I know optics are truly get what you pay for and I know a little more will make a big difference. I know I know. But can I get a decent spotting scope for under $400. None of my binos or rifle scope are this cheap but need something with a little more range. Suggestions?

What's the goal for the optic?

How much is a little more range? If you are just trying to get more than 10 or 15x binos you can get a decent used spotter.

1.vortex razor HD 11-33
2 minox md50 or 60
3. Leupold gold ring (non-hd) for your price point.

I have a 100mm Konus that's actually not bad at all. I've also owned some Konus scopes with issues, so I'm not a Konus pumper but the 100mm Konus is a good deal, and I've heard the 80mm isn't bad either. Again, we aren't talking elite glass, rather useful glass.

I'm hunting edge of deep draw with a big field next to it. Would like to be able to watch the field with more than 10x42 binos.

Which is best choice duck hunter?

Please list distances.

There's a good chance you can take the money you were going to spend on a spotter and upgrade your rifle scope.

800-100 yards. I have a swfa he 5x20x50 mil scope

That's a far piece, and that's a Dang good rifle scope. In my opinion, you will have to spend significant money to get what you're wanting at those distances. I waited a long time, to buy a spotting scope, because it required a significant investment to improve upon what my rifle scope could see.

I purchased a Gen I Vortex Razor with 85mm objective. Excellent scope for everything but carrying long distances.

Using a rifle scope as a binocular, or spotter for that matter, is really a bad idea IMO.

I do it all the time. But I don't hunt from a blind, and I don't usually have a hunting partner.

It's still a bad idea. Binoculars are for spotting and evaluating game, not rifle scopes, scopes are simply and aiming device.

I don't hunt from a blind either.

Your opinion.

I've spent big money on high quality rifle scopes, so I use the highest quality glass I have available.

I have a Leupold Ventana 20-60x80 that I got from Doug on a really good deal. I've had it to 800 yards and it is very clear.

More than anything being able to see 4-600 yards while sitting in blind

Vortex Razor 11-33X

It's common sense, unsafe, and I'll throw in inarguable to "glass" with a riflescope on a loaded rifle. Doesn't matter how much your scope costs, it's an aiming device, not a game spotting device, period.

I agree jgraider.

I've got plenty of common sense, it's as safe as a person makes it, and in my case it's with an open bolt. A rifle cannot fire with an open bolt.

And here's another piece of news for you. You do not dictate how I do things.

No I don't. You may know ballistics, but you're pretty clueless about hunting, obviously.

Yeah OK.

Fireman what about the vortex diamondback

The lower end Vortex products do not hold up well.

Watch eBay for good used better name brand quality scopes, which can be had at deep discounts.

If you can add $200 - $300 more to your budget, good used Leica, Swaro and Zeiss are within reach with some patience and watching for the right deal.

A good used optic will be a far better piece of kit in the long run.

fwiw - I am still using a Leica 77mm purchased in 1994 and used to lead many bird tours.

Good spotting scopes are very durable with even a modest amount of care.

Here is a good example, which will last for many years. I have no connection to this listing/sale, just putting it up as an example.

Link to Leica Spotter on ebay $789

The glass quality is low enough, it's not worth buying a spotting scope, in my opinion. I would not drop below the Viper line from Vortex.

To my eye this looked nice. One of my friends had one of these on a hunt last season.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/132051...m-armored-black

It is not my Swarovski ATX modular 85mm but if I did not have a bunch of Cabelas cash and a friend that works for Swarovski I would not have that either. Together it is 4K...and that is ridiculous...I also have a Leupold gold ring 12x40 60mm, I hate the eye cup but it has been on a lot of hunts with me and is compact and clear.

I have always liked this spotter--use it often on the range look at bullet holes at 300 often. Not really crisp above 30x--and eye relief with glasses on is tight on high magnification , but is light and somewhat durable for me. I'm sure there are better, but for $400 not bad.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/762583...rainguard-black

Ed

The glass used in the Vortex D'Back HD series is the same as used in the Viper HS Series...at about 50-60% the price....and has a 4" (3.8" +) eye relief. You do give up some other features 'tween the 2 but the price discount is worth it IMO if you are on a no budge budget & only 10-15% higher than the regular D'Backs.

Watch Cabella's for hot deals on Vortes Viper HS series...I got a 2-10x44 30mm last fall at $250 shipped & a 4x16x44 30mm AO for $300 shipped.

The Std D'Back's under 3.5" eye relief was a problem for me and I passed on them, and went to Minox's ZV3 series at CF II prices for shooters to be used under 3-400 yards...with the last one in a 4.5x14x44 D'Plex & SF AO for around $150-$160 I bought to go on a beater-truck gun at 4-10/12 power ranges as a price item to get the 44mm Obj lenses up front....but seems to have good light gathering and smooth steady power range adjustments, playing with it loose. Haven't shot it yet, but so far only used it mostly for looking across the 8 acre estate front yard behind me, thru small several mottes of oaks and into the deep woods on the far side looking for fawns & 'yotes here inside the city limits in Dogwood City...handling the scope by itself & unmounted on a rifle. Got a leftover cheap composit stock I'm thinking about mounting this scope on.

The Minox upper grades all use German Shott Glass lenses and are assembled in Silicon Valley or Germany. The bottom end ZV3 series uses the Chinese version of shott glass in the ZV3's...and are noticeably better made than the early 3x9x50 I bought when they 1st came out couple years ago but I was comparing it to a German made 2x10x50 30mm ZA5 HD too, and everything in Minox and Vortex has a No Fault Lifetime Warranty.

The best bargain CL NY has IMO is the CLNY private run 3.5x10 MeoPro/ Meo? scope at $350. Uses Zeiss glass that Meopta makes for them and carries the standard Meopta Lifetime No Fault warranty.
Ron