Spotting scope

[glw12345]

I am interested in buying a spotting scope. I will use this at 100yrds now but may use this for 200-300 yrds in the future. (Shooting .22 and .223) I have narrowed my choice to the Nikon Fieldscope 3 60mm 20x60 or the same ED version. Is the extra $300.00 worth the cost for ED glass? I was told to also look at the Kowa TSN-821M. Any thoughts would be apprechiated.

Gray in the Bay Area!

[ocabj]

For that price, I'd get the Bushnell Elite 20-60x80 which has ED glass and is available in either a straight body or angled body (with rotating lock collar).

http://www.opticsplanet.net/620080.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/628045.html

[LibertyOptics]

The scope mentioned above is excellent for 100-300 yards, we have one in the angled eyepiece available we can match that excellent delivered price from Optics Planet. We also have Kowa 821-M on order.

Scott

[Splinter]

I use a cheap barska spotting scope and it works fine for 100 and even 200yds. I would figure any decent quality scope would be better for that short of a range.

[ocabj]

Trying to spot 22 caliber holes in the black at 200 yards isn't as easy as it seems. Most scopes suffer at it, even high dollar scopes, in less than average weather. Lighting plays a huge role, as well as heat (mirage) coming off the ground.

My Kowa 821M with 27x LER works fine for spotting holes when practicing my standing and sitting at 200 yards while on my club's range, but depending on the time of day, how the sun lights the targets, how much light is out, or whether or not I'm on a line (i.e. line between the 10 and 9 ring), or in the white, the bullet hole can be difficult to see. It helps when you are on call and know where to look for the hole.

If you have a zoom eyepiece, that helps, but the quality of the scope stand is even more critical. Trying to look at a target to spot a 22cal hole at 45x or higher with any sort of vibration/shake on the scope whatsoever makes that high power magnification completely useless.

As far as 300, don't get your hopes up. Trying to spot 22cal holes on paper at 300 even with the best optics is going to take a lot of help from God as far as weather is concerned. I think you'll need at least 30x and *zero* mirage to make spotting 22cal holes on paper at 300 possible.

[glw12345]

Thanks for the info. I will take a look at the Elite series. One last question, is the quality of optics from Nikon worth spending the extra dollars? I want to make this a one time purchase and don't want to regret not paying the extra...

Thanks in advanced.

Gray

Trying to spot 22 caliber holes in the black at 200 yards isn't as easy as it seems. Most scopes suffer at it, even high dollar scopes, in less than average weather. Lighting plays a huge role, as well as heat (mirage) coming off the ground.

My Kowa 821M with 27x LER works fine for spotting holes when practicing my standing and sitting at 200 yards while on my club's range, but depending on the time of day, how the sun lights the targets, how much light is out, or whether or not I'm on a line (i.e. line between the 10 and 9 ring), or in the white, the bullet hole can be difficult to see. It helps when you are on call and know where to look for the hole.

If you have a zoom eyepiece, that helps, but the quality of the scope stand is even more critical. Trying to look at a target to spot a 22cal hole at 45x or higher with any sort of vibration/shake on the scope whatsoever makes that high power magnification completely useless.

As far as 300, don't get your hopes up. Trying to spot 22cal holes on paper at 300 even with the best optics is going to take a lot of help from God as far as weather is concerned. I think you'll need at least 30x and *zero* mirage to make spotting 22cal holes on paper at 300 possible.

[Jicko]

Konusport

[ocabj]

I haven't really heard much about Nikon sporting optics. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It simply means they aren't as popular as other 'high-end' names out there. Personally, I don't think that the Nikon scope you looked at is any better than the Bushnell Elite. Go with the Bushnell Elite.

As far as the mentioning of the Konuspot, I would not recommend it for you since you obviously have a budget for a more rugged, reliable, and higher quality optic.

You will not regret the Bushnell. A friend of mine at my regular practice range bought one a couple yars ago and it is an excellent scope. The glass is exceptional and $700 for ED glass is a great deal. I looked through this scope and it honestly performs better than my Kowa 821 when doing close comparisons with regards to image quality. The only reason I would still choose the Kowa 821 over the Bushnell is because I require a long eye relief eyepiece, which zoom eyepieces do not offer. But there is a fixed power LER eyepiece available for the Bushnell Elite; though it must be purchased separately.

Get the Bushnell. I am confident that you will be more than happy with it.

[LibertyOptics]

I did not have the same experience with Bushnell vs. Kowa (the exact same models you mention). The Kowa to me had a sharper and clearer image. However, colors seem brighter in the Bushy ED. Despite the standard glass. Kowa are top shelf spotters. They just annopunced a dealer sale for the new model TSN 77mm angled and 25x LER eyepiece. MAP is $980, Calgunners know what to do if interested.

Scott

[glw12345]

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely look at the Bushnell! With the money I save, I can buy a decent tripod.

I haven't really heard much about Nikon sporting optics. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It simply means they aren't as popular as other 'high-end' names out there. Personally, I don't think that the Nikon scope you looked at is any better than the Bushnell Elite. Go with the Bushnell Elite.

As far as the mentioning of the Konuspot, I would not recommend it for you since you obviously have a budget for a more rugged, reliable, and higher quality optic.

You will not regret the Bushnell. A friend of mine at my regular practice range bought one a couple yars ago and it is an excellent scope. The glass is exceptional and $700 for ED glass is a great deal. I looked through this scope and it honestly performs better than my Kowa 821 when doing close comparisons with regards to image quality. The only reason I would still choose the Kowa 821 over the Bushnell is because I require a long eye relief eyepiece, which zoom eyepieces do not offer. But there is a fixed power LER eyepiece available for the Bushnell Elite; though it must be purchased separately.

Get the Bushnell. I am confident that you will be more than happy with it.

[glw12345]

Well... I went to Bear Basin in Pleasant Hill CA www.bearbasin.com Bill (owner) had the Nikon, Kowa and Bushnell in stock. Decided on the Nikon Fieldscope ED 25x75x82mm. He had the best price on the Nikon's and keeps them in stock! When it came down to it, I am partial to Nikon stuff, can use it with my DSLR (future) and will work for yardages greater than 300yds. I didn’t want to have to buy another scope in a few year so I bit the "bullet" and opted for the Nikon. Can’t wait see the holes in the target!! Thanks to all for your opinions.

[ocabj]

75 magnification? Definitely need a rock solid tripod for that. At the bare minimum a Bogen Manfrotto. Probably something you already have since you're a dSLR user. Maybe switch to a tilt and pan style head as opposed to a ball head.

[glw12345]

Yes...Fieldscope 25-75x82mm ED and the Bogen 055XB/128RC combo (i think its the same as Bogen 3021BN-3130 head). I couldn’t leave without buying the tripod. (I definitely wasn't going to use a cheap pod and have an accident at the range). The only thing left is a Hoya 82mm UV filter!

75 magnification? Definitely need a rock solid tripod for that. At the bare minimum a Bogen Manfrotto. Probably something you already have since you're a dSLR user. Maybe switch to a tilt and pan style head as opposed to a ball head.

[ocabj]

I have a Bogen 055XPROB + 488RC2 for photography.



It's a solid tripod and head combo. It's very versatile, too, with the swivel center column for top down photography.

As far as a spotting scope stand, I use the Ray-Vin: