Help Me Choose Between These Spotting Scopes...

[Stangs55]

I had an old Leupold that was stolen out of my the back of my truck last summer and I've yet to replace it...I need to do that.

I plan on doing it right in about 2 years with a good $2000ish investment in a spotting scope, but I can't justify that now...so I need something to bridge the gap. I need to keep the price around $300, new or used. Yes...as is always the case, if I'd just spend a bit more then I could get pixie dust...but I really need to keep it in that price range.

It'll be used up to 600, but I expect it to resolve .223 at 200 (preferably 300 on a good day). Size doesn't matter to me as it'll only be used on a bench..hell, gimme a telescope if it works best.

Here's what I've narrowed it down to:
1. Redfield 20-60x80
2. Vortex Nomad 20-60x60 (used)
3. Celestron Ultima 80
4. Celestron Ultima 100
5. Konus 20-60x100
6. Konus 20-60x80
7. Alpen 20-60x60

Which would you pick? ...Or which of you wants to sell me a good use spotting scope in my range?

 

[DetroitRearView]

I had an old Leupold that was stolen out of my the back of my truck last summer and I've yet to replace it...I need to do that.

I plan on doing it right in about 2 years with a good $2000ish investment in a spotting scope, but I can't justify that now...so I need something to bridge the gap. I need to keep the price around $300, new or used. Yes...as is always the case, if I'd just spend a bit more then I could get pixie dust...but I really need to keep it in that price range.

It'll be used up to 600, but I expect it to resolve .223 at 200 (preferably 300 on a good day). Size doesn't matter to me as it'll only be used on a bench..hell, gimme a telescope if it works best.

Here's what I've narrowed it down to:
1. Redfield 20-60x80
2. Vortex Nomad 20-60x60 (used)
3. Celestron Ultima 80
4. Celestron Ultima 100
5. Konus 20-60x100
6. Konus 20-60x80
7. Alpen 20-60x60

Which would you pick? ...Or which of you wants to sell me a good use spotting scope in my range?

Vortex

 

[Stangs55]

Vortex

I love Vortex...it's just that nothing new from them is within my range and their lowest priced scope, the Diamondback, isn't exactly getting resounding endorsements...

How much extra bang for my buck would I get by reaching into the seat cushions for some extra cash and getting the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60x80 ... I love my Bushnell Tac Elite HDMR scope... And $417 at B&H seems like a good deal...
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 3.1"/80mm Spotting Scope 786081ED

 

[geoff3]

Good info on spotting scopes ..

 

[flatland1]

Read the reviews on this Celestron - perhaps even better than the Bushnell, and quite a bit more compact...
Celestron Regal M2 65ED Spotting Scope with 16-48x 52304 B&H

I've been looking for an excuse to pull the trigger on one of these, but my good old Tasco World Class 25x60 is still too good a scope to give up on. Bought it in '86, and would like to upgrade to this Celestron, but need another Bushnell ERS or DMR scope more than another spotter.

 

[Stangs55]

I bought the Redfield 20-60x80. Really disappointed. Tons of chromatic aberration. I really think ED glass is a requirement for even am entry level scope.

 

[Marcoman]

x2 for the Celestron. Had a chance to look through one on the weekend while spotting for a buddy. Very nice scope for the money.