Spotting Scope suggestions?

[stash]

Looking to get a spotting scope for a max of 100yrds. I want to spend a max of 200.00. Any tips?

Thanks

Stash

[BobT]

I just got a new Redfield Rampage spotter in a trade and for the price it will be very hard to beat. I was really amazed at the optics in this scope. It is a little over your target price at $219.00 most places but what's another 20 bucks these days.

Bob

[Cycler]

"You get what you pay for" applies to optics more than most things. Even at 100 yards, .22 bullet holes require a decent spotting scope to see, particularly if they are in the "black".

Redfield will be Leupold's value line so I'd expect good performance at modest (but not cheap) price. Nikon and Bushnell also make good optics at reasonable cost.

[stash]

Thanks for your replies.

stash

[mdavies]

I purchased a Sightron a couple of years ago after some reviews on another site. Under $200. Big objective lens and can see 22cal holes at a hundred yards. Terrible eye relief, I mean you have to be right up on the scope. Probably not so good for eyeglass users. Cheap, tough, and clear, so there had to be a drawback.

[snipecatcher]

I don't have any experience with this scope, but if I was going to buy one with your specifications, this would be it. Has great reviews.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=968380

[Pete K.]

Stash,

Power and BIG objective just under $200. One of our sponsors too.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-20x-60x-80mm-landmark-spotter.html

I got this one a couple of years ago. It is a little finicky to adjust clearly due to the very fine adjusting wheel. Just a tiny bit of movement and it changes adjustment a lot. It is easy to see .22 holes in a black bull at 100 yards and is very bright due to the large objective. It's in your price range.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/burris-25x-75x-70mm-xts-2575-spotter-spotting-scope.html

BOTH WITH FREE SHIPPING!!

I find the angled eye piece is easier to use on the bench than the straight one. Consider that option.....

A guy at the range had a very expensive ( in the hundreds of dollars) Nikon spotter with camera adapter for taking wildlife pictures. I was not impressed with the clarity after hearing the price.

Pete K.

[amadjuster]

Konus 20 - 60 X80mm. These are great. $219.00 from Midway. I have an old 20X Bushnell I used for pistol shooting up to 50 yds but it was not good at 100 yds. with .223. I got a cheap Winchester and it is not good. The Konus is bright, clear, and easy to focus. I can see .22 holes in the black on 20! And it is light. You really do need to buy a good tripod. The little short toy one they send is not stable. You will need to find a Bogan or similar heavier tripod for 35mm cameras. These will keep the scope from tremoring.

[EricCartmann]

Konus 20 - 60 X80mm. These are great. $219.00 from Midway. I have an old 20X Bushnell I used for pistol shooting up to 50 yds but it was not good at 100 yds. with .223. I got a cheap Winchester and it is not good. The Konus is bright, clear, and easy to focus. I can see .22 holes in the black on 20! And it is light. You really do need to buy a good tripod. The little short toy one they send is not stable. You will need to find a Bogan or similar heavier tripod for 35mm cameras. These will keep the scope from tremoring.


This!

The Konus is easily the best at the $200 price range.

At under $200 I would consider this a cheap scope. However it more than does it's job and I am very happy with it. Unless it breaks, I can't see myself replacing it.

Since this thing has an 80x objective, it is one huge scope. I guess that is why it is so clear. At 20x it was just as clear as my $1000 Leupold was at 10x.

http://images17.fotki.com/v297/photos/1/932051/8834130/Konus-vi.jpg


Here are our targets up close but we will be shooting at ~550 yards away:
http://images109.fotki.com/v777/photos/1/932051/8834130/targets500m-vi.jpg


In real life, the picture through the scope is much clearer than what you see in these pics. They are also kinda out of focus in the pictures below.

550 yards away and with the naked eye, you could not even see the bowling pins or the reactive target (the one with the white IPSC target)

Here is what the targets look like in 20x mode. Like I said, in real life everything is perfectly focus and crystal clear and not fuzzy like in this picture. At 20x you can even see the gong hits even though it is not showing up in this picture.
http://images114.fotki.com/v1606/photos/1/932051/8834130/Konus20x-vi.jpg


No pictures of the Konus at 60x, but here is what the target look like in 40x mode.
http://images116.fotki.com/v1595/photos/1/932051/8834130/Konus40x-vi.jpg


Here are the same holes up close
http://images53.fotki.com/v1610/photos/1/932051/8834130/target550yards-vi.jpg


For reference, here is my Leupold in 10x looking at targets that are about 420 yards away.
http://images53.fotki.com/v1609/photos/1/932051/8834130/Leupold10x400yards-vi.jpg

[shot410ga]

You might consider a Celestron Ultma 20X60-80. A big heavy spotting scope, but very clear. At under $200, you would be hard pressed to find a better spotting scope.