Konus Spotting Scope Review

[johnmcl]

Hi all,

I'm a recreational HP shooter who was in need of a scope for modest distances. Specifically I was after a spotting scope to facilitate sighting in with 22 and 30 cal at sub 300 yd ranges.

After much debate, I bought the 20-60X 80mm Konus spotting scope and could not be happier. Now I'll admit, my sample size is small with just one trip to the range, but it worked out fine.

With partly cloudly skies and 40F ambient temperature we first set up for 100 yds. I used a MR-31 target with an orange sticker over the dot. My shooting buddy could call the 5.56 shots right after impact. The 200 yard work was more difficult as a mirage-effect was obscuring the target. My friend discovered he could slightly de-focus the scope and make the call. Then for some reason the mirage evaporated and we could see the small holes just fine.

In summary, I like the scope a lot although the tripod is flimsy and the 'soft-armored' case is a nylon bag. I positively love the price which is a quarter of a comparably sized Kowa. I can not figure out how to use the camera adapter though.

I'll also add that you can see moon craters at night with this scope.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

If you just started shooting and saw mirage that dissapeared shortly after, its possible the ambient temperature inside your scope body wasn't acclimated to the ambient temperature of your environment. Telescope users state your telescope needs to acclimate to the environment a bit before serious viewing so the temperatures internally = external.

I actually picked up a Pentax 80mm as well and tried it this weekend. While optically clear and perfectly suitable for spotting, terrestrial spotting scopes do tend to exhibit more chromatic aberration than telescopes. If you look at the moon at night, you will see a green/blue/discoloration at the fringe of the edge. This is that pesky chromatic aberration but it isn't a problem in terrestrial viewing as it is in astronomy. However once you know it looks like, its kind of a nagging thing.

Might I suggest a professional tripod if the one that came with it is anorexic? I am using the Giottos MT9240. Very sturdy tripod. I like how the legs can be adjusted to a very, very low position and there is no play. The center column has a hook on the bottom if you want to hang a weight for more stability. With an optional low column, it'll get the scope very low for prone shooting/viewing. Mine has an angled eyepiece so I rotate the body 90 degrees so the eyepiece toes in towards me so all I need to do is turn my head to view my shots.

http://www.giottos.com/MT-2.htm