Best value spotting scope

[jmf_tracy]

It looks like I need to buy a new spotting scope. I can't find my old one and don't remember what I did with it.
There are so many different brands and models that it makes my head hurt.
What are some recommendations that the members have here?
I had a real hard time seeing 5.56 & 7.62 holes at 100 yards recently with a borrowed spotting scope so I really want good clarity. Budget is IDK, I am not trying to spend a lot of money, but if I can't see the holes with a cheap scope then that would be useless.

[Sir Toast]

I got this one and I'm very happy with it.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-...-VOR203-DS-85A

[jmf_tracy]

Originally Posted by Sir Toast

I got this one and I'm very happy with it.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-...-VOR203-DS-85A

Nice. I like Vortex. Thanks for the post.

[theLBC]

not sure? call doug at cameralandny.com and he can tell you the best value for your money.

[jmf_tracy]

Originally Posted by theLBC

not sure? call doug at cameralandny.com and he can tell you the best value for your money.

Yes, I could do that. I have bought many scopes from Doug, he's a good guy.

[sonofeugene]

I always recommend Pentax. Very high quality scopes, approaching Zeiss and Swarovski in quality, for a very reasonable price.

[jmf_tracy]

Originally Posted by sonofeugene

I always recommend Pentax. Very high quality scopes, approaching Zeiss and Swarovski in quality, for a very reasonable price.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[middleofnowhere]

I am getting ready to purchase a new scope in the next couple of months. My uses will be for spotting and phone scoping game. I do backpack hunt, so weight is a factor. I do use a scope for target shooting but it isn’t my primary need.

I avoid China, which means most Vortex are out for me.

I like the Leupold Gold Rings in 65mm and 80mm, the weight and sizes are great. I also like Leupold’s warranty and that a large part of the manufacture is in USA.
I’m also looking at the SX-5 Santium scope in 80mm. A little less of this scope is made in USA than the Gold Rings. All the Leupold options would be well under $2K.

I’m also considering the Swarovski ATX/BTX system. This setup is modular, which means I could get a 65mm lens and a larger 95 or 115mm diameter objective. Theoretically I could be running two scopes at the same time. Starting price on something like this would be in the $4K range

Most of my buddies are F’ing communists and run Chicom Vortex. I know the older Razors were made in Japan but I don’t think that’s the case anymore.

The military is currently buying and running Leupold’s Mark 4, which is the same as the Gold Ring but it has a reticle (essential for spotting shots). I have no desire for a reticle because I will be phone scoping and don’t want it on my photos. https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-ma...iABEgKsl_D_BwE


A lot of military guys are also running the Bushnell Tactical Elite. It’s a great scope made in Japan.
https://www.bushnell.com/elite-tacti...e/2179124.html

Other great scope brands are Maven, Meopta and Kowa. A lot of guys are saying the Kowas with the Flourite lenses are every bit as good optically as Swarovski for half the money.”

Pentax has some very “under” rated optics for the price. I do know a guy running an older spotter that is excellent. Camera land will know of a few other “under rated” optics that are great values.

[jmf_tracy]

Originally Posted by middleofnowhere

I am getting ready to purchase a new scope in the next couple of months. My uses will be for spotting and phone scoping game. I do backpack hunt, so weight is a factor. I do use a scope for target shooting but it isn’t my primary need.

I avoid China, which means most Vortex are out for me.

I like the Leupold Gold Rings in 65mm and 80mm, the weight and sizes are great. I also like Leupold’s warranty and that a large part of the manufacture is in USA.
I’m also looking at the SX-5 Santium scope in 80mm. A little less of this scope is made in USA than the Gold Rings. All the Leupold options would be well under $2K.

I’m also considering the Swarovski ATX/BTX system. This setup is modular, which means I could get a 65mm lens and a larger 95 or 115mm diameter objective. Theoretically I could be running two scopes at the same time. Starting price on something like this would be in the $4K range

Most of my buddies are F’ing communists and run Chicom Vortex. I know the older Razors were made in Japan but I don’t think that’s the case anymore.

The military is currently buying and running Leupold’s Mark 4, which is the same as the Gold Ring but it has a reticle (essential for spotting shots). I have no desire for a reticle because I will be phone scoping and don’t want it on my photos. https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-ma...iABEgKsl_D_BwE


A lot of military guys are also running the Bushnell Tactical Elite. It’s a great scope made in Japan.
https://www.bushnell.com/elite-tacti...e/2179124.html

Other great scope brands are Maven, Meopta and Kowa. A lot of guys are saying the Kowas with the Flourite lenses are every bit as good optically as Swarovski for half the money.”

Pentax has some very “under” rated optics for the price. I do know a guy running an older spotter that is excellent. Camera land will know of a few other “under rated” optics that are great values.

Thanks for the post. I do like Bushnell Elite tactical I am running a few of them on my rifles. I heard good things about Kowa, but more than I want to spend. I am considering the Vortex and Konus at the moment.

[smoothy8500]

Konus Konuspot 20-60x80 is a good value for the $200 price. I used one for several years before upgrading to a used Kowa. The Vortex Diamondback 65mm is a pretty good option if you go up to the $300-400's.

[kenl]

Don't forget good used. I found a very nice Bushnell Legend 20-60x60 on ebay for a great price a few years ago. No problem seeing 6.5mm holes at 300 yds

[LBDamned]

Konuspot80

Bang for buck - thats a good choice.

[jmf_tracy]

Originally Posted by smoothy8500

Konus Konuspot 20-60x80 is a good value for the $200 price. I used one for several years before upgrading to a used Kowa. The Vortex Diamondback 65mm is a pretty good option if you go up to the $300-400's.

I actually had that scope before and I don't know what I did with it. I also can't remember if I liked it or not. I was considering buying it again, but might want something a little nicer.

[theLBC]

i can recommend one i have, but it is chinese and i bought it before the virus.

[smoothy8500]

Originally Posted by theLBC

i can recommend one i have, but it is chinese and i bought it before the virus.

One of the things that separate quality scopes from the budget ones is the amount of Chromatic Aberration (CA). CA is the bright neon purple fringe that appears on high contrast edges such as black and white targets. It's even more apparent on bright, sunny days. Notice the extreme amount of purple fringing on the SVBONY scope. That's almost enough to induce migraines. Even my Konus scope wasn't that bad.

[ptmn]

I have a military Leupold MK4 spotting scope with Horus reticle, pretty nice for sniper work, but you mentioned looking for a good value.

My other spotting scope is not as nice, but it is a great value and highly functional.

It's the Leupold SX1 Ventana kit. It comes with a 15-40x60 Leupold Ventana 2 scope, a soft case, a hard case AND a tripod. They are about $350 for the entire kit. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/leup...ting-scope-kit

I had it stored in the Armory at work and some idiot put some heavy equipment on top of it while it was in only the soft case. When I pulled the scope out for a deployment, I found the scope broken in two pieces.

I sent it to Leupold with an explanation that the scope didn't fail, it was broken due to negligence, so they can invoice me for the repair. Within 10 days, they sent me a full replacement kit with a brand new scope, no charge.

If you're looking for a 1000 yard spotter for sniper use at night, this is the wrong scope. If you are a regular shooter that does some long distance shooting during the day and are on a budget, I recommend this scope.

It's never going to compare with my Mk4 or a Kowa or other high end spotting scope, but its still a good spotter at a great price and backed by the Leupold lifetime warranty