Spotting Scopes with Reticles

#7
On the cheaper end, if you can find an older bushnell tactical excursion spotter. They are nice for the money.. I have no idea why in the hell they quit making them things. They pop up for sale every now and then on here or ebay, and go fast! For around 350 to 400 dollar ball park...Not everyone has 1K to 2500 to spend on a spotter.. I figured bushnell would kill it if they started makine them again. Who knows ...

Sniper Central - Bushnell Excursion FLP 15-45x60mm Tactical Spotting Scope
 
#8
Optolyth HD Compact(s) with Rotating MIL Reticle Eyepiece

Optolyth makes some excellent spotting scopes, but not all of them are in this category. My experience is with the HD version of the S80 (angled version) of Optolyth's Compact. The designation for the "straight" version is "G". Optolyth makes 30X and 45X Eyepieces with MIL-based, ROTATING reticles. Both Eyepieces have the same reticle - the 30X is used with 80mm Optolyth spotters and the 45X is used with 100mm Optolyth spotters. The reticle can be rotated 360 degrees and rotates independently of the Eyepiece Body. UNLIKE ALL OTHER RETICLE-EQUIPPED SPOTTERS, the rotating reticle allows the reticle to be oriented "square" with the horizon (or anything else), even if the scope body is rotated on a tripod head and/or within a rotating collar. Check-out my “http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...3-optolyth-s80-hd-compact-spotting-scope.html” thread for my un-biased write-up and comparison of my Optolyth S80 HD Compact and my Zeiss Diascope 65T FL.

Now before everyone and his mother here starts talking smack about Optolyth spotters and how the Vortex Razor, Leupold, Bushnell, ect. all performed better at some match(s), or how poorly Optolyth rated compared to other spotters in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s “All About Birds : Spotting Scope Review or Scope Quest - Winter 2008 Living Bird, keep in-mind that: (a) in both the 2003 and 2008 reviews performed by the Cornell “Birders”, in each case older, non-HD Optolyth models were tested against and compared to the newest and best spotting scopes from the competition (skewing the tests and results), and (b) the Optolyth spotters that people said were poor performers compared to other spotters were also outdated, non-HD models. Several months ago there was a spotting scope thread where everyone (with the exception of the only two people with actual experience with later model Optolyth spotters), bagged-on all Optolyth spotters. Those two members were scudzuki and I, and our experiences with our S80 HD Compacts have been favorable. Based upon what scudzuki said I have a lot more experience with spotting scopes than he does (I've been shooting and using scopes and spotting scopes for 40 years). IMO scudzuki took sort of a beating - mainly because he spoke favorably about a spotting scope that he has experience with while others with no experience with said spotting scope spoke negatively of based on their experience(s) with older models.

When I pointed-out the facts about the skewed tests and The Big Cheese admitted that the Optolyth spotters used at the matches were old, outdated models, the spotlight was shifted to Vortex's (excellent) Customer Service, Warranty, and that Vortex supports the Shooting Sports and donates to Prize Tables. Not to make light of the Warranties or the very generous contributions by Vortex and other companies, but bagging-on companies and/or products by people who have no direct experience with a product is BS. If someone has no direct experience with a particular product then they have no basis for comparison, and are therefore unable to legitimately comment about that particular product, period. I'm all for supporting companies that provide great customer service and support and contribute to the shooting industry, but if there's a product that offers features that are useful to me and with superior quality and performance I'm going to buy that product (if I can afford it and I'm willing to pay for it).



Keith
 
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#9
Nobody cares about buying an Optolyth because we can support companies that support the shooting community and still get a great spotter.

Vortex, Bushnell, Leupold, USOptics go out of their way to support shooters. When Nathan was with Zeiss he did as well. So why spend $2500 on a company that has nothing to do with shooters? Support those who support us I say.

2 fans don't mean a thing when you consider everyone else using spotters with Reticles from the companies supporting us.
 
#10
I have the Horus one,(cant remember the model) bought it used for a smoking deal as far as Im concerned. Been very happy with it. IIRC its a 15-40X60 with an FFP H32. I know its not a Zeiss or USO, but I've looked through some of the good ones (Zeiss,Leup. USO) and Im happy at this price point.
http://s696.photobucket.com/user/coldboremiracle/media/Snapbucket/705C5DF8_zps463b593b.jpg.html
I guess they dont make em anymore, and I dont even know what they went for new, maybe worth a look at for anyone who doesnt have a German glass budget.











.
 
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#11
Pinecone asked about spotting scopes with reticles. I mentioned Optolyth because not only are the HD Compacts great spotters, but they also have a MIL Eyepiece with rotating reticle (a feature that no one else offers). The rotating reticle feature works extremely well. This is immediately obvious next to a spotter with a non-rotating reticle – especially when prone with an angled model. You might be correct about no one caring about buying an Optolyth, but part of that comes from wagon-jumpers and unwarranted negative comments about Optolyth coupled with exaggerated praise of the Razor HD.

I already noted shooting industry and match support, so your reiteration only bangs the drum louder. It's just disingenuous to promote companies A, B, C, and D over Company E's products under the guise that Company E's products are inferior to those of companies A, B, C, and D for the sake of promoting them over Company E. Promote whomever you like, but not by shading the facts.

If being pleased with the performance of our S80 HD Compacts makes scudzuki and I “fans”, I guess we're fans. To this day, we do happen to be the only two Forum members I know of who happen to have any actual experience and usage of S80 HD Compacts and the rotating MIL Eyepiece. Wink.



Keith
 
#14

The reticle is course, too large to really be useful, and a rotating reticle is not some advantage, it's just made to sound like one by you as if. It's power factor makes it less desirable than the Bushnell or the Leupold, and Zeiss.

You can can rotate bodies on other scopes if you like lining up the reticle. I think the Vortex might turn as well, I will check mine. If not the eyepiece the body in the collar will. My Zeiss bodies turn.

As as noted before I used the Optolyth and found it unusable. We hated it at Rifles Only. In the bright sun and mirage it was hazy and distorted.

why take a $2500 chance when there are proven winners out there for less money. The new Bushnell is almost $1000 less money and is armored and railed. With an H32 reticle.
 
#19

i've wondered about that. is there any optical or armor protection differences between a gold ring spotter a MK4 spotter? a new MK4 spotter is $1700 and a new gold ring is around $1000. that's $400 saved off right off the bat.
 
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#20

CoryT referred to the amount spent as "cubic dollars". I got a chuckle out of that.

The Gold Ring HD is not the nicest or most expensive optic on the range but it is enviable. Sometimes near-perfection can only be achieved with "modification". The 399 will vanish from your memory when you start getting use out of it.
 
#21
The GR has additional lens coatings for more color and resolution. The MK4 was built without the coatings and instead was made with a blue laser filter which hinders the glass performance somewhat. Other than that the two are identical construction wise.
 
#24
I had one of the mk4's from webyshops. I compared it against my GR and found the image to be better in the GR and I wanted a TMR. They are a good distributor, if you want to get one cheap.

I bought a LMSS from GA Precision and it was defective, horrible chromatic aberration. I sent it in for my refund and kept my Leupold.
 
#27
Take advantage or fix it cause it's outta whack?

Point to a single a post where someone said my reticle is outta alignment ?

Most spot from the standing with a level tripod so it's a non-issue. If you are playing hi power shooter spotting yourself why bother ? We use scopes with Reticles. What can you do at 30x I can't do at 25x with my scope?

Total bullshit by the two cheerleaders.
 
#28
As mentioned before the Vortex Razor HD is a very nice spotter for the money. I have both eyepeices but really only use the 30X with the MIL ret. I find this style reticle more useable to me than a Horus style. There have been times when using a H ret that the actual impact is covered by an intersection and unless you are looking real close to the area of impact it can be difficult to know where it was. However on the flip side a conventional style reticle (+ sign) if the impact is in the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, or 10:30 positions it can be difficult to make an accurate correction. So it is a bit of give and take. I happen to like a more open field of view. As far as the optical quality in the Razor, I am very pleased with it. After coming off Swarovski and Zeiss offerings (with out reticles) I don't feel like I am leaving anything on the table with the optical quality, but as we all know that is subjective. I also have not had the opportunity to use the Razor much past 1K, its hard to find any ELR in Maine.

I would like to check the new Bushnell out. I like the idea of it being so compact and also being able to co witness a LRF is very nice.
 
#29
Just because a spotter is great for bird watching does not make it great for reading mirage. Some coating on some very expensive spotters are so good its hard to pick up mirage in light conditions.

I have used the Bushnell version of the MK4 Spotters. The Bushnell is a great deal for money but not in same league as the MK4. The MK4 is my favorite for watching trace and reading mirage in field. Plus with reticle it is good for calling shot corrections.
 
#31

I wonder what is up. That spotting scope seems to be only available from them. They have another model that is the same as carried by Sport Optics and others for $1699, same as the other dealers.

What makes that particular scope so much less expensive?
 
#33

I shoot prone or seated and have the scope on a mini-tripod rotated around 20 degrees from horizontal.
I spot my own hits on steel or paper out to 600.
It would be impossible to do this with a reticle that does not rotate freely.

I could care less what you think Frank.
As usual, when anyone disagrees with you or has an experience that differs from your own, you have to stoop to chest thumping and insults.
You're pathetic.

Joe
 
#36
Please,

You need to stop playing with yourself as your hand is slipping off hitting you in the face making you stupid.

See let me point out your stupidity for everyone to see, with visuals:



See those collars on there, (both these spotters have reticles genius) you rotate that collar and you can line up the reticle same exactly as your rotating eye piece.

You're spotting by yourself to 600, whoa impressive, so are you shooting and spotting or going back to spot ? What exactly are you "spotting" you can't see with your scope ? Cause I know I spot my shots as I am making them. I can tell you exactly where my bullet went so I don't need to spot for myself with a Spotter when I have a more than capable scope 3 inches in front of my face.

So I recommend getting a handle for you cock to prevent your hand from slipping or get out and see that you can do the same thing with the collar.
 
#37
I have used an Optolyth at a long range day at RCSC. It was not for me and not worth its price tag that the man had said he paid.
Currently in use I would buy a:

Leupold MK4 with TMR reticle
Zeiss Hensoldt Spotter 60
Bushnell Elite Tactical Spotter
Vortex HD spotter
 
#38
I bought a used leupold golden ring, looks like the mark spotter, I sent it to leupold and had the tmr reticle put in. All in, $1000. Glass is crystal clear and the tmr is one of my favorite reticles.
 
#41

+1 to this. After shopping for several months I managed to find one of these for $370 on Amazon. It's a great spotting scope for the money and if Bushnell started making these again I'm sure they'd sell a bunch.
 
#44
That $1699 is the version with NO reticle installed. The reticle version is like $2000+ from vendors. GA Precision had some for $1750 shipped, I got one that was defective though. A complete pain to get squared away.
 
#48
the leupold new with tmr reticle can be had new for around $1284

I like the idea of getting a used one and saving a few hundred dollars though, do they offer a different warranty after installing the reticle?
 
#49
I have a Mark 4 spotter that's served me well for the past year since I've been using it. Mine is a little odd, with a P4 reticle instead of just the mil-dot or TMR.

I think it's a little busy for just spotting for friends at the range. It would probably be more useful if I was ranging targets, but meh, sometimes I wish I just had a plain mil-dot reticle in there. Not enough to drop $399 and shipping though.

I do like that the Mark 4 is a pretty compact body, though I ruined all that compactness when I mounted it on a Nikon rail that lets me mount an old iPhone behind it. I use the iPhone as a display so I don't get eye strain staring through the spotter for lengths of time.
 
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