Spotting scope help

H Richard · Jun 12, 2022

Depending on your use. If you need one for hours of searching at long distances, or, one for a couple hours use once a month or so. The longer you stare through it the better the glass needs to be.

The medium quality scopes of today's design rival the high dollar scopes of yesterday. A $200 15-45X60 spotting scope of various mfg. will suffice for most occasional use's. Most people don't need that $500 to $1000 spotting scope, they just want the best.

s&wchad · Jun 12, 2022

Swarovski makes some of the best, but they’re very pricy. Kowa is hard to beat for the money, which explains why a lot of competitive shooters use them.

Buy once, cry once…

bummer · Jun 12, 2022

I have a Celestron Ultima 80 and an old K-Mart one that I use for indoor shooting

sipowicz · Jun 12, 2022

AJ said:
These are some of the ones I was referring to in my post.

I’m ready to trade!

diyj98 · Jun 12, 2022

silverstateS&W said:
you can buy a used Bausch & Lomb Japan 15-60x "discoverer" model on e bay for under $100 that will be superior to anything under $200 in a new scope. 1980's-90's mfg.
Larry in Reno

I have one that my father purchased new sometime in the 70's. It still works great and is worlds ahead of the new cheap stuff I see so many bring to our range.

Nevada Ed · Jun 12, 2022

Here in Nevada with the heat waves, 40 power is all that I can use.

As for the tri-pod, I put large rubber bands on the bottom so it does not mare my new car hood or slide around.

The swivel camera stands are also an option.

Good shopping.

Rodan · Jun 12, 2022

Even though sipowicz seems to have picked his poison, I thought I'd add my $.02 for prosperity....

As a couple other posters have noted, what glass you want is highly dependent on intended use and budget. I've had the opportunity to look through some high-end Swaros, and we were able to read the logos on the side of a semi-trailer at 4 miles! You definitely get what you pay for and that particular optic was ~ $6000!!

I recently picked up an Athlon Ares 20-60x85. I've been very impressed with the Athlon rifle scope I'm running on my LR rifle, so decided to give their spotter a try. Reviews showed it as a solid performer in the $600-1000 price range, and I've been very happy with it so far. The Athlon can be found considerably cheaper than the $1k retail.

Here's an 8" steel at 250 yards, and some rocks at 750. Photos taken with my Samsung phone on a digiscoping adapter. The pictures don't do the optic justice... it's very clear, and the lack of focus around the edges are due to the phone's camera lens.

It's worked fantastic out on the range so far, and I have plans to try some lunar photography using an adapter for our DSLR.

sipowicz · Jun 12, 2022

I went back to up my offer and it was sold. Wonder if one of you guys grabbed it.

Nevada Ed · Jun 12, 2022

He who.................

Not me.

I was in doing the dishes !!

sipowicz · Jun 12, 2022

Thank you all for the suggestions but I went with Silverstate. I’m a sucker for vintage stuff. Heck, I carry a revolver….

sipowicz · Jun 12, 2022

Now for a decent bench tripod. Discuss……

Willyboy · Jun 12, 2022

Spotting Scope

My main hobby is birding, so I am familiar with some spotting scopes.
I used a Bushnell Spacemaster for years, and a used one in good condition should be fine for range use. I have a 25 year old Swarovski 20x60, 85mm objective and it is still a very good scope compared to more modern optics.
It gets borrowed a lot when I go to the range.
But these are big, heavy, and expensive scopes, even used.

I have been impressed with Vortex too. If you buy new or the Spacemaster
deal falls through, a mid-range Vortex should be a great deal. I recommend
a 65mm objective with ED glass. A 65ED glass scope should be just as
sharp as an 80mm non-ED glass, and is smaller and lighter. I like the zoom lenses. In my experience the modern zoom lenses are almost as good as
a fixed power lens. And in birding, the zoom is really handy.

Willyboy

BigBelle · Jun 12, 2022

I picked up the konus and I'm pleased with it. Nice scope for the money. Every review I've ever seen comes up thumbs up.

Krogen · Jun 12, 2022

sipowicz said:
Now for a decent bench tripod. Discuss……

When I'm not using a Hipower scope stand (single pole, not a tripod) I use this: SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR BENCH MOUNT SCOPE STAND | Sinclair Intl

Current price is about double the price I paid but worth it in my opinion. Very stable, easy to adjust and it won't get knocked off the bench.

AJ · Jun 13, 2022

sipowicz said:
Now for a decent bench tripod. Discuss……

I use the ones shown in my photos. Also have a Freeland stand.

Rodan · Jun 13, 2022

My current tripod is full sized, not a benchtop, but I love it. It's a Two Vets 'No Name' carbon tripod with a Leofoto leveling ballhead with a QD swiss rail attachment. I originally bought it as a rifle tripod, and it's rock solid with the rifle or spotting scope. The Leofoto head is much easier to adjust than a standard tripod head. I've had several camera tripods over the years, and this thing puts them all to shame.

THE NO NAME Tripod - Two Vets Sporting Goods

I bought it thinking it was a US made tripod and later discovered to my disappointment that it was imported, and available elsewhere for considerably less $$, but at least I supported a vet owned company. I have zero complaints about the tripod itself.

The only thing it lacks for a spotter is enough vertical travel for stargazing, but that's pretty far outside its design brief.

Looking forward to seeing more recommendations on a table top tripod.

sipowicz · Jun 13, 2022

Thanks. A bit out of my price range though. Looking for a table top under $50.

BE Mike · Jun 13, 2022

sipowicz said:
Thanks. A bit out of my price range though. Looking for a table top under $50.

I think that may be asking a lot out of a $50.00 scope.

coltle6920 · Jun 13, 2022

sipowicz said:
Thanks. A bit out of my price range though. Looking for a table top under $50.

Check out the Dynex tripod on Amazon.

Worth a look!

imakmst · Jun 13, 2022

Does anyone have any experience with Celestron spotting scopes?

Spotting scope help

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