Spotting Scope Sale Help

[domokun]

There's a couple of spotting scopes on sale at Big5 right now. I've already posted about the Bushnell one on sale so I won't ask about that one. There are 2 other ones that I spotted at the store while looking at the Bushnell "Sentry II". I'm wondering if these will do well for use at the outdoor ranges around the bay area (i.e. nothing over 200 yds.).

Winchester WT-5 12-50x50mm.

Tasco Waterproof Essential(s) 20-60x60mm.

[Jicko]

They both are pretty BAD!

I bought a "Konus Konuspot 80mm 7120" for $146.00 from OpticsPlanet.com w/ a price match.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=93273

[domokun]

I'm aware they're not the best glass available, but I'm on a budget and need something that just works for now. I will upgrade later. If outdoor ranges allowed cameras, I would probably use my 70-200mm f/2.8L with a 1.4x teleconverter mounted on my 20D for superb sharp optics. I'm just starting up at the range and need something to use at the range for now so I can see what I hit or didn't hit on the target.

Which is the lesser of the 3 "evils"?

[LibertyOptics]

If you must buy/spend at this level, go with the biggest objective size.


Scott

[domokun]

If you must buy/spend at this level, go with the biggest objective size.


Scott

Thanks. I'll get the Tasco tomorrow. It has a 60mm objective vs the 50mm objective for the Bushnell and the Winchester.

[ocabj]

I'm aware they're not the best glass available, but I'm on a budget and need something that just works for now. I will upgrade later. If outdoor ranges allowed cameras, I would probably use my 70-200mm f/2.8L with a 1.4x teleconverter mounted on my 20D for superb sharp optics. I'm just starting up at the range and need something to use at the range for now so I can see what I hit or didn't hit on the target.

Which is the lesser of the 3 "evils"?

With a 70-200mm (without TC), you'll be able to see holes at 50 yards. 100 probably not. I've got a couple photos I took at 200mm with my 70-200 f/4L that have some 200 meter targets in focus and some 100 and 50 yard targets in the same picture (out of focus). The field of view is simply too large. I would say 200mm on a 1.6x crop sensor looking an object at 25 yards will yield a similar field of view as my Kowa 821M with 27x LER eyepiece.

BTW: Not sure why you think outdoor ranges don't allow cameras. Every range I've been to has never posted a "no cameras" rule. If you wanted, you could just setup your 20D with 70-200 f/2.8L and hook it up to your laptop to do your spotting. Save the money you would spend on a cheap $100 scope until you save another $100 to buy a Konuspot 80.

[rolly]

I'm aware they're not the best glass available, but I'm on a budget and need something that just works for now. I will upgrade later. If outdoor ranges allowed cameras, I would probably use my 70-200mm f/2.8L with a 1.4x teleconverter mounted on my 20D for superb sharp optics. I'm just starting up at the range and need something to use at the range for now so I can see what I hit or didn't hit on the target.

Which is the lesser of the 3 "evils"?

some ranges allow cameras...I was thinking bringing my F/4L 70-200mmm

[Whitesmoke]

A couple friends have cheap spotting scopes...but my Leupold 4.5-14x50 rifle scope works better. I can somewhat see holes at 100 yards...

[brassburnz]

Don't waste your money on the Winchester. I bought a Winchester scope with the 60 mm objective. Good looking scope. Rubber armor. Nice hard case. BUT, crappy optics. If you're looking at birds or animals, it may work, but finding bullet holes on a black piece of paper at 100 yards, it just didn't have the resolution.

I picked up a Bushnell Spacemaster, an older one with the 60mm objective. Made in Japan. Same specs as the Winchester, but the old Bushnell has great glass. Kinda beat up, but I don't care what it looks like.

There's a couple of spotting scopes on sale at Big5 right now. I've already posted about the Bushnell one on sale so I won't ask about that one. There are 2 other ones that I spotted at the store while looking at the Bushnell "Sentry II". I'm wondering if these will do well for use at the outdoor ranges around the bay area (i.e. nothing over 200 yds.).

Winchester WT-5 12-50x50mm.

Tasco Waterproof Essential(s) 20-60x60mm.

[newtothis]

Isn't there an adapter that allows you to use your telephoto lens like a telescope/spotting scope? Probably fairly inexpensive.