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Opinions on Nikon 16-48x60 XLII Spotting

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radiojohn View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/28/2006 at 15:48
The Nikon 16-48x60 XLII Spotting Scope Kit looks like a very good deal at $499

Anyone got this and care to comment?

I'd be using it exclusively at the range for rifle targets up to 300 yards. The fact that
I wouldn't have to get seperate bags and tripod is appealing.

John.

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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2006 at 16:19

My understanding is that with only a few very minor differences (slightly different magnification range, different brand badge, and a to-be-expected lack of the patented RainGaurd coatings) the Nikon Spotter XL is the same scope as the 15-45x60 Bushnell Elite. (Supposedly it is made at the same factory, on the same machines, with the same glass, components, etc.)  The Elite however, costs significantly less than the Spotter XL. 

 

I therefore, would have a fairly strong leaning toward the Bushnell, rather than the Nikon.

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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radiojohn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote radiojohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2006 at 17:37
Thank you.

Would that be this:

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/781548P/bushnell_15-45 x60_elite_spotting_scope.htm

At $346 it certainly looks like a bargain.

Is 15-45x good enough to see bullet holes at 100 to 300 yards?

Any other suggestions in the $500 range?

John.
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 10:23

Originally posted by radiojohn radiojohn wrote:



Is 15-45x good enough to see bullet holes at 100 to 300 yards?

Any other suggestions in the $500 range?

 

Yes, 15-45x is good enough to see bullet holes...if it is a good scope. If it is not a good scope, 200x will still not be enough.

 

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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 14:26

Originally posted by radiojohn radiojohn wrote:



Any other suggestions in the $500 range?

John.

 

John, if you are asking about $500 scopes it means that you are not starving. In that case, i would say don't stop at $500, go for $800 and get one of the best scopes in the world, the Pentax ED 65mm, with a XW 14 eyepiece. This setup would be a 28x wide angle. However, if you need very long eye relief, shop around for some other eyepiece, or get the Kowa 66 mm with the 25xLER eyepiece.

My philosophy: "Do it right, once and for all".

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote radiojohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 20:01
Thank you anweis. I like your responses (I've seen a number of your posts).

You're right - "Do it right, once and for all".

What do you think of Kowa (TSN-600 series) or Nikon (Fieldscope)?

John.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/30/2006 at 08:44

John, the Nikon Fieldscope and the Kowa 600 series are both great, but the Nikon is better. The ED version of the Nikon Fieldscope is hard to beat even by Leica or Zeiss.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/30/2006 at 17:44
...but to go back to your original question, yes, the Kowa 60mm is probably the best $500 spotting scope.
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