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Best spotting scope for the money?
#8928396
10/03/23 04:58 AM
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,067
DustyArmadillo
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,067 |
Been using an old $20 Black Friday Simmons but the FOV and clarity is garbage
Intended use: mounting to window so I can glass from my truck.
Question: straight eye piece or offset?
Willing to step up to the plate on good glass but wanting to be mindful of diminishing returns.
All opinions are welcome.
Cheers
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928400
10/03/23 05:38 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,726
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,726 |
I have been using a Leupold Gold Ring 20-60 for many years. I paired it with a Trophy Tools clamp and hung it from the top of doors on various vehicles. I used it for work and sent many rotten criminals to prison with it. It worked perfectly for my use. I figure if it’s good enough for the US Military sniper teams to use it’s good enough for me.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928477
10/03/23 12:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,172
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,172 |
I like a straight eye piece, easier to line up the game or me in the scope.
Decent glass will not be cheap, maybe look at Maven. Good condition used is fine from companies with good warranty. Leupold makes a decent one too as stated above. Personally stay away from Vortex unless going their best glass route then might as well look at Meopta , Maven or Swaro.
Better companies will honor their warranty on a good used scope. Depending on what you use it for maybe not needing say 60x but it sure comes in handy at great distances.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928492
10/03/23 12:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,799
Mickey Moose
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,799 |
Talk to gr8fuldoug. Many of us have bought from him and will again. I have an Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x65 angled. Not fancy. Having used the angled now I'd like to also try a straight simply for comparison, but I don't have a problem with angled and would likely stick with it.
Last edited by Mickey Moose; 10/03/23 12:52 PM.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928628
10/03/23 03:51 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36,607
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36,607 |
I bought this for .22lr long range F-class. . Hope too try it next week if time permits.. SUPER CHEAP.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#8928698
10/03/23 06:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,580
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,580 |
I have been using a Leupold Gold Ring 20-60 for many years. I paired it with a Trophy Tools clamp and hung it from the top of doors on various vehicles. I used it for work and sent many rotten criminals to prison with it. It worked perfectly for my use. I figure if it’s good enough for the US Military sniper teams to use it’s good enough for me. I’ve had something similar to this for 20 years. Gold ring Leo(not hd) but mine may be 15 to 45 or so. Maybe it’s my eyes but even on tripod or clamp I just can’t get clarity above about 25x. My camera zooms 125x so I rarely use spotter anymore.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: freerange]
#8928800
10/03/23 09:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,580
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,580 |
I have been using a Leupold Gold Ring 20-60 for many years. I paired it with a Trophy Tools clamp and hung it from the top of doors on various vehicles. I used it for work and sent many rotten criminals to prison with it. It worked perfectly for my use. I figure if it’s good enough for the US Military sniper teams to use it’s good enough for me. I’ve had something similar to this for 20 years. Gold ring Leo(not hd) but mine may be 15 to 45 or so. Maybe it’s my eyes but even on tripod or clamp I just can’t get clarity above about 25x. My camera zooms 125x so I rarely use spotter anymore. Just looked at mine and its 12 to 40. Dont think I ever crank it to 40 regardless of distance.
Last edited by freerange; 10/03/23 09:29 PM.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928846
10/03/23 10:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,241
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,241 |
Been using an old $20 Black Friday Simmons but the FOV and clarity is garbage
Intended use: mounting to window so I can glass from my truck.
Question: straight eye piece or offset?
Willing to step up to the plate on good glass but wanting to be mindful of diminishing returns.
All opinions are welcome.
Cheers this list is in order and only slated for each MFG’s top line offering not their bottom or mid end swaro Kowa lecia zeiss meopta maven/vortex sig/leupold as far as straight vs angled- how tall are you?, is weight an issue(straight takes a taller tripod), do you glass alot from truck(angled is do able but not great), as long as you roll with top of the line from the above MFG you will be happy, sig leupold is as low as I would go go though. Id shop used in the top four first .
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928954
10/04/23 01:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36,607
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 36,607 |
most Prone shooters like the angled spotters for looking from their shooting positions.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928959
10/04/23 01:11 AM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242
7six2
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242 |
I am very happy with my Meopta. Use it for long distance shooting; as an added bonus it works good for planetary viewing too. I've looked at Saturns rings and the even made out Jupiters cloud colors.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8928984
10/04/23 01:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,494
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,494 |
I'll take straight all day long. I owned the Meopta S2, Kowa 884, and Nikon 82ED (a really great and underrated spotter) at the same time and wound up keeping the Meopta mainly because it was much easier to use at higher mags. The S2 is built like a tank with superb optics. I also have an Athlon Ares 15-45 UHD and it is amazingly good, especially considering what it cost.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8929040
10/04/23 03:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,847
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,847 |
The only thing I'd change about my Razor 11-33 is to make it a straight instead of angled eyepiece. It's incredibly sharp and easy to look through.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: Mickey Moose]
#8929631
10/05/23 12:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,966
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,966 |
Talk to gr8fuldoug. Many of us have bought from him and will again. I have an Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x65 angled. Not fancy. Having used the angled now I'd like to also try a straight simply for comparison, but I don't have a problem with angled and would likely stick with it. I have the exact same one and I have no complaints for what I paid for it. There are some very expensive glass out at the competitions that I’ve spotted through at matches and for the price difference I don’t see a huge difference between the two. Now as far as if they’re bomb proof or not I have no clue and will probably never need to find out.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: KRoyal]
#8929646
10/05/23 01:09 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,799
Mickey Moose
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 9,799 |
...Athlon Ares G2 UHD 15-45x65 angled. Now as far as if they’re bomb proof or not I have no clue and will probably never need to find out. I'm not sure either, but mine has been on four wilderness hunts and still works fine.
My botnet is bigger than yours.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8929688
10/05/23 02:25 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,726
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14,726 |
Buying one that’s been lightly used is the best way to save some money on them. I have 2 that I got that way.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8932406
10/09/23 08:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,172
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,172 |
Lots of great scopes out there right now, way more than say 20+ year ago when we bought our Swaro. BOBO's list is a good one. I would sure look at some of the other brands now besides Swaro if we needed a new scope.
And used is not a bad idea on the higher end scopes.
I think a straight scope works better on a window mount too.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8932479
10/09/23 10:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 231
Daniel Boone
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 231 |
I also have the Athlon Ares 15-45 that I bought from Doug at NY Cameraland and have no complaints. The only thing that I would change is that I got the angled and like Jgraider wished I had bought the straight. Every salesperson I spoke with said that since I am 6"2' I needed the angled version or it would be too far from the ground. I just got back from a Wyoming antelope hunt and it took me forever to acquire my target with it which was very frustrating. Everybody said I would get better with practice but after a week of hunting that was not the case. For the price, I would highly recommend the glass though.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8932497
10/09/23 11:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,256
BarneyWho
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,256 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: BarneyWho]
#8932535
10/10/23 12:06 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,675
wp75169
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,675 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns. This is no longer available but I’m pretty sure it’s the Meopta S 82. Same same.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: wp75169]
#8932586
10/10/23 01:31 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,256
BarneyWho
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,256 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns. This is no longer available but I’m pretty sure it’s the Meopta S 82. Same same. I believe that is correct. Judd owns the NightForce spotter. I’m sure he will see this and chime in.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: wp75169]
#8932797
10/10/23 12:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,577
angus1956
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,577 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns. This is no longer available but I’m pretty sure it’s the Meopta S 82. Same same. This is what I use, no issues it's a 20x60.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: BarneyWho]
#8932841
10/10/23 01:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,599
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,599 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns. This is no longer available but I’m pretty sure it’s the Meopta S 82. Same same. I believe that is correct. Judd owns the NightForce spotter. I’m sure he will see this and chime in. I looked through Judd's. He had paper at 600 yards, doing a load development. I could see 6mm holes in that paper. I was highly impressed! I need a Mil reticle. And I have it in my Swarovski. Night Force of all companies should put a Mil reticle in their spotting scope, but they didn't. It makes no sense to me.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: J.G.]
#8932855
10/10/23 02:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,494
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,494 |
Buy once, cry once…..Swarvoski, but I was impressed with the NightForce TS-82 a buddy owns. This is no longer available but I’m pretty sure it’s the Meopta S 82. Same same. I believe that is correct. Judd owns the NightForce spotter. I’m sure he will see this and chime in. I looked through Judd's. He had paper at 600 yards, doing a load development. I could see 6mm holes in that paper. I was highly impressed! I need a Mil reticle. And I have it in my Swarovski. Night Force of all companies should put a Mil reticle in their spotting scope, but they didn't. It makes no sense to me. That's because it's a hunting scope, and it's a rebadged Meopta S2. Meopta makes/has made OEM equipment for several companies such as Leica, Zeiss, Leupold, and Nightforce.
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Re: Best spotting scope for the money?
[Re: DustyArmadillo]
#8932860
10/10/23 02:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,694
DStroud
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,694 |
Apologize for getting a little off OP’s topic but if someone needs a Mil reticle in an application that doesn’t need high magnification check out the Bushnell Pro 15x. I have been using one for about 2 months at matches and they are very good for money invested. I tried the 15 SLC ‘s but the interpupillary distance didn’t work for me so then I went to the 12X Pures which are great but I missed the extra power. Just took a chance on the Bushnell’s and while they are big and heavy which all 15x seem to be they are exactly what I wanted. I have compared them to several pairs of 15x SLC’s and you do lose a bit of clarity at the edges with the Bushnell but you have too look hard to see those differences.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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