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10/31/2002 5:05:19 PM EDT
Any recommendations on a decent spotting scope?  I just don't want to drop any good money on junk.


Thanks

max
10/31/2002 5:25:36 PM EDT
[#1]
Well it all depends what you are going to be using it for I imagine.  I have a 30 dollar special that I bought for punching paper.  Works fine for me.
10/31/2002 10:43:38 PM EDT
[#2]
Tasco or BSA seem to be the way to go on the inexpensive route. Both have lifetime warranties so that takes care of most problems.

BSA has a 20x60x60 with a tripod & hard case for about $75-80 that I'm fixing to buy.
11/1/2002 2:14:31 AM EDT
[#3]
After a recommendation at TFL for budget scopes, I have one of these Pro Optics on my Christmas list:

www.adoramaphoto.com/catalog.tpl?op=details&sid=10272199393324438&sku=PROSSA

This is exactly the same scope rebranded as a Swift that Creedmore sells for $100 more:

www.creedmoresports.com/C836.html

Rocko
11/1/2002 8:33:46 AM EDT
[#4]
you said decent?  That rules out all the Tascos and BSAs.  

What's your application?

For Competition rifle work such as Service Rifle Competition, go to www.jarheadtop.com/

And look at Jim Owen's prices on Kowa spotting scopes.  He has them at a few different price points. All are pretty much at the top of the heap for their price class.

For Service Rifle shooting, I would recommend getting a scope with an angled eyepiece with long eye relief. It makes setting up your positions a little less of a pain in the ass.
11/1/2002 8:42:13 AM EDT
[#5]


Most folks here can't afford a Kowa. I've got one, but you can look at Nikons , ect.
11/3/2002 12:41:40 PM EDT
[#6]
The way I see it,

if you can afford drop 1k or better on a tweaked out match gun.

$800+ for an 80mm setup kowa shouldn't be out of the question.
your gun is only as good as the glass you use.

BTW I agree by saying "decent".

You pretty much have eliminated tasco,bsa or any other scope that you can buy at the local sporting goods chain store.

11/3/2002 6:19:10 PM EDT
[#7]
I love my Champions Choice. Not fancy but works excellent for 200yd bullet hole spotting and is rugged. Good price-$200 I think when I bought mine. See their web sight.
11/3/2002 6:30:19 PM EDT
[#8]
I foolishly tried out a 15-45X BSA scope a few months ago. My home range is about 160 yards or so, and I could not even come close to seeing .30 caliber bullet holes. I think the magnification would have been enough, but it was like it would not focus. The optics were just awful on 45X. I sent the junk back.

Anybody try a Wind River spotter?

Those big cheap Winchester ones are junk?
11/3/2002 6:39:00 PM EDT
[#9]
Yes, those big cheap winchester ones are junk.  I gave the one I bought to my kids and they get a kick out of it, but you can't see bullet holes  at 100 yds with it and the eye relief is so short your eyelashes touch the lense!
11/3/2002 6:46:06 PM EDT
[#10]
I like my NIKON Spotter XL Kit.
I wear glasses, so, I'd like it a little bit better if it had a touch more eye relief.
It's for hunting, mostly, but serves well at the range for 100-yds.  
Good glass.
11/3/2002 8:21:04 PM EDT
[#11]
A buddy bought one of the Burris 15-45x60mm scopes from Midway USA (they occasionally have them for about $140).  Optics are good and bright.  I have yet to borrow it for match shooting, but I think it will work great.  
11/4/2002 5:18:21 AM EDT
[#12]
i see everyone touting one scope over another, yet i see no data to back up recomendations......


which ones have the greater eye relief ??
which ones have the best FOV ??
which ones have the greater brightness ??
which ones have the best warranty ??

i have a 50+ year old B&L, i have had people at the range look thru that scope & say: "they shure as hell don't make scopes that good any more"
11/4/2002 12:00:18 PM EDT
[#13]
Scopes are priced according to glass, guts, and size basically.  The top end ones such as Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, some Nikons, and some others usually are brighter and clearer than the others, and offer better resolution and contrast.  They also make APO or HD models which have even better glass and coatings but usually aren't necessary unless you want to take pictures thru the scope.

The single power eyepieces will give you more light, wider field of view, and more eye relief usually than the variable ones.

I have a Pentax I picked up off ebay for a great price and am pleased with it.  It was a new model and I've not checked to see what additional eyepieces or camera mounts they have now.

SWFA lists demo an factory samples on their other website.  You might want to contact them and see if there's anything you might be interested in.

Watch the camera houses for grey market goods which don't carry a US warranty and won't be serviced under warranty by the US offices.
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