Rifle Scopes I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

[spleify]

Hello all, I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope.

Please help me decide which one would be the best in my limited price range.

Thanks so much

 

[Graham]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Save your money. For that price you won't be able to get a spotting scope to do what a spotting scope needs to be able to do.

 

[Kevlars]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Agreed with the above ... what ever you will find for that price will have used a coke bottle for glass.

-K

 

[nick89rs]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

spleify. My first Spotting scope was a redfield rampage and if im not mistaken it was right around the 300 dollar mark. you might wanna give them a look. not the greatest thing in the world if your used to really high quality optics but if your just looking to spot your groupings at 3-400 yards itll do the job.

 

[Pat M]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Nikon Sky and Earth 15-45X60 - I had one & good glass and rugged

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Sky-and-Ea...=item43ad9d13ff

 

[spleify]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Thanks for the advise folks. I know I need to spend more but its just not in the budget right now.

 

[shootist~]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/631229/bausch-and-lomb-discoverer-spotting-scope-15-60x-60mm-matte

If you only need to see holes on paper at 100 Yds (maybe 200 max), or splash marks on painted steel at ~600+. It will get you to the dance better than about anything in it's price range.

 

[bunsen27]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/242404/...e-armored-green


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/466045/...e-armored-green


Very nice scopes for the price.

 

[Bennyboy]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

I own this one:
http://swfa.com/Leupold-20-60x80-SX-1-Ventana-Spotter-Kit-P48060.aspx
This one is closer to your price range but the same line as mine:
http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-45x60-SX-1-Ventana-Spotter-Kit-P48056.aspx

No, it isn't the greatest on the planet but I can see splatered paint on steel at 1000.

 

[nhm16]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spleify</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello all, I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope.

Please help me decide which one would be the best in my limited price range.

Thanks so much </div></div>

Get the Konus suggested above. Have one and it has worked fine for me for spotting bullet holes and spotters at matches. I use it regularly to spot bullet holes out to 300yd, and it will sometimes work at 600yd if the contrast is good and mirage low. For seeing spotters, I use it out to 1000yds. It's no Kowa but then again I only paid $220.

More importantly spend the extra on a good tripod/ballhead or dedicated spotting scope stand. I have a Gitzo 1540T and Markins ballhead from my photography hobby, and find that it adds immeasurably to the functionality because it is so smooth (I have tried the various Manfrotto pistol grip ballheads too but there's so much backlash and play that even with a USO spotter it was unpleasant to use). The only downside of most photography tripod setups are positional, e.g. you can't get it as low as with a spotting scope stand, or close enough to you when prone, etc.

 

[fastbs]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

i got one of these which seems to work well but then i don't have anything to compare it to.
http://www.celestron.com/sports_outdoors/celestron-ultima-80-straight.html

 

[EricCartmann]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

I really like the Konus, it's a really nice spotting scope for $200. Bird watchers really love this scope for the price. Bird watchers knows glass because they like to see contrast and colors.

Here is me spotting for my buddy with the Konus.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Look for a Celestron Regal ED. Forget the tactical and hunter branded stuff- you just pay extra. Visit some bird forums and start researching. Celestron's offer a lot for the money. I have an 80mm that is very impressive. A 65mm might be in your range.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

They are far from state of the art, but very serviceable... look for surplus M48 M49 and similar military scopes. I still have one that I use. I'll probably upgrade to a USO or similar soon. But these are out there and not bank breakers.

Remember, that they were the state-of-the-art best your tax dollars could buy 30 years ago. Better than a lot of budget optics today. 5 years ago, they cost peanuts. Now, $300 "should" get you a nice unit with tripod.

Just one of many options... But I love mine.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[kill_goose]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

For $300'ish ive been very pleased with my Vortex Nomad.

 

[hk dave]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Try to find one of these used...

http://www.spottingscopes.com/spotting-scopes/hunting-spotting-scopes/elite2060x80zoomwrainguard.cfm

Amazing spotting scope for the price. Zeiss design, built by Bausch and Lomb and then retagged as Bushnell.

I'd say comparable to the Vortex Viper HD.

Found one used for $400.

 

[spleify]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Oh my gosh, awesome information folks.

I am gonna have to do some research and see if I can find something used.

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

The Konus is great for the money! I bought one last year (80mm objective) and I was shocked at how nice and clear it is. I can easily see .30cal hits at 300yds, .223 if mirage is low. The tripod that comes with it works but it is nothing special. If you time it right Midway may run a sale (think I got mine last fall for 179.00 I think)

 

[chiroz]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Another vote for Konus. I have the 80mm objective version and I have seen 17hmr holes at 200 yards. I bought mine to use until I could afford better glass. I can afford any glass I like now, but I see no reason to spend the money.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Get a Konus from Jim Owens http://www.jarheadtop.com/KONUS.htm

If you dont like it he will buy it back from you and donate it to a junior HP team.

Great scope even if the price were closer to 500.00 but do invest in a decent tripod or you will go nutz trying to keep it on target.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Konus does make a great scope for the money. However, I have found our OPMOD 20-60x60mm spotting scope to be on par with the Konuspot 20-60x80mm. It is perfect for paper punching out to 200 yards.

Chase B.

 

[libertyman777]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

I'm in the same boat and was steered toward the Minox MD50. It receives good reviews from the bird watching crowd as well. Doug at Camera Land has demo units for $219 shipped. Minox

Natchez has the Nikon ED 50, refurbished for $400. Nikon ED50

Those are my two starter choices, I'll be buying one soon.

Paul

 

[cjmill87]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

I have to second, third, and fourth reviews of the Konus. Great scope for a small price plus if you save up for something like a Kowa, the Konus has decent resale value to get some $$ back.

 

[Ranger413]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

I have the Konus 20-60X100 that I purchased on sale from Midway for under $300. Its on sale again right now.

I've used it to spot bullet holes out to 300 and spotters at 1000 as other have mentioned. It works well for this purpose.

 

[carvercalls]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

For the price the Konus 20-60X100 is hard to beat.

 

[Bill Larson]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

go to sgt.james r. owens website.... he`s got good prices on s.scopes
bill larson

 

[spleify]

Re: I have $300 to spend on a spotting scope. Help me

Well, folks thanks again so much for all of the helpful feedback.

I went ahead and ordered the Konus. Looked like a good unit and you guys all gave it such good reviews I didnt think I could go wrong.

Thanks again