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spotting scope

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NYCPOKERNUTZ View Drop Down
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    Posted: October/03/2006 at 14:41
I need to buy a spotting scope. My range is 400 yards and under. What kind of scope should I buy? Not sure how these work.
NuTz
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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: October/03/2006 at 15:40

what price range? 

 

 

 

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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: October/03/2006 at 15:43

First, calm down and stop yelling. 

 

Second, you need to provide better (more complete) information about your situation and expectations.  For example:

 

  • What will you be using the scope for (hunting, target shooting, etc?)
  • Does the weight and size of the scope matter? For example, will you be needing to pack this scope around the mountains? 
  • Are you planning to use this scope to take pictures?
  • Would you ever be using the scope during inclement weather?

and perhaps most important/telling:

  • How much money are you willing/able to spend?

 

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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silver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/03/2006 at 19:18

 

 

What are you trying to spot at 400 yards?  I ask because the answer changes things by about 500 dollars  If you are trying to spot .17 caliber holes, then you need the top of the line Nikon ED or even  Ziess.  If you are trying to tell if it is a spike or a doe then a more basic Nikon may get you buy.    

 

You buy a spotting scope for reasolution, not just magnification.  How clear you can see things is often more important than how big something is. Think of it this way... You have a fifty dollar bet with a friend...  The bet is that there is a typo, and somebody put a comma where a period should be...  .or, for fifty bucks...  Now, the rest of the problem is that the boss is holding the paper and you sure as heck are not going to bug him!  Its not like you can walk up and put the thing under a magifying glass...  Even if you make the thing bigger, if it is blurry it will still look like a period, and you loose the bet.   It has to be bigger and clear.

"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

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NYCPOKERNUTZ View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NYCPOKERNUTZ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/04/2006 at 08:22
Ok Thanks. I am shooting a remington 700, SPS...300WSM. Also an AR-15...223. Mostly target...maybe live game. I would like to keep it near the $3-400 range. Thanks again for everyones help.
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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: October/04/2006 at 11:45

You have a lot of available choices.  Here are a few:

 

Bushnell

  • Discoverer 15-60x60 ($210) - Good optics but, no weatherproofing. Easily mounts onto SLR camera with optional T-mount adapter. 
  • Legend 20-60x60 ($300) - These are new from Bushnell.  Their porro prism design should make their optics comparable to the company's most expensive Elites but, with a better price tag for the cost-conscious consumer.
  • Legend 20-60x80 ($380) - See above note.  Also, the larger objective lens will provide for increased brightness and resolution.
  • Elite 15-45x60 ($350) - Entry level for the Elite line (they get much more expensive from here.)  A good all-around compact spotter.

Leupold

  • Gold Ring 10-20x40 ($300) - Very small. Really good for packing into the backcountry.  Fairly specialized in its applications.
  • Gold Ring 15-30x50 ($400) - A bit larger and perhaps a better "all around" choice.  Still quite compact.

Nikon

  • Sky and Earth 15-45x60 ($330) - Another good all-around spotter. 
  • Prostaff 16-48x65 ($400) - New for 2006.  I haven't seen one of these yet but, it would be worth taking a look before making a final decision.
  • Spotter XL II 16-48x60 ($450) - This is (with a couple very minor alterations to avoid patent infringement) the same scope as the above Bushnell Elite.  It just costs more. Only buy it if you just can't stand to have the name Bushnell on your scope.

 

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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