Spotting Scope decisions... Opinions?

[col_temp]

Hi All,

OK I am in the market for a spotting scope. Kind of want to make one purchase to handle a couple of different things.
Purpose 1: Use at the range, 100-200 yards normal, up to 500 yards once in a while would be nice.
Purpose 2: Use for Bird watching up to couple of hundred yards or more.
Purpose 3: Possible hunting. Use from the road/Vehicle not worried about lugging it around the country side.

Requirements: A) would be nice to be able to see 22LR holes up to 200 yards, 500 yards would be 30-06 or 308 holes.
B) would be nice if it had a camera attachment so i could take a picture of that bull Elk I saw a couple of years ago!
C) want something that at the top end of the zoom doesn't require super short eye relief to function, grays out, distorts, or gets fuzzy. (doesn't have to be perfect but if you can't maginfy and use the last 50% of the magnification why bother.)

That being said, I am not even bothering with anything below $400 or $700 list. I have played around with a few, don't want to spend Swavarski, Ziess, Lieca money though I know they make great scopes. So that tosses most of the scopes over $1200.

Narrowed down to the following so far, unless someone has a better idea. (Full disclosure: I have a pair of Vortex Viper Bino's, and mostly Nikon Rifle Scopes)
#1 Vortex Razor HD 11-33x50 (New version of the Razor, old version left a bit to be desired.) $500.
#2 Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85 $1150
#3 Vortex Viper HD 15-45x65 $550
#4 Nikon Prostaff 5 20-60x82 $600.
#5 Nikon Prostaff 5 16-48x60 $500
#6 Althon Ares 20-60-85 $700
Others looked at: Vanguard Endeavor HD, Leupold Gold Ring, Leupold SX-1

For the price Leupold Gold ring's got deleted as they are good but too pricey. SX-1 as they are not on par with those listed but similar price. Vanguard's don't know enough but have heard uppper magnification are not so good. I know #2 is a bit of an anomaly for price. I added it to ask about which power range will work the best.
Is 11-33 going to be good enough for what I want to do? What about 16-48 or should I look at the 20-60's only?
I know the larger objective 82 or 85 will be brighter but 50-60 seems like it would work well enough as long as its not to early or late in the day.
From past comparisons the Viper doesn't seem to be a huge drop off from the Razor's but I know its a bit less bright.
Other considerations are #1 is fairly light and compact compared to the others. I lean towards Vortex.

So thoughts, ideas? Pricing I got from Optics planet where there are some screaming deals at the moment. Know another source to check?

 

[Manny]

Like you, I was looking for a spotting scope for the a wide variety of uses and after a good deal of internet research I discovered a somewhat unique scope, the Zeiss Dialyt 18-45x60 field scope. It is kind a a throwback meant for rugged use in back pack hikes and adventuring. It can be used handheld or of an improvised rest at lower powers but off a solid rest the high quality optics really let it shine at higher powers.
Here's a review American Hunter did:
https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2011/9/27/zeiss-dialyt-review/

Full tilt list price is cheap for a Zeiss, but still pricy in the $1500 range. But occasionally demo units are available for about $1100 or so. Midway had some a few months back. Unfortunately I discovered that little deal well after getting mine at the regular price.

I've not been able to really wring mine out over all it's capabilities thus far due to heavy work hours, but have been able to use it at a local wetlands near my house on the lower powers and have really enjoyed a whole new world I'd never been able to view before. The ease of carry and use with the included sling is fantastic, and no worries about it getting wet or needing to be babied. It is a sizeable investment, but IMHO for my uses & needs it is a prized piece of gear. No regrets at all on the purchase.

 

[Walkalong]

These (On your list) used to be around $1600. I guess they are closing them out for a new model or something. That would make it a good deal IMHO.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/94...mm-straight-body-green-with-pro-gt-tripod-kit

Is 11-33 going to be good enough for what I want to do? What about 16-48 or should I look at the 20-60's only?

Most of the time you will never use 60X, at least I don't. Clarity will be better overall and especially in tough conditions. I do go over 33X quite a bit.

 

[col_temp]

Thanks guys. That Ziess is kind of nice but expensive! Nothing around less than $1500. Would prefer to find something for a bit less.
That is a good point Walkalong. Something else to consider though maybe a 16-48 might be a better compromise.
After digging around on youtube, the viper and prostaff are falling fast in terms of desire. While the prices are attractive you do get what you pay for.
Thanks again.

 

[Manny]

Just spotted this on Midway's clearance list, this was the other scope that ended up on my final list:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/21...al-camera-adapter-and-aluminum-case-blemished

 

[Laphroaig]

I'd throw Kowa into the mix.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/kowa-82mm-angled-spotting-scope-tsn-82sv.html

I think that this is their mid-range product. You'll need an eyepiece, I saw their 20-60 zoom was about $350. Camera attachments are available too.

 

[col_temp]

Hi Laphroaig, I had someone else suggest the Kowa. Did take a look but will again.
Thanks for the link Manny. Those gold rings are supposed to be pretty good as well. Forgto to look over at Midway and see what deals they had when I put the list together.
Haven't pulled the trigger yet so will likely zero choices to two or three and start watching prices!

 

[col_temp]

I'd throw Kowa into the mix.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/kowa-82mm-angled-spotting-scope-tsn-82sv.html

I think that this is their mid-range product. You'll need an eyepiece, I saw their 20-60 zoom was about $350. Camera attachments are available too.

Other thing about the Kowa is witht he changable eye piece you have some options. Also, the fixed mad eyepieces do have a pretty good eye relief! Especially the one designed in 30+mm of eye relief is almost unheard of. They do get a bit pricey though once you start to add things up! More research needed! Have to see if I can find a Kowa to look through and evaluate.

 

[Laphroaig]

Kowas are the preferred model for highpower shooters. I'd guess 90% of the scopes you see on the line are either Kowa or Konus. I don't know why, but maybe its the long-eye relief and/or their reputation. I have an older TSN-821 with the 27x LER. It does pay off on 200 yd walk and paste ranges compared to the cheaper scopes (like Konus) when trying to find .223 holes in the black bull. I know its a lot of money but you seem to want a good scope and Kowa makes a good product.

 

[Coltdriver]

It is worth taking a look at some of the telescope maker spotting scopes. They have tremendous magnification and all the clarity you could ask for. Celestron makes a pretty nice one.

 

[Walkalong]

Wow, I see the Vortex I linked to is back to the regular price. It has been $1100ish for some time at Midway. I guess they sold enough at that price.

 

[Sav .250]

Have you checked out the Natchez site ? They also have "rebuilt" items. Compare prices.

 

[Bart B.]

Read post #8 in

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/recomendations-for-a-spotting-scope.814039/

I've compared mine to a Kowa 25X TSN-1 I also have and the difference is tiny. Bought my TSN-1 new in 1987 for $355.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/kowa-spottingscopes.html?gclid=CJnsvtqP3tACFcK6wAod3agB5A

 

[Triggernosis]

I'd also throw Celestron Regal scopes in the mix.

 

[Walkalong]

Definitely. Nice scopes. Here's mine on my home made stand.