My father got me some nice optics and I'd like to return the favour. Well, partially at least.
He's not the kind of gun owner who stacks up on high magnification scopes and he does not own a spotting scope. I'm figuring a nice spotting scope would really help out on his range trips... The main purpose of this spotting scope is to spot bullet holes on targets out to up to 300 meters (in decent conditions). Milling reticle is not required. In fact, he'd consider it a detriment if it had a reticle in the center of the view. He uses laser rangefinders. Angled eyepiece is probably a good thing. Weight is not an issue. This scope won't be carried up any hills, just from the trunk of the car to the bench at the range.
I don't use a spotting scope either so I'm really in new territory shopping for one.
What's a good baseline for a spotter for this use? Most anything from, for example, Bushnell? I'm thinking 15-45x with a 60 mm or larger objective. Do I need to avoid their cheaper ones and go for a mid range Bushnell? They have a bunch at 200-300 dollars and I'm thinking those won't have the necessary clarity, but that the Legend or Prime series of scopes will. What about the Vortex Diamondback? I've read threads where people ask if the Diamondback can spot holes out to 600 yards, but dad won't be shooting farther than 300, so that's not really an issue.
One extra bonus is if it's not made in China. I don't mind stuff made "overseas", but there are perfectly good optics manufacturers in Japan and the Phillipines, no need for me to buy from a so called "People's Republic".
He's not the kind of gun owner who stacks up on high magnification scopes and he does not own a spotting scope. I'm figuring a nice spotting scope would really help out on his range trips... The main purpose of this spotting scope is to spot bullet holes on targets out to up to 300 meters (in decent conditions). Milling reticle is not required. In fact, he'd consider it a detriment if it had a reticle in the center of the view. He uses laser rangefinders. Angled eyepiece is probably a good thing. Weight is not an issue. This scope won't be carried up any hills, just from the trunk of the car to the bench at the range.
I don't use a spotting scope either so I'm really in new territory shopping for one.
What's a good baseline for a spotter for this use? Most anything from, for example, Bushnell? I'm thinking 15-45x with a 60 mm or larger objective. Do I need to avoid their cheaper ones and go for a mid range Bushnell? They have a bunch at 200-300 dollars and I'm thinking those won't have the necessary clarity, but that the Legend or Prime series of scopes will. What about the Vortex Diamondback? I've read threads where people ask if the Diamondback can spot holes out to 600 yards, but dad won't be shooting farther than 300, so that's not really an issue.
One extra bonus is if it's not made in China. I don't mind stuff made "overseas", but there are perfectly good optics manufacturers in Japan and the Phillipines, no need for me to buy from a so called "People's Republic".
Last edited: