spotting scopes
- Thread starter leejm
- Start date
Bear Basin & The Optics Zone have good prices, good service and help pay to keep PM free.
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/sponsors.php
Some of the other sponsors may have what you need too. Check them out.
http://www.predatormastersforums.com/sponsors.php
Some of the other sponsors may have what you need too. Check them out.
Cheap...A Winchester 20-50x50mm spotting scope. Was the best rugged "cheap" little spotter I ever owned. Cost me $100.00 @ The Sportsman Guide.
It is around 9" long, very rugged body, lightweight & takes some good knocks et keeps on ticking. Pretty clear glass & good zoom adjustment. Never fogged up, even when exposed to -40 WC
I used it with a window mount for spotting coyote off on the distant hills. I'd still have/use it, but my eyes grew old, et had to upgrade to more power.
It is around 9" long, very rugged body, lightweight & takes some good knocks et keeps on ticking. Pretty clear glass & good zoom adjustment. Never fogged up, even when exposed to -40 WC
I used it with a window mount for spotting coyote off on the distant hills. I'd still have/use it, but my eyes grew old, et had to upgrade to more power.
yotehunter74
New member
I bought a Burris balisti-plex 3-9x40 scope and got a burris 20x50 spotter free.... anymore its all i use because of its size and optic quality ...
Lee, if you can wait about 30 days I will have a report on two Spotting scopes supplied by www.theopticzone.com
I got them in yesterday and will be testing for a review on the two scopes. One is a Leupold 20-60 and an Elite 20-60
Both are angled eyepiece. Just unwrapping them yesterday, I realized what a vast improvement they are going to be over my "cheap" model I have been using for the last 20 years.
I got them in yesterday and will be testing for a review on the two scopes. One is a Leupold 20-60 and an Elite 20-60
Both are angled eyepiece. Just unwrapping them yesterday, I realized what a vast improvement they are going to be over my "cheap" model I have been using for the last 20 years.
Tarry
New member
From the way your orginal post read I going to assume you are looking for cheap prices on high quality optics but if you are looking for a decent value for your money you might try Gander Mountain's guide branded series. I one that is 20-60x for $89. It is rubber coated, great light gathering capicity,reasonable sight quality, comes with a stand and pack. Only complaint is the eye releif is zero at 60x.
I also have a Tasco 15-45x that work well for a under $100 scope but the Guide Series is more compact and cost the same.
Nope, neither are Leupold quality but they are not Leupold price.
I also have a Tasco 15-45x that work well for a under $100 scope but the Guide Series is more compact and cost the same.
Nope, neither are Leupold quality but they are not Leupold price.
Wackmaster
New member
Buy the Swarovski 20-60x80mm HD It aint cheap but its the best and the last one you will ever buy!
berettaman
New member
Years ago I use to shoot BR-50 and used a Kowa in that price range that was very good. Swarvoski is the cat's meow! I might rob a bank to buy their El model binos.
Wackmaster
New member
I didnt stay married! But it was still a good trade! Kidding, in case the wife ever reads this I am so sorry I spent our honeymoon money on a spotting scope and am sure I will make it up to you for the rest of my life! But I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Here's the set i just bought. Not cheap. for sure, and i doubt i'll be getting anything else hunting related for awhile, but nice for my uses nonetheless--
http://www.kowascope.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?pn=BL8J1&co=10000325
http://www.kowascope.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?pn=BL8J1&co=10000325
CWeeks
New member
lee,
I bought a Nikon 2 years ago from opticsplanet.com and have loved it. It is has a lifetime warranty mine came with a rain cover and tripod for $290. But I have seen them now online for $140. Without those 2 things. Here is the website that has them for $140, but they are out of stock.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/132456-REG/Nikon_7353_Sky_and_Earth_60mm.html
Also bear basin from predator masters has them for $160 for just the scope or $290 for the package I got. It has a great heavy duty protected rubber body a built in sunshade that has come in handy spotting for elk during the archery season. The optics are very clear. In fact I have a friend from this sight that bought a Leupold spotter 2 weeks before I bought mine that wishes he would have got the Nikon instead. PM me if you have more questions. THE TRIPOD ISN'T GREAT IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER A YEAR OR SO. I say that because it wobbles a lot in the wind the moving parts are not really tight like they should be to keep it really steady, but the upside to this is the scope itself is really exceptional for the price. You may want to purchase just the scope and get a good tripod instead of the package deal.
I bought a Nikon 2 years ago from opticsplanet.com and have loved it. It is has a lifetime warranty mine came with a rain cover and tripod for $290. But I have seen them now online for $140. Without those 2 things. Here is the website that has them for $140, but they are out of stock.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/132456-REG/Nikon_7353_Sky_and_Earth_60mm.html
Also bear basin from predator masters has them for $160 for just the scope or $290 for the package I got. It has a great heavy duty protected rubber body a built in sunshade that has come in handy spotting for elk during the archery season. The optics are very clear. In fact I have a friend from this sight that bought a Leupold spotter 2 weeks before I bought mine that wishes he would have got the Nikon instead. PM me if you have more questions. THE TRIPOD ISN'T GREAT IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER A YEAR OR SO. I say that because it wobbles a lot in the wind the moving parts are not really tight like they should be to keep it really steady, but the upside to this is the scope itself is really exceptional for the price. You may want to purchase just the scope and get a good tripod instead of the package deal.
NM Leon
New member
These would be my choice (when I win the lottery).
These would do in a pinch if they came with the spotter.
Seriously, what are you planning to use it for?
If you just want to be able to see bullet holes on paper on an occasional range trip, go with something high mag (60X) and cheap. It will be difficult to use and a POS but will work for those purposes. I have a cheap Cabella's that I curse, but for the money they work well.
If you want a "window mount" spotter for game, you'll probably want a lower power (20X) (because anything more will require a more stable platform (tripod)), and quality starts becoming an issue since you'll (presumably) be using it regularly if not for long periods.
If you are seriously scanning for long range shots on animals (sscoyote's game), then you will need not only a heavy tripod, but a binocular type setup. Using one eye long term gets very tiring.
These would do in a pinch if they came with the spotter.
Seriously, what are you planning to use it for?
If you just want to be able to see bullet holes on paper on an occasional range trip, go with something high mag (60X) and cheap. It will be difficult to use and a POS but will work for those purposes. I have a cheap Cabella's that I curse, but for the money they work well.
If you want a "window mount" spotter for game, you'll probably want a lower power (20X) (because anything more will require a more stable platform (tripod)), and quality starts becoming an issue since you'll (presumably) be using it regularly if not for long periods.
If you are seriously scanning for long range shots on animals (sscoyote's game), then you will need not only a heavy tripod, but a binocular type setup. Using one eye long term gets very tiring.
leejm
New member
yeah, I have been leaning towards getting some nikons but wanted to see what everyone thought. I plan on using them for the range alot but want a pair that would still be good for the elk I never get drawn for or possibly a low desert mulie hunt. So multipurpose,cheap price but not cheap quality in other words.