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Pentax ED and US Optics spotter (mine, at least)

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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/23/2008 at 20:35
After waiting almost 7 months for USO's brand new spotter, I finally got mine.  The focus (or parallax) ring was tough to turn, the eye relief was about 4 inches, the scope was tough as nails, and the lenses showed a marked chromatic aberration leaving a red streak on everything.

The function of the scope was good, the optical quality (minus the aberration) was great, the scope was bright, the image was sharp, and the mil reticule was great for anyone shooting a mil reticule rifle scope.

I liked the scope, I hated the eye relief, and I simply couldn't accept the chromatic shift - so I sold it.  Fortunately, USO has a 6-month waiting list, so the thing went quickly with every penny into it coming out again.  Lest you think I'm a jerk, the chromatic shift was well documented and demonstrated prior to my putting the thing up for sale.


Then, on Koshkin's recommendation(and my budget of $1,500 and looking for something bright and sharp), I recently bought a Pentax ED 80 with 20-60 eyepiece. It is a bohemoth scope, but damn fine.  I looked around, talked with several pros, and did as they suggested and read the birding reviews on the scope (birders requirements on spotting scopes go far beyond shooters' requirements, birders want color and contrast and brightness and sharpness and resolution - shooters usually just want to see a hole in paper or count points.)

The Pentax is great, I highly recommend it.  It ain't small.  It probably wouldn't drive nails as well as the USO would.  It is sharp as hell with great color and contrast.

**Around the time I ordered my USO, I recommended a friend consider that option too - but with a MOA reticule. (I shoot USO scopes and couldn't be happier - nothing but great experiences.)  The friend ordered his scope, got it last week, and no hint of chromatic aberration.  We compared the USO to the Pentax today and the USO is significantly smaller, has a smaller field of view, but is just as sharp at same power and just as clear.

I cannot, without reservation, recommend the USO spotter, but I know that all don't have the same flaws mine showed.  I can recommend the Pentax ED 80 and the 20-60 ocular.

At $1,100, the Pentax is Japanese glass about $400-700 cheaper than comparable German glass.  My guess is that some will see the name on the scope and think it's an Academy special, but I really don't care.  With this scope, I fully expect to clearly see 1.5-inch groups at 300 yards and beyond.  I'll test that at the range this weekend.

Pentax ED 80: Yippee

USO tactical spotter (mine):Furious

USO tactical spotter (friends): Excellent

Anyone want pictures?





Edited by Rancid Coolaid - July/09/2008 at 20:03
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2008 at 20:50
Yes, please do post pics, Rancid.
 
I haven't had much experience with many spotters, but all the comments and reviews I've read about the Pentax 80 ED have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.  Glad you found a spotter more to your liking!
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/23/2008 at 21:52
A few of the USO, Pentax will be coming shortly.








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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/10/2008 at 13:23
It has been pointed out to me (by the friend with the USO spotter) that when googling "USO Spotter", this article comes up first on the list.

I should clarify my remarks a bit.

My interactions with USO have been great, their Customer Service is second to none.

I have owned several of their products over the years and have been more than pleased with them.

I spoke to USO about my spotter and was told the aberration was a non-fixable issue and was inherent to the optics.  I have spoken to several people, customers and "others" who say this particular issue is not limited to my scope but is not representative of all scopes.  That my friend's was made after mine could indicate the problem has been addressed.

With regard to rifle scopes, I cannot recommend USO enough, they make, in my opinion, the best scope available - and completely customizable to your exact needs.  It ain't cheap and it does arrive ricky tick, but when it arrives, it arrives exactly as advertised and worth every penny.

My experience with the spotter was not exceptional, I do not fault the organization for this.  The scope had an issue that bugged me immensely and the maker said it could not be fixed.  I have since sold the scope to someone who isn't bothered by the red shift and he loves the scope.  To each, his own.

To anyone looking for a spotter, my advice is that you look at "THE" scopes you wish to purchase - not same model, same maker; look at the THE scopes, everyone makes a dud - everyone.


I have dealt with  few other manufacturing company, professional or personal, where I could call the owner of the company and talk about  my purchase and my experience.  (SWFA is one of few exceptions, I have wasted immeasurably amounts of Chris' time, and he has always been accommodating.)

Though this outing didn't go as well as I had hoped, I will buy from USO again.  Please do not interpret my post as a bashing or "swearing off" of US Optics, they make a great product and stand behind it.


Edited by Rancid Coolaid - July/10/2008 at 13:26
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kris4362 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2008 at 15:09
Hello Rancid
 
Could you tell me the make & model of the tripod that's under your ex USO spotter.
 
Thanks
Chris
kris :>
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2008 at 09:51
Tripod is Dynatran 858B-BL.  It is a knock-off of a much more expensive Manfrotto tripod of the same design.  The Dynatran is significantly heavier but very, very sturdy (and about 1/3 the cost.)

The grip head is a Manfrotto 322RC2.  I cannot recommend this grip head highly enough.  It is very simple to use, very sturdy, and very accurate.  Rather than endlessly adjust multiple fine adjustments on multiple axes, simple squeeze the grip and release when on target.

Legs were about $80, grip head was $120 - both were worth every penny.
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