My dad is getting up there in age, and he enjoys shooting his ar15s at his local range. The range is only at 100 yards, but I was thinking about getting him a spotting scope so he can easily and quickly spot his shots without having to wait for others and walking down to the target. Any ideas?
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Spotting scope for 100 yards?
- Thread starter Johnson184
- Start date
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
For range work you really can't go wrong with the Vortex Skyline 20-60x80mm @ $299.99
For range work you really can't go wrong with the Vortex Skyline 20-60x80mm @ $299.99
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
Hmm, is there such thing as fixed power spotting scopes? I figured it wouldn't be much more than $100 lol.
Hmm, is there such thing as fixed power spotting scopes? I figured it wouldn't be much more than $100 lol.
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
If you only need to spot at distances to 100yds, you don't need power past 20x. You also don't need a variable power, but it would be nice to have because your father could use it for purposes other than just the range. Look at some Bushnells or other lower priced items. Search these companies and see what is on sale or in your price range:
http://www.cameralandny.com/
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
http://swfa.com/
http://www.libertyoptics.com/
If you only need to spot at distances to 100yds, you don't need power past 20x. You also don't need a variable power, but it would be nice to have because your father could use it for purposes other than just the range. Look at some Bushnells or other lower priced items. Search these companies and see what is on sale or in your price range:
http://www.cameralandny.com/
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
http://swfa.com/
http://www.libertyoptics.com/
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
Any thoughts on the Barska Blackhawk? Dunno if I should get the straight body or be angled one. I'm assuming straight for prone and angled for sitting?
Any thoughts on the Barska Blackhawk? Dunno if I should get the straight body or be angled one. I'm assuming straight for prone and angled for sitting?
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
In my experience looking through the Barska's, I wouldn't invest the money in them. They have very poor quality glass and I would doubt their quality in all other aspects. I would look around at other "larger" companies that would warranty the work if you did have problems in the future. A Bushnell would be the first company that comes to mind for a quality scope in that price range and dependable customer service.
As for the option of straight or angled, that is a personal preference. I prefer angled for every position on the ground. If I'm going to be using it from a bench or standing, a straight optic works just fine. I find it much more confortable from sitting or prone with the angled. I would advise you go to a local shop in town and take a look at straight and angled models to decide what you prefer.
In my experience looking through the Barska's, I wouldn't invest the money in them. They have very poor quality glass and I would doubt their quality in all other aspects. I would look around at other "larger" companies that would warranty the work if you did have problems in the future. A Bushnell would be the first company that comes to mind for a quality scope in that price range and dependable customer service.
As for the option of straight or angled, that is a personal preference. I prefer angled for every position on the ground. If I'm going to be using it from a bench or standing, a straight optic works just fine. I find it much more confortable from sitting or prone with the angled. I would advise you go to a local shop in town and take a look at straight and angled models to decide what you prefer.
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
Agree with it being a personal preference as far as straight/angled goes.
I fall into the angled for everything camp.
Question for ya, will Dad ever want to use his new scope from his vehicle for watching wild life or what not? If this is an option you may also consider a window mount with a quick detach shoe that also fits his tripod. For in vehicle use, I find an angled scope with a rotating ring on the body of the scope, allows me to get the scope in a position I like. With a straight bodied scope you have to get right behind it all the time. Guess I just like the versitility of an angled body scope that has an adjustment ring - it gives you alot of options for finding a comfy viewing angle, be that at the range, your back yard, in a vehicle.
As we all get older, the fact is that our eye sight deminishes and you need more light to your eyes to see the same things that younger eyes see with less light. That said, I'd opt for a scope with a larger objective for older eyes. Something else to note if you Dad wears glasses is the eye relief of whatever scope you look at buying. The longer the relief, the more room you get for glasses. I wear glasses and my scope has 18-20 mm of eye relief. This works out just fine.
Bushy, Vortex would be where I'd start. You don't have to break the bank, but in many regards you get what you pay for. Buy the best you can afford and Dad will be good to go. Going too cheap will only result in being hard on your dad's eyes and make your pocket book lighter.
I have a buddy who just raved about the $99.00 Barska kit he bought at Gander Mtn. Did it work at the range? Yes, but the image was fuzzy at 100 yds. Yeah you could still see the holes, but it was hard on my eyes. I've since let him look through my Vortex Razor HD. No, not really a fair comparison at all, but it made him realize that his Barska wasn't such a great deal afterall.
Agree with it being a personal preference as far as straight/angled goes.
I fall into the angled for everything camp.
Question for ya, will Dad ever want to use his new scope from his vehicle for watching wild life or what not? If this is an option you may also consider a window mount with a quick detach shoe that also fits his tripod. For in vehicle use, I find an angled scope with a rotating ring on the body of the scope, allows me to get the scope in a position I like. With a straight bodied scope you have to get right behind it all the time. Guess I just like the versitility of an angled body scope that has an adjustment ring - it gives you alot of options for finding a comfy viewing angle, be that at the range, your back yard, in a vehicle.
As we all get older, the fact is that our eye sight deminishes and you need more light to your eyes to see the same things that younger eyes see with less light. That said, I'd opt for a scope with a larger objective for older eyes. Something else to note if you Dad wears glasses is the eye relief of whatever scope you look at buying. The longer the relief, the more room you get for glasses. I wear glasses and my scope has 18-20 mm of eye relief. This works out just fine.
Bushy, Vortex would be where I'd start. You don't have to break the bank, but in many regards you get what you pay for. Buy the best you can afford and Dad will be good to go. Going too cheap will only result in being hard on your dad's eyes and make your pocket book lighter.
I have a buddy who just raved about the $99.00 Barska kit he bought at Gander Mtn. Did it work at the range? Yes, but the image was fuzzy at 100 yds. Yeah you could still see the holes, but it was hard on my eyes. I've since let him look through my Vortex Razor HD. No, not really a fair comparison at all, but it made him realize that his Barska wasn't such a great deal afterall.
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
Hmm, are Konus konuspot 20-60x80 considered decent? Seems like they have good reviews and I found a place selling them for under $200 shipped.
And I kinda wanted to surprise my dad, so no clue on the observing wildlife, but he never shoots farther than 200 yards.
Hmm, are Konus konuspot 20-60x80 considered decent? Seems like they have good reviews and I found a place selling them for under $200 shipped.
And I kinda wanted to surprise my dad, so no clue on the observing wildlife, but he never shoots farther than 200 yards.
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
I just got a Konus 20-60x100 and am very impressed at the quality. Since I live in the NW, the larger objective helps on our overcast days. With a midway usa discount, you can get them at a very good price.
I just got a Konus 20-60x100 and am very impressed at the quality. Since I live in the NW, the larger objective helps on our overcast days. With a midway usa discount, you can get them at a very good price.
Re: Spotting scope for 100 yards?
If you are really only going to use at 100 yards then the best scope you can buy is the Minox 16 - 30x it has nice German Glass.
Spotting Scope Comparison
You can read more about it at the link. They sell for $250 - $300
A Pentax PF-63 would also be a great scope you can find one for under $300
Its worth spending the addition 100 dollors or so and getting better glass and Warranties
If you are really only going to use at 100 yards then the best scope you can buy is the Minox 16 - 30x it has nice German Glass.
Spotting Scope Comparison
You can read more about it at the link. They sell for $250 - $300
A Pentax PF-63 would also be a great scope you can find one for under $300
Its worth spending the addition 100 dollors or so and getting better glass and Warranties
