Recommend me a spotting scope

[Sabian722]

Hey Calgunners,

Looking to get a spotting scope to replace the piece of junk Barska I purchased way back when. Any recommendations for a ~$500-600 budget? If no quality one can be found within that price range, I'll wait a bit and up the budget. Vortex looks promising...

I want some clear glass up to 600 yards!

Thanks in advance.

[HK Dave]

I would suggest you save up and get a Vortex Razor 20-60x85mm. It is absolutely stunning in glass quality at the price point.

You could also go with the copy of the Vortex Razor made by Zen Ray. The thing looks like an exact copy of the Razor. I hear folks saying the image quality is similar.

If $500-600 is max, you could look for an older used Bushnell Elite 20-60x80mm... aka a Bausch & Lomb. I used to own one and I was honestly amazed at what it could do at $400-500.

[HK Dave]

Found the Zen Ray...

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened2_20-60x82

There's only one thing that might turn you off... I believe it's a China company.

[Sabian722]

I would suggest you save up and get a Vortex Razor 20-60x85mm. It is absolutely stunning in glass quality at the price point.

The Razor looks incredible. Thanks for the suggestion. Would that spotting scope be good up to 1000 yards, in your opinion? I figure I can buy once, cry once, and cover all my bases.

20-60x sounds like overkill at 100 yards paper, but I think I could make that work too.

[Sabian722]

Found the Zen Ray...

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened2_20-60x82

There's only one thing that might turn you off... I believe it's a China company.

Yeah, China is a deal killer for me. I'll take US Company made in Japan. I think that's where their Razor line is made...

[bubbapug1]

I would get a celestron 20 x 80. Its light, durable, and overkill for 600 yards

[Cujo]

Used Kowa TSN-82SV.

[HK Dave]

The Razor looks incredible. Thanks for the suggestion. Would that spotting scope be good up to 1000 yards, in your opinion? I figure I can buy once, cry once, and cover all my bases.

20-60x sounds like overkill at 100 yards paper, but I think I could make that work too.

I think to get glass better than the Razor you have to play at the $2500-3000 range and move up to a Kowa Prominar or a high end Swarovski and the like.

For the money, there is nothing that can touch the Razor.

You can also get MOA or MIL reticle eyepieces so you can properly spot with a team mate.

[Paperchasin]

I am using a Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 20-60 x80. Excellent quality glass for the price.

[Sabian722]

This is all very helpful. Thank you guys!

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[Jeepergeo]

Alpen. Costco.com has them now and then. Great scope for the money. It is not a Zeise, but its under 1/10th the cost too.

[Kingair001]

Found the Zen Ray...

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics2/zenray.pl?page=zenray-zened2_20-60x82

There's only one thing that might turn you off... I believe it's a China company.

Does anyone owns a Zen Ray ?

And if yes what are your findings please ?

[Mute]

I agree with HK Dave. At the $1000 range nothing is even close to the Razor HDs. To get anything noticeably better you're into the $2500+ price range.

[Sabian722]

I agree with HK Dave. At the $1000 range nothing is even close to the Razor HDs. To get anything noticeably better you're into the $2500+ price range.

Would noticeably better pretty much mean higher quality glass, say, high clarity at 1000+ yrds? Whereas the 1k scope can get you there but it might be as clear? Thanks.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[sonofeugene]

I agree with HK Dave. At the $1000 range nothing is even close to the Razor HDs. To get anything noticeably better you're into the $2500+ price range.

As I mentioned before, check out the Pentax offerings. They are often rated equal to or better than Zeiss and Swarovski and are actually a little less expensive than the Razors. Plus, they have the huge advantage of using easily swapped astronomy grade eyepieces which are standardized and available from many manufacturers. Swap out the 20-60 the scope comes with for an 80x or 100x non-zoom eyepiece and prepare to be stunned by the view. Can't do that with most scopes.