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Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 09:15:48 AM


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Title: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 09:15:48 AM
Thinking about a spotting scope, not really high end but needs to be decent glass.  I'd like to be able to clearly see bullet holes at 300 yards.  Is this possible with a $500ish scope?  Or should I plan to spend more?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: bearpaw on December 21, 2017, 09:52:43 AM
I hope I'm wrong but unless you find a good deal on a used glass I doubt you'll find one to reliably spot bullet holes at 300 yards. The caliber you are wanting to spot will also partly determine how far you can see them, .338 are much easier to see than .223.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 10:15:00 AM
Will probably be shooting .270 the most.  Maybe I'm asking too much for that price range of glass.  I really don't know as I've never had a decent spotter before.  Just always relied on good binoculars for hunting.  But it gets old walking downrange to check your targets all the time, especially when other shooters are on the line and waiting.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: bearpaw on December 21, 2017, 10:18:24 AM
I would keep an eye on the classifieds, you will get better glass used than new for the same money.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: bobcat on December 21, 2017, 10:19:37 AM
I don't have any experience with them but if you only need it for shooting, check into getting one of the camera systems. The Bullseye camera works with your smart phone or iPad and the $450 model works out to 1 mile. They have a cheaper model that is supposed to work to 300 yards.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/276592/bullseye-camera-systems-ammocam-long-range-edition-1-mile-target-camera-system
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: spoonman on December 21, 2017, 10:48:17 AM
I have the vortex viper hd and I can see just fine at 300+ yards. Cabelas has them on sale for $599 right now.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 11:05:36 AM
I have the vortex viper hd and I can see just fine at 300+ yards. Cabelas has them on sale for $599 right now.
Thanks!

Wonder if the Viper HD is a step above the Nikon Prostaff  :dunno:
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: bobcat on December 21, 2017, 11:09:25 AM
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-choose-a-spotting-scope-for-target-shooting-spotting-scope-yardage.html
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 11:28:25 AM
https://www.opticsplanet.com/howto/how-to-choose-a-spotting-scope-for-target-shooting-spotting-scope-yardage.html

Great, thanks.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: bearpaw on December 21, 2017, 11:38:50 AM
I have the vortex viper hd and I can see just fine at 300+ yards. Cabelas has them on sale for $599 right now.
Thanks!

Wonder if the Viper HD is a step above the Nikon Prostaff  :dunno:

You can probably compare several different scopes at a sportsman warehouse, cabelas, or local sport shop.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 21, 2017, 12:20:11 PM
I have the vortex viper hd and I can see just fine at 300+ yards. Cabelas has them on sale for $599 right now.

Now 699.00 at Cabelas.

Have you seen this one? https://www.levenhuk.com/catalogue/spotting-scopes/levenhuk-blaze-20-75x100/?gclid=CjwKCAiA1O3RBRBHEiwAq5fD_I2ycp7-S6vyeKnuOVpIAO0drbr4oi13A7BqBjKT-emWys1CNBRhPhoCBocQAvD_BwE
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Antlershed on December 21, 2017, 12:31:26 PM
Vortex just announced the revamp to the Viper HD spotters, so I would expect that once the new ones are out, you’ll be able to find some good deals on the older model.

The Vanguard Endeavor HD’s are also great little spotters in that price range.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: DRobnsn on December 21, 2017, 12:44:31 PM
I have the vortex viper hd and I can see just fine at 300+ yards. Cabelas has them on sale for $599 right now.
Thanks!

Wonder if the Viper HD is a step above the Nikon Prostaff  :dunno:

I would say the vortex is better. I have the older Nikon Prostaff 20-60x80 its not bad and you can definitely see 270 holes at 300 with it but as you bump the power the clarity suffers for sure. I don't know how well it would work on paper at 1000 yards but you can sure see where a bullet hits on painted steel at that distance. I've been pondering selling it as I don't get to use it much.
 
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Cylvertip on December 21, 2017, 02:01:20 PM
I had done some searching online a few years ago along those same lines - this is what popped out as a good option. Konus 20-60x80

https://www.opticsplanet.com/konus-konuspot-80-80mm-3-1-spotting-scope.html

It has been good for me, though I unfortunatly have not tested it to 300.  During my searching though, others had reported that it was almost as good as high end glass for on paper viewing.

I like that the mount allows you to rotate the actual body of the scope.  With the angled eye peice, I can set it up to what ever angle I prefer by rotating the entire scope, then lock it down.

I found a $99 carbon fiber telescopic tripod on amazon that is the perfect compliment to this.  The one that comes with it is more suited to bench rest or a smaller scope.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: X-Force on December 21, 2017, 02:30:05 PM
I would keep an eye out for a gen I vortex 85 razor HD spotting scope in classified they are new at cabelas for $1000 and used for 750-850 if you look around.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 21, 2017, 03:00:38 PM
Good info all around, thanks guys  :tup:
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Bill W on December 21, 2017, 03:40:06 PM
I've got an Alpen and I used it to spot bullet holes  at 200 yards in the black on a dark rainy morning against a black backstop.  I needed to also see which side of the scoring ring the bullet hit was on so I could consider sighting corrections.   It would spot bullet holes at 300 yards on regular weather days.   I also used a Nikon but it was harder to see which side of the scoring ring the hole was on.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 21, 2017, 03:45:57 PM
this is in the ads.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,222030.0.html

In Spokane:


https://spokane.craigslist.org/spo/d/leupold-20x60x80-spotting/6433085468.html

https://spokane.craigslist.org/spo/d/vortex-rzr-hd-spotting-scope/6377435159.html
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on December 21, 2017, 09:02:48 PM
I'll second the Vanguard ED.  The Viper hd might work as well.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Hot Lunch on December 21, 2017, 09:05:57 PM
I really like the Leupold gold ring spotter. Used can be found for $500-$600.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: N7XW on December 22, 2017, 09:34:13 AM
Anyone have experience with the Celestron Regal 100mm scope?  Thinking about a larger objective scope such as this.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Letmwork on December 23, 2017, 06:41:08 AM
I will will put in a third for the Vanguard Endeavor HD $350.00 plus the send you a tripod for free. I have been very happy with. These products
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 23, 2017, 09:06:55 AM
Anyone have experience with the Celestron Regal 100mm scope?  Thinking about a larger objective scope such as this.
Read amazon reviews..... not good.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: C-Money on December 23, 2017, 09:14:23 AM
Take a look through an Alpen...
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: Bill W on December 23, 2017, 05:44:31 PM
Most any spotting scope will show bullet hits at 200-300 yards.  It's the better ones that allow that on very crappy days and those days are the ones that people don't usually go to the range.  If one shoots in matches one doesn't get to pick the shooting weather.
Title: Re: Recommendations on an inexpensive spotting scope $500ish
Post by: JBar on December 23, 2017, 06:21:57 PM
Seen the Viper HD at sportsmans warehouse for under 500 on sale! Don't remember the exact price 460 sounds right but I know it was under 500.
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