Spotting Scopes

[luvmycolt45]

I'm looking for a spotting scope to use on the range. My budget is up to $500, do you guys have any suggestions?

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Is that $500 for the scope and scope stand and protective cover/case or just for the scope?

[luvmycolt45]

Just the scope.

[Turbinator]

I'd like to hear some suggestions too. I've heard that spotting scopes in the $1000 range are pretty good - but have no idea otherwise.

Turby

[Wildhawk66]

3rd in line for some good recommendations...

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Konus spotting scope......

http://www.opticsplanet.net/konus-konuspot-20-60x100-spotting-scope.html

[trashman]

I've spent quite a bit of time looking into this (I've got a parallel interest in birding, and so the scope would do double duty).

In short, all the reviews I've read suggest strongly that anything under $1000 is a big drop in optical quality from the top-end Swarovskis, etc. I think they're all wrong. Problem is, I can't seem to find a product that falls in the ~$500 range that isn't souped-up chinese junk glass -- or that isn't $500 *without* the damn eyepiece.

So I recently got a pair of Vortex Viper (made in japan) binoculars which are simply stunning -- they were $450 or so I think. On the strength of their performance. I will probably buy one of Vortex's scopes which are in this range.

(Truth be told, I could simply stop buying guns for a month, but what fun is that?!)

--Neill

PS - worth giving the guys at Liberty Optics a call for their thoughts.

[Hot Brass]

I ordered two Konus 20-60x80 spotting scopes. I read that the 100mm Konus is not any better than the 80mm unit, and the 80mm units are $100 cheeper.

[ohsmily]

Find a used Kowa TSN scope.

[kurac]

I need a spotting scope baddly as well, the inlaws have a Lecia unit that I need to somehow liberate, they barely use it. In fact I am sure its still sitting in the same corner of the garage as I saw it last Thanksgiving

[RogueSniper]

What about the Bushnell Spacemaster? Yeah, I know the "snail" thing is weird but the eye relief is 40mm. I think for Range work, it's fine because it isn't fog proof or water proof. I'm planning on getting this for Christmas.


I've also read good reviews on the Konus 80. Search the forums.


Do you plan to do some Stalking (animal, not people)? You'll have to consider one that's Fog- and Water-proof. Can anyone recommend one that still in the <$500 range that can do double duty?