Spotting scope for competition

[bennadatto]

Evening all! I recently participated in my first vintage military rifle competition, and let me say, I am now hooked! I can't wait to get back out and shoot again!

But now I need some gear, namely a spotting scope. I saw in another thread recommendations for a Konus (I think) scope that is around $200. I'm not opposed to ponying up that kind of scratch, but I also want to get started reloading, and have to divy up my funds accordingly.

For the most part, I'll be shooting 100-200 yards, and I'd love a scope that can get the job done around the 100 price point. Any ideas?

thanks in advance!

 

[MutinousDoug]

Unless you can find a used bargain, you will not be happy with a $100 scope. The recommendation of a $200 Konus is just about minimum quality for a 100-200 yd shooting game.HTH

 

[paulo]

X2. Save your money.Do NOT buy a cheap spotting scope.The Konus is a good value and fair scope for the money. Check out jarheadtop.com for any deals.

 

[Hoser]

Cry once and get a decent quality scope.

 

[Sprout]

I really like my Konus, at least out to 100 yards.

 

[bennadatto]

There is a Konus Scope for $229 at optics planet. It is the 20-60 x80mm scope (blue). Is this the scope everyone recommends?

Thanks!

 

[chestnut ridge]

Find a Bausch & Lomb Senior in 20x on Ebay. These often have
a Freeland bipod and saddle attached. I have bought several for
100-200. These are excellent quality; all metal scopes made in
America back in the 60's.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

For right under $200 plus shipping, you can get a Celestron C90 Mak, which delivers a very high quality image for the money, albeit in the form of less-sturdy reflector scope. This is probably the best value in a spotter for short/medium ranges (out to 200 yards).

If you want to see holes easily at 200-300 or more, then for $300, grab a Celestron C130 Mak. It's big & heavy but delivers an incredible image for the money, and can double as a celestial viewer.

If I had to go under $100, once again, the Celestron matsukov-cassegrain is probably the way to go - the C65 Mini-Mak:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-c65-mini-mak-spotting-scope.html

So - pick up what you can afford and realize that 100-200 yards - you don't need anything expensive.

At 100 yards, I might agree with you - on a sunny day, I can see 7mm holes with my 3-9x40 Nikon Omega scope (please note that the Omega is a lot higher quality than it 'oughrtta be', given the price).

But I disagree somewhat, for 200 yards - it just depends on conditions - how good your eyes are naturally, is it sunny or overcast, how large of holes, and what kind of contrast do you have on the targets you're using. On a dark day with below-average or average eyesight, and a .22 cal or 6mm, you just might want to have some decent quality glass.

If I had an extra $500 or so lying around, I'd be picking up a refractor in the form of a Celestron Ultima 22-66x100 with ED glass.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-ultima-100ed-spotting-scope.html

That's a darn good value for ED glass.

I know I sound like a Celestron shill, but hey, they work well for the money... I'm definitely not opposed to other brands, as there are undoubtedly some very good values on the low end to be found in Alpen, Konus, economy line Brunton, Leupold Green Ring (Sequoyah), several Bushnell lines, Vortex, and others.

If you decide to go medium-quality, then Leupold, high-end Bushnell, and Nikons.

High-end, then of course Brunton, Zeiss, Kowa, Swarovski, Leica, & high-end Nikon.

 

[jnyork]

A spotting scope should be treated as a lifetime investment, which it will be if you save your scratch and buy a GOOD one the first time. Please dont waste your money on a cheap scope, it is a sure and certain path to disappointment. There are three things to look for when buying a scope, they are: QUALITY, QUALITY AND QUALITY. Spend till it hurts, then pony up a little more. You'll be happy you did.

 

[BobN54]

Can anyone compare the 80mm and 100mm Konus?

 

[rskent]

Bennadatto
I use the 20-60 x 80mm Konus. It works fine at 100. OK at 200.
This is IMHO the lowest quality scope worth considering.
Steve

 

[Offfhand]

When investing in a spotting scope keep in mind that what you mount it on is extremely important. A $1000. scope or even $100. on a $10. stand is a waste of money. Attached is a pic of the Freeland style stand I use, which is designed for shooters. The split leg arrangement lets the shooter get close to the scope but doesen't interfere with shooting positions as does ordinary tripods and easily adjusts up and down for more convenient positioning. (Easier to show picture than try to describe)

 

[GreyEagle_1]

NcSTAR 20-60x60 Spotting Scope

This will suffice out to 600+ yards.

Problem is, they are not in stock at this time...



http://www.opticsplanet.net/ncstar-20-60x60-spotting-scope-green-lens-with-tripod-laser-ng206060g.html

 

[robone111]

I am not a fan of NcStar products mysef. Don't mean that as a shot. It's low quality. They use a lot of plastic lenses vs glass. I have a Leupold Sequoia 15-45x60. I love it. Well worth the cash. I am by no means rich. I saved my money for it. I am a firm beleiver of being patient and saving and not buying low end.

 

[Canuck-IL]

I do mean it as a shot - at NcStar - junk!! ... got 2 as gifts - every adjustment of focus moves the image, terrible in low light, just all around cheap and heavy to boot.

As to stands, the Freeland is OK, the Ray-Vin at $220 - 260 depending on options is the class of the group ... 1" stainless, 1 hand quick adjust mount, 2 heights available. Creedmoor is also good but even more $$.

Konus 100 has noticeably poorer image than the 80 ... a lot of the HP guys start with a Konus as they save up for a Kowa - depends on your finances and attitude about "cry once' vs "I want a scope now" - Konus aren't a bad starter, you're not looking for holes at 300 and beyond, just mirage and target spotters/scorers. A Kowa 661 with a long eye relief eyepiece is what you really want (or an 800 series if going out to 1000) but the Konus will get you going. Weakest point is the bayonet mount ring - very fragile.
/Bryan

 

[BobN54]

I'm looking at alternatives to the Konus before making a decision. Willing to spend a bit more, but let's stay under $750. What do you think about these candidates, all are waterproof gas filled:

Alpen 788, 20-60x80, multicoated glass, Bak-4 prism, lifetime warranty: $392
Columbia by Kruger 20-60x80 , fluorite glass, Bak-4, lifetime, light (43oz): $379
Bushnell Elite 20-60x80, fluorite, Bak-4, lifetime:, $699
Bushnell Legend ultra HD, 20-60x80, ED, Bak-4, lifetime: $369
Celestron Regal 20-60x80, fluorite, Bak-4, lifetime, heavy,: $530
Yukon 6-100x100, eyepiece rotates but no collar,$399

compared to:

Konus 20-60x80, Multi-coated, ? prism 1 yr: $229
Konus 20-60x100, Multi-coated, ? prism, 85
oz., 1 yr., $329

While dreaming of:

Kowa TSN 880, 88mm, + TE20H eyepiece, lifetime: $1500 + $345
Kowa TSN 770, 77mm, + TE20 eyepiece, lifetime: $1100 + $345

 

[Canuck-IL]

In the middle $$wise and just a bit over the Bushnell is the Kowa 600 series - fine at least out to 600yds. $660 with the 25x LER eyepiece.
http://www.championshooters.com/store/product.php?productid=544

No personal experience with the others you listed. A lot of the local Bullseye shooters use Alpen products and have found them to be good quality for the money ... but those are 50 - 100 yard scopes that live in a pistol box.

Bushnell products strike me as kind of hit and miss ... I've had a couple die on me but they were replaced under warranty after a significant wait for around $10 or 15. The failures seemed to be lenses shifting in the body, possibly the result of dust infiltrating...they were never wet nor dropped yet focusing became progressively harder until they just quit.

Never seen a Columbia or Yukon.

On anything you might research, check the eye relief --- Kowa's LER lens is 31mm while their variables are (IIRC) about 8 - 16. More is better, especially for HP. If the manufacturer's site doesn't list the eye relief, try Optics Planet
/B

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

When investing in a spotting scope keep in mind that what you mount it on is extremely important. A $1000. scope or even $100. on a $10. stand is a waste of money.

Wise words, those - don't forget that a GOOD tripod is also a lifetime investment!