I really had my eye on a Leupold GR but the reticle is moa. I’d prefer a mil so I’m trying to come up with options. I really like Athlon’s reticle in the Cronus T and Ares 24x eye piece. I think it would provide a ton of versatility. This will be used primarily for shooting steel out to 1000 maybe a little more but also for long range glassing while hunting. My budget is no more than 1500. Between the two Athlons which one would you pick and why? Would you pick a different spotting scope? If so why? Please don’t suggest Swaros, Kowas and the like. I’m a poor. Unless you have one with a reticle that you’d sell me for less than 1500. Haha. Please speak up because it seems that the more I look into things the more questions I have. I will be asking plenty. Thank you in advance.
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Trying to decide on a spotting scope
- Thread starter Jaron3
- Start date
depending on the type of hunting, i'd think about something smaller?
i know you have a limit, but when folks have pretty generous limits, i wonder why they couldn't add a couple hundred more.
i think you can get the tmr version for ~$1700
www.leupold.com
i know you have a limit, but when folks have pretty generous limits, i wonder why they couldn't add a couple hundred more.
i think you can get the tmr version for ~$1700
MARK 4 12-40X60mm H-32
The Mark 4® 12-40x60mm tactical spotting scope with the H-32® reticle gives you the brightness and clarity necessary for positive target identification in any conditions. Built to survive shocks, blows, drops, and impacts, it's not only tough, it's also 100% waterproof and fogproof.
www.leupold.com
A mark 4 with TMR is at the top of your poorrange.
40x is plenty of power for 99% of situations and the 12x can get you on target fast.
Burris signature with a SCR eyepiece looks like a decent option.
The Cronus seems like a decent option, never seen one in person.
In your range the Cronus should work well.
I personally like having a FFP multipower spotter more than a fixed eyepiece as it nicer for locating targets
40x is plenty of power for 99% of situations and the 12x can get you on target fast.
Burris signature with a SCR eyepiece looks like a decent option.
The Cronus seems like a decent option, never seen one in person.
In your range the Cronus should work well.
I personally like having a FFP multipower spotter more than a fixed eyepiece as it nicer for locating targets
Thank you for that information. I didn’t know they were available with a tmr reticle. Back to the drawing board I guess. A couple hundred is worth waiting for but you reach a point where other things in life take their toll, monetarily, on the fun stuff and you have to set a limit. Like I said, I’m a poor. Haha.
To either cut down on beer or the kid's new gear,
it's a tough decision in a town called Malice.
- The Jam
i have not been able to compare them. i was able to get a used mk4 from a member here, but it is still in transit.
here are some earlier opinions
Leupold mk4 versus... are they good?
I’ve read a ton of reviews over the last few days, however no one really directly compares the Leupold mk4 to higher end as it seems to be more in a target shooting class where as most high end spotters are on the bird and hunting forums. Previously I’ve owned a Vortex viper hd, then as I...
www.snipershide.com
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Deleted member 113831
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You made a rookie mistake.
When you ask the Hide how to spend your money, you have to sandbag your budget by 25%.
That way you can get recommendations that are actually within your range.
When you ask the Hide how to spend your money, you have to sandbag your budget by 25%.
That way you can get recommendations that are actually within your range.
I would buy a nearly new Swaro or Leica before buying a brand new other brand. If you do this you will only need 1 spotter in your lifetime and have the best spotter available! If you can't find one for $1,000 save up or sell some of the stuff around your house....it's worth it's weight in gold to have the very best optics!
You might look at a Used Pentax PF80 ED with the 20-60x eyepiece. They can be had for less than $1,000 and rival the big names. Back in the day, there were the top rated 80mm spotter by betterviewdesired, which was a birder website but did excellent optics reviews.
In fact....
Pentax PF 80ED
Anyone uses Pentax PF 80ED? There are some good reviews out there but I'd like to know what you can see at 600 and 1000 yards.
www.snipershide.com
I don't think Kowa has a scope with a reticle, could be wrong.
This may or may not help.
www.worldbirds.org
This may or may not help.
12 Spotting Scopes With Reticle Worth the Money (2022) - World Birds
Spotting scope with a reticle is ideal for spotting holes, reading mirage, and spot and tell adjustments for a shooter. … 12 Spotting Scopes With Reticle Worth the Money (2022) Read More »
www.worldbirds.org
At the lower end of your budget I would recommend the Bushnell Elite Tactical 8x-40x with the H-32 reticle, they can be had for around $1000. Here is one on ebay for around that amount:
At the higher end of your budget I would recommend the Leupold HD 12x-40x with the H-32 reticle, they can be found for around $1500.
If you can save a little longer and can stretch your budget the Hensoldt Spotter 60 will be the last spotting scope you will buy.
ELITE TACTICAL 8-40X60 SPOTTING SCOPE With Optional Horus H-32 reticle SOCOM | eBay
<p>ELITE TACTICAL 8-40X60 SPOTTING SCOPE With Optional Horus H-32 reticle . Condition is like new. Comes with picatinny rail mount kit for accessories.</p>
www.ebay.com
At the higher end of your budget I would recommend the Leupold HD 12x-40x with the H-32 reticle, they can be found for around $1500.
If you can save a little longer and can stretch your budget the Hensoldt Spotter 60 will be the last spotting scope you will buy.
Why do you want a reticle in your spotter? You won't be able to use it while you're behind your rifle and with just a tiny bit of practice you can call corrections in mils/moa without it.
You got $1500 to spend, spend them on real optical quality instead of big magnification, useless reticles, and mediocre lenses.
$1300
Spotter: https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...45f5-0134-b60a-00163e9110c0?variation=1666071
30X eyepiece: https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...460f-0134-8185-00163e9110c0?variation=2723943
$1350
Spotter: https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...45f5-0134-b60a-00163e9110c0?variation=1666071
20 - 60X eyepiece: https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...45fe-0134-b615-00163e9110c0?variation=1853920
There is now a "HD" gold ring.
I did the poor thing and bought an sx-4 with the "HD". I can say it does better than the older gold ring, but I don't need or want a reticle in my spotter.
The sx-4 also weighs 2x what a gold ring does, which means it generally stays on the 4 wheeler or truck.
I've got one spotter with a reticle, and it's the Athlon Cronus Tactical. I've played with it several times on my own range, mostly from 600yds. The glass is pretty good, but IMHO, either the glass in the Athlon Cronus 20-60x86 is better, or the porro prism design of the larger spotter is superior to the roof prism of the Tactical model. Not knocking the Tactical's optical quality - it's good; I just think the 20-60x86 is better. I haven't shot a team match since buying the Tactical, so have no experience in using it to spot for another shooter. The lens covers that come with it are pretty much worthless, and would be really easy to lose. I have yet to put these two scopes side-by-side and see how they compare, but the dual coarse/fine focus wheels of the bigger Cronus make it easier to fine tune focus than the single focus ring on the Tactical model (and the focus ring is a bit stiff on that scope compared to the dual wheels of the 20-60x86).
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