$400 Spotting Scope - Help Me Choose

[scbauer]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to get my first spotting scope. I recently picked up a Remington Model Seven in .300 SAUM that should be accurate past 500 yards, but I don't plan on shooting (or spotting) anything past that distance. For the most part I'll likely be shooting paper at 100-300 yards with either my new .300 caliber or my AR in .223, so the goal here is to be able to see .223 or .300 on paper at 300 yards. I'd like to be able to go further, but my eyes (and budget) won't really allow it. I will help myself by shooting at "shoot-n-c" targets.

I really don't know too much about spotting scopes. I used one for the first time a few weeks ago at the range... It was a piece of junk. I decided then that it was time to make the investment in a "decent" scope. Unfortunately by budget is around $400.

So, as I do with most purchases, I took to the Internet to see reviews on Amazon and Optics Planet. Here are the four that had the best reviews on OP. Let me know your thoughts. Oh, and I may be able to find better prices, but for now I just want opinions on each of these scopes or any other scopes in this price range that you think I should look at.

(these are in no particular order)

Bushnell 20-60 x80 45 Degree Legend Ultra HD Spotting Scope, Black, ED Glass

Leupold SX-1 Ventana 20-60x80mm Angled Spotting Scope

Celestron Ultima 100 Angled Spotting Scope, 22-66x100 Zoom

Alpen 20-60x80 Waterproof Straight Micro Adjust Spotting Scope




Thanks everyone!


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[Zartan]

*tagged

[geedavell]

tagged

[DiRTY DOG]

Put that money into decent rifle scope (Leupold VX-3 for example) and you'll be able to see the holes without a separate spotting scope.

[scbauer]

Thanks for all the "replies"

(1) I have a nice Leupold on the gun.
(2) You guys can "subscribe" to a thread without having to reply "tagged"

Anybody have any opinions about the above spotting scopes or others in the $400 price range that I should be looking at?

[jdben92883]

This is a good value:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/celestron-regal-m2-65ed-spotting-scope.html

I have an 80ED and it's a great scope. Warranty is unmatched...if you drop the thing and break it, they will fix/replace.

I'm pretty sure OP will put a 10-15% code up before too long.

[jdben92883]

BTW...a rifle scope does NOT take the place of a spotting scope.

[iano1]

BTW...a rifle scope does NOT take the place of a spotting scope.

----- +1

[tonyxcom]

Put that money into decent rifle scope (Leupold VX-3 for example) and you'll be able to see the holes without a separate spotting scope.

Says the guy that only shoots at 100y with too much magnification. :P

[Zartan]

*tagged = sorry, I can't help, but I'm interested as well

[scbauer]

BTW...a rifle scope does NOT take the place of a spotting scope.

Agreed... That's the reason I started this thread.

Appreciate the input about the Celesteon, I'll check it out. Do you have anything to compare the Celestron to?

-Scott

[jdben92883]

Not really. I actually have the 100ED and only used an inexpensive Burris prior to that. Apple and orange. They seem to have gone up in price. I don't remember paying more than $600 for the 100ED. The warranty is what got me to pull the trigger. The Celestron makes for good low-power astronomy as well.

Agreed... That's the reason I started this thread.

Appreciate the input about the Celesteon, I'll check it out. Do you have anything to compare the Celestron to?

-Scott

[ExtremeX]

I cant give you a comparison to the others but I use the Alpen 20-60x80 but with the angled eyepiece.

So far its been a great scope. Zoom and focus controls are nice and smooth, optics did meet my expectations for a scope in this price range.

The spotter does get an occasional beating and has not presented a single issue.

[OpticsPlanet]

You may want to take a look at the Leupold Golden Ring http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-...ing-scope.html. It's a Leupold product so you know it's great quality and has an awesome warranty.

Mike C

[Jarhead]

You may want to take a look at the Leupold Golden Ring http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-...ing-scope.html. It's a Leupold product so you know it's great quality and has an awesome warranty.

Mike C

What would you recommend for 500 Yards, .308 Holes - obviously more expensive