Spotting Scope Questions

[Tim the student]

I'm looking at buying a spotting scope as a gift for someone - would like the price to be below 350. It would most often be used on a range at 200 or less, but would probably see some use on prairie dog colonies. For this stuff, I don't think that the magnification needs to be that great.

I don't want anything made in China.

What are the advantages to either having the eyepiece angled or straight?

Are there any great and wonderful black Friday deals out there now?

What would you guys say give the greatest bang for the buck in that price range?

I hear good stuff about Konus, but I'm unsure about their warranty.

People also seem pleased with the Vortex line - but I really don't know anything about the company.

I've also read some poor reviews of Leupold's Green Ring line, which surprises me a bit.

I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions you guys have.

 

[Brer Rabbit]

I was going through a similar decision. My choice was betwee the Celestron 20-60 80mm, and the Burris 20-60 80mm. After reading the reviews I chose the Burris at $199 over the Celestron at $167. The scope is in the mail, hope to have it on the range next week

Brer Rabbit

 

[m33p0n3]

I don't know much about different scopes, but I can comment on the eyepiece. Having an angled piece makes it much easier to see while in a position. For example, if you're in a prone position with a sling, you don't have a whole lot of room to move around. With the angled eyepiece, you can just turn your head slightly and be looking through the scope.

 

[WNTFW]

Tim,
http://www.jarheadtop.com/
Some info here on Konus/Kowa and a pretty good deal. Eye relief is addressed.

Main reason for a scope for many shooter is to see mirage and read wind. Seeing bullet hole depends on a few factors. Magnification helps see mirage. Resolution helps see bullet holes. Bigger caliber hole doesn't hurt! 200 yds is not a big problem. I have had on occassion had troubles seeing .223 holes at 200. Sun and even target make a difference. You can put an angled reflector of white or yellow plastic behind the target to illuminate the holes.

I have no clue on P-dogs. Never seen but one and it was mounted.

 

[Dr T]

I have been happy with my Celestron.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Konus is decent glass for the $$ - biggest issue is that the rotating ring that holds the bayonet mount tends to break off and factory service is apparently only a rumor. I'm referring to the 20-60*80 that's on sale at Midway for $199 pretty regularly.

Better construction and slightly better glass is the Zhumell, also the 20-60*80 model ... a little harder to find but you can with google ... also available for 199. No idea where either are made. Both offer 100mm which IMNSHO are way too big and heavy for the 20mm of extra light at intake.

Nikon has some nice offerings in the next price range up and then you're into Kowas which are serious scopes and the overwhelming preference of HP shooters - excellent glass, good controls and 100% lifetime warranty.

Angled eyepiece is for prone or perhaps a bench of the right height.

Eye relief is a big difference among the brands ... Kowa offers 32mm, most of the others are 15mm or less - especially relevant if you wear eyeglasses. I think the Zhumell is around 22 - very good for that price range.

Check that whatever you get has the rotating mount collar - some don't and they can be a lot more awkward to position comfortably or else you have to get a collar type mount accessory - basically a nice looking hose clamp with the bayonet mount on it....PITA.
/Bryan

 

[Tim the student]

Thanks guys.

I'm thinking about a Konus with the angled eyepiece.

Anyone know where it was actually made? I know the company is Italian, but I can't find where it was manufactured.

I know SWFA has scope ratings - does anyone have spotting scope ratings?

 

[Leaky Waders]

Start here there's plenty to read...

http://www.betterviewdesired.com/

 

[Skylerbone]

Tim, I was hot to grab one of those Konus spotters until I looked through one at the range. I take the opportunity to do that with as many as possible.

My impressions thus far of a few already mentioned:

Konus (China) was consistent edge to edge with a nice blue shadow to everything. Same with Burris. The difference was the Burris looked like someone smeared gasoline around the perimeter. (I looked, the glass was smudge and dirt free). Tried a Leupold Sequoia at Cabelas- not horrible but not hundreds better than the above. Redfield: same smear ring and blue edge to objects. That tells me that none are phase corrected, at least not properly and that the lenses are not the greatest quality. I did like the Nikon (above your price range) and a Bushnell FLP model which again is above your proposed price range but may well be my pick if nothing else grabs my attention in the sub-$600 range.

I think a good number of people don't realize how different the view is with a high quality scope or what to look for. It never hurts to make the sales guy pull out a Swaro to compare against though their's isn't in my price range.

Might look at the Simmons line, made by Meade now (telescope maker) and very good value if they look good at all. (sub $100 after rebate).

 

[Canuck-IL]

It might also be worth considering the resale on the better scopes ... Kowa hold their value, the sub 300 - 400 really don't, at all. You can get into the 60 or 66mm Kowas with a fixed 25x long eye relief lens for the mid 600s....after all, life really is too short to squint through a cheap scope!!
/B

 

[ms6852]

Check out the reviews here>

http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-spottingscopes.html

 

[Skylerbone]

The problem with that link to reviews on opticsplanet is that (as a for instance) the first 10 listed have a total of 15 reviews or 1.5 opinions each. One is a monocular and one is $500, yet another is $1500.

The Konus I mentioned above was raved about both on line and by it's owner yet he couldn't see his 200 yard target hits shooting .223 Rem.

I'm not promoting snobbery, I'm just letting the OP know that a gift in that price range ought to measure up but few spotters in that range truly do.

For a slightly lower magnification scope in the OP's price range SWFA has a nice Minox (Germany) 16-30 X 50mm that is both clear and lightweight for a hair under $300.