I'm looking at getting a spotting scope and would to hear opinions. I would like as much magnification as possible with good clarity at longer distances. I would like to stay under 400 as well.

Vortex Viper is worth a look.

Be careful about selecting something based on its high magnification. There are optics out there that are 60x and 75x, but still don't provide enough clarity and resolution. I'd rather have a quality 25x or 30x than a crappy 75x.

^^Very spot on!

Glass clarity is far more important than magnification. And the more magnification you want, the more money you have to spend to retain the clarity.

Recommendations? I would prefer to sacrifice magnification before clarity and cost but I can give a little on all.

I've only had four spotting scopes, so my experience with them is limited.

The first was a Bushnell "Spacemaster" or some such. It was a complete and total piece of crap. Next I tried a Burris 25x-75x-70mm XTS-2575 and it was a little better, but it was difficult to focus. My third was the best, a Leupold 12-40x Golden Ring. It was very good and I was amazed at the detail I could see on distant objects. I only sold it because it was way more spotter than I need and I wanted to get the cash out of it. I replaced it with a Leupold Golden Ring Compact 15-30x. It is definitely not as good as the 12-40x, but it's plenty good for my use. I don't recall exactly what I gave for it (or even where I got it, for that matter), but I think I paid about $325 for it...maybe a bit more.

So I will give you my experience...

Last year I was looking for a spotter. I balanced the viper hd versus the razor 11-33.

I ended up with the razor and have been happy. Part of the reason i went with the razor was to glass mountains while elk hunting in Colorado.

At the range it struggles beyond 150 yards on paper with small calibers like 556. However 30 cal I can see on paper at 200. Obviously seeing steal hits is a breeze.

I don't mean this rude, but have you had your eyes check recently? I can see bullet holes in white paper to 300 yards with my rifle scopes. That is a badazz spotter you have, so it should have no trouble doing the same.

With spotting scopes you really get what you pay for, so you have to determine what it's specific purpose is. Range work? Backpack hunting? Spotting from truck or where mobility isn't really a factor? What's your budget?

I have owned several top shelf spotters, including a Zeiss 85T FL, Nikon 82ED, Kowa 884, and Meopta S2. I've had the S2 side by side with the Zeiss and Kowa many times, and the Meopta proved to me to be the best of the bunch. At higher mags it especially shines because it remains sharp, relatively bright, and has great resolution. No 50-65mm spotter made by anyone will out resolve, or resolve as well as a top end 85mm class spotter. Can't happen.

The Razor spotters are a pretty food value, but there are others as well.

I scored a Leupold 20-60x80 Ventana kit from Cameraland last year. It was a demo and Doug gave me a great deal on it, like 40-50% off. I was watching deer with it at 600+ last year and for the money I doubt it could be beat. I'm sure there are plenty that are better than it but you're talking 3-4-5 times what I paid to get into one of them. I do need a better tripod at some point but I've used it twice at the range and had no problem seeing 5.56 holes at 258yds. As Jgraider asked, what's your main purpose?

So it has been a while since my eyes were checked....

But if I put one round round range I can clearly see it at 100-200 and beyond. If I shoot multiple rounds and am grouping I can't discern fine detail. I.e. Is it touching? Or is there a slight space?

The smaller calibers are what makes it hard. My 300 win is easy to see at 200

Spotting for myself, and others, I get to practice a whole lot. When you find that first hole, remember it. Shot two, look in concentric circles from shot one, in search of it. Repeat as needed. If you can never find shot two, then take yes for an answer, that you did in fact double stack two hits.

6.5 mm bullet holes were no problem to see last week at 300 yards, with pretty heavy mirage. When a few of us are shooting together, you'll hear guys spotting calling where bullets land. Then you'll often hear the shooter say "I saw it". It just takes some practice.

Like anything. With time you get better.


The 11-33 is a great little spotter. I would love the bigger brother, but don't need it. Although I did see one at cabelas bargain cave and tried to them down on price

11-33X for hunting and range work.

20-60X for just range work.

I've been wanting the 20-60 with replacement 30X Mil reticle eye piece for a long time.

If you watch the bullet, you really don't need a spotting scope at the range.

Do see trace quite often. But it's tough to to watch the bullet in flight, 300 and in.

I use a razor 11-33 x50 up there. Pluses clear and light. Minuses narrow field of view at full mag. Find pattern kill.

Are you looking to see holes on target down range or looking to hunt with?

I was being silly. Supposed to get someone to throw the flag!

I'm sorry I let you down.

I have been able to see my 300 Blackout 208gr subs thru a Meopta rifle scope as they travel 100 yards.

I still use my Old(1970's) Bushnell Sentry 32X for normal range work and I can see 22 caliber holes on most targets at 200 yards.

I have a Vortex Razor with two Eyepieces for the longer stuff. It's the bigger 85mm and it is pretty nice. I have ran it against several other brands while hunting Rockchucks in Oregon and all there used it and agreed it was best of what we had that day.
My buddy has the Swaro and I ran them side by side too.... Both are very good and I personally could see little difference. The Viper is a step down for sure but good for the money but remembering it's a lifetime investment is my way of justifying.

That I believe, I sometimes see .22 LR projectiles on the way to the target. I would imagine that a larger bullet at subsonic velocities would not be too danged hard to see.