Bronco, If you ever want to part with that scope, let me know. My father is kicking himself for not picking up one of the Leupold fixed powers before they stopped making them. I can' remember if he wanted 20x or 25x, but yours sounds like the one he's looking for. We like 'em for varmint shooting. Spotter gets a free show and 'spray'! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Rich, they come up on gunbroker and e-bay pretty often, have seen them for around $250.00. I think I paid around $400 back in the mid 80's it was a lot back then but I haven't regretted it. It's been all over with me from dogs to elk and a lot of competition spotting. LOL Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmercury2 Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I SHOOT HI-POWER with an ar .223 ,my KOWA CAN EASILY SPOT HOLES IN BLACK,THE HARDEST TO SEE,at the 200 and almost as well at the 300. model 661 with a 20-60 eyepiece -new $650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Redmercury2,do the high power shooters favor strait or angled eye piece,and are you at 60x when you can see well at 300yds or do you think the 20-40x Kowa would work as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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