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Author Topic: spotting scope?  (Read 9680 times)

Offline boonerboy

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spotting scope?
« on: March 29, 2010, 08:14:29 AM »
what would you recomend for an inexpensive spotting scope?

Offline jackelope

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2010, 08:16:27 AM »
define inexpensive.

whats your price range?
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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Offline boonerboy

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2010, 08:25:49 AM »
under $250

Offline whacker1

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2010, 08:31:37 AM »
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.

Offline littlemac

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2010, 08:34:54 AM »
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.
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Offline jackelope

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2010, 08:36:21 AM »
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.

 :dunno:

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.
:fire.:

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Offline Jamieb

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2010, 11:38:22 AM »
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.

Offline whacker1

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2010, 11:41:04 AM »
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.

Offline MtnMuley

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2010, 12:30:53 PM »
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.

Offline jackelope

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2010, 12:45:59 PM »
My landmark was a great scope for $200 until I looked through a $2k Swarovski.
 :twocents:
If you want a budget spotter, don't look through an expensive great quality one after you bought the cheapy.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

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Offline JackOfAllTrades

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2010, 12:49:43 PM »
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.

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Offline jackelope

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2010, 12:51:35 PM »
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Bob33

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2010, 12:52:12 PM »
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
Nature. It's cheaper than therapy.

Offline Jamieb

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2010, 03:01:24 PM »
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.

Offline whacker1

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Re: spotting scope?
« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2010, 03:06:49 PM »
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.

 


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