Spotter w/ Reticle - Need Help

[EastCOYotes]

Need help selecting a spotter with a reticle, I’m looking at a couple of different tiers. One being a $500 ish scope and the next $1000 ish... Can anyone provide feedback on the ones below and give honest feedback and recommendations?

$500 range
- Bushnell 15-45 legend T series
- Sightmark Latitude Tactical

$1000 range
- Used Leupold Mk4 12-40
- Athlon Cronus 7-42
- Bushnell LMSS 8-40

Are there others I should be considering? The Bushnells and sightmark seem like good value.

 

[cattleman99]

For a nice clear spotter with a simple reticle, the bushnell T series is hard to beat. They can be had used for around $350.
That being said, those Cronus spotters are nice too

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have an as new open box on the Cronus Tactical 7-42x60 ED Spotting Scope for only $799.99. Please give a call if this'll work for you.

• Aprochromatic Lens System: Apochromatic lense system gives you the result of images which have greater contrast, sharpness and color definition
• ED Glass: ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings an ultimate clearest and sharpest image to your eyes
• Aluminum Alloy Chassis: Aluminum Alloy chassis protects the lens system from the harshest elements you may encounter
• XPL Coating: XPL Coating gives you an extra protection on the exterior lenses from dirt, oil and scratches
• Advanced Fully Multi-Coated: Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
• Argon Purged: Argon Purging uses the inertia gas with bigger size molecules to purge any moisture out of the tube giving you better waterproofing and thermal stability .
• Waterproof: Waterproof to protects the binocular in the harshest weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater
• Tactical Accessorized Readiness: Embedded Picatinny Rail base mount allows you to add on your tactical accessories effortlessly
• Patented High Riser Mount: Patented High Riser Mount allows you to mount and adjust your Athlon Laser Rangefiner to co-witness with your Cronus Tactical Spotting Scope.

 

[diving dave]

For the money, the Bushnell is not bad. At higher end of magnification is where you will see some issues..Image always looks a little blurry to me. But in the mid range its easy to see impacts on steel .

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

For the money, I've been really happy with the Legend T, but I have migrated almost entirely to binos for spotting now. That said, when the LMSS2 comes out, I will probably be upgrading.

 

[Mortalpawn]

Hard to beat the Leupold Mark IV 12-40x60mm with TMR reticle. Same scope the military uses, its tough and compact and it works in the field. You can get a new one on a decent discount if you qualify on Leupold's military/LE or NRA instructor program.

In my opinion the Leupold has better glass than the other options, and the TMR reticle is excellent for milling and adjusting shots for wind/range errors. I also like the 12-40x range as the 12x field of view is wide enough to scan for targets, but the 40x is plenty for milling, judging mirage/wind and spotting hits at over 1000 yards. It was easy to spot targets with binoculars and then move to the scope at 12x to identify them and then zoom in to range/hit them.

I've had one for several years, and ran a full 7 day course with it where I spent half of that time on the spotting scope with my shooter working camo unknown range targets out to 1000 yards, and it never let me down. Shot in a wide variety of conditions, with plenty of dust and wind. We milled all the targets the old fashioned way with the reticle too!

Pair it with a Manfrotto junior geared head and a robust carbon tripod and it will last a lifetime.

 

[rgv]

Also check out the Minox MD60 which is available with a decent reticle. A buddy has one and it is slightly better glass than my LMSS though I like the lmss package and ergonomics better

 

[sleeplz]

If you can spend a few bucks extra and wait for their 10% sale below is a decent option. Just understand that the reticle will be upside down unless you mount the scope upside down with a badger mount. I personally just don't use the numbers and let the reticle be upside down.

Natchez

www.natchezss.com

 

[EastCOYotes]

Hard to beat the Leupold Mark IV 12-40x60mm with TMR reticle. Same scope the military uses, its tough and compact and it works in the field. You can get a new one on a decent discount if you qualify on Leupold's military/LE or NRA instructor program.

In my opinion the Leupold has better glass than the other options, and the TMR reticle is excellent for milling and adjusting shots for wind/range errors. I also like the 12-40x range as the 12x field of view is wide enough to scan for targets, but the 40x is plenty for milling, judging mirage/wind and spotting hits at over 1000 yards. It was easy to spot targets with binoculars and then move to the scope at 12x to identify them and then zoom in to range/hit them.

I've had one for several years, and ran a full 7 day course with it where I spent half of that time on the spotting scope with my shooter working camo unknown range targets out to 1000 yards, and it never let me down. Shot in a wide variety of conditions, with plenty of dust and wind. We milled all the targets the old fashioned way with the reticle too!

Pair it with a Manfrotto junior geared head and a robust carbon tripod and it will last a lifetime.

I do see these used on the PX here from time to time for a good price. Depending on my timing and patience I would like to go this route if the price is right.

 

[dgheriani]

If you look a couple threads up I just posted a pretty in depth review/comparison of a few of the spotters you're thinking about.

 

[M8541Reaper]

+1 on the MK4 12-40x
Excellent spotter with great glass and I’ve had mine for a bit now. Black Friday is almost here so you might be able to snag one at a great price. Every now and then they pop up in the PX at a good price so either way you might get lucky,

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

For the money you are looking at.

Bushnell Elite
Leupy Mark 4

I own a leupy and my buddy has an Elite. I would not miss out on using either of them.

Despite the comments in here the Legend T has some pretty milky glass and unless used I dont think youll find a spotting scope with reticle worth buying below $850.

 

[MilDot1960]

I ways wanted the Mk IV but over here couldn't find on So I bought the Original Bushnell version from a member here, I soon found having the Reticle annoying when glassing So I bought the Leupold GR HD,

The thing with having the Ret I found my self always trying to look around it to see what I was looking at, I don't use it now and prefer the GR HD.

 

[mjh30]

Leupy for a spotter with reticle, remarklby decent glass, great warranty, handy for matches. Bushnrll t series aint bad for the money

 

[MilDot1960]

Leupy for a spotter with reticle, remarklby decent glass, great warranty, handy for matches. Bushnrll t series aint bad for the money

Yeah they are, The only thing about having a Ret is being able to focus it and a lot of scopes don't allow for that.

 

[bbyars]

I have the bushnell, save your money and buy the Leupold. the first week i had the bushnell the mag ring came unglued and has been sloppy every since. I still will have to send it in. Also they pretty much put the eye piece on the bottom of the scope putting the bell above the eye...makes no sense.

 

[ColdSteel260]

The LMSS is about the best I've seen in a realistic spotting scope setup that meets your needs. I like them a lot.
The clarity in the Bushnell Legend doesn't resolve enough to see mirage at distance.

Hensoldt 45. Boom.

 

[Mortalpawn]

On the Leupold Mark IV TMR I recommended above - For those who qualify - Leupold has a discount program for active military, veterans, law enforcement and federal employees and also for NRA instructors. You need to send some paperwork but they typically will enroll you pretty quickly.
https://www.leupold.com/leupold-core/vip-programs

The discount price on this program is a significant savings off of the retail price for the Mark IV 12-40x60mm with TMR reticle I recommended. (Accidentally posted to another thread but this belongs here...)