Can you guys give me some suggestions for a good spotting scope that's not too expensive? I've seen them all over e-bay, but I've never owned one. My max range will probably be only be200 yards.
O.k...I'm hear to help you not bash you..
You will get a huge list by alot of guys giving you suggetions on what type $200 dollar scope to get where to get it etc..
Take your time look threw them yourself, look throw lots of manufacturers and models and lots of the same models..
Park your vehical aways from the store but in seeing distance..Before you enter the store set up targets with .22 cal and .30 cal holes on and around your vehical..
Then go to the clerk, and start checking them out,take them outside focus with them in the morning afternoon and just dusk..
Then ask your self is a 200.00 spooting scope going to help me out in the situation I want to use it for..
Please don't throw your money away taking on a chance,in whichI and lots of others will know you are going to regret..
Your probabkly better off using a quality pair of bino's if 200 yrds is your max distance anyways..
Save your money and wait..
If its urgent and it can't wait,heres a suggestion,when I was young,on a budget, we had a planned sheep hunt, I went in with my brother andcousins and a friend and together we purchased a Leica between the six of us no fights have ever insued over it.
Now18 years later, weall have our own, but that one is still there, for anyone of us to use,now some of our kids will have to use it,but its well looked after and it probably was the best $250.00 I ever spent.
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O.k...I'm hear to help you not bash you..
You will get a huge list by alot of guys giving you suggetions on what type $200 dollar scope to get where to get it etc..
Take your time look threw them yourself, look throw lots of manufacturers and models and lots of the same models..
Park your vehical aways from the store but in seeing distance..Before you enter the store set up targets with .22 cal and .30 cal holes on and around your vehical..
Then go to the clerk, and start checking them out,take them outside focus with them in the morning afternoon and just dusk..
Then ask your self is a 200.00 spooting scope going to help me out in the situation I want to use it for..
Please don't throw your money away taking on a chance,in whichI and lots of others will know you are going to regret..
Your probabkly better off using a quality pair of bino's if 200 yrds is your max distance anyways..
Save your money and wait..
If its urgent and it can't wait,heres a suggestion,when I was young,on a budget, we had a planned sheep hunt, I went in with my brother andcousins and a friend and together we purchased a Leica between the six of us no fights have ever insued over it.
Now18 years later, weall have our own, but that one is still there, for anyone of us to use,now some of our kids will have to use it,but its well looked after and it probably was the best $250.00 I ever spent.
Harrrrumph!!!Now THAT'Show you pick a scope!
I was at the range on Sunday with a buddy who was so proud of the $40 spotter he picked-up from Craigslist. It was pretty dim on the lowest power setting, & nearly black when turned-up more than ½way. A bargain? Hardly.
I just bought a spotter, & my research showed me a few things:
1) Lens quality is paramount
2) Unless you get into some big $$$ (> $600 or so), the picture at the higher mag settings won't be that great
3) There are scopes that have great optics AND low weight - and there's a reason those are the most expensive ones!
4) Determine your usage 1st, and that will show you the kind of scopes to look at. For checking holes in paper at the range, weight's not a big issue. If you're going on a guided sheep hunt, weight can be critical. Then again, if you can afford a guided sheep hunt, price won't be the deciding factor on a scope, anyway.
5) Like almost all optics, you'll get what you pay for.
Best one I ever had was a Nikon ED model. Pretty costly though. For range use, I picked up a Brunton. Now that little lightweight is the cats meow. Sure it's not optically the best, but for a cheapo I really like it alot.
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If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.
Got a Bass Pro Shop near you? The Red Head brand spotting scopes are good priced and very clear. I bought some binoculars last fall, 8X25's and 10X40's Red Head Pursuit. I compaired them to the top brands in the store and couldn't see any difference. Stay away from the $100. spotting scopes like Winchester, worthless.
I've got a cabelas ED model I think its 20-60x its a great scope, not outrageous, but not cheap either (~$600 i think), also I kinda had to laugh, a spotting scope for 200yds? for what? get a pair of binoculars.
To me a spotting scope is to decide whether or not a animal is worth going after at.....1000yds or more.....I dont think anyone needs 20-60power for an animal at 200yds.
Also have to agreed with what was stated above, I had a tasco from years ago, it was ok for the range, 100yds I think it was a 15-45X I think new it was $120 really it was only good for the range, 100yds and 200yds wasnt that helpful.
When it comes to anythign with glass I tend to think, figure out what you want to spend....then figure to spend another 25-100% more then what you first figured. Glass is expensive, and quality glass is even more so, but IMO its certainly worth it.
If wall you want is to use one at the range, you may be able to get away with something cheaper for up to 200yds, but Id rather spend that money on a quality scope that would be able to tell the difference. I remember having that 45X cheap spotting scope, and my leupold 14x rifle scope had way better seperation at 100/200yds, so even though it had 45X capability the 14x scope did a way better job.
If you wont be viewing more than 200 yards for wildlife then I think a scope is waste of money and effort lugging it in the field. If you're talking about something at the range to track your shot placement then anything cheap will do. Expensive ones are necessary when you're subject to the elements, low light, etc. I have a Nikon ED 82 that I found for a stellar deal on eBay for $800, that came with an eyepiece. You have to spend twice that to get a notably better scope. I love mine. Good luck with your needs.
Good Spotting Scope
