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Suggestions For A Spotting Scope Between $100-$400 |
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dbthirty
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/01/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: September/01/2008 at 22:33 |
I was wondering if anyone had any strong suggestions for a spotting scope between 100-400 bucks. Would mostly be used for spotting targets at 100-200 yds. If I can get it done nicely for 200 Id rather save the money, but if there is no way to get it done for 200 Id be willing to step it up to 400. Buddy of mine suggested a Leup Green Ring, and I was checking out the Nikon ProStaff... Not really sure where to start so any info you guys have would be a great help! Thanks in advance for your time.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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You simply can't get a spotting scope for a C-note that will be worth a dang. At the $200 mark there are some limited options. Closer to your $400 mark opens things up a bit. Of course, spending even more would eventually get you into the realm of really good glass but, let's stick with your prescribed budget...
The Leupold Green Ring is not a great scope. You should pass. The Nikon ProStaff is not a bad scope but, you can get better for less. You should pass. The Stokes Sandpiper can be had right now for ~$250. It would be a definite "best buy." The 60mm Bushnell Elite sells for $350. I didn't like the one I had for a short while because of problems with the eye relief. Others don't have this problem. Bushnell's new 60mm Excursion costs $320. I played with one over Labor Day weekend and while it isn't the best scope on the planet, I think it is probably worth its asking price. Eye relief was unreal. The 50mm Leupold Golden Ring would require your entire $400 budget but, it's definitely worth it. If you like these small scopes but, prefer an angled eyepiece, Minox sells its MD50 for $350. The Vortex Impact sells for around $190. I didn't like mine but, that was mostly due to its non-rotating angled eyepiece. The Pentax PF-63 costs $350. Eye relief and narrow Field of View concerns kept me from buying one but, if you can get past those things, the scope was of good quality. |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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dbthirty
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/01/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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I thought I read something about the Vortex Impact, the Burris XTS5075 (I think thats the model) and the Stokes Sandpiper were in fact all the same scope... anyone else hear this?
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dbthirty
Optics GrassHopper Joined: September/01/2008 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Also has anyone tried the Bushnell Legend 20x60x60 or 80? Im definatley interested in the Excursion just checking options. Thanks.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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The Impact and the Burris are indeed the same scope. The Sandpiper is not.
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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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I agree. It was a "best buy" at $330 already. Just out of curiosity, i set up two of these Sandpipers and aimed them at license plates 219 meters away (measured by laser). There is no problem whatsoever seing the smaller print on them. At highest power of the zooms, the scopes are dimm, but still sharp.
I don't know about the other scopes that lucznik writes about. But there is another best buy: Celestron Ultima 65 mm ED, at about $140. The zoom eyepiece on it is an insult, but the package will work for you. However, if you install a different zoom, ....
have a look at this guy's experience.
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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Sorry, the Ultima ED is about $400, the non ED is $140-150. I've looked through the less expensive one awhile ago.
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Smokey53119
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/02/2005 Status: Offline Points: 165 |
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Could you please elaborate with a few more details? I have been waiting for this baby to come out for awhile, in part because of the eye relief they claim. Wearing eye glasses sucks sometimes.
How was it optically? Was it worth the price?
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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Here is what I wrote on one of the other threads.
In short, I think it is a definite contender in the under-$400 class of budget scopes. It is not as good as the Leupold it was modeled after and it certainly isn't going to be competitive against the "big dogs." Having said that, I feel compelled to emphasize a couple of points:
These two factors alone make the Excursion worth a look. I will emphasize here that, if I were in the market for a 60mm scope and was limited to the $350-$400 range, the Excursion would definitely be on my short list. (Although if I could find a way to spend more, then I would be willing to do so to get either the Leupold Golden Ring or the Pentax PF-65.) Edited by lucznik - September/11/2008 at 11:01 |
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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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The FLP design of some scopes seems to offer the benefit of very long eye relief. That may be a desirable trait for people wearing glasses.
Four years ago i was looking to purchase a premium scope and had the chance to examine many models that were exposed and mounted on a terrace overlooking a lake.
The Leupold Golden Ring 12-40x60 HD was there. Its optical quality did not impress me, but it was a very good quality scope at it's price poin. I prefered to pay more to get a better view, rather than compact size or long eyerelief. The stay-on soft case was also not convincing: just a thin walled bag with clumsy zippers. I would have bought a 15-30x50 Golden Ring though, if they made an HD version with angled eyepiece.
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Agustinmx
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/12/2008 Status: Offline Points: 67 |
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Hello, I want to ask a more specific question, as I am in the same situation choosing a scope
Do you think the leupold Gold Ring Compact 15-30mm is much more better than the Nikon Prostaff? could you give any comments on these face to face. I'll appreciate it.
Regards
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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I own the 15-30x50 Leupold Golden Ring Compact. It is a great scope. Just today I had it out hunting antelope. My good friend borrowed it because he forgot his binoculars at his house. (How does someone actually do that?) At 15x he was able to manage pretty well hand-held. With support he was able to zoom up to 30x for more careful horn examination. The scope proved useful throughout its magnification range and well beyond legal shooting light.
I've only handled the Prostaff a couple of times at sporting goods stores. I was not impressed. Edited by lucznik - September/13/2008 at 00:09 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Smokey53119
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/02/2005 Status: Offline Points: 165 |
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I have not been impressed with any Nikon pro-staff product regardless of what it was. Overpriced, under performanced, charging for the Nikon name. YMMV
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ms6852
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/05/2008 Status: Offline Points: 42 |
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My brother has the 15-45x60 bushnell space master for about $330.00. Claims to see bullet holes at 300 yds. But have to agree with lucznik the stokes sandpiper is a great deal and will do the job you require it to do.
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Always run from a fight...but if they catch you deliver them to hell personally.
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