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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 212
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 212 |
A friend is interested in buying a spotting scope.His budget is $200, tops.I have almost no idea about a spotting scope.What is a decent one(if any)in this price range.Think I saw somwhere that a Nikon earth and sky scope is on sale for under $200.Is that an OK scope.Also what power range is good for a spotting scope.Would appreciate your responses to this,thank you.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,924
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,924 |
A friend is interested in buying a spotting scope.His budget is $200, tops.I have almost no idea about a spotting scope.What is a decent one(if any)in this price range.Think I saw somwhere that a Nikon earth and sky scope is on sale for under $200.Is that an OK scope.Also what power range is good for a spotting scope.Would appreciate your responses to this,thank you. There are no decent ones in your friend's price range only survivable ones AFAIK. Some say that Celestron makes one in this price range that would be adequate for range use.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,117 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,117 Likes: 2 |
A while back, Cameta Camera had the Nikon Earth and Sky with a fixed 20X eyepiece for $139. I got one, and found it very adequate for my use. On a whim, I spent another $80 and got the 25X wide angle eyepiece (same field of view as the 20X).
No, it's not the best scope in the world, but it is a good scope. And it is a darn sight better than most anything else I could find new for that price. The variable zoom eyepiece adds a lot to the price, so a fixed eyepiece is a considerable saving.
The other option is to cruise eBay for something used in good condition.
Be not weary in well doing.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,199
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,199 |
Tell him to save up until he can get a good one.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 63 |
Actually, the Leupold Wind River series spotters are about in that price range. Thay are very nice scopes for the money and do have a Leupold Limited Lifetime warranty on them. No, they are not a Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, etc., but very good quality for the money. You have your choice of straight or angled eyepiece. I've had one for two years now and don't regret it at all.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664 |
It depemds on what your friend is using the spotting scope for as to how good of one he needs. A fixed power spoter in that price range will work out to 200 yards for shooting range work. For glassing a hillside they won't work very well IMO. From what I've looked through the cheap variable spotters aren't as clear as the fixed power models.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 212
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 212 |
Thank you all for the input.Appreciate this very much.I realize that it is a very tight budget and the better ones are going to much higher in price.Unfortunately this is his budget. I would like to give a special thanks to Doug at Cameraland.He has always been very prompt in replies to queries.Not only in this matter but in many previous occasions.Those who hae dealt with him will know this.But to others,he is someone you can deal with in great confidence.He will go the extra step to make sure that his customers are happy. I will convey all your suggestions to my friend and see what he wants to do.Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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