Spotting Scope Opinion

[carbine85]

I'm in need of a new spotting scope. My Barska has to go. You can't see crap at 200 yards. I was thinking about the Leupold SX-1 with the angled lens. Any of you guys using these scope?
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/spotting-scopes/sx-1-ventana-spotting-scopes/

 

[taliv]

what are you doing with it?

 

[Ks5shooter]

I have it with straight eyepiece 20-60 power and love it.Eyepiece angled or not is youur preference.Opticsplanet.com had best price I shopped for a while,Catch them with a 10% off coupon code even better.

 

[119er]

When I upgraded from my budget spotting scope, I went to a mid-low range spotting scope from Konus (20-60x100).

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...-soft-case-armored-green?cm_vc=ProductFinding

It has done pretty well for me and based on what I had before it was light years ahead. After several years it leaves me wanting more. On a still day I can easily see7mm-.30cal holes at 300yds in plain black background targets. .22 cal maybe depending on light. It has stability problems in wind because of its sheer size (100mm!) and weight. It bounces at high magnification enough that I have to rest my hand on it when gusty. I use a SLIK camera tripod typically, but I am going to upgrade to a Creedmore sports or the like. People at the range use it to see what they need that whatever they are using can't. I don't usually pay attention to what they are using though. It will fog heavily in bad weather too, but I'm rarely at the range then anyway.

Whatever you get, make sure it has an angled eyepiece. Then you can have it next to you on the bench and lower when standing. If mine was straight I would have to bend down to look through it as my tripod won't extend enough. I wish I would have spent more money for nicer glass but it works for me for now.

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[RainDodger]

I was in the same boat. I wanted a reasonably priced spotting scope that would do the job better than the real cheapies. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on something, since it will get limited use... like just at the range.

The wife gave me one of the new Redfield "Rampage" scopes. I think it was ~$200. It has a polycarbonate body and the glass is totally useable. It's not an expensive Leupold (but it's made by them!), and I can certainly see .17HMR holes at 100 yards real easy! If I had to buy another, I'd buy the same one.

If I were a competitor and spent days and days at the range, maybe I'd spend more money, but his one does the job nicely. Take a look at them. Optics Planet is where she got mine.

Edit: no need to bend down; it comes with a small tripod perfect for the shooting bench.

 

[jr_roosa]

Get the cheapest kowa they make and a long eye relief eyepiece. Long eye relief lets you use it with glasses on.

You will never need another scope, and you can always upgrade to a zoom eyepiece or a bigger body later.

Buy once, cry once.

J.

 

[GarySTL]

When I upgraded from my budget spotting scope, I went to a mid-low range spotting scope from Konus (20-60x100).

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...-soft-case-armored-green?cm_vc=ProductFinding

It has done pretty well for me and based on what I had before it was light years ahead. After several years it leaves me wanting more. On a still day I can easily see7mm-.30cal holes at 300yds in plain black background targets. .22 cal maybe depending on light. It has stability problems in wind because of its sheer size (100mm!) and weight. It bounces at high magnification enough that I have to rest my hand on it when gusty. I use a SLIK camera tripod typically, but I am going to upgrade to a Creedmore sports or the like. People at the range use it to see what they need that whatever they are using can't. I don't usually pay attention to what they are using though. It will fog heavily in bad weather too, but I'm rarely at the range then anyway.

Whatever you get, make sure it has an angled eyepiece. Then you can have it next to you on the bench and lower when standing. If mine was straight I would have to bend down to look through it as my tripod won't extend enough. I wish I would have spent more money for nicer glass but it works for me for now.

Good luck with your shopping!

I have the same scope. It's a monster isn't it. I recently bought a Creedmoor tripod stand because I was tired of tripping over my tripod legs. The Creedmoor stand is nice but be sure you get their storage bag too.

 

[Savage99]

The 15/45X 60mm spotter I have was not quite adequate to see small bullet holes in the black at 200 yds.

The new Konus spot 80 I got is far better with excellent resolution.

http://http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-80-80mm-3-1-spotting-scope.html



$279.99

 

[carbine85]

Get the cheapest kowa they make and a long eye relief eyepiece. Long eye relief lets you use it with glasses on.

You will never need another scope, and you can always upgrade to a zoom eyepiece or a bigger body later.

Buy once, cry once.

So they are upgradable?

 

[carbine85]

The 15/45X 60mm spotter I have was not quite adequate to see small bullet holes in the black at 200 yds.

The new Konus spot 80 I got is far better with excellent resolution.

The biggest issue I have is it's too hard to focus on the .22 at 200 yards and impossible at 300.
We had trouble spotting 8mm yesterday.

 

[redneck2]

If it helps any, there's a guy over in the classified in Varmint's Den that has a vintage Redfield. Now, if you're not familiar, at that time Redfield was independent of Leuold and made some of THE very finest optics. This one is unused and NIB. Think you gotta join there to see the classifieds, but you might want to check it out.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The biggest issue I have is it's too hard to focus on the .22 at 200 yards and impossible at 300.
We had trouble spotting 8mm yesterday.

What is the power range of your current scope?

I have a Barska Blackhawk 20-60x60 and I can see holes from a .223 @200 yards and my eyes are not good at all. It's a very clear scope and the price is low too. If I needed more I would get the Blackhawk in 20-60x80 or even the 25-75x100 which is huge magnification.