Spotting scope help

[spurge]

I am looking for a local purchase of a decent spotting scope in the Nashville area. Anyone have any suggestions on places to look? Thanks for the help!

[Hozzie]

Can you define decent? Spotting scopes have a huge difference in price for quality. Also, at what ranges and caliber will you want to use it? Budget is basically the deciding factor, so if we have an idea of that, I can give some better suggestions.

[runco]

Me personally, and money savings and patience is in the formula, I would research and buy from someone like Optics Planet.  Hard to beat their deals.

 

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/spotting-scopes

 

And this weekend 10% off 10LABRD code. 

[DaveTN]

What size hole do want to see at what distance?

[frogman342]

I use a spotting scope a lot for work. I am issued a Leupold Mark 4 with a Mil-Dot reticle. This is what I am use to so anytime I look for something for my personal kit or anytime I give advise on a spotting scope I use it as a measuring stick. I have also used most big name spotting scopes so I know the difference of clarity cost etc. I would consider the Leopold Mark 4 to be a mid level spotting scope with Swarovski and Meopta sitting at the top of the class. 

 

I know your looking locally. This will probably limit your options. Also cost will limit your options. You can spend from 3-500 to 5-6000. What is it going to be used for? You will also have to consider the quality of the tripod or how you are going to attach it i.e. shooters bench. 

 

I would recommend looking at SWFA and EuroOptics. SWFA will have very low end to high end and EuroOptics pretty much carries best of the best. You can go in and read reviews on the spotters then google them for more info. If you find something you like check the prices out on E-Bay. I have found some smoking deals on glass on E-Bay. Even if something is used you can buy with confidence. And with shipping what it is today you can find something today and have it at your house tomorrow. 

 

I hope this info will help. I am pretty OCD when it comes to glass. You definately get what you pay for. 

[Jonnin]

sportsmans warehouse has mid grade spotters and a variety of other telescopes for a variety of purposes.   Its not always with the gun stuff, some of that is in a special optics area with binocs & all kinds of other things.   If you have one in Nashville, I am guessing its likely without looking it up.

 

Be sure to get a good camera type tripod for it.   Being able to put it on the target and have it still be there when you look through it later is very useful.  Mine is almost as old as I am so I have no input on what is out there today.   Or you could just go overkill scope on the rifle and look at the holes with your gun :P -- only half kidding but you should be able to see the hole with your rifle's scope IMHO.  

[samson7x]

What's your budget?  I picked up a Konus 20-60 for around $250 on sale and it has been great. 

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368467-REG/Konus_7122_Konuspot_100_4_0_100mm_Spotting_Scope.html

[spurge]

Life sure throws curveballs at times. I posted this question and all sorts of drama happened on the home front. Luckily, no ones dead just bruised and healing. But I digress.

I am looking for a something that will spot for a couple of calibers, 22 up to 308, if possible, and for anything under 400 yards distance wise. Not real sure on a budget because I have no clue what a good price range would be. Not looking for top of the line necessarily but also want something that is a good quality. I believe you get what you pay for. Hope that clears it up.

[Hozzie]

Biggest difference between high end scopes and lower end scopes is mostly how clear they are at high magnification as well as how well they work in low light, meaning early mornings and late evenings.  High end scopes like Swarovski, Zeiss, and Kowa are used for their clarity, especially by bird watchers and digiscopers, but they also run 2-4k.  Not something most want to invest in if they don't need the best low light performance.

 

With that said, to see a 22 at 400 yards on paper still requires a pretty nice spotting scope.  Minimum of 65mm objective, but something in the 80mm is even better. 

 

Without knowing what you consider to be too high, I would consider the Vortex Razor 20-60, a mid-high range spotting scope that is a best value for what you get.  it still isn't cheap at $1500, but when you want to get close to the big boys without breaking the bank(relative I know, but in spotting scopes for what it is, this is pretty cheap for what you get), it is about your best option.  Find a demo or used one for $1200 and you have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.

 

You can certainly get a spotting scope for less than $500, but there is a big jump in loss of quality, especially at the higher magnification.  Eye relief also takes a big hit.  I started with a Redfield which was pretty good out to 200 yards, but when I started to go out to 500+, it just couldn't cut it.

 

The Pentax 80 is also a great scope and it is around $800.  Lower than than, the Konus brand and Celestron brand are some to consider.  Without a real figure to go from, it is still hard to make a recommendation.  If you want some real good reviews, check the bird forums. 

[Ray Z]

I've never seen a 22 hole in a target at 200 yards. But then we shop in different stores.

 

 

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=spotting+scope

[spurge]

Biggest difference between high end scopes and lower end scopes is mostly how clear they are at high magnification as well as how well they work in low light, meaning early mornings and late evenings.  High end scopes like Swarovski, Zeiss, and Kowa are used for their clarity, especially by bird watchers and digiscopers, but they also run 2-4k.  Not something most want to invest in if they don't need the best low light performance.
 
With that said, to see a 22 at 400 yards on paper still requires a pretty nice spotting scope.  Minimum of 65mm objective, but something in the 80mm is even better. 
 
Without knowing what you consider to be too high, I would consider the Vortex Razor 20-60, a mid-high range spotting scope that is a best value for what you get.  it still isn't cheap at $1500, but when you want to get close to the big boys without breaking the bank(relative I know, but in spotting scopes for what it is, this is pretty cheap for what you get), it is about your best option.  Find a demo or used one for $1200 and you have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.
 
You can certainly get a spotting scope for less than $500, but there is a big jump in loss of quality, especially at the higher magnification.  Eye relief also takes a big hit.  I started with a Redfield which was pretty good out to 200 yards, but when I started to go out to 500+, it just couldn't cut it.
 
The Pentax 80 is also a great scope and it is around $800.  Lower than than, the Konus brand and Celestron brand are some to consider.  Without a real figure to go from, it is still hard to make a recommendation.  If you want some real good reviews, check the bird forums.

Around $1,000. I'll look up your suggestions.