I'm in the market for a spotting scope. Plan on primarily using it on the range. Would like to see .204 out to say 450 yards. I like the looks of an angled eyepiece as it seems more practical for hunting situations. Western hunting might be in the future as well as prairie dogs. What all should I look for in a spotting scope? What are you guys using and what would you recommend? Would like to stay around $400 or cheaper and like the kits with case and tripod included. Cheaper is always nice but I know with glass you get what ya pay for. I'm typically a Nikon and Leupold guy but Burris has one that caught my eye. Enlighten me please.

Check Kowa and Konus for lesser priced spotters.

Creedmore Sports has a Kowa 50mm 20-40x spotter on sale for $199.00 BUT you have to be a member of their Internet Buyers Club. Their 'regular' customer price is around $245-$250. These are nice, and are quite adequate for out to 500 m., or so.

Also, take a peek at Bushnell's Elite series. I have an 80mm with two lenses, and this puppy is bright and clear, out to 1000 m. Rather expensive, but no where near a Swarovski or S&B. Nikon also makes a few nice spotters.

I would strongly advise against the cheep Loopy's, the 'Sequoia' Line. For the money, they suck. If you go with a Loopy, go with the Gold Ring line.

Clarity and a good eye relief

With optics, you get what you pay for. Kowas have a good reputation.

What do you guys think of this Burris... http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=560674

Looked at it today at Bass Pro through a window out across a lake into woods and it was pathetic. Probably the worst one there. Nikon and the Redhead brand impressed me the most to be honest. Leupold Sequoia was crap.

Usually Deer and Elk.

I wouldn't quit your day job to become a comedian lol

I have a Bushnell and qutie frankly I don't like it. I can see .223 holes on plain white paper out to about 100 yards, no farther, the 60x mag gets too blury and the eyepiece sucks....

While taking the long range class in Virginia, Vern suggested the Celestron Ultima 65 for $135.


Said its nice and clear and a great option for a budget scope. I havent had the spare cash to pick one up yet, but am planning to order one before July 6th as I have a coupon to Optics Planet.

There are 3 different versions of the scope.
Straight, angled, and if you wanna pay a little more than twice the prrice, one with ED glass(extra low dispersion) - you can see the entire line here - http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-spotting-scopes-1.html



Incidentally I dunno if I should get the straight or angled model....thoughts??

This post has been edited by captainbarred: June 29th 2009 4:09 PM

Here is the Nikon one that was pretty nice but also around $500. I might just bite the bullet. No sense in wasting $100 on something cheap then spending that $500 for a good one. Might buy once and be done with it.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...rset=ISO-8859-1