The birdwatcher people are really hardcore

[Wallabing]

Really hardcore about their binoculars, spotting scopes all their optical, even more than gun people. I've learned soo much from binoculars from just being around them, almost all of are of higher education and know every little thing down from prism design and lense design, that's pretty obvious because most of them are also amateur astronomers.

Their love and fetish for their equipment matches guns nuts love and fetish for their guns.

Had to chance to handle their multi thousand dollar Swarvorkis and Zeiss, Leica equipment, and the view through them are amazing.

[GW]

You know it!
Cornell Ornothology Dept does a big binocular review every so often
Its a ton of info

[Pally]

I've also learned a great deal about optics through the "birdwatcher" folks. There are some great websites out there; full of information on the tools they use/suggest.

I purchased an inexpensive spotting scope to get used to using one and I've actually started bird watching a little bit. I'm hoping I can learn about Upland bird habits and such before I go out hunting.

[ElvenSoul]

You gotta watch

https://youtu.be/9zTt6PEODBM

[MarikinaMan]

Its the essense of their hobby, hence bird WATCHING. Colors, crests and calls.

We simply look at holes.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Its the essense of their hobby, hence bird WATCHING. Colors, crests and calls.

We simply look at holes.

I look at deer, coyotes, squirrels, elk and sheep too. I just have a habit of putting new holes in them from a distance.

[sonofeugene]

When I was researching spotting scopes, I read a lot of reviews in birding publications and websites. That's how I learned Pentax is very highly regarded and considered to be pretty much in the same class as Zeiss and Swarovski for no where near the cost. My 20-60x80 is phenomenal. Check one out sometime.

[penguin0123]

What do you guys think about the Nikon EDG or Monarch?

I'm looking for a good spotting scope that can double as a telescope if I want. I got a good tripod I use for 4x5.

[Carcassonne]

If you want the best you will have 2 choices: Zeiss or Leica.

I did extensive research 25 years ago before buying a pair of (Zeiss) binoculars. Swarvorkis, Steiner, Nikon, Leupold, and all the others don't come close at the top end.

Got Money? --> http://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/e...inoculars.html

.

[1recluse]

Alot happens in 25 years! Just saying.

[pennstater]

Bird watching sites are indeed good for optics info. It's where I got my ideas for my Pentax and Swift binocs. Awesome glass. Have decided to keep my Swift's. Only the Leupold's are up for grabs. Oh, here is a good site:
"A better view desired.com".

[Winchester47]

In the last 10 years I have owned a Zeiss 20-60 x 85mm Victory spotting scope, a Zeiss 20-75 x 85 Victory Diascope, a Kowa 25-60 x 88 Prominar 884 and a Swaroski 30-70 x 95 ATX. They are all great scopes and anyone should be happy to have any one of them. I was able to compare the 20-75 Zeiss, the Kowa and the Swaro side by side standing on a hill in Yellowstone one evening while watching animals at over a mile out.
At the lower magnifications (40-50), to me, they were all about equal, one notable difference being that the Swaro has a wider sweet spot when focusing. The Zeiss got dark very quickly when using the 75x. As expected I was able to see better a little longer (10 minutes or so) into the evening with the larger objective lenses.
Don't go really cheap on a tripod or head. A Manfrotto 055 either in aluminum or carbon with a 128rc head is a decent set up. You can do better, but you can easily do worse.

I have had good experience Eagle Optics, they have educational videos, they stand behind what they sell, ship quickly and on occasion have good deals on demos.

[xrMike]

How does this spotter rate among you guys?

http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-20-60x100-spotting-scope.html

Can you see .223 holes at 200 or 300 yards with something like this?

[Wallabing]

How does this spotter rate among you guys?

http://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-20-60x100-spotting-scope.html

Can you see .223 holes at 200 or 300 yards with something like this?

Best Spotting scope in the price range you spotted is the Celestron Trailseeker 80mm.

It's far superior than the spotting scope you posted.

It's fully multicoated and can take standard 1.25 eyepieces, 2.0 AFOV.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1178694-REG/celestron_52332_trailseeker_80_45.html

or save up and get the 100mm model

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1178696-REG/celestron_52334_trailseeker_100_45.html

[Big bug]

Too bad they aren't too interested in night vision or Thermal optics.