Spotters Spotting Scope Setups - Show Em!

[VSP968]

I’ve been attempting to settle on a setup combines my Terrapin with my Leupold and an iPhone mount for an old 5S I use with the Kestrel, etc….

I run the Kestrel on a separate tripod. The umbrella is always good for a laugh.

 

[Conqueror]

Before I had the Cadex cage I ran a MUB Mod Dos like you are. I initially had my LRF mounted in a rigid ARCA clamp like you have, but I got tired of the two optics not being co-aligned and having to lose my spotter picture to use the LRF or vice versa. So I put the LRF on a mini ballhead thusly:

 

[ototallydude]

Poor mans setup. I've noticed with an Anvil type ball head everything feels really top heavy and hard to adjust.

 

[ZF-1]

I normally don't run the weathermeter+wind vane and the Kestrel but I wanted to see how they compared.

 

[Conqueror]

Playing with the RULR/Henny setup this weekend:

Building just over 3.5 miles away. Repeatable measurements on that and other landmarks and buildings around that distance in blazing bright sunlight. Didn't have any good target beyond but supposedly they will do 10km in good conditions.

 

[chutinlead]

Anyone have any suggestions for longer ARCA Rail with some sort of anti-rotation pin that would keep my vortex 20-60x85 from unscrewing? Coming up kind of empty other than some cheap Chinesium

 

[Conqueror]

Aren’t those made with an Arca dovetail directly on the mounting base?

 

[chutinlead]

Aren’t those made with an Arca dovetail directly on the mounting base?

The Gen 1 spotters had the Manfrotto RC2 built into the base.

 

[chutinlead]

B&H has used L84 (last model) universal plates with the anti rotation tab on the back for $28. High quality and cheap.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=getItemDetail&Q=json&sku=802512119&is=USE&show=mainInfo+images+itemGrouping+breadcrumbs+kitStoreDisplay+financing

 

[cschastain2]

Hensoldt & Swaro STR-80

 

[DDGKunia]

Hensoldt & Swaro STR-80

Honest opinion, which one do you prefer between these 2?

 

[TheHebrewHammer]

Henny 45, HISS 320, PVS-27, SilencerCo Radius, UHP DBAL-A3. Multi-spectral spotting scope.

 

[Longshot231]

I’ve been attempting to settle on a setup combines my Terrapin with my Leupold and an iPhone mount for an old 5S I use with the Kestrel, etc….

View attachment 7859510

View attachment 7859505

View attachment 7859509

I run the Kestrel on a separate tripod. The umbrella is always good for a laugh.

View attachment 7859508

View attachment 7859515

Where did you get the tactical umbrella? I like to keep my range finder out of the sun because of false temperature readings. That looks like it will do nicely.

How does it hold up in the wind and does it come in multi-cam?

 

[VSP968]

@Longshot231

Sport-Brella Versa-Brella 4-Way Swiveling Sun Umbrella (Midnight Blue, commie red, international orange, Crye multicam, OD, FDE, Elite Sand, pink)
https://a.co/d/iYTcXnl

 

[cschastain2]

Honest opinion, which one do you prefer between these 2?

Honestly, I think the STR-80 has a little better glass and I love the On/Off Reticle and 2 ocular lense options. But, I love the Hensoldt too just as much…I wished I had the rare H-59 reticle.

I couldn’t decide between the two so I just got them both and I like them both the same. However, if I’m taking just one, I always grab the Hensoldt…I do like the BO S.L.I.C.K. rail setup better. You can’t go wrong with either of them.

I just couldn’t decide, so I could not compromise financially with myself and I bit the bullet. It is nice having both for an additional spotter.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help with the two, I wished I could have, they’re both expensive but damn good.

 

[PBWalsh]

For those with the Leupold Mk4s. Do you see the price increase of the H-32 reticle justifies its price over the TMR. Or is the TMR adequate enough for corrections/ranging?

 

[Dogtown]

You guys make me feel inadequate…

 

[Baron23]

For those with the Leupold Mk4s. Do you see the price increase of the H-32 reticle justifies its price over the TMR. Or is the TMR adequate enough for corrections/ranging?

Dunno, brother. I have the TMR and have not looked thru the H-32. Not sure I even saw that offered when I got mine.

I like my scope but Have no competition experience so you prob want input from others on this.

Cheers

 

[pfl338]

Upgraded my KOWA. The Swaro looks naked compared to some others on this thread!

 

[7mm-matt]

View attachment 7859515

What bag is this? Nice setup

 

[VSP968]

What bag is this? Nice setup

It’s one of (possibly) nine made by London Bridge Trading (of Virginia Beach, Virginia) for Primier Reticles (formerly of Winchester, Virginia) in 2008 as part of a military contract submission.

It was originally intended to be used with a Hensoldt spotting scope.

A current SH member who was working for Premier Reticles at the time had a listing for them in the PX after the contract submission was over and I was lucky enough to snag one.

 

[7mm-matt]

View attachment 7900643

View attachment 7900642

It’s one of (possibly) nine made by London Bridge Trading (of Virginia Beach, Virginia) for Primier Reticles (formerly of Winchester, Virginia) in 2008 as part of a military contract submission.

It was originally intended to be used with a Hensoldt spotting scope.

A current SH member who was working for Premier Reticles at the time had a listing for them in the PX after the contract submission was over and I was lucky enough to snag one.

That's a nice piece to keep it all together, and even better story. Thanks

 

[VSP968]

Someone PMed me about three weeks ago with the same question and to be honest, I couldn’t remember all the details other than it came from Premier.

Recently I PMed the dude who sold it to me and he filled me in on the backstory. I had no idea so few were made.
Maybe he’ll chime in if he sees this.

 

[Conqueror]

That was me asking. I looked through London Bridge's whole catalog and they don't make anything comparable today.

 

[Longshot231]

There's nothing very fancy with this setup. However, I took the unique step of using double-sided tape to affix a level to the bracket.

I use the knobs to adjust for elevation and cant. If the scope isn't level, I have trouble adjusting the scope or rangefinder in the vertical plane.

For example, if I want to get the rangefinder on a target that is further away from the previous one, I'm usually increasing the elevation on the tripod head.

If the apparatus isn't level, the center of the rangefinder tracks up to one side or other of the target. Then I have to adjust the knob to track horizontally till the target is centered in the rangefinder.

So I use the level on the bracket to set the cant to zero on everything. Then when I adjust the tripod head to move everything, the target will be very close to center. This requires little to no adjustment in the horizontal.

It's the best $4.00 that I have ever spent.

 

[7mm-matt]

Getting around to building my spotter setup with the help of this thread. Bushnell 15-45 and Vortex Ranger 1800 on a little ball mount.

 

[Conqueror]

Ultimate night spotter? There’s an RMR on the other side too. Not pictured is the digiscoping end of the Cadex cage that can hold a camera or iPhone to the eyepiece.

 

[Dogtown]

And the xELR handles the 20x min zoom okay?

 

[Conqueror]

And the xELR handles the 20x min zoom okay?

Absolutely. Focus on the trees around 100yds, human slightly out of focus at 225yds behind a parked car, 20x mag.

 

[rlsmith1]

@Conqueror that's legit, glad you managed to squeeze an RMR on there

 

[chiroz]

The Mark 4 is compact, light, has a great reticle and pretty good glass. MET info goes to the computer via a Kestrel, there’s just no reason to mount it on the tripod. Vector’s provide range, azimuth and angle. That is passed verbally to the shooter.

For ELR work I often use a Pentax ED 80 with a modified Burris reticle eyepiece. That’s fantastic glass, but very large, and very hard to get NV suitably mounted.

The Hendsolt scopes are great glass, but the reticles are pretty crappy. The 45 with the Tremor is usable, but I won’t pay the premium for what I view as a marginal reticle.

The Vortex scopes seem usable, but the fixed power for the Mil eyepiece is a downer, it needs a FFP reticle installed.

The Swarovski STR 80 is nice, though a bit large. The eye relief makes it a non-starter for eyeglass wearers.

All the others I’ve seen have no better glass then the Leopold, with far worse reticles.

How did you modify the Burris reticle eyepiece to fit the Pentax ED 80?

 

[ZiaHunter]

Spotter 60 co-witnessed with Vectronix 25C using an APO mount and adapter made in my shop. The oculars are the same level and easy to go from scope to LRF and back with minimal movement. RDS located on left rail which can't be seen in picture.

 

[Conqueror]

For those of you with Hensoldts, the Aadmount scope cap for their 72 mm riflescopes also fits the spotting scopes very nicely. You can see it on my picture above, definitely a nice upgrade from the stock cap.

 

[Big Bo]

View attachment 7838013

Be it ever so humble but it is all mine. Actually, don’t have that tripod anymore. I have a 3/4 from 2 vets.

Thank you. Your pic helped save me some money.

 

[Halfnutz]

Thought Id pass this along to help someone else.
Im using a Bushnell Legend 15-45×60, with a Lieca CRF 2800

I found a mount from Millet that is surprisingly decent (Millet Tactical QRF-C Quick Release Go Pro Style Action Camera Mount) to use with the Leica mount. The Millet is discontinued but still available on Amazon.

I drilled and tapped 2, M5x.8 holes at positive and negative X8mm,Y8mm from the Millet 1/4-20 mounting screw. Used M5 set screws through the Millet plate and into the 5mm slots in the bottom of the Leica base to capture it. This allows a very slight amount of adjustment but should co witness close to the spotter.
This is a more compact setup vs the spotter and LRF on a 6" ARCA rail with just friction holding the alignment.
Might work for other LRF mounts as well.

 

[carbonbased]

Here is my setup for prairie dog shooting. Built it for quick spotting and recording the hit. Co-witnessed.

1. Ries tripod
2. Berlebach 553 head
3. Hejnar 16” double Arca bar (a small USA manuf)
4. Bino side:
   1. Two Wimberley RB-100 risers
   2. Old Kirk BH-3 ballhead (just ok)
   3. RRS Cinch LR
   4. Leica 15x LRF binos
5. Spotter side:
   1. RRS screw clamp
   2. RRS anti-twist plate B6
   3. Vortex 27-60 razor (angled 45°, co-witnessed, someday gonna get a better spotter)

Just added an RRS leveling head.

How an attached phone looks on this setup. I had to remove my phone to take this pic, obv. The 16” Arca bar allows space for the phone (and your fat head).

This setup allowed us to record sooooo many more hits.

The Ries is nicer than the RRS tripod next to it. Hard Maple transmits even fewer vibrations than carbon fiber, I read, and industry uses such wood tripods for sensitive measurements. Again, I read (no first hand knowledge). Probably makes little difference for what I do.

I owned the Ries before I got into shooting. It’s heavy, it’s tall as fuck when collapsed, it’s slow-ish to set up, but it has a triangle reinforcement thing under the head for each leg. Once that triangle clamp is tightened, it’s like a rock. Legs aren’t collapsing unless you set up on a white dwarf star ️.

It has 4” spike feet, and it is way more resistant to blowing over in the prairie winds than a lightweight tripod.

My model has just one leg length adjustment (two leg segments) like a RRS 22i. I used their option to add another clamp per leg so it really locks up solid.

 

[Night Vision Viking]

Full thermal madness.

 

[carbonbased]

Anyone have any suggestions for longer ARCA Rail with some sort of anti-rotation pin that would keep my vortex 20-60x85 from unscrewing? Coming up kind of empty other than some cheap Chinesium

Look at my reply here. No anti-rotation between the clamp and the rail, but I list a RRS anti-rotation plate for the spotter.

Never had a problem with the RRS clamp rotating on the rail.

 

[chutinlead]

Look at my reply here. No anti-rotation between the clamp and the rail, but I list a RRS anti-rotation plate for the spotter.

Never had a problem with the RRS clamp rotating on the rail.

Yeah I think I ended up with one. I really like the lip and the fact you can tighten it with an Allen wrench vs just some little thumb screw.

 

[Tanman]

There's nothing very fancy with this setup. However, I took the unique step of using double-sided tape to affix a level to the bracket.

I use the knobs to adjust for elevation and cant. If the scope isn't level, I have trouble adjusting the scope or rangefinder in the vertical plane.

For example, if I want to get the rangefinder on a target that is further away from the previous one, I'm usually increasing the elevation on the tripod head.

If the apparatus isn't level, the center of the rangefinder tracks up to one side or other of the target. Then I have to adjust the knob to track horizontally till the target is centered in the rangefinder.

So I use the level on the bracket to set the cant to zero on everything. Then when I adjust the tripod head to move everything, the target will be very close to center. This requires little to no adjustment in the horizontal.

It's the best $4.00 that I have ever spent.

View attachment 7910015View attachment 7910016View attachment 7910017

Who makes the fold down table? Nice setup

 

[Longshot231]

Who makes the fold down table? Nice setup

They make them in different colors. I heard that multicam will improve your accuracy

Armageddon Gear Tripod Caddy

Armageddon Gear is the one stop place for your firearm needs. We offer the best in rifle slings, suppressor covers, beer and booze bivys, MOLLE pouches, gun cases, field cases, rucks & sacks. Pray you'll never need gear this good!

www.armageddongear.com

 

[Tanman]

They make them in different colors. I heard that multicam will improve your accuracy

Armageddon Gear Tripod Caddy

Armageddon Gear is the one stop place for your firearm needs. We offer the best in rifle slings, suppressor covers, beer and booze bivys, MOLLE pouches, gun cases, field cases, rucks & sacks. Pray you'll never need gear this good!

www.armageddongear.com

Nice, haha. Gotta do everything I can to improve my accuracy! Thanks

 

[Longshot231]

Nice, haha. Gotta do everything I can to improve my accuracy! Thanks

They also give military discounts. If I remember correctly, you place the request in the comments section of your order. They will charge you the full rate for your purchase but will refund the amount of your discount later.

 

[Maurygold]

Here’s my setup. Leupold TMR 12-40, badger cage, badger kestrel mount and sig 5k. I may put a red dot on top but very happy with this setup. The blamm sig mount has just enough give I can range without needing to adjust ball head which I really like and can even co-witness if I mess with it for 2 minutes.

 

[jLorenzo]

What is that on the objective of the spotters with the keyhole shape in it?

 

[Maurygold]

What is that on the objective of the spotters with the keyhole shape in it?

Badger anti reflective device.

 

[Dogtown]

Damnit, I've spent the past year thinking it was some kind of fleshlight attachment!

 

[mi650]

Mine, that I just put up for sale an hour ago.

 

[Capt_Right]

What is that on the objective of the spotters with the keyhole shape in it?

It’s to reduce light and glare in some lighting conditions. It also increases the depth of field.

 

[Dogtown]

For when you want that cinematic look…