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$700 max budget, need help!!! |
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Gymrat500
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/21/2008 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Posted: August/21/2008 at 20:55 |
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I am in the market for as good of quality optics that can be had for around $700. I know the motto you get what you pay for, but right now I just can't swing anymore dough and I really want a spotter. My main use will be a range workout, and occational hunt. I have been reading different reviews for hours and hours and just when I think I may have made up my mind another scope gets mentioned. Here are a few of my thoughts as of now: Bushnell Elite 20-60X80, Vortex Sandpiper 15-45X65, Vortex Skyline 20-60X80, Alpen 20-60X80, Pentax PF-65ED and finally the Pentax PF-65ED II. Does anyone know the difference between the PF-65ED and the PF-65ED II? I apologize for the lengthy post but as they say curiousity killed the cat. |
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Confucius Says - Man who Stand on Toilet is High on Pot.
He also said : Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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1. Forget the Alpen. 2. The Sandpiper is a good scope if you really need to stay within a tight budget. Since you stated you are willing to spend up to around $700, this isn't an issue. 3. a. If you are going to be packing your scope around much in the back country, then the Pentax scopes will likely be better as they are lighter. b. The differences between the PF-65 and PF-65 II are almost entirely cosmetic. If you can get the PF-65 for a good price go for it and don't ever feel like you're missing out on anything that the newer model might offer. With either one you get an almost dizzying variety of available eyepieces at every price level as they both accept all standard 1.25" eyepieces. 4. The Bushnell Elite and Vortex Skyline (as long as you choose the ED model) offer images that are very comparable. The Bushnell is significantly lighter and has the option of 2 fixed-magnification eyepieces (22x and 30x) - which the Vortex does not offer. The Bushnell offers an optional camera adapter that allows you to attach your spotting scope to your DSLR camera. (It works very well.) The Vortex does not offer this option. However, if you would like to use your point-and-shoot digital camera to do some "digiscoping," the Vortex offers a great adapter that is superior to anything else on the market. |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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You do realize that your suggestion comes to more than $400 above his top-end price ($449.90 to be exact)? That's more than 155% of his budget. |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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These are great spotters. Especially the ones with ED glass, I am always impressed when I look through Vortex optics.
http://www.swfa.com/c-2139-vortex-skyline-spotting-scopes.aspx |
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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Gymrat500
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/21/2008 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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I really appreciate everyones help. As for the deal on the Swaro - that is really tempting, as it looks really well made and I bet that would leave several nice knots on my head as my better half beats me with it for spending too much!! But now I am still left in the same boat just a lot smaller one - You have helped me narrow it down to basically 3, the Pentax, Bushnell, and Vortex. I understand that the Pentax has the smaller optic size, will this hurt me on the range looking at up to 300-400 yards? I know there are several people that like the Bushnell and also the Vortex, is either one optically superior? Weight is not an issue as much as I am trying to find the best Optics for my price range and if that means that it weighs a couple of pounds more then so be it. Thanks again for everyone's input.
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Confucius Says - Man who Stand on Toilet is High on Pot.
He also said : Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. |
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Gymrat500
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/21/2008 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Here is another item to throw in the tricks bag. Would it be better for me to just wait a few more months and keep saving and then step up to the Pentax 80mm that I read A LOT of great things about? Man there are just too many choices... |
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Confucius Says - Man who Stand on Toilet is High on Pot.
He also said : Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. |
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Fraser
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/17/2008 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I would consider the Leupold 12-40X60 golden ring. Alpen does offer a newer 80 mm version new this year but I am not sure of the quality.
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Buy the best you can afford. Period!
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Gymrat500
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/21/2008 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Well that stinks, that is why I am an Optics Grasshopper and you guys are the Optics Guru's!! (lol) I was hoping for a more definitive answer in regards to me spending my entire "secret fund" on this scope. After it's gone there is no more for a long time, so I just want to make sure that I get the best optics for the $$ that I have at this present time. Thanks for all the information. If you have more suggestions I'm all ears.
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Confucius Says - Man who Stand on Toilet is High on Pot.
He also said : Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. |
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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The problem with your question is that there are too many variables involved that can affect your enjoyment and use of any given scope that no one here can possibly know about.
For example:
The PF-80 is a great scope. But, you must make compromises if you want to have one. So too with every other scope. Every variable counts and I can't possibly know what is important to you and what you are/aren't willing to compromise on. Personally, I found that I couldn't find a single scope that would serve all purposes to my satisfaction. So, I bought two. My choices were: Bushnell Elite ED 20-60x80. It cost me $654. This is my primary scope. I use it for pretty much all viewing where I don't have to hump it for long distances. I bought the camera adapter ($75) that allows me to connect the scope directly to my DSLR. It takes pretty darn good pictures. Eventually, I will be investing in one (or both) of the available fixed magnification (22x and 30x) eyepieces for their expanded fields of view. I also use this scope for some amateur astronomy and have most recently been enjoying looking at Jupiter. On a clear night when you are outside of city-light interference, you can see the stripes on the planet as well as the red dot. You also can see Jupiter's moons. I am more than pleased with this scope but, it is too big to carry into the backcountry for very long or very far so; my second scope is a... Leupold Golden Ring 15-30x50. This scope retails for right at $400 though, I bought mine (new, in the box, still with the original shrink wrap, etc.) for $280. I had to look for a very long time before I managed that deal. This scope weighs in (with objective and eyepiece lens covers) at 23.5 ounces and is extremely small. It is a joy to have in a backpack and allows me to have the versatility of a spotting scope in a size and weight that doesn't make me compromise on other gear in my pack. Its top-end 30x magnification is more than enough for hunting purposes and despite its small 50mm objective lens size, the scope offers amazingly good images. The limits of the scope's size do not become a "problem" until well after legal hunting light. Even using retail prices, you still could buy both of these scopes and still pay less than you would to buy the Pentax PF-80. For me, this makes the most sense as it allows me what I want with minimal (if any) compromises. Is this the best choice for you? I don't know. Edited by lucznik - August/23/2008 at 11:13 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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doubs43
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/28/2008 Location: Middle GA Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Let me suggest having a look at the Yukon 6~25X/25~100X100 spotting scope. It's the brightest, sharpest scope I've ever looked through and I've looked through plenty. It comes with a protective carrying case plus a table tripod with it's own carrying case. It has a limited lifetime warranty and the best part is the price: I paid $238.75 delivered. Many places want $399 but using Amazon.com I found it new for the price I've quoted. You can see the distributor's information here: http://www.yukonopticsusa.com/index.php?good=77&detail=yes#begin
Yukon scopes and binoculars are made in Russia and their optics are first class. |
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ms6852
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/05/2008 Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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If you are going to continue to save to get a great spotter...consider the Nikon fieldscope 25x75x82...P.M. or email me at ms6852@yahoo.com. The scope naturally sells for $1299 to $1399 but I got mine for$1099. This scope has the ED glass and doing a comparison resolution test with the Leica, Swaroski, and Pentax to my eyes their really was no difference. It did outperform all of them because it maintained its brightness and sharpness all through the 75x magnification whereas the other scopes were limited to 60x. By the way this scope also has different eyelenses you can purchase for digiscoping if you decide to go that route. Now the $1099 applies only if you are near a certain store that does not carry them on stock but sells them on their online website for $1299, but if you go to their store and have them order it for you the instore price is only $1099. I don't know if I can mention other store names here. I am not affiliated with any of these stores...just some one trying to pass on good information to a fellow hunter/shooter. By they way as you are saving you could actually put it on lay away 25% down and 90 days to pay it all.
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Always run from a fight...but if they catch you deliver them to hell personally.
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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I spent the summer birding in the mountains. It was fun: i tore off 2 pairs of premium boots, i backpacked mostly between 3000 and 9000 feet in elevation, i lost twice as many pounds as i gained since i quit smoking, and i subjected my gear to unmentionable atrocities.
I doubt that many of your hunts will be more demanding on equipment or that optics would be more critical. I used a Nikon 50mm ED (angled) with a 20x wide angle eyepiece, mounted on a Manfrotto 728B tripod. I will not go on to praize this setup again, i already did that on this board. But let me tell you something, after using the Nikon in the most demanding situations imaginable: if you put a gun to my hand, you may have my 80mm Swarovski, but you will have to pry the 50 mm Nikon out of my cold dead fingers.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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I'm using the same tripod right now. It's not perfect but, I've been pretty happy with it. |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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Of course not. My "perfect" tripod weighs 14 or 15 pounds. But with the 728 i can climb a mountain and still be alive when i get there.
With the 728B the trick is to rest one hand at the base of the column, while operating the scope and the tripod head gingerly, to avoid vibrations. The weight of a resting hand/arm would stabilize the setup when it's windy.
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