Spotting Scope Recommendation to Reduce Mirage

[cz74]

Was at Sac Valley several weeks ago the 300 yard range, with afternoon heat the mirage makes it very difficult to spot even 30 caliber holes on splatter targets at 300 yards. Tried my friend's Leupold HD 20-60x60 could not get through the mirage. Any helpful tips appreciated, maybe try with an astronomy scope next?

[squeeze]

Was at Sac Valley several weeks ago the 300 yard range, with afternoon heat the mirage makes it very difficult to spot even 30 caliber holes on splatter targets at 300 yards. Tried my friend's Leupold HD 20-60x60 could not get through the mirage. Any helpful tips appreciated, maybe try with an astronomy scope next?

results will be upside down.
No matter what scope you use the distortion will be there.
the image is a result of uneven densities of the heat waves NOT your scope. Shoot earlier.

[Teachu2]

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1020849881?pid=736022&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Shooting%20-%20Range%20Accessories&utm_content=736022&gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk_D8HYVDYk_ebdb9QcueGGZcerP3cxJZ6_i2lLKXy2FygB_ZdUgP_RoCnbYQAvD_BwE

An example of a remote target camera. Might be the best answer to mirage.

And another:

https://www.longshotcameras.com/products/longshot-lr-3?variant=30743900913726&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Smart+Shopping&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=3856359192&hsa_cam=7852081611&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxkyjeS-FC2PQnKN5opc8B9bZmfsvobm795oOSuZeqLffk2D2eTBXNghoClsoQAvD_BwE

And for 300 yds or less

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020865419?pid=907379&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Shooting%20-%20Targets&utm_content=907379&gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk3LhaTJl7k_r5FaInknHExwcvn2zSKIzv5EBEGcJAvYfRbjfJgo7GxoCktoQAvD_BwE

[G-forceJunkie]

Now you know why astronomy telescopes are at the top of mountains or in space: the more air you look through, the more distortion you will have.

[Tripplet918]

When shooting long range, I can tune out mirages by backing out the magnification as much as I can and adjusting the focus. Obviously, if the heat source right up to your target, you cant really focus it out.

[middleofnowhere]

I’ve looked through some of the best optics, nothing can defeat heat mirage.

When hunting or observing wildlife, I try to get up high and look down. If you are shooting prone and have your spotter mounted low, the mirage will be worse than if you mount it higher, say at standing elevation. Sometimes just a 5’ elevation difference can make enough difference to see.

[Ki6vsm]

I was under the impression that the better the glass, the better you will see everything---including the heat waves/mirage. I think ELD shooters want to see it to some extent to help them read the wind out at distance?

But if the target is just swimming, like you're looking at it through boiling water, I don't think there are any lenses that'll let you see "through" and correct for the distortion.

[Ki6vsm]

I?ve looked through some of the best optics, nothing can defeat heat mirage.

When hunting or observing wildlife, I try to get up high and look down. If you are shooting prone and have your spotter mounted low, the mirage will be worse than if you mount it higher, say at standing elevation. Sometimes just a 5? elevation difference can make enough difference to see.

Reminds me, when I shoot out in the desert, later in the day when the ground heats up. If I'm shooting/spotting prone at targets just 100 yds away, my line of sight is only a foot or two off the ground, the bullseyes start to dance. My $1200 rifle or spotting scope, I might as well have left it at home. LOL

Just started shooting off a folding tabletop last spring. It's not as stable as prone, but I can sure see a little better in the heat. That couple of extra feet elevation can make a difference.

[ocabj]

You can't see through mirage. If different optics look better than another in heavy mirage conditions, what you're likely seeing is the effect of depth of field (or depth of focus). If you have an optic with deeper depth of field, you're able to see more fore and aft of a given point of focus. So when you try to focus on an object at distance, you're able to get the mirage and target more in focus at the same time, so it appears better to your eye.

When you have an optic with a very thin depth of field, more often than not what is happening is that you're trying to focus on target, but you can't see the target well because the mirage is blocking it. So you end up focusing either on the mirage or at some other point that isn't the target and you get a very unpleasant appearing image.

In either case in such conditions, spotting scopes are better used to watch the mirage itself (to call wind) or to watch the trace of the bullet in flight, rather than trying to watch the target itself.

[sigstroker]

Now I'm glad I only spent $70 on mine.

[CSACANNONEER]

Learning to read mirage will make you a better shooter. That said, depending on the exact conditions, less magnification and better glass can help a lot when trying to view something at distance.

[gixxnrocket]

Yes, the idea of lens compression (same as a camera telephoto zoom) is that the increased magnification compresses space. Although your target will appear bigger, all the air and thermal layers within that view are going to be compressed into one flat image. This should not be confused with glass clarity, objective size, or eye relief benefits.

I assume you are spotting small groups. A remote camera is probably your best solution vs walking back and fourth. Electronic target systems are pricy.

[cz74]

Using a big black circular splatter target I was able to spot my hits at 300 yards, the heat mirage distorts the grid line splatter targets. Not many public ranges allow setting up target cameras for liability reasons I guess. Flying a small drone camera might be a good alternative, like gunblue490 in his videos.