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Vortex Stokes Sandpiper VS Bushnell Space

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billiam13 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
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Joined: April/11/2005
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    Posted: March/20/2007 at 20:02
Which of these spotting scopes are the best for the money?  I will be useing this scope for  spooting antilope and muleys. I need a scope that is going to hold up to the rugged task of getting banged around in my backpack and gather good light in lowlight situations. Also, if there is another spotter in the 325.00 range that you think is better than these, what is it??  Thanks
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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: March/21/2007 at 16:05

I can't give you a very well informed answer because i have not looked through a Spacemaster in over ten years. I remember that they were useable, but not impressive.   

 

For your application, will you use a tripod? If not, there will be enough shakes in the image to render the differences between the two scopes insignificant. Resting the scope on a backpack helps, but don't expect miracles.

 

I suspect that the Sandpiper is brighter and i am sure that it has better edge sharpness and a wider field of view, because of it's modern eyepiece. The Bushnell eyepiece has been around in one form or another since the 1960s; it is sharp (at low power) in the center of the field of view but it dims and bends the image towards the edges. If you want  to use these scopes at high powers such as $40x, forget about it, they don't work above 25x or 30x: the image gets dim and blurry. 

 

As far as ruggedness, both scopes will get damaged if you drop them or don't treat them properly. I used my first scope for ten years, always from my backpack. It never got damaged, or even scratched, because i was careful.

 

I would get the Sandpiper because it comes in an angled body; this allows you to use a smaller tripod or a monopod. It is a decent scope at 15x or 20x. It comes with a really nice warranty and nice people at the other end of the phone line, if needed.  

 

 

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