Author Topic: Need Help Chosing Mid-Price Spotting Scope (Read 684 times)

Mainer · « **on:** January 18, 2005, 04:23:09 PM »

I'm new to spotting scopes, but I need one for use at the rifle range. The minimum requirement is to be able to CLEARLY see .22 holes at 100 yds. It would be nice if the scope could pick up .243 holes at 150-200yds.

From reading other posts I've been convinced that anything costing $200.00 or less is not worth my money. On the other hand I'm not willing to spend $500.00 or more.

By the way, I wear glasses so eye relief is an issue.

Also, the spotting scope must be waterproof.

So far I've identified 3 spotting scopes that may do the job:

1. Leupold Wind River Sequoia 15-45x60
16.5-13 mm eye relief
$329.99 for the outfit

2. Nikon Sky & Earth 15-45x60
12.5 eye relief
$275 for the outfit

3. Bushnell Elite 15-45x60
Unknown eye relief
$359.00, apparently w/o a tripod

I'd go for the Bushnell, but not knowing the eye relief is a problem.

I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about the above. I'd also like to know if there are any other quality spotting scopes that I've missed that meet my requirements.

Mainer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2005, 04:32:42 PM »

Another possibility:

4. Weaver Classic 15-40x60
Unknown eye relief, but their website claims you can use it with your glasses on
$339.00 (unclear whether this includes a case and tripod)

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2005, 06:25:14 PM »

Why not just take the glasses off when you want to look thru it? Then it don't matter the eye relief. I have the Elite 25-60x80 and it is outstanding. I've looked thru a lot of spotting scopes but never one to match it.

Mainer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2005, 04:28:54 PM »

Graybeard:

I've heard you say many good things about the Bushnell Elite 20-60x80, but at $675.00 it's more than I can bring myself to spend (even viewing a spotting scope as a long-term investment). Plus you've mentioned it's huge.

However, your good experience with the 20-60x80 is the reason why I rank the Bushnell Elite 14-45x60 so high. At $359.00 it's much more affordable.

Maybe you're right about the eye relief thing. Maybe I should just take the plunge and buy the Elite 15-45X60, but I'd like to hear some feedback regarding the other spotting scopes I mentioned.

Regards,

Mainer

contendernut · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2005, 06:10:12 PM »

I bought Bushnell Elite 14-45 a while back. It is a nice scope but I also wear glasses. It doesn't have enough eye relief for me to leave the glasses on and use it above around 22 power.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2005, 01:18:47 AM »

I have a Burris Landmark Spotting Scope 15X-45X-60MM. I can see .223 holes at 200 yards no problem. Under $200.00 at http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=BU&category=20&prodID=BU300122&CFID=1395060&CFTOKEN=12478040

VTDW · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2005, 02:00:59 AM »

Redhawk1,

Can you see those itty bitty holes in the black area at 200 yds? I am in the same boat. I have $300 in Cabala's points and would like to spend them on a spotting scope that can see the holes in the black at 200 yds.

Tnx,

Dave

Zachary · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2005, 03:26:21 AM »

For under $400, I think that the best value is the Elite 15x-45x-60mm. I don't really have a need for anything bigger, so the 15x-45x-60mm would be perfect.

Zachary

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2005, 01:03:48 PM »

Quote from: VTDW

Redhawk1,

Can you see those itty bitty holes in the black area at 200 yds? I am in the same boat. I have $300 in Cabala's points and would like to spend them on a spotting scope that can see the holes in the black at 200 yds.

Tnx,

Dave

I use white targets with red bull area. I don't think I would be able to see them in a black target. Now at 100 yards I can see them in a black target.