Looking to purchase a reasonably priced spotting scope and would love to hear thoughts on different brands/models. BSA's can be had for as cheap as $49 and Alpen and others go up towards $175 or so. Cheaper the better but don't mind paying for the Alpen price rangefor the quality and package (tripod, window mount, etc.) All thoughts are appreciated.
This will be used out the truck window spotting deer to 1/2 mile or out the kitchen window a little further. Also, at the bench occasionaly while sighting in.
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I bought a tasco back in the day...still have it actually, 15-45x60 maybe? as with most cheap spotters high end mag is usless I find.....since the low grade glass and its just too powerful for the objective diameter.....
my leupold vx-iii 4.5-14x40......was clearer at 14x than that spotter on any setting, so at 14x I was able to see bullet holes at 100/200yds where that spotter even at 30-45x was more zoomed in, couldn't
So if that teaches you anything its that quality means more than magnification ever will.
I really don't have a recommendation on cheap models....other than a $200 I would almost be certain of as being better than any $49 one. Spend as much as you can....I have a cabelas big sky HD, they make non HD models at more reasonable prices but still probably $400+
Also cheaper scopes weigh more typically....so in the feild the extra money could pay dividends.
So I'd say a bigger objective may be something to go for on a cheaper model, ie 80mm vs 60mm also I wouldn't worry about high end magnification such as 45X vs 60X.
So as you stated....in the truck and at the range.....weight shouldn't be an issue, so get the biggest objective you can I'd say, and spend as much as you're comfy with, I think you'll see a huge difference from $100 to $200 scopes compared to $600 vs $700.
It sounds as if Saluki is saying that its better to have just a nice riflescope than an average rifle scope and an average spotting scope. I would concur. I started my .30-06 on a Leupold VX-I for like $200 or sth. I bought a Nikon ED 82 for a stellar deal on eBay for $788 and it came with a $300 EP ($1,300 value!). After using that scope on several hunts I couldn't imaginehunting with an entry level scope. Now, before I even upgrade my first hunting rifle, I"m getting a better riflescope ;-) Sorry but I don't know of enough lower end scopes to give a specific recommendation. Since you solicited 'all thoughts' I'll just have to parrot the "spend as much as you can afford" mantra. Best luck with your search and God bless.
I have the NC star 20-60 power. Now this thing works great for its intended use, which is 100 yd range work. I only paid $40 for it. It is terrible in low light, blurry after 40 power, and I dont think its waterproof. While it does work for my intended use, I dont think it, or any other $40, 50, 60 dollar scope will be what you want. Looks to me that A $140-200 will get you a decent one, Burris, Bushnell, Sightron, or a good deal on a low end leupold. These may not be the best, but they certainly are not the worst.
well certainly feel the rifle scope is more important since its attached to the rifle that will be doing the killing, a $2000 spotter with a $100 rifle scope that won't allow you to hit anything will be a waste of $2100, where the opposite wouldn't
Really was just pointing out the fact that my vx-iii riflescope at 14x did a better job than my cheapo spotter did at any power up to 45x with a 60mm objective or whatever.....
So my main point was that a 14x quality lens was worth more than a 30x of lesser quality. a crystal clear deer at 400yds on 14x is better than a fuzzy deer image at 40x.
I had forgot what my spotter was worth, didn't think I had spent quite that much, but certainly happy I did, I feel for the price you'd have to jump significantly in price to do better.....
Its a downward spiral for real, you buy a $600 scope and its pretty awesome, so you think then you get a $1500 and thats all you ever want, and is worth it IMO.
but still suggest biggest objective for the price....with the best coatings etc.....wouldnt worry if 1 scope had 45x or 60x....you really wont ever use more than 45x probably, or it wont ever be clear enough to and may get dark...
I am going tosay this a cheap scope is what it is a cheap scope But to me the best cheaper scopes come from Bushnell.
But I would never put a cheap scope on any gun over a 22 caliber,and then that is pushing it.
Save your money and get a better scope. Most of the time you get what you pay for.
But if you still have to go with a cheaper scope go with a Bushnell 3200.
Not a lot of good quality out there for under 200.00 But I believe one of the best to consider in your price range is the Impact 70MM by Vortex, it's one of the clearest & brightest of the bunch! Just a thought! I'm sending you a PM.
ElkNut1
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I haven't been a contributer to this forum very long, but those that have read my comments about optics already know where I am headed. I realize that not everyone can drop a bunch of $$$ on high dollar scopes, binoculars, range finder, etc. But at the same time I have expereinced first hand the disappointment in the performance of lower priced optical gear.I bought a Model 788 from a guy and it had a BSA "Night Owl" variable scope mounted on it. I have no clue what this scope cost him, but I have seenvarious BSA scopes in mags for $50 to about $125. This particular scope was horrible.It had, for all practical purposes, zero low light performance, it was very fuzzy around the edges and not crisp at all. If this scope is any indication of other BSA optics, then spending $50 on their "Spotting Scope" is equivalent to pi$$ing away $50. Do what others have suggested. Save up for a while and buy the very best you can afford. Settling for less than that ... you will be both disappointed and I'd wager back in the market for a better spotting scope soon.
Lower end spotting scope advice needed
