Posted on 10/09/2022 4:08:07 PM PDT by ArtDodger
Looking for a good spotting scope in the $600 range, for sighting in at 100 to 150 yards. Also, some nature watching. I want something in the 60 x50mm range. Lots of new brand names to navigate out there. Leupold and the like are good but expensive and a bit of overkill for what I need. I know the glass (lenses) are a critical factor. Suggestions?
Burris are made locally here (northern Colorado) Good products at good prices.
Burris/Bushnell. Go cheap to start and go from there if you feel you need it. $89+ but within 150 they all are good.
Do NOT get a Barska!
“Burris are made locally here (northern Colorado) Good products at good prices.”
I didn’t know that.
You are correct that you pay for good glass. I generally put my good money on the rifle scope and get by with a low end spotting scope.
For 6 hundo you can get a Nikon. Optics planet.com
Yeah, they’re made in Greeley CO.
I have a Kowa that has excellent optics. I’m not sure if they are in your budget or not; I found mine at a Goodwill, like new, for very cheap.
But, they provide the standard against which all others are judged.
Yeah, you'll probably want an eyepiece as well.
Kowa
If you plan on having it for a long time, and you really want to enjoy it, buy the best you can. Good glass is a pleasure to use.
Alternatively, you could get a small reflecting telescope, I have a Celestron I use for stargazing as well.
Top notch for sure.
If ya wanna try a bunch out in realtime find where the local benchrest matches are held. There'll be a line of fine glass posted behind the firing line. Generally accompanied by some great guys that love ta help someone else spend money. Also check with the reallong range hunting guys.
Good luck...
If I had too much money, I’d get this, just for my big boy toy box:
I have a Nikon Fieldscope and I can see Saturns rings crisply. It’s more expensive but you get what you pay for, especially with optics.
Are you looking for a spotting scope for shooting, or, more like just observing (birds, minor astronomy).
I have no clue about the shooting aspect (don’t currently own a rifle), but, at 100/150 yd range, I would look at some good binoculars that can be mounted on a tri-pod. 10x50 should do the trick at that range, and, you don’t have to hold them.
You can also pick up some really good telescopes and tripods for about $600 from Explore Scientific. I have bought several of their products (a 5 inch refractor/tripod and eyepieces) that I am quite happy with for astronomical purposes. With that, you can get great views of terrestrial objects as well as some great views of things in space.
Woodland Hills (telescopes.net) is a GREAT distributor. They have good prices and a very knowledgeable staff.
Not sure you need to spend 600 for the purpose you stated.
It’s a very good optics company
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