spotting scope?

[boonerboy]

what would you recomend for an inexpensive spotting scope?

[jackelope]

define inexpensive.

whats your price range?

[boonerboy]

under $250

[whacker1]

I haven't found one that I am happy with yet for under $500.  I currently own the Windriver by Leupold 15 - 45 x 60, and will be replacing it as soon as I can afford something better.  It will be awhile before I can afford a Swarovski. 

ZenRay is supposed to be releasing a spotting scope in the summer sometime.  I am crossing my fingers that it both meets the quality of their binoculars and that it is affordable.

[littlemac]

Try garage sales and Craigslist.  My kid found a good one at a garage sale for $100.  Its a long shot but you never know.
At retail I have to agree with whacker.  Doubtful to find a decent one for $250 IMO.

[jackelope]

I would look at something Vortex maybe but I don't know if you'll be happy with a sub-$250 scope. I have a Burris Landmark and it is ok for about $200. Next time I will save my money and buy a better one.
With that said now that I have a spotter I never feel like carrying it anywhere so for sitting on the porch looking at deer it's fine.

 

There was a vortex scope in the classifieds a while back for around $300 that looked like a good deal. not sure if it's still there or not.

[Jamieb]

I don't think you'll be able to find a (good) spotter even in the used market at that price.  IMHO spending $250. on a spotter is a waste of $250.
Save your money awhile up, watch craigs list and the classifieds.

[whacker1]

Jamieb - what would you suggest and what price?   I have tried Nikon, windriver, bushnell, burris, nothing seems to even get close to Swarovski.  It seems there are many more quality options in the mid-price range for binoculars and rifle scopes than there are in spotting scopes.

[MtnMuley]

what would you recomend for an inexpensive spotting scope?

Konus 20-60x80.  Under $200.  Not a Swaro, but for the price range you listed, IMO, it's the best.  Burris Landmark would be my second choice in that price range.

[jackelope]

My landmark was a great scope for $200 until I looked through a $2k Swarovski.
 
If you want a budget spotter, don't look through an expensive great quality one after you bought the cheapy.

[JackOfAllTrades]

As impressed as I am with a recent binocular purchase, I'd have to seriously look at:

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=191

for that price range.

-Steve

[jackelope]

Vortex Nomad
http://www.elknut.com/Newsletter_1.html

[Bob33]

I know someone selling a Bausch and Lomb Elite 15-45x60 spotting scope.  It has since been superseded by an equivalent Bushnell model.  I think he would take $250.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-15-45x60mm-elite-spotting-scope-781548p.html

[Jamieb]

Over the last 20 years I bought a new spotter about everyother year. I started with a cheap simmons and upgraded a little with each new purchase.
I wasted alot of money on junk optics in that time.  I thought the Burris landmark was alright in bright light but went dark way before my riflescope or binos.  Bushnell makes junk, I only say that becuse I've owned/used their crap. I never used anything made by Nikon so I cant comment on their spotter.
I was realy disipointed in the wind river spotter, it has leupolds name on it so I thought it would be better then it is. The spotting scope I have now, I found on Craigslist for $500. A leupold goldring  12x40x60, a soft case, and a compact leupold tripod. I think "good" starts about here at the goldring price and go's up from there.

[whacker1]

That is kind of what I have found in trying several friends' spotters.  Nikon had one that was pretty nice, but I think it weighed as much as a 20 lb armorlite 50 cal a friend of mine shoots.   A little sarcasm, but that was one big heavy spotter.