spotting scopes

[Steve Anderson]

Gentlemen, I'm in the market for a decent spotting scope. My old Leupold fixed power is leaving me wanting more. I remember the day that it was great, but not so much lately. I shoot Silhouette and some longer range gong shoots. Sure would be nice to see bullet strikes on target. Not certain what the budget is but perhaps $500-$800. Not opposed to used, any ideas?

[Old Jim]

Since the early 1960s, I've tried several different kinds of spotters; Bushnells, Celestrons, Leupolds, Redfields and a couple that cost around 1200$. For some reason they all came up short. But there are some that whether it is luck or the mfg. actually intended it to be a great scope. My shooting partner has an old 15-45 Tasco that I would gladly pay $500 for anytime he wants to sell it! Without a doubt, the clearest, brightest 50MM spotter I've ever peeked thru. The newer ones are not like it!

Currently, I'm trying a Vortex Diamondback 80MM 20-60 angle, that's not bad ..., well sorta, ya know. Let us know what you select.

Jim

[Steve Anderson]

My buddy has a Diamondback and it is pretty good. I'd like to go step better. A step I can see!

[Hiwall55]

Try a Pentax,you wont find a better one.

[desert deuce]

which model Pentax and which eyepiece ?

[Kurt]

Buying a spotting scope you should do a little foot work and look through as many as you can and turn them to the dark shadows in the trees if there are some on or near the range and see what you can to compare them. A 100mm is not necessarily better then a 60mm. I have gone from 50mm to 100mm and everything in between, low cost to not the top but not far from it. To this day the scope I use the most is the 60mm Redfield I bought in the 70's and I have a 82mm Kowa and a Celestron M-2 Regal 100ED. The Celestron is a fine scope but it took two returns before I got a good one. They seem to have a focus problem at the very top of the power not getting a clear sharp focus and it is a very heavy scope, especially if you drag it from the Buffalo to the bucket at the Quigley, but I don't think you will find a better scope for reading the mirages. You can even see it above the trees when you tune the focus for it. I haven't looked through a scope at 60 power that is brighter. you almost need a filter at 30X it's so bright. If I done it again I would get the 80mm.
I have a little Burris Landmark 12-24x50mm Compact Spotting Scope I use for a laydown and pack scope that is a very sharp scope but at high power it gets a little dim but at 20X it is a great scope for a online laydown scope to check conditions and reading the spotters at 1K.
Do a little leg work before you lay down the cash for a scope.
Kurt

[Hiwall55]

Everything is loaded up in the car ,but its a 80 mm with a 20X60 eyepiece.
Its very clear and sharp and will show the mirage very well,everyone who looks thru it wants one,in fact 3 people who I shoot with at different clubs have bought one just like mine.
Bill

[Don McDowell]

I like the Vortex Viper scopes.

[Steve Anderson]

Which one Don?

[Don McDowell]

I have the 20-60x 80mm for the tripod, I use an older discontinued 15-45x60 version for the lay down scope. Check them out at Sportsmans Whorehouse, and then check around to see who has the best price. Cabela's puts them on sale every once in a while.