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newbie needs spotter help |
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Posted: October/24/2009 at 10:40 |
I am new to the forum today, i have been searching it a lil bit lately and am impressed with the knowledge and help you guys have so i decided to join so you guys could help me out a lil bit.
I have a decent set of older bushnell elite 10x42 binos that i use a lot but i need to get me a good spotter. I have an old winchester that was given to me and it just don't quite do the job. I do a lot of hunting, both bow and rifle, and pre and post season spotting. I do alot of hillside watching at ranges of 1000 yards or more, but also some closer stuff.
I have kind of narrowed down a list and i would like to hear you guys' opinions. I would love to get something nice like a swaro or zeiss or kowa or something, but i'm recently married and cant afford that stuff so i am gonna try and budget one for around the 500 dollar range or so if possible. The ones i am looking at are-
-Nikon Prostaff
-Vortex Skyline ED
-Cabelas Big Sky HD
-Bushnell Elite
Excursion FLP
I'm thinking probably 20-60 power. I also have a hookup to get leupold scopes, but haven't really been impressed with the reviews.
Thanks for the help.
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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These are getting fantastic reviews at this price range.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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If i went with the excursion flp, do you think i would be better with a 15-45x60, or the 20-60x80?
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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smok97, I'd go with the 80mm obj if low light viewing is important, and portability is not a big issue. If you're a serious backpack hunter, etc you may want the smaller ones. My buddy bought the 15-45x60 and it is excellent for general deer hunting that we do. You will see more details, have higher resolution, and a brighter view in low light with the 80mm. Good luck.
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22284 |
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I checked out the 15-45 Excursion and was impressed. I just wasn't sure I would be able to see .223 holes in the black at 300yds reliably. The power was my issue with this Excursion. If the 20-60x80 Excursion is as clear and crisp as the 15-45 I would be very tempted.
I would really like to check out the Nikon Prostaff, I've read some good reviews about it.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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I went to the local cabelas and tried out a couple scopes. I tried the nikon prostaff 16-48x65 and two of the cabelas big sky 20-60x66, one in hd one regular. They didn't have time to take them outside so i could only do it in the store. I couldn't really tell a difference between the two cabelas scopes, but there was pretty good lighting so it wasn't much of a test but that nikon i thought had better clarity, both in low and high zoom. I put the cabelas to 20 and the nikon to what i thought would be about 20 and then the same with the high and it looked like it had better glass. The other thing i liked about the nikon is they are a lot lighter.
Any other input on any of these scopes? I am still undecided on what to get. What do you guys think about the vortex scopes?
And how much is there to gain from ed to regular glass?
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Just an FYI, make sure you look through them outside. Some scopes have coatings that make them appear much better in the store light, but not as good outside.
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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So i think i am either gonna go with the nikon 16-48x65 or one of the bushnell excursions. What are your guys opinions? which one should i go with?
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I like the bushy out of those two.
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-Matt
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Duce
Optics Master Joined: September/19/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1231 |
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I have the Bushnell excursion FLP and it is a great scope for the money.
I think you would have to spend a lot more to get a better spotting scope, it is bright and clear easy to adjust etc. If money is not a consideration then I would jump on this one
but usually money is a consideration.
Duce
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Duce
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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I test-drove the 15x45 Excursion with ED glass out to two miles. I could make out some pretty good detail with it but wouldn't be able to count tines at that distance. Likely no problem at 1 mile though. To me, just about any spotter is too heavy and not worth hauling so I'd prefer a 20-60x80. At high magnification you want that thing as solid as possible...like window-mounted in your truck. The one time I ever brought one elk hunting was when I had someone else to carry it and we'd steady it on logs or a pack.
The one I'd likely buy is the Vortex Skyline. I haven't looked through the ED version but even the regular glass is pretty nice. They're decently priced and have rock-solid customer support. |
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Reaction time is a factor...
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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I just found a lead on a Swarovski 20-60x65 non hd, not sure what model but i think its an sts, from a guy i know who wants to trade it for a suzuki samurai. It also comes with a manfrotto tripod-ball style, manfrotto window mount, soft case, hard case, and a camera adapter. The scope is a year or two old, but is in great shape he says. I haven't actually seen it yet.
How much is this stuff worth? I have got two samurai's, so i am thinking about doing it just wanna make sure its worth it. Or should i keep my samurai and buy a cheaper scope?
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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That Swaro 65 setup would be super. I think the scope alone would fetch $1300-$1500 or so. Manfrotto doesn't give stuff away either, and it's excellent quality . Just guessing, but that's probably a $1700 package.
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blownsmok97
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/24/2009 Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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So i ended up getting the Swarovski scope. I am excited to take it out and look through it tomorrow.. Thanks everyone for the help.
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