Spotting Scope Recommendation

[RiverRatMatt]

Hey, I hope this topic hasn't been done to death but I haven't found the info I seek yet.

I'm looking to get a spotting scope for hunting, wildlife research and long range shooting. Price isn't an issue because I can always save more money, but under $2000 would be nice.

Here are my criteria:
Made in USA/Japan/Germany/Portugal/Hungary.
Light Weight
Waterproof
Excellent Optics (I'm a photographer and know good glass

)
Enough magnification to see a .308 diameter hole at 300m (at least).


Suggestions?

 

[backyardsniper]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Leupold mark 4

 

[Hogstooth]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I would second the Mk4 or better yet get their HD version, also there are several put out by others such as Swaro and Zeiss that will be around the 2k range.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Kowa is amazing. first choice in the birder world for a reason.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Vortex Razor

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vortex Razor </div></div>

+1, I love my Razor. My cousin that shoots with me every now and again is also a professional photographer, and he likes it as well.

 

[vinsonr]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I have a Razor, it's pretty nice. I was spotting out at 250 yards on paper and I could see the .223 holes that someone else had already put in it. The pic below wasn't super far away, but shows how clear the glass is.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Any specific Kowas to look at?

How does this compare to the Mk4? I don't really want a reticle, would rather have a clear picture.

 

[jdr724]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

That's what you want if you don't want the reticule and do want the HD.

Some of the others mentioned are ok but do not meet my idea of light.

I've got the Mark 4 + manfrotto tripod + 322rc2 head. Worth the money for me.

I put measured black spots onto white poster board and checked them out to 600 yards. 3/8th inch spots out to 490 yards and 1/4 inch out to 600 yards at 40x.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RiverRatMatt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any specific Kowas to look at?

How does this compare to the Mk4? I don't really want a reticle, would rather have a clear picture. </div></div>

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Take a look at the new Meopta S2 82HD. Just a tad north of 2k but its an impressive instrument.

Meopta Spotting Scopes

 

[oneshotkyle]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

i gotta mark 4 with mil dot for sale if your interested. comes with spotter/cover and tripod all leupold brand

 

[aard3]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vortex Razor</div></div>
+1, I like my Razor... Razor + tripod and a good ball head for it would probably come in right under 2k.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

What about something like this?

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

You may not want a reticle now, but don't limit yourself to a scope that does not accept a eyepiece with a reticle, if you do and later change your mind more money will flow out of your wallet.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I think a reticle would just get in my way and block vision for no reason(for my use).

What do you guys think of something like the old Spacemaster II I linked above compared to today's scopes? Ken Rockwell does know his optics.

 

[physhphude]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

The spacemaster is very nice. Especially if you get one cheap, but it does not quite compare to the higher end spotting scopes.

Kowa, Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon, are the best if you pair them with a good eyepiece.

The Pentax (pf80 or pf100) is the best for the money, at about half the price, with the XW eye pieces it is better than the Kowa and Zeiss spotting scopes I have looked through.

What makes the biggest difference is the eyepiece in the high end spotting scopes. Pentax makes some of the best. Though if you were to put an equivalent eyepiece on one of the more expensive brands, they may look a little better. Any of the big names with a fixed eyepiece should be excellent.

The leupold is only good if you want to use it for long range shooting. It does not have the same color fidelity and low distortion as the larger spotting scopes, but it is IMO better than the others for shooting.

A lot of people recommend Kowa, but they make a very wide range of spotting scopes ranging from decent to spectacular quality. The more inexpensive Kowa's pale in comparison to the pentax.

 

[longrange223]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

i've got a nikon that i can see holes at 300yds no problem,that doesn't take too much to do,if your budget is $2000 look at the swarovski,you wont be disappointed,what ever you get make sure it has the ed glass

 

[wdebo]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I really like my Vortex Razor. The MOA eyepiece is nice.

 

[RiverRatMatt]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: peacemaker.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The spacemaster is very nice. Especially if you get one cheap, but it does not quite compare to the higher end spotting scopes.

Kowa, Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon, are the best if you pair them with a good eyepiece.

The Pentax (pf80 or pf100) is the best for the money, at about half the price, with the XW eye pieces it is better than the Kowa and Zeiss spotting scopes I have looked through.

What makes the biggest difference is the eyepiece in the high end spotting scopes. Pentax makes some of the best. Though if you were to put an equivalent eyepiece on one of the more expensive brands, they may look a little better. Any of the big names with a fixed eyepiece should be excellent.

The leupold is only good if you want to use it for long range shooting. It does not have the same color fidelity and low distortion as the larger spotting scopes, but it is IMO better than the others for shooting.

A lot of people recommend Kowa, but they make a very wide range of spotting scopes ranging from decent to spectacular quality. The more inexpensive Kowa's pale in comparison to the pentax.
</div></div>

Awesome info, thank you!

I'm seeing a lot of the Bushnell Spacemaster II 70mm, how are those?

 

[vereceleritas]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I like my Vortex Razor as well. I kind of wish it had more eye relief since I wear glasses but I think its actually better than other spotters that I tried in that aspect

 

[tzsniper123]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

I think Razor HD is best for under $2k. For over $2k, I have both Swaros 85 HD and Zeiss 85mm Diascope. Look sbs....i have to give it to Zeiss but...i have to use my Swaros cuz i've already have scratches on them.

 

[SABuzzard]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pyplynr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vortex Razor </div></div>

+1, I love my Razor. My cousin that shoots with me every now and again is also a professional photographer, and he likes it as well. </div></div>

++1. Razor is great. I've put mine side-by-side with much more expensive scopes and it hangs with em. Great value. No compromises that I've found.

 

[ms6852]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

Read this article it is very informative, and may answer all your questions.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/spotting-scopes-for-target-shooting.html

 

[joemusso]

Re: Spotting Scope Recommendation

you might want to take a look at the US Optics FOS

http://www.usoptics.com/optics/field-spotting-scope.html

thank you
joe