Zeiss Spotter 60 - The Professional Choice

Since the first time I saw the Zeiss Spotter 60 at the Shot Show several years ago I have been trying to get one here in the USA. It was nearly an impossible task until Nathan Hunt of HUDISCo came along and began distributing the Hensoldt line of Zeiss Optics here in the US. We were lucky enough that Nathan attended this years' Sniper's Hide Cup at Rifles Only and brought the Spotter 60 for us to use on the line. Lucky for us, not so lucky for Nathan because I don't think he has seen his Spotter 60 except in pictures since that weekend in April.

Now, I spent an exorbitant amount of time behind a spotting scope on the line at Rifles Only. Teaching precision rifle classes week in and out we depend on it to translate the information downrange into useable intelligence for our students. Not only can we tell when some one pushes a bad shot, but we can also keep up with the changing conditions as well as fine tune a students' adjustment so when he or she leaves the class they has the very best information possible. I'm here to tell you, not all spotters are created equal and getting what the bird watchers consider the very best, or even paying top dollar does not guarantee success on a rifle range or especially in field conditions. The Spotter 60, however does guarantee success in every way important to the field or range shooter.

Technical Specs of the Spotter 60

The basics, here are the listed specifications of the Spotter 60:

Technical data:

Dimensions, weight, tripod connector

Tripod connector:

Electrical data

Feel and Observations, the Spotter 60 is armored, and very robust. It feels like a piece of military kit in your hands and let me tell you its designed for the abuse. It's not so unyielding that you don't want to carry it -- it just tells you out loud from the second you pick it up, this is a serious piece of glass !

Optically, the Spotter 60 is insanely great, not good, not okay, insanely great and that is comparing it too my Zeiss 65 or even the Zeiss 85 my two primary spotters on the line. The optical of design of the Spotter 60 is different enough to make a difference and while the difference maybe small, its there, especially under harsh conditions like heavy mirage. For me in the 100 degree weather of South Texas with the mirage so thick you can swim through it the Spotter 60 lives on 20X and resolves everything, period. The usual struggles are just not there.

The Reticle is an awesome design and one of the things I always wished others would do in a Spotting scope, that is an "L" shaped design that leaves the field of view as open as possible. The Optolyth copies this reticle but in a much thicker design. The Zeiss Spotter 60 has successfully drawn the fine line in a Front Focal Plane Scope that balances the too thick with the too thin making a reticle that is easy to use. Not to mention the reticle is illuminated, something none of the other spotting scopes have.

The eye piece on the Zeiss Spotter 60 is a variable 20-60X but of a fixed design. You can't interchange it, which is fine, it covers the best possible power range. The focus is not too loose and fine tunes the target focus very well, a little goes a long way and you don't find yourself having to constantly adjust for different ranges to the degree you do with other brands.

In the Field and On the Line

Okay, so just about all scopes look great from the living room window. When you first open the box, almost all of them are clear and crispy to start, to me, the real test is in the use. Can I drag it around the range and will it not only hold up, but will it continue to look "Crystal Clear" after the sun, dust and fingerprints begin to work on it, because let me say this, if you use it, its gonna get dirty, and those fragile lens coatings are going to be worked on by the sun. Do I have to baby the optic ? Or can I just go work and know its gonna do its job when I need to do mine, because they all don't hold up as well which is why it has taken me so long to comment. I wanted to work this optic over. And work it over we did, I gave it my all and then some and this piece of glass just smiled and asked me if that was all I've got. (Side Note: In the last 3 years I have broken no less than 3 different spotters 4 times just working on the range at Rifles Only) Not only did it work the firing line, its worked the airport system being put in our checked baggage, it was put in the back of a Hagglund tracked vehicle and took several rides up the side of the mountain, so its seen some use, most of which I am sure would have Nathan cringing, but I can say, its lasted where others have not.

The first weekend I used the Spotter 60 at the Sniper's Hide Cup, it was interesting during the 800 yard stage where we had a dropping plate LaRue target set up and a bunch of competitors were hitting the target and not making it fall. The line was going pretty crazy over that as everyone saw the plates get hit, but what they didn't see which I did was the bullet fragments and the fact they were all hitting low in the plate which is why it didn't fall. As well, I was surprised at the shear number of people making incorrect calls for shooters on the line because the wind was blowing the dust. Well using the Spotter 60 I was able to see the actual impact in the dirt showing me the errors in their calls. This first kiss simply blew me away, and frankly speaking that isn't always easy.

The reticle is sharp, accurate on all powers and the illumination is variable in power. To turn on the illumination on, just turn the knob, there is no real "Switch", there is just a fast one and press off. From a low glow to a bright light its user adjustable. As you can see its definitely easy to range targets with the Mil Dot Reticle inside.

How far away do you suppose this guys is:

Some many notice this design is backwards that of the Bushnell and the Leupold. Well that is on purpose so you have periscope effect with it. This way the observers head is not over the top of the Spotter giving you a little stand off. The screws in the body are there to take your standard 1913 picatinny rail so the user can mount a laser designator, or night vision mount on it. Just about anything will mount on the rails, its only limited by your imagination.

Just this past weekend we used the Zeiss Spotter 60 during a High Angle Shooting class and the unit we were with had a bunch of spotters, everything from some Chinese stop gaps to the Leupold Tacticals and when they all moved over to the Spotter 60 they were instantly blown way and out loud. There was no subtlety in their voices, the initial reaction was "WOW" ! The resolution as seen in the pictures is beyond good, even at 500 meters.

Now for the bad news, cause there are a few complaints...
The price tag for this spotter is just a crosshair under $5,000, which is almost as much as two high end bird watching scopes. You could probably buy 2 Leicas with that money. Yes, its expensive and not for everyone, but as the title says, "it's the Professional Choice" this Spotter is completely uncompromising. I tried to be a little slick and say the Spotter 60 is worth every bit of $3,800, but to be completely honest it's worth all of the $5,000 and I absolutely hate to say that. If you're in the military, Law Enforcement or working a range more than 1 week a month you need this scope. Your eyes will thank you, you're long term budget will thank you. It truly lives up to the hype and the reputation, which sucks. For my other complaint along with a bunch of other people's -- the eye piece, it sort of gets in the way during everyday use, and 99% of the time we keep it folded back out of the way and I just know eventually the rubber is going to start to tear... a lot of people who used it with us didn't like it. Out of the way though, its a non-issue.

Conclusions:

Well, if you already couldn't tell, we love the Zeiss Spotter 60. It's really that good and its damn near bullet proof as well as having every feature on the planet one could possibly ask for. Its armored, it has a lit Mil Dot reticle that is as close to perfect as you can find. It can take accessories mounted on the picatinny rails, lasers, night vision, what ever you like, even a flashlight if feel that helps. Variable magnification in the Front Focal Plane, the list appears to be endless when talking about a spotter, the simple answer: "It's in there".

Who needs the Spotter 60, Professionals in the tactical field that is who, your average hobbyist has not reason to get the Spotter 60, but if you can afford it, its absolutely hte best spotter I have ever used. The Zeiss Spotter 60 is huge on our buy list but understanding we recommend for those who can afford to spend this kind or money on a spotter.