Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Spotting scope comparison

About a year ago, I was contemplating getting a new spotting scope. I was thinking about one on the smallish side, as I would be using it mainly for hunting and not at the shooting bench. Cameralands sale has me thinking it is time to buy. I have it narrowed down to the following spotters:

Hawke Endurance ED 12-36X50

Kowa TSN-502 20-40X50

Athlon Cronus 12-36X50

Vortex Razor HD 11-33X50

I included the Vortex even though I know the razors are their top of the line only because it fit my size requirements.

Any input on any of them would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Are these scopes to much on the low end of the spectrum for people to have used them and have opinions of them?

i don't find even 60mm +sized mid tier spotting scopes very useful let alone 50mm ones

Can't speak to the options you've listed, but if you can stretch your budget, Doug is offering the best price I've ever seen on the incredible Kowa
TSN-553/554 scopes. You won't be disappointed.

I don't have experience with the other options on your list, but the Razor 11-33x is a very good scope for the size and money.

I agree. Small field of view, eye relief a bit more critical, both consistent with the optic qualities. However, it's the spotter I take on backpack hunts. Great optic for the size, weight, and optic qualities.

I’m a TSN-553 owner. It’s a sweet little spotter with excellent glass. Pair it with a lightweight tripod and it’s like carry a feather compared to a full sized spotter.

🦫

Thanks for the replies.

I have the Kowa TSN-501 (angled eyepiece) that I bought for range use. I was feeling cheap that day. I wished I had spent a few hundred more and gotten the 60mm. Live and learn...

IMO it is worth the extra cost to get a Kowa 553 or 554. Doug will most likely give you a good price on it. Small, light, super optics. You can use a very light tripod since it isn't heavy. You can end up with 4 lb in the pack instead of 8.5 lb.

It’s heavy for a 60mm but the Athlon Ares UHD blew me away. Co-worker bought one and it was at least as bright and sharp as my 60mm Leica. I couldn’t believe it…..

I am messing with the 65mm Ares UHD spotter right now and I am really impressed. It is, however, notably larger and than the small 50-55mm ones that are in the OP.

With small spotters, if you can not stretch your budget to the 55mm Prominar, I'd go with the small Razor. It is a surprisingly capable and very lightweight spotter.

ILya