Spotting scope for the novice. 100-1000 yards

[Rocketman99]

The Leupy Ventana looks good for the price. You will find that most of the time your zoom will be in the lower end, unless it's early in the day before the ground starts to heat up and cause heat waves in the air. Nice thing about zooms over fixed eyepices is the ability to dial down to diminish the distortion.

As long as you stay away from Barska, Simmons and ultra cheap "Big 5" specials, you should be OK. Leupy, Vortex, Kowa, Konus, etc. Lots of suggestions out there.

Know anything about the older Kowa TSN-1? I can pick one up for about $325. Think its worth that? My other option is a Vortex Diamondback.

[smoothy8500]

Saw a couple TSN-1's today at Santa Margarita Gub Club midrange match. $325 might be a little high for an older optic, but not outrageous. They are great quality. I have seen them go on e-bay for $250-300. The issue is if the eyepiece is the one you want. Adapters are available from Kowa to fit newer eyepieces, but it's expensive.

[Rocketman99]

Saw a couple TSN-1's today at Santa Margarita Gub Club midrange match. $325 might be a little high for an older optic, but not outrageous. They are great quality. I have seen them go on e-bay for $250-300. The issue is if the eyepiece is the one you want. Adapters are available from Kowa to fit newer eyepieces, but it's expensive.

Yeah I had a feeling from trying to source an eyepiece last night that it might not be worth it at that price. My needs are really only out to about 800 yards.

Thanks for the input Smoothy.

[Blade Gunner]

For shooting steel ATN make a spotting scope that has the ability record on an IPhone via a USB cable. However there have been some quality control issues with this product. Hopefully one of the more reliable spotting scope manufacturers will adopt this technology.

[smoothy8500]

Yeah I had a feeling from trying to source an eyepiece last night that it might not be worth it at that price. My needs are really only out to about 800 yards.

Thanks for the input Smoothy.

If it doesn't have the eyepiece, then pass. The prices I was quoting include it.

Most of us shooting NRA Midrange (600yds) are using the 25X Long Eye Relief. The 25X view isn't affected by mirage as much, and it has the ability to "see" the mirage to call the wind. The 20x60 eyepiece would be my second choice. If it has either one it would be an OK purchase for $250.

[teflondog]

I got a Redfield Rampage that works fine for seeing .22 caliber holes at 600 yards. It's actually a pretty decent spotting scope except that it gets fuzzy at max magnification. For 1,000 yards you'd probably have to use Shoot-N-C targets.

[Rocketman99]

If it doesn't have the eyepiece, then pass. The prices I was quoting include it.

Most of us shooting NRA Midrange (600yds) are using the 25X Long Eye Relief. The 25X view isn't affected by mirage as much, and it has the ability to "see" the mirage to call the wind. The 20x60 eyepiece would be my second choice. If it has either one it would be an OK purchase for $250.

It has a "like new" 25x eyepiece with it asking $325 for the TSN-1. I also found a TSN 601 with the 25x LER eyepiece for $400. From the pictures it looks to be in better shape.

[Rocketman99]

I apologize if I am highjacking this thread. Not my intention. Just trying to get the same advice as the OP from you veterans.

[Scratch705]

i wonder if anyone has just used telescopes as a spotting scope.

i mean sure, it would be much more bulkier to carry, but a lower end telescope can probably beat out spotting scopes that are low/mid range just by the pure reason of the objective lens (light collecting ability)