Spotting Scope with or without reticle

[Macdaddy]

I am in the market for a spotting scope which will be used equally for range use and for hunting.

I have a couple of questions:

For hunting purpose for spotting and locating (not ranging), do people generally find the reticles to be a detriment (distracting clutter) or are they easily ignored?

Secondly, of the tactical type spotters (Hensoldt, Leupold, GPO etc.) are there any of this style that DON'T have reticles in them?

Thanks,

 

[mi650]

Swaro STR has an illuminated reticle. When it's off, it isn't there.

 

[Hondo64d]

I am in the market for a spotting scope which will be used equally for range use and for hunting.

I have a couple of questions:

For hunting purpose for spotting and locating (not ranging), do people generally find the reticles to be a detriment (distracting clutter) or are they easily ignored?

Secondly, of the tactical type spotters (Hensoldt, Leupold, GPO etc.) are there any of this style that DON'T have reticles in them?

Thanks,

The Tract fixed x eyepieces have the reticle off center so it does not interfere with the central FOV. Additionally the optical quality is really, really nice.

Spotting Scope Eyepieces Unlock every detail with precision!

Unlock every detail with precision! Explore our range of spotting scope eyepieces designed for sharp focus and clear views. Discover more and elevate your sight

tractoptics.com

John

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Look at the Revic Acura S65A, best of both worlds

• Fixed magnification 18X reticle eyepiece
• Included variable magnification 22-45X eyepiece
• Included carry/travel case
• Neoprene scope cover
• Eyepiece cap covers
• Integrated sunshade
• Windage and elevation correction reticle
• Spotting grid
• MOA ranging scale
• MIL ranging scale
• 65mm objective
• Extra low dispersion glass
• Enhanced multi layered anti-reflection coating
• Anti-fog coating
• Anti-scratch coating
• Phase correction coating

 

[JER6.5]

X2 on the Swaro STR, very nice to be able to turn the reticle of when not needed.

If you go the route of a non reticle option, the Swarovski BTX is extremely nice, being able to use both eyes are amazing.

 

[KAIFS]

I like my spotters completely uncluttered; for hunting I use quality 8x LRF with a ballistic calculator built in.
I just do not see (FOR ME) a point for a reticle or a grid on my spotter.

Not sure why Athlon discontinued Cronus 20-60x86 UHD, but its been GREAT and I have not been even considering upgrading it for several years…

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I like my spotters completely uncluttered; for hunting I use quality 8x LRF with a ballistic calculator built in.
I just do not see (FOR ME) a point for a reticle or a grid on my spotter.

Not sure why Athlon discontinued Cronus 20-60x86 UHD, but its been GREAT and I have not been even considering upgrading it for several years…

Athlon upgraded it to a 2 touch focus, Cronus 20-60x86

 

[KAIFS]

Athlon upgraded it to a 2 touch focus, Cronus 20-60x86

Mine has a dual dial for focus

 

[Rodney65]

FWIW I just *had* to have a spotter with a reticle. I got the Bushnell Legend T-Series with this reticle:

For spotting at matches or with other shooters there is almost always a fixed size target that can be used to give corrections. Also there is usually more than one rifle with a mil reticle in play when spotting that can be used to spot.

What I am getting at is the reticle has not proven as useful as I thought it would be. Nice to have, doesn't really get in the way, but it doesn't come in handy that often for me. The one time I remember putting it to serious use was clocking a mover at a match before a stage. With no actual numbers on the reticle trying to count off the number of big, full mil stadia hash marks the target went by was not that easy.

Just my experience/opinion. I like having a spotter for a few things but the reticle wouldn't be a deal breaker either way.

 

[Nik H]

X2 on the Swaro STR, very nice to be able to turn the reticle of when not needed.

If you go the route of a non reticle option, the Swarovski BTX is extremely nice, being able to use both eyes are amazing.

X3 on the STR. It is an excellent spotter. Clear optics and the reticle is only there when you need it.

 

[DM1975]

FWIW I just *had* to have a spotter with a reticle. I got the Bushnell Legend T-Series with this reticle:
View attachment 8636318
For spotting at matches or with other shooters there is almost always a fixed size target that can be used to give corrections. Also there is usually more than one rifle with a mil reticle in play when spotting that can be used to spot.

What I am getting at is the reticle has not proven as useful as I thought it would be. Nice to have, doesn't really get in the way, but it doesn't come in handy that often for me. The one time I remember putting it to serious use was clocking a mover at a match before a stage. With no actual numbers on the reticle trying to count off the number of big, full mil stadia hash marks the target went by was not that easy.

Just my experience/opinion. I like having a spotter for a few things but the reticle wouldn't be a deal breaker either way.

I use the reticle in mine all the time but agree with most of this still. My use case scenario is different from yours as I’m generally spotting for friends or family that don’t have a spotting scope much less one with a reticle in it, or for myself. If I were using one for hunting I would want it offset or none at all. I do wish the stadia were numbered as well. For hunting I would want image quality and probably a manageable size/weight over anything else.

 

[White_Shark]

I have the Vortex Razor with reticle eye piece. It is fixed at 22x power, which is plenty though an FFP would be awesome. I find that it is great for PRS matches when helping new shooters make corrections. It’s nice when I can say they’re .4 low or .6 left, etc. I don’t think I would use it for hunting though, but only because of the size. I could see benefit of a small spotter or binos with a reticle for longer range hunting to know target size vs wind call. If my target animal is .8 mils wide and my steady to gust wind correction is .4-.7 mils, that’s probably not a shot I should be taking, but I also don’t hunt much long range, so likely a scenario that only exists in my imagination.

 

[Schw15]

Gpo spotter with the reticle is awesome. I manily use for elr stuff but took it hunting worked fine but sometimes the reticle can get in the way. But it was also blowing 30 mph and about 10 degrees lol

 

[Varmint-Hunter]

Really like the FFP reticle on my spotter. I only use for zeroing currently. Being able to measure with it is great